Bike Sales Feed Optimism
John Newman has taken a look at the hopeful motorcycle sales figures recently released
John Newman
It's happened at last! Following a number of years when bike sales and registration statistics bumped along the bottom at best, and some notable names in the trade fell by the wayside; Frank Thomas, George White, Hein Gericke etc, things are finally looking up!
In the early part of this year registrations of new bikes have increased (by 18% in March), and dealers are reporting better business in terms of clothing and accessories, and mechanical services.
The recession, combined with a number of bike unfriendly winters, curbed our enthusiasm. But in recent months the more optimistic sections of the trade began talking about what they termed 'pent up demand'. Feeling that some better times were about to roll. If the figures for new car sales are examined and some extrapolation about consumer spending and confidence is taken from this area, then the cause for optimism may be sound.
So what do the figures look like, and which bikes are leading this sales boost? Overall registrations for March were up by 18.6% to 14,563 units with motorcycles making up 11,065 units, scooters 2502 and the 50cc moped/scooter section 996. Bikes in the naked category showed the largest percentage sales increase at 45.1%; with Adventure Sport machines second at 29.9%. The Supersport category struggled with a drop in sales of 5.5%. Not surprising if you consider that the average age of a motorcyclist is now around 47yrs, and most 'old geezers' are not enamoured with the Supersport riding position, even if they still like the performance.
Top seller is the BMW1200GS in its various guises. Honda take the next four places in the sellers list with three of their lightweights; the CBF125M, PCX125 scooter, the 110WH scooter and then the NC750X adventure style bike. These were followed by the Kawasaki Z1000SX sports tourer and then another lightweight, the sporty Yamaha YZF-R125.
While Triumph didn't figure near the top of the sales charts, they made strong showings in the Adventure Sport category with the Tiger Explorer. The Bonneville America featured In the Custom category, while Harley 'hogged' top spots here with Sportster, Softail Breakout and Sportster X1200 models. The Triumph Street Triple R vied for top spot in the Naked category with Yamaha's MT-07 and MT-09.
With some predicted decent weather on the way, and money still cheap to lend, motorcycle sales optimism may not be misplaced.
Thanks to Motorcycle Industry Association and British Dealer News for some of this information.
John Newman
for Wemoto News
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