At the halfway point for calendar year 2023, we can form a relatively clear picture of where the year is heading. Based on YTD June 2023 sales a forecast of slightly more than 30 000 new units is feasible for the full year. This will be a marginal increase of 1.7% on comparative 2022, which is disappointing given the strong growth that the industry had experienced during the past few years, albeit focussed on the commercial segments.

Segment performance reflects that the commercial sector continues on an upward trajectory with 10% growth for the six months. Scooters performed poorly with a disappointing 33% decrease in sales, for no apparent reason. The higher priced leisure segments show an overall increase of 1.5%, but within this segment there are fluctuations varying from -25% to +29%, making it difficult to predict trends. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some sales have been lost due to consumers re-directing spend to solar/invertor home installations. ATV/Side x Side sales are down 15% compared to 2022.Electric motorcycles and 3 wheelers continue to form a statistically insignificant portion of the market, but the 307% increase in registrations over the past 6 months suggests that importers are finding some appetite amongst commercial fleet owners to try EV.

Used motorcycle sales statistics are only available up to April 2023 YTD, which is up 10.7% on the corresponding period for 2022.

The industry view is that trading conditions will continue to be tough, given the high interest rates and likelihood of poor if any economic growth. Under the circumstances, very little growth is expected for the rest of the year.

New Adventure.

I’ve heard of ‘Suzuki’s Weekend Away’ event many times before but never had the opportunity to attend one, until now. Oh yes, during the weekend of the 2-4^th June we had the pleasure of being there for the first time, and it most certainly won’t be the last time.

It was held, as usual, at the Numbi Hotel situated in Hazyview, but this time around it was something new and different. After the Friday arrival and ‘greetings’ we eventually climbed into bed. A predictable beginning shall we say. However the ‘treasure hunt’ type event on the Saturday (the main attraction for being there), used to commence with a tangible map given to competitors in the morning, before setting off, but not this time…

Oh no folks, the modern world has arrived as we were told to download the directions using a phone App directing us to the next competitive check point. Once there we all had to answer questions, and or, compete in sometimes embarrassing antics in a quest to attain points. The winner, or winners, will be announced that evening in a heavily driven, and warranted, alcoholic party – how cool is that for a day out in the hills?

We had the new V-Strom DL1050DE for the day, which was the perfect bike for two people to chase the checkpoints with. First point of call was the superb Motor Museum at Castlebridge, White River. Well worth a visit if you’re in the area, check them out on Facebook for location details. After various disagreements regarding the questions answers we were on our way once again using the phone App for directions. Some of the older/mature competitors we’re a bit confused by it, but help from the expert Go Team organizers of the event soon negated that.

The total loop from Hazyview, and back, was around 240km+/-, with 10 stops or so on the way. Each stop was mainly question driven and without answering either right or wrong you couldn’t continue, all cleverly monitored back at the Numbi Hotel by the Go Team crew. We did get lost a few times, but thankfully we gelled into a small group and helped each other out. After a long (lost) section though (100km or so), Hazel’s bum, she said, felt like it’d been used for cricket bat practice, or similar? Shame, welcome to fast pillion riding down a twisty and bumpy road…

Anyway, battered buttocks aside we made it to the half-way point where we had to stick our hands into a soapy bath and describe the contents sunken inside, amusing, but not so 10km up the road shortly after. Why me? Can you believe it? Just as we came into twisty bend heaven before Nelspruit ‘our’ DL developed a front tyre puncture. I skillfully managed to wrestle the mighty V-Strom to a halt without any calamity in a professional manner (my words no one else’s), and our quest on the DL was over, and we sadly finished the event sitting in the Suzuki van.

So, did we win you ask, err, no, but I did win an odd and ‘disturbing’ naked Greek men wrestling trophy for something, possibly superb bike control, maybe? That night was again filled with many drinks of course, and a very entertaining quiz using tablets placed on the dinner table (not Ecstasy that is, in case you’re wondering)?

Sunday morning came too soon and we all returned home with various states of headaches, if you know what I mean? If you’ve never attended one of these gatherings make sure you do next year, and I must enforce it’s not just for Suzuki bikes and cars. All makes were there, KTM, Kawasaki, BMW, Triumph, Honda, etc. So there’s no excuse and maybe bring your Ferrari too? See you in 2024; we’ll be there for sure.
Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Talking of cars we drove there in the new 2023 Grand Vitara. Starting at only R340,000 this is one serious family car with superb comfort levels. My lower back always hurts after a long drive in a car. Not this time, we did close to 1,000km and I was so delighted with the lack of back pain, due to the comfort levels on offer. It’s extremely quiet inside and effortlessly devours the kilometers, and it has a large touch-screen for GPS, phone connectivity, and the like. A very highly recommended test drive is in order if you’re after a new family car like this.

Go to www.suzukiauto.co.za for more information and to book a test drive

I’d just like to end by giving a big thanks to the Suzuki team for their delightful

Weekend. Keep in touch on www.suzukimotorcycle.co.za for next year’s dates.

Also, well done to  www.dreamteam.co.za  for the entertainment. Check them out if you’re after something different for any forthcoming event.

And www.hotelnumbi.co.za a grand place to stay, and eat, if you’re in the area.

How amazing is it for South Africa, well Lesotho to be more precise, to have another World Launch of a new range of motorcycles?

Previously we had the Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition in Cape Town a few months ago, and now the new 2024 KTM EXC range was unveiled and ridden in Lesotho.It was certainly a world-class event with riders attending from all over the World, and a few from SA. All of the new 2024 EXC range was put through challenging terrain and it seems everyone came away highly impressed with the new bikes on offer, and how they performed.There’re so many new models and changes to discuss, so we think it’s better to visit KTM’s official site for all the information you’ll need. All of these new models should be arriving soon, so get in touch with your local KTM dealer for arrival times, and maybe treat yourself to a new 2024 EXC KTM?

Now click here: www.ktm.com to discover the new EXC range.