THE ''POSTIE bike'' is no longer Australia's favourite motorcycle, with Honda's ''beginner motorbike'' for children taking the top spot for sales in 2011.
Figures issued by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries reveal Honda dominates the Australian motorcycle market, with it's CRF50F model the most popular at 2982 sales last year.
Long-time sentimental favourite - the Honda CT110 model, which is sold almost exclusively to Australia Post as a delivery bike - came in second with 2227 sales.
The Japanese automotive manufacturer's CBR250R model was the most popular conventional road bike in Australia with 2172 sales nationwide.
Unsurprisingly, Honda was the No1 brand, delivering 24,024 motorcycles to Australian customers by the end of December 2011.
Yamaha was second with 20,152 sales, followed by Suzuki with 13,671, Kawasaki with 9745 and Harley-Davidson with 6427.
The scooter segment finished the year with 11,374 sales, up 8.8 per cent - or 929 scooters - on the 2010 result.
The chamber's chief executive Ian Chalmers said 109,067 new motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and scooters were delivered to customers during 2011 - an increase of 3per cent, or 3226 motorcycles, on the number sold in 2010.
ACT Motorcycle Club treasurer Andrew Cheney sees growing numbers of Honda CRF50F models at the club's Piallago Avenue track in Majura - and it's not just a motorcycle for children.
''They are a popular bike because they are reliable, relatively cheap and there are tonnes of modifications available to them, whether you're a young kid starting out or a adult looking for a bit of fun,'' he said.
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