Road bikes heading for record year

Figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) reveal that 30,460 motorcycles, scooters and ATVs were sold to the end of March - a 4.9 per cent increase on the same period in 2007.

"The motorcycle market has continued to grow so far this year despite the recent interest rate rises and signs of softer retail spending," said FCAI chief executive, Andrew McKellar. Motorcycle sales hit an all time high of 129,966 last year and over the last five years the market has grown by around 70 per cent. The road bike market edged ahead of the off-road market in the first quarter, the first time this has occurred in several years. Road bike sales of 11,580 to March eclipsed the off-road segment's 10,687.Cruisers continued their leadership of the motorcycle sub-segments with sales of 3,334 ahead of Enduro (3,114), 250cc road bikes (2,571), Motocross (2,512) and Sports road bikes (1,869). Honda just retained its number one spot in the total motorcycle market to March with 22.6 per cent share from Yamaha (22.3%), and Suzuki (12.1%).

Yamaha increased its lead in the off-road market with 34.2 per cent share ahead of Honda with 27.4 per cent. Honda dominated the road bike market with 21.1 per cent share from Harley-Davidson with 15.7 per cent and Suzuki in third with 15.2 per cent. The scooter market declined by 3.4 per cent, and is now led by Piaggio with 15.1 per cent market share from Vespa (13.0%), Yamaha (12.0%) & Honda (7.7%).