Motorcycle sales grow in first quarter of 2012

Yamaha’s WR450F is first in the top 10 of Enduro sales for the quarter.

Official figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) show that off-road motorbike sales increased by 8.7% to 7,489 units, while the ATV sector increased by 18.3% and road bikes by 14.5%.

In the Enduro category it was Yamaha’s WR450F who took top honours, selling 407 machines, up 107.7% from the 2011 quarter. The KTM 350EXC-F sits in second with 184 units sold, while Suzuki’s DR-Z400E took third with 167 units.

In the Motocross category, the Kawasaki K250F was just ahead of the Yamaha YZ250F, selling 243 units to 237 units. While the Honda CRF250R sold 228 units and holds third position.

Honda have staked the claim for most motorbike sales (including ATV, on road, scooter and off-road) this quarter with 5731 units, followed by Yamaha on 4034 and Suzuki with just over 3010 units.

The biggest growth in the off-road market was KTM, selling 1369 units, an increase of 61.2% over 2011 sales figures. To put that in perspective, Yamaha sold 2153 off-road units this quarter, Honda sold 1438 units and Suzuki sold 1097. Kawasaki experienced a 20.7% growth with 816 units sold, while Honda had a 20.2% growth.

FCAI Chief Executive, Ian Chalmers, has said, “This is a strong outcome for new motorcycle sales in the first quarter of 2012 and while it is still early days, the data is a promising indication that 2012 will be a good year for the motorcycle sector.”