Most of the drop in sales in 500cc+ motorcycle sales charts can be pinpointed to Royal Enfield 650s decline in its numbers
For a very long time, Royal Enfield has had utter dominance in 500cc+ motorcycle sales charts. Even in February 2023, that dominance continues. Market share is more than 80% even today. But there is a sharp drop in sales for RE. With just 1,170 units sold last month, RE 650 sales more than halved with a 52.61% YoY decline as opposed to 2,469 units sold a year ago.
500cc+ Motorcycle Sales – Royal Enfield Dominates
Volume loss stood at 1,299 units YoY which might be turned next month as there has been an update with these motorcycles with modern equipment now. 2nd in this list is the Kawasaki Z900 with 57 units sold. This is the most affordable motorcycle in India with a sweet in-line four motor and is reflected in sales as Z900 saw 103.57% YoY growth.
In 3rd place, we have the living legend, Suzuki Hayabusa, with 34 units sold last month. As opposed to 12 units sold a year ago, Hayabusa saw 183.33% YoY growth with 22 units gained in volume. Trident 660 from Triumph is the entry-level portal into the British brand’s renowned in-line triple configuration. It sold 27 units and has 58.82% YoY growth. In 5th place, we have Kawasaki ZX-10R, which is the most affordable 200 bhp liter-class motorcycle in India with 16 units and 700% YoY growth.
Triumph Tiger 900 and Kawasaki Ninja 650 sold 14 and 13 units respectively and registered 53.33% and 35% YoY decline. Triumph Speed Twin and Tiger 660 stood at 8th and 9th spots with 12 and 11 units sold in their name in February 2023.
500cc+ Bikes With Single-Digit Sales Feb 2023
As denoted above, big bikes that sell in the price-sensitive Indian market offer incredible value in some or the other aspect. Or else, the Indian market goes bullish on them for not offering a unique proposition or value. Kawasaki W800, Z 650, Ninja 1000 SX, Suzuki V-Strom 650 and Triumph Rocket III all sold 8 units each.
The production motorcycle with the largest engine is Rocket III and scores 33.33% YoY growth. Kawasaki W 800 and Z 650 registered 700% and 300% YoY growth respectively. Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114 is the only one to sell 7 units last month and registered a 30% YoY decline. Kawasaki Versys 650 and Triumph Speed Twin sold 6 units each. While Speed Twin balanced its charts, Versys sales declined by 40% YoY. Both Kawasaki Vulcan S and Triumph Tiger 1200 sold 4 units each, with Vulcan registering 33.33% YoY growth. Kawasaki Versys 1000, Harley-Davidson Fat Bob and Street Glide sold 3 units each.
Triumph Bonneville Bobber, Bonneville T120 and Kawasaki Z 650 RS sold 2 units each, with only the latter registering positive growth by just 1 unit. Suzuki Katana, Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster, Harley-Davidson Pan America, Nightster, Roadking and Honda Goldwing all sold 1 unit each.
Zero Sales
Unfortunately, some big bikes just slip through the cracks while managing to not even sell a single unit in an entire month in India. For February 2023, these motorcycles were Triumph Street Triple, Street Twin, Street Scrambler, Bonneville T100, Honda CBR 650R, Harley-Davidson Sportster S, Iron 883 and Forty Eight. In total, 500cc+ motorcycle sales chart saw 1,442 units sold in total last month. As opposed to 2,745 units sold in February 2022, this segment lost 1,303 units in volume YoY while registering a 47.47% YoY drop in sales.
