Motorcycle News Blog

wBW News Blog:  "Blog" is used in the broadest sense of the term here; after all, webBikeWorld itself can be considered to be a blog!  This page consists of personal opinion and observations on news, views and ruminations on motorcycles, accessories and more.  This is info that doesn't really fit anywhere else on the site.  Got a motorcycle blog or news page?  Let's share.  Contact us at

More wBW Motorcycle News:  Motorcycle News  |  Motorcycle News Archive  |  Motorcycle Racing News  |  Motorcycle Racing News archive  |  2004 Motorcycle Owner Survey  |  Motorcycle Industry Sees 12th Year of Sales Growth

Japan Motorcycle Production Decreases

July 3, 2008 - The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) announced motorcycle production figures for May 2008, with production decrease of 44.1% compared to May of 2007.

Domestic sales (factory shipment) in May 2008 stood at 41,798 units, a decrease of 23.5% as compared with the same month of the previous year.

Exports (result) stood at 85.9% as compared with the same month of the previous year.

New University of Pittsburgh Study Shows Motorcycle Helmet Law Repeal Caused Fatalities

June 25, 2008 - Two University of Pittsburgh researchers have published a new study in the most recent edition of the American Journal of Public Health.  It is entitled “Changes in Motorcycle-Related Head Injury Deaths, Hospitalizations, and Hospital Charges Following Repeal of Pennsylvania’s Mandatory Motorcycle Helmet Law,” and it is available for a small fee from the American Journal of Public Health.

The researchers are Kristen J. Mertz of the University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health and Harold B. Weiss, University of Pittsburgh, Center for Injury Research and Control.

The study found that after the 2003 repeal of Pennsylvania’s motorcycle helmet law, helmet use by riders involved in reportable crashes decreased from 82 percent in 2001–2002 to 58 percent after the repeal (2004–2005).

Motorcycle-related head injury deaths increased 66 percent, whereas non-head injury deaths increased 25 percent.  In addition, motorcycle head injury hospitalizations increased 78 percent compared with 28 percent for non-head injury hospitalizations.

These data were obtained from Pennsylvania’s Departments of Health and Transportation. Researchers suggest that the repeal was most likely responsible for the relatively large increase in head injuries and that this study is significant for two main reasons.

First, it used population-based hospital discharge data compiled from all acute care hospitals in the state, whereas the majority of previous studies of post-repeal changes in motorcycle-related hospitalizations include data only from selected trauma centers.  Second, the researchers attempted to control for non-helmet factors by comparing changes in head injuries to non-head injuries.

“Data alone, however, are not sufficient to reverse helmet law repeal; many states maintain repeals despite multiple studies showing increases in deaths, injuries and costs.  Until life-saving mandatory helmet policies are reinstated, voluntary helmet use programs should be developed and evaluated,” the study’s authors recommended.

Abstract:  "To evaluate the 2003 repeal of Pennsylvania’s motorcycle helmet law, we assessed changes in helmet use and compared motorcycle-related head injuries with non-head injuries from 2001–2002 to 2004–2005.

Helmet use among riders in crashes decreased from 82% to 58%.  Head injury deaths increased 66%; non-head injury deaths increased 25%.

Motorcycle-related head injury hospitalizations increased 78% compared with 28% for non-head injury hospitalizations.  Helmet law repeals jeopardize motorcycle riders.  Until repeals are reversed, states need voluntary strategies to increase helmet use."

Report From the International Transport Forum Workshop on Motorcycle Safety

June 24, 2008 - The Workshop on Motorcycling Safety in Lillehammer, Norway, concluded with the agreement of the motorcycle safety stakeholders agreed on some recommendations

“Motorcycles must be fully integrated into the transport system and transport policies” was one of the main messages from the participants. 

The objectives of the workshop were to identify the real problems of motorcyclist safety, discuss practical solutions to these problems, and propose a set of measures to improve safety.

Nearly 100 expert participants from 21 countries, representing the main stakeholders involved in motorcycling safety met in Lillehammer on 10-11 June 2008.  This is the first time that so many high-profile stakeholders have met at international level.

The workshop was officially opened by the Norwegian Minister of Transport and Communication, Mrs. Liv Signe Navarsete, along with Mr. Jack Short, the Secretary General of the ITF.

During her opening remarks, the Minister underlined that motorcycles have a natural place in the transport system.  At the same time, the vulnerability of motorcyclists requires a range of policy responses including increased training and awareness as well as responsible behavior from the individual road users.

Mr. Short pointed out that motorcyclist fatalities were rising in many countries and that the problem needed urgent attention.  He also stressed that “Norway was the perfect place to hold the workshop, because it is a leader in road safety, with many excellent initiatives emanating from Norway that have spread elsewhere”.

