[theredliner]

As per Autocar Pro, BMW India sold 1052 big bikes and 7716 310s in 2023.

The negative growth in this segment is not good for the big bike scene of our country. Manufacturers would not want to invest in CKD or localization with these numbers. I guess the main reason behind the big decline over the last few years is the missing action from Harley 750s. Even excluding them, the numbers seem to be stagnant at best.

Looking at the huge growth in the 1-3 mil car segments, I was expecting a decent growth in the big bike sales too, but looks like most people are satisfied with the entry level premium bikes in the sub 500k segment. It is understandable as these bikes are easy on the pocket and most of them have all the power that is needed on the Indian roads.

The significant price hikes in the last few years seem to have hit the growth of the big bikes hard.

[Haze]

Any reason why Aprilia has not been included in the data?

[vishal.jayakuma]

Originally Posted by Haze

Any reason why Aprilia has not been included in the data?

Maybe if they sold anything, they would've been included. AFAIK, they don't have the latest version of any of their bikes unless specifically ordered by an individual. I could be wrong about this fact. They also need to improve their overall presence and A.S.S in India.

But this year for sure, all that is set to change with the latest RS457

[Haze]

Originally Posted by vishal.jayakuma

Maybe if they sold anything, they would've been included.

So you're saying that Aprilia sold a grand total of zero units of RS660 and Tuono 660?

I do find that a tad hard to believe,TBH.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by Haze

Any reason why Aprilia has not been included in the data?

Aprilia was included last year even though the figure was insignificant.

But for this year the numbers reported were zero. Not sure if thats because of zero sales or because the data was missing.

[kosjam]

One reason for decline in big bike numbers is the systemic disinterest shown by the authorities. Only dedicated lovers of the 2 wheel world would be interested in plonking 10s of lakhs on a 2 wheeler, when everybody from the government officals to friendly neighbourhood traffic police waala looking to make a quick buck, to the lowly security guard at any hotel, treats a premium motorcycle and its rider, probably worth more than half the parking lot entries at any given time, like a delivery boy wearing absurd clothes.

[siren373]

Originally Posted by kosjam

One reason for decline in big bike numbers is the systemic disinterest shown by the authorities. Only dedicated lovers of the 2 wheel world would be interested in plonking 10s of lakhs on a 2 wheeler, when everybody from the government officals to friendly neighbourhood traffic police waala looking to make a quick buck, to the lowly security guard at any hotel, treats a premium motorcycle and its rider, probably worth more than half the parking lot entries at any given time, like a delivery boy wearing absurd clothes.

And the half thought out rules that make these bikes illegal on highways where they are actually at home. Why would anyone get a super bike to just go to the grocery store and bring back veggies? The govt should seriously reconsider this nonsensical rule.

[Haze]

Originally Posted by Haze

Any reason why Aprilia has not been included in the data?

No kawasaki ZX6R numbers either?

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by Haze

No kawasaki ZX6R numbers either?

6R was not on sale in India through 2023 and was re-launched again in Jan 2024

[hikozaru]

Originally Posted by theredliner

As per Autocar Pro, BMW India sold 1052 big bikes and 7716 310s in 2023.

The negative growth in this segment is not good for the big bike scene of our country. Manufacturers would not want to invest in CKD or localization with these numbers. I guess the main reason behind the big decline over the last few years is the missing action from Harley 750s. Even excluding them, the numbers seem to be stagnant at best.

Looking at the huge growth in the 1-3 mil car segments, I was expecting a decent growth in the big bike sales too, but looks like most people are satisfied with the entry level premium bikes in the sub 500k segment. It is understandable as these bikes are easy on the pocket and most of them have all the power that is needed on the Indian roads.

The significant price hikes in the last few years seem to have hit the growth of the big bikes hard.

I don't think there is any negative growth. I'd chalk it up to Honda fanboys deciding to wait it out for Honda bikes.

[Himanshu809]

Originally Posted by theredliner

As per Autocar Pro, BMW India sold 1052 big bikes and 7716 310s in 2023.

Looking at the huge growth in the 1-3 mil car segments, I was expecting a decent growth in the big bike sales too, but looks like most people are satisfied with the entry level premium bikes in the sub 500k segment. It is understandable as these bikes are easy on the pocket and most of them have all the power that is needed on the Indian roads.

The significant price hikes in the last few years seem to have hit the growth of the big bikes hard.

That’s why I’m more than satisfied with a BMW G310GS & Triumph Speed 400.

Both can touch 140 and cruise around 100 and comfortable for my waifu and I. Thanks to a great pre owned deal I put exactly 5.9L in and I’m sorted.

Anything above 600-900 cc twin/triple or 500-750 cc twin is a waste of money usage scenario wise since most actual expressways are not accessible to bikes even if it costs double the price of an average car.

And for those this is true that there’s no replacement for displacement it’s either get value for money Z900 or go full nuts and get the best sports tourer ever made i.e. the Hayabusas. Big Kawasakis sell too because they’re frankly great. Honda just doesn’t care anymore. And frankly I see every level to mid segment ballooning and booming.

Triumph has a lot of potential just their service costs and experiences are hard to deal with. Guess once a British lemon, always a British lemon eh?!

That’s why I don’t mind Bajaj as the Manufacturers in my “Triumph Speed 400” RC.

Singles and Twins will rule the charts on the future.

And it’s always easier to maintain Japanese superbikes than to buy European and deal with that kind of engineering.

[Sensible_Speed]

What these charts and figures show, is that India is a very price sensitive market for big bikes.
The Z900, Street Triples and Hayabusa are very cheap for what they offer and hence, sell in relatively big numbers, so to speak. Z900 is probably the cheapest competitive inline-4 you can buy new today (ZX4R is a low displacement outlier, that is overpriced for what it is, hence it cannot be considered for this comparison). Street Triples offer a fantastic European package for a very attractive price. The other European bikes all sell above 14 lakhs in this segment atleast.

The Hayabusa and ZX10R are again popular because they let you access the stratospheric litre-class for a very reasonable price. Costing virtually the same, buyers default to either based on personal preference. The Indian motorcycling community has always had a soft spot for the big Busa, so it comes as no surprise that the versatile Suzuki soldiers on in both sales and capability in its latest form. The ZX10R shot to the top of the sales charts by simply undercutting its rivals on price. Kawasaki sells it for peanuts compared to the big 4s from Italy and Germany and even rival from Japan.

Speaking of rivals from Japan, Yamaha has no presence in this space at all despite being a global behemoth for big perfomance 2-wheeled machines. They've taken a punt down the cliff after the advent of BS-VI norms in India. Honda on the other hand shot themselves in the foot by way of their interesting pricing. Globally, Honda made its name and continues to do so by pricing their offerings very competitively. In India too, they were the first movers with lower pricing than the entire playing field and low service costs. Although the service costs remain reasonable as ever today, Honda have blown their big bike prices out of proportion. They offer too little for too much money, even by European standards. This has seen Honda lose out in a huge way to Kawasaki, who also struggle with pricing problems, but in a different segment.

What manufacturers need is a rationalization of prices, hopefully towards the lower marks and committed aftersales support. With the confidence being shown from the OEMs' end, customers will pick up on the sentiment and perhaps be more bullish in embracing the big bike lifestyle.