Premium motorcycles gain pace as entry-level models skid

THE TWO-WHEELER MARKET has entered a phase of sharp polarisation, with the half yearly sales data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) showing a widening gap between mass market commuter motorcycles and high-performance premium bikes. While the once dominant entry-level segments are witnessing sustained decline, the upper end of the market is seeing strong double digit growth, riding on rising aspirations and deepening income divides.

- VIKRAM CHAUDHARY

The biggest slump has appeared at the most affordable end of the market. Sales of motorcycles in the 75-110 cc bracket fell 4.3%, sliding from 3,006,303 units to 2,877,059 units. The 110-125 cc segment slipped even further, registering a 5.5% drop from 1,878,073 units to 1,775,470 units. The 125-150 cc segment has taken the steepest hit, plunging 33% from 357,991 units to just 240,011 units. These declines cut across all major commuter bike categories, signalling persistent distress among price sensitive rural and lower income urban buyers.

The opposite is true at the other end of the spectrum. The 150-200 cc segment climbed 12.7%, increasing from 616,541 units to 694,924 units.