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Learners and cruisers bolster motorcycle market

Indian Chief Classic

Australian motorcycle riders love their road bikes.
Road bike sales rose marginally by 0.3% to 43,724, representing 39% of all the 113,289 new motorcycles, ATVs and scooters sold in 2013.
Around 34% bought an off-road bike with sales of 39,013 (3.1%), almost 19% bought an ATV (21,072, -10.6%) and around 8% bought a scooter (9478, -12.4%), according to official VFacts figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).
While the whole market dropped slightly by 2.2% to 113,289, it appears more riders are joining the two-wheel brigade with many learner bikes among the top sellers.
The sales leader was the Kawasaki Ninja 300 learner bike, despite being voluntarily pulled from the market for a short time to fix ABS and ECU problems.
Even Honda’s ubiquitous CT110 postie bike dropped to seventh behind mini bikes, small-capacity dirt bikes and Honda’s CBR250R learner bike.
The bump in learner bikes was expected after Western Australia last year finally joined the rest of the country on the Learner Approved Motorcycles Scheme (LAMS), in which learners can choose from bikes up to 659cc with a power-to-weight ratio up to 150kW/tonne.

Honda CBR500R
Honda CBR500R

Consequently, learner bikes topped almost every category.
 Honda’s new 500cc models, the CBR500R and CBR500FA, topped the sports and naked bike categories.
The Kawasaki KLR650 again topped the adventure bike category with Suzuki’s DLR650A in third behind the BMW R 1200 GS.
Yamaha’s XVS650 again topped the cruiser sector while the rest of the category was dominated by Harley-Davidson which was second in road bikes with sales up 5% to 8217, representing almost 19% of the road market.
In this climate of learner bike sales frenzy, Harley will be sweating on a possible early release for its new Street 500 learner bike from India or America. However, the official release is not until this time next year.
Leading road bike company was again Honda with 8998 sales (up 2.4% and 20% of the market). Kawasaki was third with about 6852 sales, up 8.4% and 16% of the road sector.
Releasing the 2013 motorcycle, ATV and scooter sales figures, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) chief executive Tony Weber says the boom in learner bikes and cruisers augers well for the industry’s future.
“Learners doing well and cruisers doing well indicates a bright future for our industry,” he says.
“It shows a movement toward leisure and discretionary expenditure.
“People later in life have paid off the mortgage and decide they might buy themselves the dream machine. While they might not be able to buy afford a Ferrari, they can afford a fancy bike.”

Indian Chief Classic
Indian Chief Classic

A good example of the cruiser craze was the return of the Indian Chief which sold out before it hit our shores.
Tony says the bikie crackdown in Queensland did not have any affect on bike sales.
“We did a bit of research on it and found no evidence that it has had any effect whatsoever,” he says.
Tony pointed out that while road and off-road sales were positive, ATV and scooter sales have “come off the boil” in the past few years.
“Scooters were a bit more of a fashion item a few years ago and the novelty has come off and there a lot of seocnd-hand scooters sitting around,” he says.
“ATVs were also down which may reflect tougher times in the farming communities and the downturn in mining.”
Honda was again top manufacturer with around 22% of the market, selling 25,432 motorcycles, ATVs and scooters.
It was followed by Yamaha with almost 18% market share and 20,087 sales. Kawasaki was third with around 10% (11,683) and Suzuki fourth with 9.5% (10,818).
Yamaha led the market for off-road motorcycles, selling more than 29% (11,553) of the total 39,013 off-road bikes sold, up 3%. Honda had 26% (10,317) and KTM 16% (6211).

Top 10 manufacturers

  1. Honda 25,432 (-2.3%)
  2. Yamaha 20,087 (-0.5%)
  3. Kawasaki 11,683 (7.1%)
  4. Suzuki 10,818 (-13.2%)
  5. Harley 8217 (5%)
  6. KTM 7090 (19.7%)
  7. Polaris 4450 (-16.4%)
  8. Triumph 3029 (-0.9%)
  9. CFMoto 2496 (11.1%)
  10. BMW 2198 (3.4%)

