Motorcycle Sales Figures - 2009 - First Half

-- Motorcycles Sales – Half Year Results - Roadbike Overview
-- By, Trevor Hedge

During the first six months of 2009 overall the standout performer across all sectors was Kawasaki’s Ninja 250R. Learner legal in all States, the smallest bike in Kawasaki’s Ninja range punched well above its weight with a 75% boost in sales clearly cementing its #1 ranking.

Yamaha’s YZF-R1 (583) experienced a 44% increase in sales thanks no doubt to the unique sound afforded by its unique firing order and clearances of the previous 2008 model.

#1 on the sportsbike charts for Yamaha came at the expense of Honda and Suzuki.

The Fireblade (298) and GSX-R1000 (293) had been 1-2 in the sportsbike category at the end of the first quarter but Yamaha’s new R1 went gangbusters in the second quarter to demote them to second and third respectively.

The R1’s winning margin was substantial and its figures alone only went eight units shy of the Fireblade and GSX-R1000 totals when tallied together!

Yamaha also wrested the mantle of top selling middleweight sportsbike from Honda with the Yamaha YZF-R6 recording 201 sales to demote the CBR600RR out of top spot by a single unit. Suzuki’s GSX-R600 also recorded 200 sales to tie with the CBR600RR for second place while Kawasaki sold 190 ZX-6R machines. A difference of only 11 units across the top four 600cc machines show just how evenly matched the quartet are, both in performance and pricing.

Unsurprisingly Harley-Davidson dominated the cruiser top ten with the Super Glide (492) recording a huge 60.8% boost in sales. Yamaha’s XVS650 (375) performed well to take second spot from Harley’s Fat Boy (368) and Softail Standard (304) models. Suzuki’s well priced VL800 (294) bested the 883 Sportster (225), Harley’s entry level model, out of fifth place on the cruiser charts. Suzuki’s VZR1800 (225) was the first of the Japanese big bore cruisers in the charts ahead of another trio of Harleys that rounded out the top ten.

Triumph’s Street Triple (285) was simply streets ahead in the Nakedbike category. The British bike offers a fantastic blend of accessible fun and thrills for its very modest 12 grand price tag and buyers have clearly recognised that fact and voted accordingly with their wallets. Triumph’s Bonneville (200) took second spot ahead of Suzuki’s GSX1400 (188) and Honda’s brilliant new CB400 Super Four (168).

Harley topped the Touring category with their Heritage Softail Classic (169) and revamped Ultra Classic Electra Glide (108). Yamaha’s FJR1300 (108) was tied in second place ahead of Harley’s excellent Road King Classic (84).

Suzuki dominates the Sport-Touring segment with five of the top six rankings. Triumph’s Sprint ST (190) recorded a 40% boost in sales to take third place. Suzuki’s top sellers were the GS500F (210), GSX650F (201), GSX1300R (168), GSF1250SA (107) and GSF1250S (90).

Kawasaki’s KLR650 (302) was by far the favourite Adventure-Touring bike in the land thanks to its bargain pricing and jack of all but master of none approach to combined on road and off road adventuring. BMW made a big impact with the new F 800 GS (199) and Suzuki’s bargain priced DL650 (152) took third place ahead of BMW’s R 1200 GS (115) bahn stormer.

Honda’s SCV100 (305) more than doubled its previous best sales record to take out top spot in the scooter rankings. Kymco’s Vibe (254) was second best ahead of the SYM VS125 (242). The sales charts clearly indicate the market preference for well priced low capacity scooters over larger maxi scooters with the VS125 the largest engined scooter in the top ten and more than half the top ten rankings taken by budget priced 50cc machines.

- Roadbike Sales – By Numbers

Top Brands - Roadbike Only
(Figure in brackets represents the increase or decline in sales compared to the first half of 2008 results)
Suzuki - 3563 (+11.3%)
Harley-Davidson - 3548 (-10.9%)
Honda - 3477 (-30.4%)
Kawasaki - 2606 (-2.9%)
Yamaha - 2397 (-9.5%)
Triumph - 1741 (+1.2%)
Hyosung - 948 (-11.7%)
Ducati - 860 (-13%)
BMW - 766 (+10.2%)
KTM - 164 (-6.3%)
Aprilia - 116 (-32.2%)
Buell - 115 (-25.8%)
Moto Guzzi - 106 (0%)
Victory - 72 (+100%)
Sachs - 40 (-89.9%)
MV Agusta - 29 (-31%)
Husqvarna - 28 (-17.6%)
Benelli - 27 (+125%)
MotoVert - 11 (+100%)
Cagiva - 10 (-41.2%)

Top Brands - Scooter Only
(Figure in brackets represents the increase or decline in sales compared to the first half of 2008 results)
SYM - 1003 (-9.5%)
Vespa - 643 (-17.1%)
Honda - 632 (+10.3%)
Piaggio - 620 (38.4%)
Yamaha - 612 (-32.3%)
Kymco - 528 (-39.7%)
VMoto - 305 (-44.9%)
Aprilia - 272 (+33%)
Benelli - 187 (+100%)
TGB - 178 (-68%)
Suzuki - 63 (-43.8%)
Hyosung - 58 (-56.4%)
Sachs - 44 (-86.7%)
Gilera - 28 (-44%)
PGO - 28 (-72%)
Mojo Scooter - 15 (+100%)

Top Selling Roadbike Models Overall
(Figure in brackets represents the increase or decline in sales compared to the first half of 2008 results)
Kawasaki Ninja 250R - 1141 (+75.3%)
Honda CT110 - 974 (-18.3%)
Yamaha YZF-R1 - 583 (+44%)
Harley-Davidson FXD - 492 (+60.8%)
Honda CBF250 - 407 (+57.1%)
Yamaha XVS650 - 375 (+2.7%)
Harley-Davidson FLSTF - 368 (-30%)
Honda SCV100 - 305 (+56.4%)
Hyosung GT250R - 305 (-27.4%)
Harley-Davidson FXST - 304 (-15.6%)

