February motorcycle registrations down 6.3%; YTD figures up 2.4% 10th March 2006
Figures released by the Motor Cycle Industry Association today show that 4,814 new motorcycles were registered for the road during February 2006, 6.3% fewer than in February 2005. This brings the year-to-date total for 2006 to 11,380 new bike registrations, 2.4% higher than in 2005. February saw a decline in almost all sectors of the market, with only the Adventure Sport and Custom styles continuing to grow.
Honda motorcycles and scooters dominate the 125cc sector with six of the current top ten models, while the top sellers in the over 1,000cc sector, BMWs R1200GS and Harley-Davidson’s FXD Dyna Super-Glide, are also the top-selling Adventure Sport and Custom segment bikes. The top-selling individual model, Piaggo's Zip 50 moped, demonstrates the enduring popularity of scooters, which accounted for over 40% of new bikes registered in February.
The MCI reports that one of the emerging stories of the last year was the expansion of Chinese brands into the small bike sector. They now account for around a quarter of mopeds and motorcycles under 125cc.
Registration figures indicate traffic congestion has a positive impact on motorcycle sales in some urban locations, with increases of 8% since January in London, 36% in Merseyside and 23% in Greater
Top ten used bikes and not one mention of a Fazer..
Honda CBR600F
Yamaha R1
Honda VFR800
Suzuki GSX-R750
Suzuki GSX-R600
Kawasaki ZX-6R
Suzuki GSX-R1000
Honda Blackbird
Honda CBR1000RR
Kawasaki ZX-9R
Chalky
Thursday 16 March 2006 - 19:10:00
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2006-2006 YAMAHA FZ1
2006 saw Yamaha opt for a complete redesign of its hard-working Fazer 1000 and the new look really got people fired up. Everything about the new bike screamed style and it looks like it could compete with the sportier nakeds like the Tuono and Speed Triple. The engine is taken from a 2005 R1 and detuned to provide more useful drive in the midrange but it gets a completely new cast ally chassis, funky stubby exhaust and completely new body work. It also now comes in two flavours. The original Fazer 1000 was only offered as a half faired bike but Yamaha has cottoned to the growing naked bike sector and the new bike comes as either the FZ1 Fazer with half fairing or the totally naked FZ1. The downside comes however when you rider the bike, the handling and riding position are fine and as they should be but the fuel injection is not up to scratch making for a very jerky ride. It’s nothing a Power Commander and new pipe wouldn’t cure but not what you expect from a new bike in 2006. [Submitted by Chalky]
Chalky
Friday 10 March 2006 - 17:38:14
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