Top 10 road manufacturers

  1. Honda 8998 (2.4%)
  2. Harley 8217 (5%0
  3. Kawasaki 6852 (8.4%)
  4. Yamaha 3988 (0.7%)
  5. Suzuki 3756 (-14.8%)
  6. Triumph 3029 (-0.9%)
  7. BMW 2099 (-0.6%)
  8. Ducati 1772 (-8.4%)
  9. Hyosung 992 (-30.6%)
  10. KTM 870 (145.1%)
TOP 10 (excludes ATVs) Jan-Dec, 2013 compared with Jan-Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Kawasaki Ninja 300 3560 1066 234.0%
Honda CRF50F 2731 3030 -9.9%
Yamaha TTR50 1808 1777 1.7%
Honda CBR500R 1748 0 #DIV/0!
Yamaha WR450F 1684 1516 11.1%
Honda CBR250R 1580 2514 -37.2%
Honda CRF110F 1492 348 328.7%
Honda CT110X 1489 2145 -30.6%
Yamaha PW50 1342 1649 -18.6%
Honda CB125E 1218 1398 -12.9%
ATVs January – Dec, 2013 compared with Jan-Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Honda TRX250 1013 1320 -23.3%
Yamaha YFM90 779 1037 -24.9%
Honda TRX420TM 590 717 -17.7%
CF MOTO Farm Spec X5 582 0 100.0%
Honda TRX500FM 525 551 -4.7%
Polaris Outlaw 50 509 747 -31.9%
Yamaha YFM450FAP 484 531 -8.9%
Honda TRX420FM 477 500 -4.6%
Polaris Sportsman 550 XP 458 759 -39.7%
Yamaha YFM550 449 357 25.8%
Road Bikes Jan-Dec, 2013 compared with Jan-Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Kawasaki Ninja 300 3560 1066 234.0%
Honda CBR500R 1748 0 100.0%
Honda CBR250R 1580 2514 -37.2%
Honda CT110X 1489 2145 -30.6%
Honda CB125E 1218 1398 -12.9%
Yamaha XVS650 1029 981 4.9%
Harley Davidson FXSB 748 0 100.0%
Kawasaki Ninja 650RL 743 602 23.4%
Harley Davidson FXDF 707 769 -8.1%
Harley Davidson FXDWG 607 598 1.5%
 Cruisers Jan-Dec, 2013 compared with Jan-Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Yamaha XVS650 1029 981 4.9%
Harley Davidson FXSB 748 0 100.0%
Harley Davidson FXDF 707 769 -8.1%
Harley Davidson FXDWG 607 598 1.5%
Harley Davidson VRSCDX 597 571 4.6%
Harley Davidson FXST 577 596 -3.2%
Harley Davidson FXDB 559 294 90.1%
Harley Davidson FLSTF 511 770 -33.6%
Harley Davidson XL883N 493 496 -0.6%
Ducati Diavel 363 373 -2.7%
Scooters Jan-Dec, 2013 compared with Jan-Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Piaggio Fly 150 516 600 -14.0%
MCI Riviera 50 506 495 2.2%
Piaggio ZIP 50 369 399 -7.5%
Honda NVS502 356 366 -2.7%
Honda NSC110 294 414 -29.0%
Honda WW150 293 50 486.0%
Yamaha YW125 259 193 34.2%
Vespa LX 150 250 195 28.2%
Piaggio Typhoon 233 294 -20.7%
Vespa GTS 300 SUPER 225 226 -0.4%
Sports Touring Jan-Dec, 2013 compared Jan-Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Kawasaki Ninja 300 3560 1066 234.0%
Kawasaki Ninja 650RL 743 602 23.4%
Yamaha FZ6R 357 241 48.1%
Suzuki GS500F 284 210 35.2%
Suzuki GSX1300R 199 155 28.4%
Suzuki GSX650F 152 175 -13.1%
Kawasaki VERSYS 148 117 26.5%
Kawasaki Ninja 1000 140 198 -29.3%
Honda VFR800 134 189 -29.1%
Triumph Sprint GT 95 144 -34.0%
Under 250cc Jan-Dec, 2013 compared with Jan-Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Honda CBR250R 1580 2514 -37.2%
Honda CT110X 1489 2145 -30.6%
Honda CB125E 1218 1398 -12.9%
Yamaha YZF-R15 580 486 19.3%
CF MOTO V-NIGHT 317 153 107.2%
KTM 200DUKE 263 89 195.5%
Suzuki VL250 250 238 5.0%
Suzuki GW250 244 73 234.2%
Suzuki TU250X 212 215 -1.4%
Hyosung GT250R 174 371 -53.1%
Adventure Touring Jan-Dec, 2013 compared with Jan-Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Kawasaki KLR650 399 446 -10.5%
BMW R1200 GS 370 305 21.3%
Suzuki DL650A 311 488 -36.3%
BMW G650 GS 298 310 -3.9%
Honda CB500XA 297 0 100.0%
Triumph Tiger 800 XC 205 213 -3.8%
Ducati MTS1200 198 202 -2.0%
BMW F800 GS 172 202 -14.9%
BMW R1200 GS Adventure 164 186 -11.8%
BMW F 700 GS 158 46 243.5%
Naked Jan-Dec, 2013 compared with Jan-Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Honda CB500FA 475 0 100.0%
Triumph STREET TRIPLE 439 273 60.8%
