Figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) show 55,500 motorcycles, scooters and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) were sold in the six months to the end of June - a 14 percent decline compared to the same period in 2008.

"This result reflects the impact of broader economic conditions," FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said. "Motorcycle sales are now at the level we would expect them to be and are broadly consistent with the trends in new car sales."

Road bikes lost only 13.4 percent of sales compared to last year, with 20,763 sales. Scooter sales fell 29.3 percent. Cruisers remained the strongest selling road bikes with 22.5 percent of the market followed by 250s on 15.5 percent and supersport bikes on 12.5 percent. Interestingly, Suzuki, with 3563 sales, actually led the road bike market in front of Harley-Davidson with 3548 sales, with Honda third on 3477.

So… yes, sales are down and there is clearly more pain to come by way of unemployment, although it looks more like 7.5 percent rather than the 11 percent the Americans expect. But all the Hanrahans who reckoned we were “rooned” might like to have a look at the general economic indicators.

The Westpac-Melbourne Institute index of consumer sentiment rose by 23 percent in the past couple of months, to its highest level since December 2007. New Housing loans are at a 16 month high. House prices are up everywhere but Perth. And the Reserve bank’s estimate that real gross domestic product would shrink by 1 percent in 2009 is about to be revised – probably to growth of half a percent.

Things are tough in the rest of the world, true. But Australia, probably more by luck than good management, has avoided the worst of the recession.

Most of the motorcycle industry seems to agree.

“All things considered we're doing quite well,” says Harley-Davidson’s Adrian O’Donoughue. Honda’s Tony Sesto reckons that “for the remainder of the year, we have a couple of all-new bikes to look forward to” and that will stimulate sales. For BMW, Cameron Cuthill sees that “the outlook for the remainder of the year looks very positive”. Over at Triumph, Mal Jarrett is “particularly pleased to be in a positive position, given the current economic climate”.

Obviously I can’t see the future, but the glimpses I get are pretty positive. I’m going to stop worrying, and I’m going to book a doozy of a holiday.

Want to join me?