Registration statistics for May from the Motor Cycle Industry Association indicate a welcome if tentative return to overall growth. But the previously muscular up-to-125cc commuter sector is still negative, with no sign of recovery from lost sales in early months of the year stricken by severe winter weather.
Total powered two-wheeler registrations in May grew by 0.5 per cent to 9711 units. Over-50cc motorcycles and scooters were up by a better margin of 4.1 per cent to 8821 units. However, the 50cc moped category shrank by 24.8 per cent to a mere 891 units and the 51-125cc engine band was also down, by 4.8 per cent to 3324 units.
Strongest performance was delivered by 126-650cc machines, rising by 24.6 per cent to 1321 units. This suggests a surge of deferred purchases from earlier in the year, helped along with the arrival of new products in the A2 licence class. Bikes in the 651-1000cc and over-1000ccc ranges were also positive, respectively up by 4.4 per cent to 2095 units and 8.7 per cent to 2080 units.
As for higher-volume style slots, Adventure Sport increased by 8.8 per cent to 1493 units, with the latest-model BMW R1200GS leading the way on 177 units. Naked grew by 3.7 per cent to 2061 units. Yamaha’s YBR125 topped that particular pile. And 221 units of its YZF125 also led the Supersport market, which was up by 1.9 per cent to 1371 units.
The bad news came from Scooter, dominated by 51-125cc products. That was down by 7.9 per cent at 1809 units. Top seller was Honda’s NSC110WH Vision.
Montly market leader was Honda on 1731 units, followed by Yamaha with 1249 units. Triumph took third spot thanks to 1119 units and topped the over-500cc podium by a considerable degree.
For the five months of 2013 to date, total registrations are down by 7.5 per cent to 38,279 units. The over-50cc bracket has fallen by 5.4 per cent to 34,211 units and mopeds are down by 22.1 per cent to 4068 units.
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