Most popular bikes in Europe

[waterman]

French motorcycle magazine Moto Journal published some interesting statistics on the top 5 sales of motorcycles of the top 5 European countries.

The country with the biggest sales is Italy, followed by Germany, France, UK and Spain.

Italy
1. Yamaha FZ6 - 10,834
2. Honda 600 Hornet - 8,217
3. Kawasaki Z750 - 5,149
4. Honda CBR 600 RR - 4,421
5. BMW R1200GS - 4,095

Germany
1. BMW R1200GS - 6,779
2. Honda CBF 600 - 4,859
3. Suzuki Bandit 650 - 3,420
4. Yamaha FZ6 - 3,286
5. Suzuki GSX-R 1000 - 2,947

France
1. Kawasaki Z750 - 7,160
2. Yamaha 600 FZ6 - 6,474
3. Suzuki Bandit 650 - 5,475
4. Suzuki SV 650 - 3,420
5. Honda Hornet 600 - 2,687

UK
1. Suzuki GSX-R 1000 - 2,534
2. Kawasaki ZX-6R - 2,213
3. Honda CBR 1000 RR - 2,083
4. BMW R1200GS - 1,980
5. Yamaha R1 - 1,936

Spain
1. Yamaha FZ6 - 5,421
2. Suzuki GSX-R 600 - 2,988
3. Honda CBR 600 RR - 2,893
4. Honda CBF 250 - 2,778
5. Suzuki Bandit 650 - 2,425

Top 5 of the Top 5

Which makes the top 5 of the top 5 countries?:

1. Yamaha FZ6 - 26,015
2. BMW R1200GS - 12,854
3. Kawazaki Z750 - 12,309
4. Suzuki Bandit 650 - 11,320
5. Honda Hornet 600 - 10,904

It would be interesting to see the same stats for North America.

[k_vist]

Yeah man, I saw SO many nice Z750's over there! Naked one's, not the lame half-fairing one' s being sold here now.

[Stargaze]

it really seems like the naked sport bike is the up and coming theme.

[KatRider]

Yeah man, I saw SO many nice Z750's over there! Naked one's, not the lame half-fairing one' s being sold here now.


Interesting. I was talking to someone who has one of these bikes a while back and he was really PO'd with how "buzzy" his bike was.

Naked apparently rule in Europe.

[k_vist]

it really seems like the naked sport bike is the up and coming theme.

In Europe anyways. They had to discontinue the naked Z750's here due to lack of sales :( Too bad, cause I would have bought one.

But yes, I do see that nakeds are becoming increasingly popular. Most notably in the SV "culture". Matter of fact, I'm in the process of nudifying my own SV :D

As for buzziness, I can't comment as all the Z's I saw were parked. But I do remember reading a review about engine buzz/vibration at certain RPM's.

[flowrider]

Z1000
http://www.dinkybike.com/gallery/data/500/medium/isoroba3.jpg
http://www.dinkybike.com/gallery/data/500/medium/Zed_submission.jpg

Naked is beautiful but will never take off in North America. If it's not covered in plastic people here just don't want it.

[k_vist]

Wait till my SV is done with it's Buell lights & flyscreen and GSX-R forks. YUM

[flowrider]

Wait till my SV is done with it's Buell lights & flyscreen and GSX-R forks. YUM

Yes, the Buell lights look damn good on a naked bike.

[spinko]

awwe snap, that's hawt!

[Janusz]

Please do not forget that these statistics are greatly influenced by taxation/insurance/government restrictions which in Europe vary considerably depending on engine size, power and also bike type (Sports replica vs naked for example).

The costs to register and insure a liter sportsbike comparing to say middleweight naked are huge.

If above costs differences were minimal like they are in NA then the whole statistics would be much different then they are and much more like here. Do not make any mistake thinking that people in Europe are so much different then us as far as bikes' desirability goes.

[CanaganD]

well isn't europe supposed to be bigger then here when it comes to bikes?

[Ripster]

Here's a nice FZ6 I saw in Cordoda, Spain last month parked outside my hotel

http://www.bcsportbikes.com/photopost/data/500/8006CIMG0221.jpg

http://www.bcsportbikes.com/photopost/data/500/8006CIMG0220.jpg

And a few other little things

http://www.bcsportbikes.com/photopost/data/500/8006CIMG0198.jpg

http://www.bcsportbikes.com/photopost/data/500/8006CIMG0222.jpg

http://www.bcsportbikes.com/photopost/data/500/8006CIMG0196.jpg

[BMR]

FZ6..... perhaps Europe is onto something.........is a litre track tool the only thing people want here?

[CrashTested]

FZ6..... perhaps Europe is onto something.........is a litre track tool the only thing people want here?


Compensating for smaller North American penis size? :laughing :laughing

[TrueLies]

it really seems like the naked sport bike is the up and coming theme.

Sorry. To each their own... and all that stuff.

I see the naked bike as a fad. Here today. Gone tomorrow.

For putting around small streets with no parking. That's the realm of the scooter. That's what I would use.

For spirited sport riding of any distance, the fairing is must-have for me. I'm not too keen on cleaning a naked bike. And your gear gets some much more grime on it without the protection of the fairing.

Then there's the high $$$ prestige examples the well-to-do baby boomers are into. Totally out of my league.

[TrueLies]

Please do not forget that these statistics are greatly influenced by taxation/insurance/government restrictions which in Europe vary considerably depending on engine size, power and also bike type (Sports replica vs naked for example).

