Two wheels are all the rage in the United States. The motorcycle industry is celebrating 10 consecutive years of rising sales with Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha making up almost 65 per cent of the total sales in 2002.
Two wheels are all the rage in the United States. The motorcycle industry is celebrating 10 consecutive years of rising sales with Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha making up almost 65 per cent of the total sales in 2002.
With 2002 sales were up 9,4 per cent with 937 000 units sold compared with 850 000 units sold in 2001. This adds up to revenue of about R60 billion, while the total industry sales, which includes accessories and services amounted to R153 billion.
The top sellers were cruisers, which accounted for 56 per cent of all the sales. Sports bikes made up 21 per cent of the sales and touring bikes accounted for 18 per cent.
“The expanding popularity of motorcycling and a growing desire for new and ever-better products offered by the manufacturers has kept the industry healthy for an entire decade,” said Tim Buche, president of the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). “Even during uncertain economic times, Americans still want new motorcycles.”
“Whatever your preference or sense of style, there truly is a bike for everyone today, for women, men, experienced and entry-level riders. And there are lots of smaller off-highway youth models for the next generation of motorcyclists. For the start of this spring riding season, you’ll see even more innovative, fashion-forward motorcycles of the kind that riders dream about and pique customer interest,” said Ty van Hooydonk, director of product communications for Discover Today’s Motorcycling, the communication’s department of the MIC.