Australia doesn't have too much to worry about, it seems.
While motorcycle sales in Australia fell by 13.7 percent in 2009, the state of play was far more severe in Japan, where the market plummeted a massive 27 percent.
A total of 380,777 motorcycles were sold in Japan's domestic market last year, down from 522,315 in 2009 - and a heady fall from the 2005 peak of 706,531.
The 50cc and under market in Japan continues to dominate, with 255,561 sold in 2009. Sales then decreased as capacity rose, with 65,888 units sold in the 51-125cc bracket, followed by 37,180 in 126-250cc and 22,148 in over 250cc.
While local demand has softened, Japan has also suffered a double whammy with a huge drop in export numbers. In January-November 2008, Japan exported 911,179 motorcycles, and that corresponding figure slumped to 506,366 last year.
Oceania played its part in that freefall, with our region unloading 40,543 bikes from the docks, compared to 61,882 in 2008.
Published : Wednesday, 20 January 2010