The costs to register and insure a liter sportsbike comparing to say middleweight naked are huge.

If above costs differences were minimal like they are in NA then the whole statistics would be much different then they are and much more like here. Do not make any mistake thinking that people in Europe are so much different then us as far as bikes' desirability goes.


Excellent point! Much like Vancouver, they are unfriendly to cars and motorcycles.

So much of what we, North Americans, take for granted are out of reach for the average Joe in other places.

[TrueLies]

Z1000
http://www.dinkybike.com/gallery/data/500/medium/isoroba3.jpg
http://www.dinkybike.com/gallery/data/500/medium/Zed_submission.jpg

Naked is beautiful but will never take off in North America. If it's not covered in plastic people here just don't want it.

Then cover it in carbon fiber. Besides, what's wrong with plastic? :)

[TeeTee]

Wait till my SV is done with it's Buell lights & flyscreen and GSX-R forks. YUM

Sounds like the magic combo that I've mentioned a few times. I'm not quite ready to trade the Z off but a naked and suspension upgraded SV is on my "To Do" list as well. It's an intelligient size and power for the street and light one up touring yet would be fun at occasional trackdays as well.

You gotta remember to let me know about it when it's finished. I want to hear all about it....

What are you doing for the rear shock? If you don't have anything in mind then may I suggest an upgrade or Racetech valving installed and tuned to your specs by an outfit called CylcleZoo. They raced SV's for a few years and are developing a great rep for doing this sort of thing. ..... oops, just remembed that they start with a swap to a sportbike shock that is then tailored to suit your weight and riding style. The stocker isn't fully adjustable as I recall.

[Spike]

Two things come to mind looking at these lists... One, the Italy list doesn't have Ducati *or* Aprilia on it (just interesting, not really surprising given the cost however).

Two, is it just me, or is this whole "naked" trend just a trend towards making sportbikes look like cruisers? No plastic, engine hanging out, etc. The only difference is the foot position, really. Why not just buy a cruiser? :)

[atomic]

Two things come to mind looking at these lists... One, the Italy list doesn't have Ducati *or* Aprilia on it (just interesting, not really surprising given the cost however).

Two, is it just me, or is this whole "naked" trend just a trend towards making sportbikes look like cruisers? No plastic, engine hanging out, etc. The only difference is the foot position, really. Why not just buy a cruiser? :)

handling, performance and comfort. A naked bike handles much better than a cruiser, just like a sportbike but with out the cramped seating position. They're quite a bit faster too, also like a sportbike. I'd argue that the naked bikes have the most comfortable seating position of them all. I actually find cruiser's to not be very comfortable with the slouched over monkey bar holding seating position. It's hard on the back. I find my R6 more comfortable than the Intruder 1600 i tried. That said, I found my ex500 to be more comfortable than my R6.

[StrongBad]

handling, performance and comfort. A naked bike handles much better than a cruiser, just like a sportbike but with out the cramped seating position. They're quite a bit faster too, also like a sportbike. I'd argue that the naked bikes have the most comfortable seating position of them all. I actually find cruiser's to not be very comfortable with the slouched over monkey bar holding seating position. It's hard on the back.

:thumbup

[Surrey_599]

I just got a Honda 599, naked/standard what ever you want to call it. I love it!! It's an attractive bike, comfortable and has great power for a new rider.


43416

I sat on a lot of different bikes; SV650, SV650S, CBR RR, Ninjas, Bandits, etc. The ergonomics, on the 599, are not nearly as athletic as a CBR RR but are still sportier than a Bandit.

It is just a nice compromise between comfort and function. For me the 599 felt right at home with my abilities. I wasn't too bent over and had both feet flat on the floor. I can see and reach everything for maintanence. Plus if I drop it in a parking lot I don't have the fairing to damage, just a $50 shifter.

On a negative note you do get blown all around once you hit 120km/h, that is probably a good thing considering I am new to riding.

[TrueLies]

handling, performance and comfort. A naked bike handles much better than a cruiser, just like a sportbike but with out the cramped seating position. They're quite a bit faster too, also like a sportbike. I'd argue that the naked bikes have the most comfortable seating position of them all. I actually find cruiser's to not be very comfortable with the slouched over monkey bar holding seating position. It's hard on the back. I find my R6 more comfortable than the Intruder 1600 i tried. That said, I found my ex500 to be more comfortable than my R6.

Reading your description... I just had a vision of the old 440 LTD and the Nighthawk 450. Oh no!! My eyes, my eyes :laughing

[SpideRider]

Are there not many cruiser riders in Europe?

[daveyboy33]

Are there not many cruiser riders in Europe?

Hardly any at all. A few Harley Davidson dealerships, but hardly anyone riding them. Paris is full of Gs500's, Fazer 6's and Sv650s. There's also a horsepower restriction in France so your Fz6 runs like an R1 :surrender

[Martini]

I love my naked bike... My bet is that you see Triumph make the charts next year with the new 675 triple... If they make a naked version conseder one bought!

[HydeNobuyuki]

I just got a Honda 599, naked/standard what ever you want to call it. I love it!! It's an attractive bike, comfortable and has great power for a new rider.


43416


as much as i really prefer fully faired bikes... those hornets in the 599 and 250cc (msrp only 5500$ here in japan) varieties and the monster 400 are really starting to grow on me... so tempted to find a 400cc naked sportbike