BMW R 1200 GS2014 BMW Motorrad Q1 Sales ReportFollowing a record year of selling over 115,000 motorcycle and maxi-scooter sales, BMW Motorrad began 2014 on a strong note.
Worldwide sales were positive for the first three months of 2014, and the Bavarian motorcycle manufacturer achieved another monthly sales record for March. The sales performance can be attributed to BMW’s top-selling motorcycle in 2013, the R 1200 GS.BMW says that it sold 28,719 motorcycles and maxi scooters worldwide compared to 24,732 units in the same period of the previous year, showing an increase of 16.1 percent.As for march, 15,183 units were sold compared to 13,067 in March of 2014. This shows an increase of 16.2 percent, and March becomes the best monthly sales month in the BMW Motorrad’s history.Heiner Faust, BMW Motorrad Head of Sales and Marketing: “We got off to an excellent start to the new motorcycle season with a sales increase of 16.1 percent of March. In the first three months of this year we have supplied more motorcycles and maxi scooters than ever before in a first quarter.“What is more, last month was the most successful in the company’s history with 15,183 vehicles sold and an increase of 16.2%. Never before have we sold as many vehicles in March.”BMW says the positive result was due to the high level of demand worldwide. The first quarter was pleasing in Europe, too. The southern European markets are seeing significant growth as compared to the previous year. The strongest individual market for BMW Motorrad continues to be Germany, followed by the US, France, Italy, Brazil and Spain.“Based on this excellent quarterly result we have positive expectations of the upcoming months,” says Faust.
Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory + Steve ’Stavros’ Parrish
byMotos and Friends by Ultimate Motorcycle
Hello everyone and welcome once again to Ultimate Motorcycling’s weekly podcast—Motos and Friends. My name is Arthur Coldwells.
Our first segment features the new Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory. Senior Editor Nic de Sena brings us his report on the flagship version of Aprilia’s upright middleweight machine. He gives us insight into whether it’s worth spending the extra money on the Factory version, and also of course, whether this sporting Aprilia is really the motorcycle for you.
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The next guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—one of the most iconic sportbikes ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In this segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with (arguably) one of the most interesting Suzuki race riders of all time. the iconic RG500 alongside teammate double World Champion Barry Sheene. The two were almost as famous for their exploits off-track, as for their success on it. Those were the days! Steve also raced the Isle of Man TT for about ten years where he won 13 Silver Replicas, and got a podium finish. His insight into that particular brand of mayhem are fascinating.
But there’s waaay more to Steve Parrish than his motorcycle racing. He is also the most successful Semi-Truck racer ever, and, little known piece of useless trivia—he’s my birthday twin: 24th February. He is a natural entertainer and you can’t miss his recounting of the world’s most entertaining—and arguably terrifying—double-decker bus ride ever. If any of you were actually on that hell-ride then we’d love to hear from you!