Motorcycle sales 5.2% down in 2008
According to stats just released from the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), new registrations of powered two wheel machines, or motorcycles, mopeds and scooters in other words, were 5.2% down in January 2008 against the same month from 2007.
The total number of registrations in January 2008 was 6594 units, compared with 6955 units in January '07.
A spokesperson for the MCIA commented that January is always a slow month for sales of new motorcycles and that with the addition of the economic crisis sweeping the world right now, a slight downturn in sales was expected.
The winners and the losers in January 2008:
Adventure sport bikes (inc BMW R1200GS) - up 23%
Custom bikes - (any Harley!) - up 7.4%
Mopeds - down 1.7%
Scooters - down 8%
The good news is that February seems to have started off well, probably buoyed by the fine February weather and this month's interest rate cut.
In a related news release, the Department of Transport has announced that there were 1.6 million motorcycles in use on the roads in 2006 and that 51,000 people passed their test in 2006 also.
Article by Dan
Motorcycle insurance from The Bike Insurer
