October bike sales down 26%
Added on Monday, November 9th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
October bike sales down 26%
The recession continues to hit new motorcycle sales hard, with the MCIA reporting a 26% fall in sales in October 2009, reports Alastair Walker.
The latest figures from the Motor Cycle Industry Association make for grim reading. Mopeds and sub-50cc scooters have fallen by 31%, with over 50cc motorcycle and scooter sales down by just under 26% in October 2009. Looking deeper into the different categories, supersport machines fell by 44%, adventure sport by 375 and trail machines were down 29%.
Other sectors proved more resilient, with touring bikes down 6.7%, custom bikes down 8% and naked, or all-rounder class sales remaining static. It’s clear that older riders, in the 45-60 age range, are underpinning the new bike market at the moment. Harley Davidson sold 395 bikes last month, whilst BMW shifted 376 units and the over 1000cc engine capacity class has seen relatively little drop-off in sales this autumn. BMW still have the top selling adventure and touring category machines, with the R1200 GS and R1200 RT respectively. BMW dealership Southport Supebikes told insidebikes that `demand is still strong, we’re doing well in spite of the recession.’
Other dealers aren’t so optimistic. Simon Whitelock who runs Red Dog Superbikes in Hertfordshire, selling MV Agusta and Ducati brands said; “Things are tough for sure, we are selling a few Ducatis at the moment, and the new Multistrada should be good for us, but I don’t know any motorcycle dealers who are making money at present. We’re all hanging on, just hoping 2010 will be a better year and I think the trade generally feels the same way.”
On the upside, small capacity new motorcycle sales are still holding up, with 161 Yamaha YZF125 R models registered in October, and 224 Yamaha YBR125 commuter/learner bikes. Today’s learner riders are the enthusiasts of the future, so long as they can pass the motorcycle test. The BMF, MAG and the MCIA are all campaiging to have the motorcycle test centre fiasco sorted out urgently, so that more learners can take their full motorbike licence test at a safe, local test centre, for a reasonable cost.
Also, the MCIA is calling for a scrappage scheme to be introduced so that commuters can trade in an older scooter or motorcycle for a Euro 3 emissions compliant bike. This scheme has worked well in Italy, boosting sub 50cc scooter and motorcycle sales during 2009, as owners can receive 500 euros towards a new machine. But the chances of it coming to the UK are slim. The Italian industry has the total support of its government, with Silvio Berlusconi officially opening the Eicma Milan show tomorrow. It is hard to imagine Gordon Brown visiting the NEC motorcycle show, or offering any financial support to the UK motorcycle industry.
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