State of the Nation: Motorcycle Sales Down 30.5%, Offroad Bikes Hardest Hit
Thursday April 23, 2009
The last time we heard from the Motorcycle Industry Council, overall bike sales had dropped but scooters and dual purposes experienced an uptick. This time, the news is a little more grim.
According to fresh MIC statistics, new motorcycle sales were down 30.5% for the first quarter of 2009, and dual purposes were the least affected, with a 24% drop. Offroad bikes were the hardest hit category, posting a 39.7% dip-- not surprising, considering an entire segment of that market was banned in February.
Though 2008 topped off six straight years of million-plus sales, what lies ahead for the motorcycle industry is anybody's guess. Slow sales can't take away from the thrill of riding or the lure of the open road, and I certainly hope that new riders continue to discover the thrill of motorcycling.
Related:
- MIC Reports Drop in Motorcycle Sales, Upswing for Scooters and Dual Purposes
- Kids' Motorcycles and ATVs Banned!
- Are Record Fuel Prices Good for Motorcycling?
- Moto Poll: Should Harley-Davidson Receive a Government Bailout?
- Why Ride a Motorcycle?
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Comments
Guess it’s not just Harley and their “outdated products” that are doing bad. Looks like every manufacturer not doing well even the ones that make better bikes then Harley.
Not surprising at all. Expensive toys
Hey, Joe,
I muscled a 2009 Heritage Softail through 260 miles of twisties in CT and MA on Saturday and I have to say that the motor was very quiet. The last time I was on a Heritage was three years ago and it sounded like a coffee grinder.
Hey Scottie, glad you had a good ride on the Heritage. The are some GREAT roads in CT and MA. Hope the weather was good for ya while you were there.
Will this reflect in an increase in used bike sales, as they are usually a lot cheaper and many are low miles and so on? I know Harleys have traditionally held their prices, but they may have to come down on used ones, in order to sell.