According the the US Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), bike sales in America increased by three per cent during 2013 to 431,041 units. But the overall powered two-wheeler market was dragged down to only a 1.4 per cent gain, owing to a sharp 15.5 per cent drop in scooter sales.
Purely road-going motorcycles were up by two per cent to 324,691 units. Dual-sport machines — equivalent to the UK’s trail and adventure-sport sectors — stacked on 7.8 per cent to 32,979 units. Off-road tackle climbed by 5.7 per cent to 73,371 units.
However, this isn’t an entirely accurate reflection of the US market. MIC statistics monitor 20 better-known brands, effectively representing its membership and about 75 per cent of total sales. Smaller importers — typically Chinese — are not included.