Motorcycle sales continue decline in third quarter

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Motorcycle sales continue to be hard hit, despite the declared end to the recession.

Third-quarter motorcycle sales declined an average of 16.6% versus the same quarter one year ago, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council, the Irvine-based trade group representing the industry.

Enduro, off-highway and sport-bike segments experienced the steepest declines, falling 38.2%, 29.8% and 26.1%, respectively.

Touring models and scooters fared best but still suffered declining sales, falling 3.6% and 8.8%.

[Updated at 10:50 a.m.: ‘The Motorcycle Industry Council has been around since 1914, and we tend to take a longer-trend look at things,’ said Ty van Hooydonk, communications director for the council. ‘The last decade, we had an unmatched, six-year run of million-plus sales. Sales were up every single year for 14 straight years through 2006.’

Van Hooydonk pointed out that although motorcycle sales are down, tire sales are up 6.6% in 2010 versus 2009, indicating motorcyclists are still enthusiastic about the sport and riding.

‘In many ways, we are better poised for a comeback than ever,’ Van Hooydonk added. ‘Americans have embraced motorcycles as part of the fabric of popular culture really like never before.’]

-- Susan Carpenter