We are in the second half of 2024. From new models to standard models, various motorcycles are attracting attention this year, but what models are actually selling well? In particular, motorcycles that can be ridden with a regular motorcycle license are popular with a wide range of riders, from beginners to returning riders and veterans, so I think many users are curious about them.
Here, we will pick up the number of new motorcycles sold nationwide in the first half of 2024 (January to June) announced by the motorcycle industry newspaper "Motorcycle Newspaper". We will introduce the rankings for light motorcycles over 125cc to 250cc and small motorcycles over 250cc to 400cc.
- Rebel 250 takes first place in the 125cc to 250cc class for the sixth consecutive year
- Eliminator wins the 250cc to 400cc class for the second consecutive year
- Imported motorcycles that can be ridden with a regular motorcycle license are also popular
- Which models are expected to make great strides in the future?
Rebel 250 takes first place in the 125cc to 250cc class for the sixth consecutive year
The national new vehicle sales figures presented here are all data (estimates) from an original survey by Motorcycle Newspaper. First, there is the light motorcycle class, with sizes between 125cc and 250cc. A regular motorcycle license is required to drive these vehicles (for automatic transmission vehicles such as scooters, an automatic transmission-only regular motorcycle license is also acceptable), but this class is also attractive because it does not require vehicle inspections and maintenance costs are relatively low.
In this class, the following models were in the top 10 for new vehicle sales in the first half of 2024 (January to June).
Top 10 Light Motorcycles (over 125cc to 250cc) sold nationwide in the first half of 2024 (January to June)
1st：Honda Rebel 250/S Edition（4564 Units）
2nd：Honda PCX160（3464 Units）
3rd：Honda ADV160（2480 Units）
4th：Honda CRF250L/CRF250L＜s＞/ラリー/ラリー＜s＞（1654 Units）
5th：Honda CL250（1544 Units）
6th：Honda Ｖストローム250SX（1378 Units）
7th：Honda CB250R（1110 Units）
8th：Honda XMAX155 ABS（877 Units）
9th：Honda Forza（835 Units）
10th：Suzuki GIXXER SF250/250（834 Units）
Source: Motorcycle Newspaper/Sales figures are estimated
Honda cars dominated the top five places.
By the way, the top-ranked Rebel 250 is a cruiser model equipped with a 249cc DOHC single-cylinder engine. With a lightweight body weight of 171-172kg and a low seat height of 690mm, this model is attractive for its characteristics that make it easy to handle for riders of a wide range of builds. The lineup includes a standard model and an S edition equipped with a headlight cowl and other features. Prices (including tax) range from $4139.75 to $4368.61.
Honda Rebel 250
Honda Rebel 250 S Edition
The Rebel 250 is leading the light motorcycle class in new vehicle sales this year, with a lead of over 1,000 units over the second-place PCX160. Moreover, according to the Motorcycle Newspaper, it has been the top seller for the first half of the year for six consecutive years. Since its introduction in 2017, it has been a long-selling model that has been supported by many customers, and its popularity is still going strong.
Eliminator wins the 250cc to 400cc class for the second consecutive year
Next up is small motorcycles with an engine displacement of over 250cc to 400cc. This is the class that includes motorcycles with the largest engine displacement that can be driven with a regular motorcycle license, and the rankings for the first half of 2024 (January to June) are as follows.
Japan's Top 10 Small Motorcycles (over 250cc to 400cc) Sales in the First Half of 2024 (January-June)
No. 1: Kawasaki Eliminator/SE (3,665 units)
2nd : Honda GB350/S (2499 units)
3rd : Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R SE/Ninja ZX-4RR KRT Edition (1829 units)
No.4 : Kawasaki Ninja 400/KRT Edition (1162 units)
No. 5: Harley-Davidson X350 (851 units)
No.6 : Honda CBR400R/NX400 (24-year model) (726 units)
No. 7: Triumph Speed 400/Scrambler 400X (725 units)
No.8: Honda 400X/CBR400R (from 2010 model year) (450 units)
No. 9: Yamaha YZF-R3 ABS/MT-03 ABS (420 units)
10th : KTM, 390 Duke (203 units)
*Exhibit: Motorcycle Newspaper/Sales volume is estimated
Eliminator, which took first place in this class./The SE is Kawasaki's 400cc cruiser model.
It will be released in 2023, inheriting the name of a famous car that led the domestic American bike boom in the 1990s. This model is characterized by its unique low and long form, inheriting the traditional dragger style. In addition, the low seat height of 735 mm provides excellent foot reach. The lightweight body weighing 176 to 178 kg allows you to experience the feeling of freely maneuvering it.
The 398cc parallel twin-cylinder engine, which is well-known for its ease of handling, combines rich torque at low speeds with powerful power at high speeds. The appeal is that you can experience a comfortable ride in a wide range of situations, from city riding to long touring.
The lineup includes a standard model without a cowl and a high-end SE model equipped with a stylishly designed headlight cowl. Prices (including tax) range from $94.24 to $6145.68.
Kawasaki Eliminator
Kawasaki Eliminator SE
The Eliminator/SE also took first place, beating the second-placed Honda GB350/S by more than 1,000 units. According to the Motorcycle Newspaper, the Eliminator/SE also ranked first in new vehicle sales in the first half of 2023 (January to June) in the 250cc to 400cc class. Winning the title for the second consecutive year is proof that it has maintained its high popularity since its introduction in 2023.
Honda GB350
Imported motorcycles that can be ridden with a regular motorcycle license are also popular
In the 250cc to 400cc class, the Harley-Davidson X350, which came in 5th place, and the Triumph Speed 400/Scrambler 400X, which came in 7th place, are also noteworthy. Both are brand new 2024 models of imported vehicles that can be ridden with a regular motorcycle license.
X350 that can be driven with a medium-sized driver's license
Triumph Speed 400 (left) and Scrambler 400X (right)
Traditionally, imported motorcycles were mostly large-displacement models over 600cc that could only be ridden with a large-sized motorcycle license (though in the 90s, the Ducati Monster 400 was a big hit). This meant that it was difficult for beginners with only a regular motorcycle license to drive them.
However, in recent years, there are many motorcycles that can be driven without a large-sized motorcycle license, such as the KTM 390 Duke, which also ranked 10th this time. In particular, Harley Davidson and Triumph have had a strong image of large motorcycles, so with the introduction of these two models, it can be seen that they are attracting a wider range of users.
Which models are expected to make great strides in the future?
As mentioned above, the Rebel 250 continues to dominate the 125cc to 250cc light motorcycle class, but the motorcycles to watch in this class going forward will likely be the "W230" and "Meguro S1" that Kawasaki plans to release.
Kawasaki Meglo S-1
Kawasaki W230
These two models, on display as reference exhibits at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, are 230 cc models that are descended from Kawasaki's motorcycle roots, the Meglo and W series, and are the younger siblings of the current W800 and Meglo K3 with 733 cc, air-cooled vertical twin engines.
For these two models, Kawasaki has announced that they will be available in the US and Thailand as of October 1, 2024. In Japan, the models are expected to go on sale, probably around December 2024.
It will be interesting to see if the new neo-classic model can break the stronghold of the Rebel 250, the overwhelmingly popular model in the light motorcycle class.
[Reference Link]
Motorcycle Newspaper Official Website
https://www.nirin.co.jp/
