USA Motorcycle Top Markets

This very interesting post transmitted to me by Rogue (Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member):

A new study from The Media Audit reveals that Spokane , Washington is the top market in the U.S. for motorcycle ownership. Among adults who live in Spokane , 18.5 percent own a motorcycle, compared to 9 percent for all U.S. adults. Other markets with a high percentage of motorcycle ownership include Riverside-San Bernardino, California (18.4 percent of adults own a motorcycle), followed by Reno , Nevada (15.2 percent), Boise , Idaho (14.8 percent) and Salt Lake City , Utah (14 percent). The study was conducted in 88 U.S. markets. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), new motorcycle retail sales equaled an estimated $10.7 billion in 2006, the highest level in 25 years. The MIC attributes the recent growth to the rise in popularity of motor scooters and increase in female riders. Today, there are more than 450 models on the market, from cruisers to sport bikes to smaller fuel efficient commuter bikes. According to The Media Audit, a majority of motorcycle owners are married (59.2 percent) with an average age of 41 years. Adults who own a motorcycle earn $77,714 in annual household income, a figure that is $12,424 higher than the household income for the average U.S. adult. Rounding out the top ten markets for motorcycle ownership are Eugene-Springfield , Oregon (13.8 percent own a motorcycle), followed by Colorado Springs , Colorado (13.1 percent), Milwaukee-Racine , Wisconsin, home of Harley Davidson Motor Company (12.9 percent), Portland , OR (12.4 percent), and Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN (12.3 percent).(Source: The Media Audit, 02/08). 

9 Responses to “USA Motorcycle Top Markets”


  1. 1 John Mach Mar 28th, 2008 at 11:34 pm

    This information is quite surprising. I would have thought that the sunny states would have the highest percentage of registrations. But it’s probably because some states have more dense urban areas with a lot of small motorcycles used to commute and ride in big cities. Rogue, Am I wrong?.

  2. 2 Greg Mar 29th, 2008 at 12:28 am

    # 1: 18,5% in Spokane WA owns a motorcycle? In a very rainy state? Any explanation for this? Curious.

  3. 3 goldiron Mar 29th, 2008 at 7:38 am

    I wonder if this audit shows multiple motorcycle households.

  4. 4 ROGUE Mar 29th, 2008 at 9:50 am

    Hey Guys I do not know. I recieved it and was suprised and so thought I would share it.
    Rogue

  5. 5 Kephas Mar 29th, 2008 at 10:54 am

    Cool info. Is there a place to go on-line for additional breakdowns state by state? I’m an independent manufacturers rep in Ohio, TN, TX, KY, IN, MI. I would like to share this with my customers.

    thanks

  6. 6 Annie Mar 29th, 2008 at 2:18 pm

    I knew Reno was up there!
    Street Vibrations is a great show to attend!

  7. 7 Nicker Mar 29th, 2008 at 10:17 pm

    Ya, Reno has some hard core biker history behind it.

    Have heard stories of a local club that would chain up their Tank-shift sidevalvers and head up into the pass to help out stranded motorists in the middle of winter.

    But Up-state Washington….?
    The Pacific North West is know for being a haven for he last of the Hard-core American Progressives (workers of the world, etc.).

    But scooters…???
    I’ve put in some miles around Puget Sound, but never noticed any great throng of bikers.

    -nicker-

  8. 8 Jim Mar 30th, 2008 at 11:48 pm

    Hi,,,, I own a shop in Spokane, and had no idea about this stat. However, everybody needs to look at a map. Spokane is on the very eastern border of WA. There is a mountain range (Cascades) near the middle of the state that the rains don’t ever make it over. Our weather is very different than the west side. The riding around here is amazing. If you want to take a road trip to somewhere you probably haven’t been, come up here and look around. There are also many women riders up here. Another interesting note….lots of people here try to ride every month out of the year. This year we have had a great amount of snow fall, but most years it is possible to ride every month.
    By the way, Cyril, you will recognize the Exodus chopper on my web site. It is one of your frames. Happy to say that it rides like a dream, and I was able to put about 3500 miles on it last year.
    Jim

  9. 9 Cyril Huze Mar 31st, 2008 at 12:08 am

    Hi, Jim. Thanks for the info & the compliment. Nice bike. Ride, ride, ride…

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Cyril Huze