According to ACEM, the Motorcycle Industry of Europe, in 2014 a total number of 1,099,000 motorcycles and scooters were registered in the EU. But what are the most popular models? It’s worth pointing out that there are several surprising points of the data – for example, there’s not a single Suzuki, Triumph, Ducati or Harley on the list or that Honda only made it to the top 10 thanks to two scooters. The sales figures come from 2014.
2015 Kawasaki Z800
10. Kawasaki Z800 – 6235 units
It didn’t surprise us that Kawasaki’s mid-level streetfighter made the list since it retails for $8,399—that’s $3,602 cheaper than the Z1000’s MSRP. Another selling point is the „e” version can be legally restricted to an A2-licence-friendly bike with 47hp. But there is a big problem with the bike and it’s another motorcycle from this list. The Z800 might have made sense before Yamaha brought out the MT-09 because the Kawasaki is much heavier and less agiler than the Yamaha. Still, the Z800 sells good in countries like France or Germany.
2015 Honda SH300i
9. Honda SH300 – 6281 units
Honda’s big-wheel scooter is a sophisticated machine. It brings the in-town agility of a 125 and the performance and stability of a proper motorcycle together. The scooter’s 300cc engine is the most powerful in its class, the suspension is impressive, the frame is very rigid and the SH300 even offers plenty of storage space. The Italian customers seem to love Honda’s maxi scooter – the SH300 came in second there.
2015 BMW R1200RT
8. BMW R1200RT – 6625 units
Some say that the R1200RT is the best all-around slash sports-tourer on the market, a versatile, wonderfully balanced bike that’s cheaper than BMW’s luxury K1600. But no matter how good it is, we did not expect to see BMW’s new liquid-cooled sport-touring anywhere on this list because it’s an expensive piece of machinery. But it still made it and it’s presence suggests that something has made BMW’s boxers seem special in the minds of thousands upon thousands of riders. Whatever that something is, it’s still alive and well in the R1200RT.
BMW R1200RT Xenon Driving Lights Fog Lamps Fog Lights Kit
2015 Piaggio Zip 50 2T
7. Piaggio Zip 50 2T – 7161 units
Piaggio’s tiny scooter is hugely popular in France and that already explains its place in the top 10. It’s a quality machine to ride that looks good, picks up speed quickly and costs next to nothing to own or run. Well done, Piaggio.
2015 Yamaha MT-09
6. Yamaha MT-09 – 7562 units
The new MT-09 is a superb all-arounder that confirm’s Yamaha’s return to form. It’s a keenly priced, quick, sweet-handling and well equipped sports-touring machine that continues Yamaha’s recent run of excellent and competitively priced bikes. The newest MT is basically Yamaha’s take on the hugely successful Triumph Street Triple. Bad news for Triumph that the MT-09 is already one of the best-selling bikes in the largest European countries. It’s a lovely machine to ride, it’s comfortable, controllable, handles and brakes well. The best part: the MT-09’s price is considerably lower than those of most comparable sports-touring rivals.
2015 Yamaha XP500 T-Max
5. Yamaha XP500 T-Max – 7846 units
Yamaha’s T-Max is the original maxi scooter since this was the bike that created the category 15 years ago. Thanks to the continuous upgrade, the T-Max continues to promote this category. And what category would that be? In countries like Italy and France, the T-Max is seen as the perfect medium- and long-distance commuting tool.
Bridgestone Battlax BT012 TMax Motorcycle Tire
2015 Honda SH150
4. Honda SH150 – 8754 units
The SH150 is Italy’s best selling scooter right now but Honda sold nearly zero of its scooter on markets like Germany, France or Spain. The huge success of this scooter in Italy is a big mistery – the SH150 is a practical, powerful machine with a modern engine and a relative high price tag.
2015 Peugeot Kisbee 50
3. Peugeot Kisbee 50 – 12561 units
The Kisbee 50 is France’s (and Europe’s) favourite scooter, selling well over 10,000 units last year on its home market. Designed as the perfect partner for urban travellers, the Kisbee offers hassle-free commuting at a low cost. It’s a simple concept, combined with an automatic transmission, comfy ride, and plenty of storage space.
2015 Yamaha MT-07
2. Yamaha MT-07 – 13125 units
The new Yamaha MT-07 was clearly the biggest hit of last year, and it turned out to be one of the best middleweight naked machines out there. It’s a quick, entertaining bike that offers plenty of fun and reasonable practicality at a very competitive price. The combination of engine performance, light weight and handling makes it very impressive, and should appeal to a wide variety of riders. Yamaha did a great job on the new 689cc parallel twin, but the whole package is the key, this is what takes the firm back to its roots.
2015 BMW R1200GS
1. BMW R1200GS – 18013 units
You didn’t really think that it would be anything else, did you? For most journalists, the BMW R1200GS’s sales success in recent years doesn’t make much sense, even though it was a fine motorcycle even before this latest update. But BMW kept working on its most important bike and the result is an even more refined adventure bike that is more powerful, more comfortable and easier to ride. It’s still the ultimate go-anywhere tourer, no matter if you’re on tarmac, mud or whatever else. And the sales numbers do speak for themselves: this bike is the best selling motorcycle in Germany and in Italy, and the best selling large-displacement bike in France.
Saddlemen BMW Saddlebag Lid Organizer – R1200GS 3501-0782
Source: ACEM
