The Top Searched Makes and Models for Q1

We may be over a month into Q2 - don’t ask us where the time went - but let's take a minute to catch up on the top searched makes and models on Cycle Trader in the first quarter of 2019. We saw some similarities, as well as a few differences, in trends both year over year and quarterly that we think you’ll find interesting. So, let’s get to it. Here are your top consumer searches for Q1.

Top 5 searched models of Q1 2019:

• Dirt Bike
• Cruiser
• Trike
• Sportbike
• Dual Sport

Dirt bikes continue to be our number one searched type with 17% of total searches in Q1 2019 - that’s 650,000+ consumers looking for these units. Dirt bike searches are down just 1% year over year (YOY). but have remained steady since Q4 2018. Offroad units across the Powersports industry are rising in popularity - so we’re not surprised to see this continue in the #1 position. Next up, cruisers jumped to second place this quarter with 11% of searches. They rose significantly in the ranks considering they placed fourth last quarter and fourth in Q1 2018. Trike models rounded out third place with 10.6% of searches, falling just one place from last quarter and two places YOY In fourth was Sportbikes with 10.3% of total searches, falling one place from last quarter and YOY and, last but not least - dual sport bikes remained in fifth place with 9% of searches. We are interested to see how these numbers shift in as we move further into 2019.

Moving on to the top makes of Q1 2019.

Top 5 searched makes of Q1 2019: 

• Harley-Davidson (47,000+ units listed) 
• Honda (40,000+ units listed) 
• Yamaha (27,000+ units listed) 
• Kawasaki (31,000+ units listed)
• Suzuki (18,000+ units listed)

The top five makes remain consistent Y.O.Y. but we have seen some changes since last quarter. Harley-Davidson continues to dominate searches coming in first. 22% of our consumers searched for the Harley-Davidson in Q1 2019 (that’s 5+ million searches). Despite what’s been widely reported about this manufacturer’s recent declines - they still continue to dominate due to their storied history and huge brand recognition within the industry. Honda secured second place with 17% of searches and Yamaha rounded out third with 11% of total searches. Kawasaki came in fourth place at 8% and Suzuki slid into fifth place with 7% of searches. Last quarter, Suzuki didn’t make the top five so we’re happy to see them gain some search traction. Maybe it’s the return of their Katana model that’s got everyone excited. The 2020 model will be hitting dealerships in the fall of 2019, after it was announced a nearly year before. We curious to see if they continue to climb in standings this quarter, but only time will tell.

Stay tuned for that report coming this July and let us know how your dealership compares with our findings in the comments below.