Participants at the workshop identified a number of measures that could be implemented in the short term to make motorcycling safer.  The overarching principle was the need to support continuing dialogue and co-operation between the various actors involved in motorcycle safety (including policy makers, researchers, manufacturers, and motorcyclists themselves).

It was agreed that a fundamental approach to motorcycle safety is to include motorcycles into transport policies and infrastructure policy and management, so that an integrated approach can be developed.  Motorcycle crash counter-measures need to be developed on the basis of evidence-based research into car driver and motorcycle rider behavior.

Better motorcycle rider training was described is a key counter-measure; this means developing a tiered approach to motorcycle training which builds upon existing standards, focusing on risk awareness and risk avoidance and an understanding of the limits of rider/motorcycle capacities.

The following practical ideas were supported by participants:

• Including a component on awareness and acceptance of motorcyclists in the general training for all automobile drivers.

• Expanding the introduction of advanced braking systems for motorcycles.

• Partnering with motorcyclists to develop and implement programs on safety issues that affect motorcycling communities.

The event was an important step towards the aim of ensuring a true dialogue between the various stakeholders.  The initiative was welcomed by Mr. Hans Petter Strifeldt, President of FEMA (European Federation of Motorcyclists' Associations) who said “it was crucial for motorcycle safety that all stakeholders meet in order to find an integrated approach to the challenges”.

The results from the Lillehammer workshop will also be considered at the OECD/IF High Level Road Safety Seminar in Paris in September.  Papers from the workshop will be available shortly on the website of the International Transport Forum website.

Motorcycle Sales Remain Strong in UK

June 8, 2008 - The credit crunch that started in the U.S.A. has spread to Europe and elsewhere, but it doesn't seem to be affecting motorcycle sales in the UK.  High fuel prices are also bringing new and returning riders into the showrooms looking to buy motorcycles, clothing, helmets and accessories.  This is based on email traffic and conversations with industry reps in the U.S. and UK. 

Ducati sales are hot, with many dealers reporting a shortage of the 1098 and 848, and dealers say they're expecting very strong demand for the new Monster 696.  Ducati, Triumph, BMW and others are reporting no problems with credit for motorcycle purchasers, although some 0% financing deals are disappearing.

New President of the International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association

Hendrik von Kuenheim, general director of BMW Motorrad since the beginning of this year, has been elected President of the International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA) by its members.

von Kuenheim succeeds Minoru Harada of Honda, who had held the office since May 2006.  The members of the IMMA comprise all of the world's most prominent motorcycle manufacturers, serving as a platform upon which they can come together to jointly define technical standards and to present their interests from a common front.

Amongst its activities, the association works together with the UN World Forum, with whom it is aiming to effect the harmonization of technical vehicle regulations (UNECE WP29).  It is for this reason that Hendrik von Kuenheim stated that one of the goals of his presidency would be to take on "an enthusiastic role in the current international discussion on increased road safety."

In 1947, BMW also became one of the founder members of the Bureau Permanent International des Constructeurs de Motocycles, as the IMMA was known until 1987.

BMW Motorcycles Director Elected Head of IMMA

May 21, 2008 - Hendrik von Kuenheim, general director of BMW Motorrad since the beginning of this year, has been elected President of the International Motorcycle Manufacturers Association (IMMA) by its members.

von Kuenheim succeeds Minoru Harada of Honda, who had held the office since May 2006.  The members of the IMMA comprise all of the world's most prominent motorcycle manufacturers, serving as a platform upon which they can come together to jointly define technical standards and to present their interests from a common front.

Amongst its activities, the association works together with the UN World Forum, with whom it is aiming to effect the harmonization of technical vehicle regulations (UNECE WP29).  It is for this reason that Hendrik von Kuenheim stated that one of the goals of his presidency would be to take on "an enthusiastic role in the current international discussion on increased road safety."

In 1947, BMW also became one of the founder members of the Bureau Permanent International des Constructeurs de Motocycles, as the IMMA was known until 1987.

1Q 2008 Motorcycle Sales
Meanwhile, first quarter 2008 motorcycle sales are down an average of 10.9% to 173,922 from 195,092 compared to the first quarter of last year.  Street bike sales were 116,316, down 11.2%; dual sport sales remain strong at 7,643, up 7.5%; off-road motorcycle sales were down 17.1% at 41,561 and scooter sales were very strong at 8,402, up 23.6%.

U.S. Motorcycle Sales, 1992 - 2007

I updated our chart showing U.S. motorcycle sales figures from 1992 to 2007.  These are gross numbers, including motorcycles (street bike, dual-sport and off-road) and scooters.  The numbers were compiled from various public sources but most of them probably trace back to the Motorcycle Industry Council, who tracks motorcycle sales in the U.S.A.

Note, however, that if a motorcycle manufacturer isn't an MIC member, their sales may not be reflected in these numbers.  But overall, this is about as good of an indication as you will find.

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