The best-selling bikes of 2015
In a cooler market with skyrocketing COE prices, here are some of the bikes that made this year's bestsellers' list
1. HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE SPECIAL
Get on the Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special (above) and you'll instantly feel the difference.
This 1,690cc tourer has a punchier power delivery and smart brakes, aside from a host of other features like ride comfort and dash-mounted technology.
The V-twin motorcycle has a machine price of $49,900.
About 20 per cent of total Harley sales this year were made up of the Street Glide Special, says Ms Dorothy Chan, Harley-Davidson Singapore's general manager.
She says: "Customers tell me that they didn't realise the difference in performance until they took it for a test ride. The big improvements in technology and performance made this bike a top-seller for us."
The company sold 111 motorcycles in all, as of end November.
2. YAMAHA FZN 150
This 153cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder bike sold almost 500 units in 2015. The successor to the ubiquitous FZ16, it is a favourite among bikers in the 25-to-35 age bracket.
Says Hong Leong Yamaha spokesman Lee Kwan Meng: "It's a motorcycle that appeals to a broad range of riders - from tertiary students to budget conscious riders to those who want to save on petrol."
With a $6,000 machine price and a maintenance-free engine, you can't go wrong with this ride.
3. SUZUKI BURGMAN 200
For a small scooter, it has a big body. The Burgman 200, which has a $6,900 machine price, is also equipped with anti-lock brakes.
Around 270 of these automatic Burgman 200s were sold this year by distributor Guan Hoe Suzuki.
The company's spokesman, Mr Tan Soon Aun, says: "The Burgman 200 became a bestseller because of its pricing and the support we got from our dealers who pushed the sale of the scooter.
"It's also simple to use - just twist and go."
4. PIAGGIO PRIMAVERA
This 150cc automatic scooter, which has a $6,800 machine price, especially appeals to style-conscious riders.
The number of bikes sold - 212 units - made up 70 per cent of total motorcycle sales under the Piaggio brand for 2015.
Says brand spokesman Eugene Mah: "We started seeing a rise in the Primavera's sales figures starting two years ago. It may be a 150cc scooter, but its performance is equivalent to 200cc scooters from three years ago."
5. KTM 200 DUKE
Introduced four years ago, the KTM 200 Duke retains a steady legion of fans who appreciate aggressive naked bike styling and performance.
The 200cc, single-cylinder motorbike is a favourite among gymkhana and stunt enthusiasts.
Says Mr Ong Kim Hua, KTM's local distributor: "Almost half our total sales figures for KTM motorcycles in 2015 were 200 Duke bikes. While there's a full-fairing version of the motorcycle, the 200 Duke still maintains its trend among younger riders."
The 200 Duke has a machine price of $9,900, and KTM sold about 180 units in 2015.
6. SUZUKI GSX-S1000
The GSX-S1000 boasts a link to World Superbike Racing especially when it is equipped with Suzuki's revered, race-bred GSX-R1000 K5.
The 150hp GSX-S1000 may not be as complex as its other big-bore rivals, but without a doubt, its ease of operation and lower machine price are plus factors.
Dealers are listing it at upwards of $21,000, excluding COE.
There were around 60 units of the 1,000cc in-line four cylinder motorbikes sold this year.
7. DUCATI PANIGALE SUPERBIKE
It's red, it's fast and it's Italian. The Ducati Panigale family - the 1,285cc and 898cc variants - are superbikes that sit at the top of the racing food chain.
The light, L-twin engine superbikes are capable of 0 to 100kmh figures in under 3 secs.
Ducati Singapore sold 25 Panigale superbikes in 2015. Machine prices range from $41,000 to $55,000.
Says Ms Tiffany Pan, spokesman for the local Ducati distributor: "Ducati's sleek design built with Italian passion seems to be the main draw... They're easy (to ride) on the road and fun on the track."
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