4.3 million women operate motorcycles, showing a 34% increase since 1998.
4.7% increase in sales of the major motorcycle brands from 2003 to 2004. This is the 12th consecutive year of increases and is estimated to be 1,050,000 new bikes sold in the United States.
Over the past four years, the industry's sales show a 24% increase over the entire sales of the proceeding decade (1990-1999).
U.S. New Unit Motorcycle Sales Data
Sales Graph |
|
Year |
# New Motorcycles Sold |
1992 |
278,000 |
1993 |
293,000 |
1994 |
306,000 |
1995 |
309,000 |
1996 |
330,000 |
1997 |
356,000 |
1998 |
432,000 |
1999 |
546,000 |
2000 |
710,000 |
2001 |
850,000 |
2002 |
936,000 |
2003 |
1,001,000 |
2004 |
1,050,000 |
Data (1-4) provided by: Discover Today's Motorcycling (DTM), the media and consumer outreach program of the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), is an information source about motorcycling for the media and the general public.
American Rider magazine published by Ehlert Publishing Group, Inc. of Minnesota surveyed their readers to find the following information:
1.3 riders in their readers' households
70% ride more than 5,000 miles per year
33% ride more than 10,000 miles per year
Average age is 45-57
3 out of 5 riders are over the age of 45
44% have a household income of $75,000
75% have a household income of more than $50,000
Subject matter of interest:
98% road test of new Harley's
99% product evaluations
99% new products
94% how to/technical/maintenance
87% rallies and events
84% travel and destinations
Motorcycle shows target a very affluent audience, men 25-54 with a household income of $70,000 plus.
Harley-Davidson's market research shows the median age of new Harley buyers is 46 with a median income of $80,000.