Bike Sales January - September 2006

That's 15,116 more than at the same time last year (up 22 percent), according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

By year's end they predict the motor-cycle industry is likely to substantially exceed the record of 102,000 sales set in 2005. Last year was the first time in three decades that motorcycle sales in Australia had reached six figures.

As it was in 2005, the road bike market has been the main driver of growth this year, with sales increasing by 9,568 or 34.8 per cent.

"While road bike sales have undoubtedly been boosted by record fuel prices over the winter, it's been evident for more than 18 months that commuters are rediscovering motorcycling as an economical and convenient form of daily transport," said FCAI Chief Executive Peter Sturrock.

While road bike sales are at record levels, the scooter boom continues unabated. Sales are up 3,592 vehicles or 54.3 per cent on previous record sales set in the first nine months of 2005. Bug Scooter sales are up 100 percent over last year's total and other scooter manufacturers are also having record years.

"As the number of scooters on our streets grows, so is general public awareness of their advantages in terms of fuel economy, traffic congestion and parking scarcity," said Mr Sturrock.

Mr Sturrock said the rapid rise in scooter sales was also being propelled by an influx of new models from many brands, offering a wider range of scooter styles and capacities to suit almost all riders.

The other big trend in the Road Bike market has been the rise of the Cruiser segment, which grew by 1,876 sales or 33.8 per cent to the end of September. With sales year to date of 7,418, the Cruiser segment has increased its lead over Sports Bikes, which have increased 620 sales or 13.2 per cent to 5,319. The Off Road market grew at a more modest pace but still showed an encouraging gain of 4,165 vehicles or 14.5 per cent to the end of September. Yamaha topped Off Road bike sales for the January to September period with 11,158 sales, ahead of Honda with 10,116 and Suzuki 4,014. The best-selling road bike brand for the year to date was Honda with 7,152 sales, ahead of Yamaha with 4,465 and Suzuki 4,229 sales.

TOP 10 BY CATEGORY

Make Model YTD Sales

Honda CT110X 1,667

Yamaha WR450F 1,469

Honda CRF450X 1,174

Honda CRF230F 1,046

Yamaha PW50 1,025

Suzuki DR-Z400E 937

Honda CRF450R 924

Yamaha TTR50 885

Yamaha TTR230 874

Honda CRF250R 863

ROAD BIKES

Honda CT110X 1,667

Bug Jive Bug 798

Honda NVS50 672

Harley-Davidson FXST 616

Yamaha YZF-R1 609

Yamaha YZF-R6 600

Honda CBR1000R 589

VMoto Monza JP50 565

Kawasaki EX250-F 538

Suzuki GSX-R1000 526

CRUISERS

Harley-Davidson FXST 616

Honda VT750C 503

Harley-Davidson FXD 469

Yamaha XVS650 433

Harley-Davidson FLSTF 350

Harley-Davidson XL883 340

Harley-Davidson FLSTC 336

Yamaha XVS1100 330

Triumph Speed Master 320

SPORTS TOURERS

Honda CBR1100X 440

Suzuki GS500F 287

Honda VTR1000F 263

Triumph Sprint ST 239

Suzuki GSF1200S 229

Honda VFR800 221

Suzuki GSX1300R 205

Yamaha FZ6-S 148

Suzuki GSX750F 128

Yamaha FZ1-S 109

ADVENTURE TOURING

Suzuki DL650 274

BMW R1200GS 212

Kawasaki KL650 171

Kawasaki KLE500&