Bike sales set another record
October 14, 2008 by Matt Brogan
Maybe it’s the cost of petrol, or the lack of parking. But whatever the reason, it seems motorbike sales are soaring with a record number of bikes and scooters leaving showroom floors. Official Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries figures show sales up five per cent on the same period last year.
While road bikes remain the most popular segment in the market, it was scooters which recorded the biggest increase, 14.5 per cent up on last year. Overall, 96,281 motorcycles, scooters and all-terrain vehicles were sold to the end of September with road bikes making up 36,128 (10.8 per cent increase) of that figure followed off-roads at 33,897 (2.0 per cent decrease), ATV’s 14,541 (2.2 per cent increase and scooters with 11,715 sales.
Honda took first place again with 22,573 total market sales, followed by Yamaha (20,599 sales) and Suzuki rounded off the top three with 12,743 sales. In the road bike segment, Honda also topped the pool ahead of Suzuki and Harley-Davidson.
FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said the wide array of models on offer which suit all experience levels have helped the sales increase.
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Then how about the RTA and all other roads and traffic authorities start educating car and truck drivers to watch out for bikes which might stop them running over them!! If riding a two wheeler was safer – millions more people would ride them.
The problem is – total lack of driver education and poor roads!
duh, of course motorbikes are more dangerous, even my blind and deaf dog knows that. if you want to be extra safe, buy a semi, then you can drive over all the mums in their very clean gourmet SUV’s
Hell yeah, march of the bikes continue. Hopefully with increasing rider numbers and popularity government might actually consider us in transport policy, and car drivers might actually start looking for bikes when they merge or turn, rather than after they hear the big thump or crushed metal sound.
Bikes are more fun than cars. Cheaper to run. Mines cheap to insure ($60/year for 3rd party!). Faster through traffic etc…. Only problem is mums in their SUV’s and the fact that I couldnt wear a suit if i was to ride my bike for work…..
I agree with Tony comments & will add that until it is more safe to ride a motorcycle on Australian roads, I for one wont be buying a motorcycle, even though they are fun to ride & economical to use !
Cheers !