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I wonder if this reported trend that is occuring in our immediate neighbourhood is being replicated here in NZ ??
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Annual sales of motorcyles in Australia have jumped more than 80 per cent in seven years, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).
While retail sales are not routinely released, wholesale figures show 69,299 motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles were sold in 2001.
That compared to 37,836 in 1995, an 83 per cent rise. The increase in demand for road bikes was put at 42.9 per cent while the increase in the off-road market was 86.7 per cent.
Seven of the top-10 selling motorcyles were now off-road models.
The FCAI attributed the increase in sales to the proliferation of more specialised models and the emergence of accessible rider training.
\"It is very encouraging that road bikes have experienced significant growth over the last seven years, but the boom in off-road motorcycles is quite exceptional,\" said FCAI chief executive Peter Sturrock.
Mr Sturrock said total motorcycle sales this year were in line with last year\'s strong figures.