Ducati M659 366 353 3.7%
Kawasaki ER-6nL 297 294 1.0%
Suzuki GS500 218 193 13.0%
Triumph BONNE T100 203 236 -14.0%
Yamaha XJ6-NL 197 75 162.7%
Honda CB400 175 360 -51.4%
Kawasaki W800 175 187 -6.4%
Triumph SPEED TRIPLE 175 173 1.2%
Super Sport Jan-Dec, 2013 compared with Jan-Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Honda CBR500R 1748 0 100.0%
Honda CBR1000RR 468 458 2.2%
Hyosung GT650R 350 464 -24.6%
Ducati 1199 Panigale 291 364 -20.1%
Suzuki GSX-R1000 277 372 -25.5%
Yamaha YZF-R1 272 366 -25.7%
Triumph DAYTONA 675 254 237 7.2%
BMW S 1000 RR 252 311 -19.0%
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R 231 284 -18.7%
Kawasaki Ninja ZX14 210 298 -29.5%
Touring Jan-Dec, 2013 compared with Jan-Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Harley Davidson FLSTC 250 261 -4.2%
Harley Davidson FLHX 149 164 -9.1%
CF MOTO 650TK 139 0 100.0%
Yamaha FJR1300 131 92 42.4%
Honda GL1800 123 122 0.8%
Harley Davidson FLHR 122 250 -51.2%
BMW R1200 RT 86 106 -18.9%
Kawasaki 1400GTR 82 86 -4.7%
Harley Davidson FLHTCU 80 133 -39.8%
Harley Davidson FLHTK 74 1 7300.0%
Super Motard Jan-Dec, 2013 compared with Jan-Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Suzuki DR-Z400SM 114 106 7.5%
KTM 990SMT 48 28 71.4%
Ducati Hypermotard 31 0 100.0%
Husqvarna SMR511 27 61 -55.7%
Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 22 21 4.8%
Ducati HM1100 21 43 -51.2%
KTM 690SMC 21 3 600.0%
Kawasaki KLX250SL 19 55 -65.5%
KTM 450SMR 16 3 433.3%
Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 12 27 -55.6%
Off Road Jan-Dec, 2013 compared with Jan-Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Honda CRF50F 2731 3030 -9.9%
Yamaha TTR50 1808 1777 1.7%
Yamaha WR450F 1684 1516 11.1%
Honda CRF110F 1492 348 328.7%
Yamaha PW50 1342 1649 -18.6%
Yamaha YZ450F 1137 910 24.9%
Honda CRF450R 1066 737 44.6%
Yamaha YZ250F 1015 890 14.0%
Suzuki DR-Z400E 990 888 11.5%
Yamaha TTR110 908 714 27.2%
Enduro Jan-Dec, 2013 compared with Jan-Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Yamaha WR450F 1684 1516 11.1%
Suzuki DR-Z400E 990 888 11.5%
KTM 500EXC 725 621 16.7%
KTM 350EXCF 709 654 8.4%
KTM 300EXC 530 451 17.5%
KTM 450EXC 460 481 -4.4%
Yamaha TT250 419 333 25.8%
Husqvarna TE449 298 230 29.6%
Husqvarna TE510 294 239 23.0%
Husqvarna TE310 255 202 26.2%
Moto Cross Jan-Dec, 2013 compared with Jan-Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Yamaha YZ450F 1137 910 24.9%
Honda CRF450R 1066 737 44.6%
Yamaha YZ250F 1015 890 14.0%
Kawasaki KX250F 837 908 -7.8%
Honda CRF250R 811 691 17.4%
KTM 50SX 673 572 17.7%
Kawasaki KX450F 631 724 -12.8%
Suzuki RM-Z250 511 611 -16.4%
KTM 85SX 478 349 37.0%
Suzuki RM-Z450 458 477 -4.0%
Fun Jan-Dec, 2013 compared with Jan-Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Honda CRF50F 2731 3030 -9.9%
Yamaha TTR50 1808 1777 1.7%
Honda CRF110F 1492 348 328.7%
Yamaha PW50 1342 1649 -18.6%
Yamaha TTR110 908 714 27.2%
Kawasaki KLX110 882 606 45.5%
Kawasaki KLX140 579 498 16.3%
Yamaha TTR125 530 540 -1.9%
Suzuki JR80 426 365 16.7%
Suzuki DR-Z70 388 412 -5.8%
Farm Jan-Dec, 2013 compared with Jan-Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Suzuki DR200SE 632 651 -2.9%
Yamaha AG200 546 314 73.9%
Honda CTX200 475 666 -28.7%
Kawasaki Stockman 250 146 169 -13.6%
Honda XR125L 130 0 100.0%
Yamaha AG100 80 97 -17.5%
Trail Jan-Dec, 2013 compared with Jan – Dec, 2012
Manufacturer Model
YTD 2013 YTD 2012 % Chg
Honda CRF230F 876 1186 -26.1%
Honda CRF250L 840 539 55.8%
Suzuki DR650SE 611 727 -16.0%
Yamaha TTR230 521 401 29.9%
Husqvarna TR 650 Terra 210 11 1809.1%
Yamaha XT250 189 192 -1.6%
Yamaha XT660 53 86 -38.4%
Suzuki DR-Z400S 53 73 -27.4%
Honda CRF230L 37 135 -72.6%
Honda XR650L 1 3 -66.7%