High-performance bike-sales up despite slowdown

Sales of high performance motorcycles grow despite overall  slowdown It might be slowdown time. But brisk sales of large motorcycles over 1000 cc -which cost anything between Rs 9.5 lakh to Rs 45 lakh is catching the fancy of more international players. And the new kid on the block was Honda which today  launched its high end bikes Honda's CB 1000 R (Rs 9.5 lakh) and CBR 1000 RR(Rs 12.5 lakh). 
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“We are tapping into the fun, adventure and sports needs of the biker. Riding one these models is considered a symbol of freedom. We hope to sell about 100 of these bikes in a year in India ,” says NK Rattan, Divisional Head of Honda Motorcycle & Scooters India at the launch in Delhi today.

The reason for the enthusiasm of international auto majors to enter this category in India is understandable. 

The four large brands currently available as imported CBUs in the country are Ducatti marketed by Precision Motors of Mumbai, Suzuki's Hayabusa & Intruder, Yamaha's R1 Y2F & MT0 1, and now  And these together have sold over  200 units units in 2008- which was the first year of the launch of the super bikes.

Of this figure last year Yamaha sold 107 units, while Precision Motors which sells Ducati sold over around 50 units. Top models from both Yamaha and Ducati were launched in India in the first half of 2008.

Customers who buy these superbikes according to Yamaha India are high net worth individuals with a prior experience of riding these models overseas. “Our customers are well aware of the international biking events like MotoGP. These bikers invest in a number of top end motorcycles which are considered an extension of their personality. The age group ranges from 20 to 40,” says Sanjay Tripathi, Division Head (Product Planning) of Yamaha India.

Tripathi says the future looks promising for these models. “In the past people used to travel across the country in Jeeps and Jongas. Now we are seeing more affluent individuals hitting the road on super bikes. Plus, the upcoming MotoGP in Delhi scheduled to debut in 2011 will provide a filip to sales of thes high end bikes. Also, motorcycle tourism in parts of the country is also catching up.”

All of these high end motorcycles are retailed at exclusive dealerships trained to sell, service and supply genuine spared.

Honda plans to retail its newly launched 1000cc models in Honda Wing World outlets in Delhi and Mumbai.