Annual Motorcycle Sales Roar Through the One Million Mark; Upward Trend Continues for 12th Consecutive Year.IRVINE Irvine, town, Scotland Irvine (ûr`vĭn), town (1991 pop. 32,507), North Ayrshire, SW Scotland, on the Irvine River estuary. Industries include iron and brass foundries. Other products are chemicals, electric goods, and clothing. , Calif. -- New motorcycle motorcycle, motor vehicle whose design is based on the bicycle. The German inventor Gottlieb Daimler is generally credited with building the first practical motorcycle in 1885. The motorcycle did not become dependable and popular, however, until after 1900. sales continued to climb last year, rising through the one million mark and reaching levels not seen since the 1970s. The Motorcycle Industry Council is currently estimating 2004 two-wheeler two-wheel·er n. A vehicle with two wheels, especially a bicycle. sales of nearly 1,050,000, and the upward trend continues as the industry has sold increasing numbers of bikes for the 12th straight year. Compared with 2003, sales of the major brands last year rose 4.7 percent. Among those 12 brands, cruiser cruiser, large, fast, moderately armed warship, intermediate in type between the aircraft carrier and the destroyer. During World War II, battle cruisers operated as small battleships, combining in one vessel maximum qualities of gun caliber, armor protection, and models, sportbikes, touring bikes, traditional (or "naked") bikes, and dual-purpose dual-purpose applies to any animal but usually refers to cattle (meat and milk), sheep (wool and meat) and fowl (eggs and meat). Dual-purpose cattle breeds include dairy shorthorn, dexter, meuse-rhine-yssel, red poll, simmental, south devon and welsh black. bikes led the way in percentage increases. Cruisers This is a so far incomplete list of cruisers 1860-present. It includes protected, light, armoured, battle-, heavy and missile cruisers. Dates are launching dates. Argentina
"The success of motorcycling over the past twelve years is amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. ," said Larry Little Lawrence Chatmon Little (Born November 2, 1945, in Groveland, Georgia) is a former guard in college and professional American football. He played collegiately at Bethune-Cookman College. , chairman of the MIC and vice president and publisher of Cycle World magazine. "Through years of economic challenges, veteran riders, new riders, Americans from all walks of life have made motorcycling part of their lives. Our research tells us that today's motorcyclists tend to have a more optimistic op·ti·mist n. 1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome. 2. A believer in philosophical optimism. op view of life, and that's played a role in new bike sales." "A wider range of Americans are becoming motorcyclists," said Tim Buche, MIC president. "Women now account for nearly ten percent of owners, more families with kids are out riding dirt bikes, and even more seniors are enjoying two-wheel travel. As motorcycling becomes more and more part of the fabric of mainstream America, with overall consumer confidence on the rise, and with more and more people taking a look at motorcycles as viable transportation and excellent recreation, we are optimistic that the industry will continue its great ride." Sales in 2003 hovered at the one million mark, with the MIC reporting most of last year that the total was approximately 996,000. Last month's final tally of 2003 sales indicated that just over one million units were sold, when small, independent brands were factored in. Year Total ---------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------- U.S. New Unit Motorcycle Sales - Source: Motorcycle Industry Council ---------------------------------------- The motorcycle industry last saw this level of success in the 1970s, when baby boomers See generation X. and their children took to dirt bikes and highly affordable imports, mostly from the major Japanese manufacturers. The year recognized by the MIC as having the highest number of new bike sales is 1973, when Americans purchased more than 1.5 million motorcycles. Before 2003, the last time that motorcycle sales eclipsed one million was 1979. Sales tapered ta·per n. 1. A small or very slender candle. 2. A long wax-coated wick used to light candles or gas lamps. 3. A source of feeble light. 4. a. throughout the 1980s, and reached their nadir in 1992, when roughly 278,000 new motorcycles and scooters List of scooter models per manufacturer Aprilia
"So many people at all levels in the motorcycle industry jump-started the business again," said Ty van Hooydonk, director of product communications for Discover Today's Motorcycling. "And the motorcycles have greatly improved over the past dozen years. The advances in technology applied to bikes has made them that much more enjoyable, really striking a connection with their riders. Modern materials and methods have opened new doors for styling and design. We're seeing bikes on the road today that were dream stuff back in the seventies. And there's a huge array of bikes on the market that appeal to all of the expanding buyer segments. There's a great bike available, and likely a choice of great bikes, for anyone wanting to ride, regardless of skill level or the type of riding that's of interest to them." Discover Today's Motorcycling(R) at www.motorcycles.org is the communications service bureau of the Motorcycle Industry Council and a source of information about motorcycling to the media and the general public. The MIC, located in Irvine, Calif., is a not-for-profit Not-for-profit An organization established for charitable, humanitarian, or educational purposes that is exempt from some taxes and in which no one in profits or losses. national trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles all-ter·rain vehicle n. Abbr. ATV A small, open motor vehicle having one seat and three or more wheels fitted with large tires. It is designed chiefly for recreational use over roadless, rugged terrain. , scooters, motorcycle parts and accessories, and members of allied trades. |
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