Australian motorcycle sales took another 8.1% dive in the third quarter which contributes to a 33-month downturn in the industry.

By comparison, car sales are down 7.9% last month which is the 18th month in a row of decline, according to official data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).

The FCAI figures come during the third annual Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Week.

It’s the economy

FCAI boss, Toby Weber, who is learning to ride a motorcycle, says the bike and car sales decline is “in line with the broader economic environment in Australia”.

“We have seen many factors, including multiple weather events, Federal and State elections, and tightened lending practices contribute to the overall economic conditions,” he says.

In the nine months this year, 62,898 motorcycles, ATVs and scooters were sold, compared with 68,460 for the same period in 2018.

Honda was the overall leader with a 23.1% share of the national market, followed by Yamaha with 21% and Kawasaki with 10.6%.

Road bikes dive

The biggest drop was in road bikes, which took a 13.8% dive.

Harley-Davidson was the road bike leader again with a 19.6% share, while Honda had 16.8% and Yamaha 16.6%.

Honda used to lead this segment, but as been hit by Australia Post not buying postie bikes, but converting to three-wheeler electric bikes.

Across the industry segments, Scooters defied the trend, with a 14.5% climb in sales during the first three quarters.

Honda held a 39.9% scooter share, followed by Vespa with 14.8% and Piaggio with 14.2%.

The ATV/SSV took a 11.3% dive with Polaris the leader on 28.1% share, followed by Honda 22.5% and Yamaha 19.3%.

Off-road category sales fell 2.4%, led by Yamaha 28.1% share, Honda 27.4% and KTM 18.8%.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com