Top Selling Cruiser Models Overall
(Figure in brackets represents the increase or decline in sales compared to the first half of 2008 results)
Harley-Davidson FXD - 492 (+60.8%)
Yamaha XVS650 - 375 (+2.7%)
Harley-Davidson FLSTF - 368 (-30%)
Harley-Davidson FXST - 304 (-15.6%)
Suzuki VL800 - 294 (+1%)
Harley-Davidson XL883 - 225 (-19.2%)
Suzuki VZR1800 - 225 (-25.7%)
Harley-Davidson FXSTC - 221 (-25.6%)
Harley-Davidson XL1200 - 218 (-35.7%)
Harley-Davidson FXCW - 210 (-12.1%)

Top Selling Scooter Models Overall
(Figure in brackets represents the increase or decline in sales compared to the first half of 2008 results)
Honda SCV100 - 305 (+56.4%)
Kymco Vibe - 254 (-33.2%)
SYM VS125 - 242 (-30.9%)
Yamaha CV50 - 240 (-8.7%)
Piaggio ZIP 50 - 202 (-37.1%)
SYM Orbit 50 - 201 (+100%)
Yamaha YW100 - 182 (-26.3%)
Piaggio FLY 125 - 170 (-42%)
Honda NVS50 - 157 (+100%)
VMoto Milan Jx50 - 128 (-26.4%)

Top Selling Sports-Touring Models Overall
(Figure in brackets represents the increase or decline in sales compared to the first half of 2008 results)
Suzuki GS500F - 210 (-19.2%)
Suzuki GSX650F - 201 (+10.4%)
Triumph Sprint ST - 190 (+40.7%)
Suzuki GSX1300R - 168 (-42.7%)
Suzuki GSF1250SA - 107 (-22.5%)
Suzuki GSF1250S - 90 (-18.2%)
Honda CBF1000 - 80 (+14.3%)
Honda VFR800 - 76 (-19.1%)
Kawasaki EX650C - 65 (-29.3%)
BMW F800ST - 44 (-34.3%)

Top Selling Under 250cc Road Models Overall
(Figure in brackets represents the increase or decline in sales compared to the first half of 2008 results)
Kawasaki Ninja 250R - 1141 (+75.3%)
Honda CT110 - 974 (-18.3%)
Honda CBF250 - 407 (-57.1%)
Hyosung GT250R - 305 (-27.4%)
Honda CBR125RW - 257 (-60.4%)
Suzuki VL250 - 200 (-11.9%)
Yamaha Scorpio W - 158 (-3.7%)
Hyosung GV250 - 140 (-13%)
Yamaha XV250 - 138 (-49.3%)
Hyosung GT250 - 62 (-29.5%)

Top Selling Adventure-Touring Models Overall
(Figure in brackets represents the increase or decline in sales compared to the first half of 2008 results)
Kawasaki KL650E - 302 (+10.2%)
BMW F 800 GS - 199 (+100%)
Suzuki DL650 - 152 (+44.8%)
BMW R 1200 GS - 115 (-28.6%)
Suzuki DL650A - 108 (-23.9%)
BMW R 1200 GS Adventure - 104 (+2%)
Triumph Tiger - 95 (+3.3%)
Suzuki DL1000 - 73 (+12.3%)
BMW F 650 GS - 72 (+18%)
KTM 990 Adventure - 65 (+38.3%)

Top Selling Nakedbike Models Overall
(Figure in brackets represents the increase or decline in sales compared to the first half of 2008 results)
Triumph Street Triple - 285 (+50.8%)
Triumph Bonneville - 200 (+25%)
Suzuki GSX1400 - 188 (+19%)
Honda CB400 - 168 (+40%)
Suzuki GS500 - 146 (+5.8%)
Ducati M696 - 145 (+1350%)
Triumph Bonne T100 - 128 (-19%)
Triumph Speed Triple - 121 (-4%)
Triumph Thruxton - 117 (56%)
Honda CB900F - 111 (+22%)

Top Selling SuperSport Models Overall
(Figure in brackets represents the increase or decline in sales compared to the first half of 2008 results)
Yamaha YZF-R1 - 583 (+44%)
Honda CBR1000RR - 298 (-57.2%)
Suzuki GSX-R1000 - 293 (-17.5%)
Ducati 1098/1198 - 259 (-28.8%)
Hyosung GT650R - 249 (+39.9%)
Yamaha YZF-R6 - 201 (-28.7%)
Honda CBR600RR - 200 (-40.8%)
Suzuki GSX-R600 - 200 (-28.6%)
Kawasaki ZX-6R - 190 (+38.7%)
Suzuki GSX-R750 - 183 (-22.1%)

Top Selling Touring Models Overall
(Figure in brackets represents the increase or decline in sales compared to the first half of 2008 results)
Harley-Davidson FLSTC - 169 (+17.4%)
Harley-Davidson FLHTCU - 108 (-18.8%)
Yamaha FJR1300 - 108 (+1.9%)
Harley-Davidson FLHRC - 84 (-41.3%)
Kawasaki GTR1400 - 79 (-21.8%)
Honda ST1300 - 73 (-18.9%)
Honda NT700V - 44 (+10%)
BMW R 1200 RT - 34 (-52.8%)
Honda Gold Wing - 32 (-50%)

-- Related Links
-- Click here to see an overall brand and segment overview of the sales figures.
-- Click here to see a closer examination of the dirtbike sales figures by model category.