MIC - Domestic U.S. Sales Through This Year's Third Quarter
The MIC is reporting that among leading brands, sales of new motorcycles and scooters increased by +4.4% through the third quarter of 2023, compared to the same period the previous year. ATVs decreased -7.1% among leading brands. Through September, off-highway motorcycles were up +14.7%, and the dual-sport segment went up by +6.6%.
"The popularity of dual-sport motorcycles [the Adventure Touring/ADV segment] is the highest it's ever been and off-road is steadily increasing," said Buckner Nesheim, MIC Director of Research and Statistics.
"The third quarter of 2023 has marked the highest ever recorded quarterly sales for these types of bikes, and the year-to-date figures also reflect the highest year-to-date sales in the history of the segment. If the current trajectory persists, 2023 is poised to exceed 2022 in becoming the year with the highest recorded sales of dual-sport motorcycles. Additionally, the year-to-date sales for off-road motorcycles in 2023 have reached their highest point since 2007, indicating the resurgence in off-road riding is continuing to grow."
'Dual-sport popularity highest it's ever been'
Motorcycles and scooters accounted for 77.2% of total new-unit sales through Q3 and ATVs represented 22.8%.
The MIC is defining dual-sport models as motorcycles certified by their manufacturers to be in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, designed primarily for off-highway recreational use with the capability for legal use on public roads.
The association is defining adventure models as motorcycles designed primarily for on-highway use and capable of light-duty off-highway riding. These machines incorporate features such as small windscreens, long-travel suspension, engine guards, and are generally designed with either a rally-style front fender or a high front fender design.
