Motorcycle sales rose in 2012

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IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. motorcycle sales made solid gains in 2012, but remained below peak years, the Motorcycle Industry Council said.

Sales rose 2.6 percent to 452,386 motorcycles, which includes dual purpose, off-highway, scooter and highway motorcycles, the trade group said.

The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that all four segments of the industry saw increased sales in 2012 with scooters leading the pack on a sales gain of 7.7 percent.

Dual purpose motorcycle sales rose 7.4 percent while sales of off-highway motorcycles rose 2.1 percent and highway motorcycle sales rose 1.8 percent.

In terms of numbers, 318,105 highway, 71,535 off-highway, 34,294 scooters and 28,452 dual purpose motorcycles were sold.

The market is still in recovery. In 2006, total motorcycle sales were at 1.1 million. The market tumbled in 2008, as the economy turned south.