Motorcycle sales off to a slow start in 2014

Motorcycle sales were down 2.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2014, with sales in the off-road motorcycle and scooter segments taking a significant hit—9.4 and 16.3 per cent, respectively—compared to sales in the same period of 2013.

Road motorcycle sales; however, were strong, with 3.3 per cent more road bikes sold between January and March 2014, than in the same period in 2013. The 11,151 road motorcycle sales made up nearly 44 per cent of the total 25,383 new motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and scooter sales across Australia.

ATV sales also rose in the first quarter, with 4.4 per cent more ATV sold than in the first quarter of 2013.

Releasing the first quarter motorcycle sales figures, FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said Honda was the leading volume manufacturer with 4,716 units sold. Honda was followed by Yamaha with 4,322 units, Kawasaki with 2,882 units and Suzuki with 2,174.

“Honda also led the volume race in the road motorcycle market, selling 2,097 of the total 11,151 sold. Honda was followed closely by Harley-Davidson with 2,069 sales. Kawasaki came in third, selling 1,641,” Mr Weber said.

“The figures show that, in particular, KTM, BMW, Yamaha, Indian, Kymco, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi have seen significant growth in the road motorcycle market this year, compared to the first quarter of 2013.

“Looking at the off-road motorcycle market, Yamaha was the leading brand, selling 2,177 of the 7,429 off-road motorcycles sold between January and March. Yamaha was followed by Honda with 1,484 sales and KTM with 1,393.

“Polaris was the largest selling manufacturer in the ATV segment, selling 958 ATVs. Polaris was followed by Honda with 835 sales and Yamaha with 760. A total of 4,533 ATVs were sold across all brands.

“Piaggio led the sales race in the scooter market, selling 382 units. Vespa came in second with 337 sales and Honda came in in third with 300. A total of 2,270 scooters were sold across all brands.”