From poster ishmac on ADVrider.com's VFR Thread, comes this beautiful postcard-like photo from Scotland. In stark contrast to the rustic backdrop we have ishmac's 1999 VFR along with an equally exceptional Gen-4 in factory teal color, err, colour. Lovely.

Despite the gloomy reports swirling around the U.S. motorcycle market, the fact is that America repesents a small portion of world moto sales, which is led by the emerging economies of India, Latin America and SE Asia. In fact, while global sales are rising year over year, American sales declined 1% last year and Canada 4%, much of that due to our penchant for large displacement bikes in a world focused on small, practical scoots.

From top to bottom, here's the top ten in two-wheeled production….

1. HONDA. Honda has held this top spot for an amazing 52 years! With numbers frankly hard to comprehend, Honda sold 20.7 million motos last year, an average of 56,000 per day, more than Ducati makes in a year. Honda also holds the distiction for the current best-selling two-wheeler in the world, the PCX125.

2. HERO. Vitually unknown to most of us in the west, Hero is the leading Indian manufacturer, selling 6.1 million units, mostly concentrating on the small displacement Inidan and South American market.

3. YAMAHA. Always one of the world leaders, Yamaha posted 4.8 million sales.

4. TVS MOTOR. Running a close fourth but definitely a future player, TVS sold 4.5 million bikes, mostly in its homeland of India. TVS is also the parent company of Norton and has built small bikes under license for BMW. They're also betting on the electric future of two-wheeled transportation.

5. YADEA. One of two Chinese companies to make this list, Yadea makes only electric bikes — 4.3 million of 'em actually.

6. BAJAJ AUTO. With 3.3 million of their own sales, Bajaj has also partnered with KTM, producing two smaller models in their Indian factory.

7. SUZUKI. With possibly their best production year ever, Suzuki manufactured 2.2 milliion units last year.

8. ITALIKA. The largest manufacturer in North America, Italika serves mostly their domestic Mexican market with 1.3 million bikes, but also builds under license for Hero and Benelli.

9. ROYAL ENFIELD. Gaining steam in each of the past three years (+46% just last year!) Royal Enfield is fighting sucessfully for off-shore expansion but still sells most of their 1.2 million units on their home turf of India.

10. NIU. The second Chinese manufacturer to place in the top ten, Niu also makes only electric motos, 1.1 million last year.

So, for national bragging rights, India takes the lead with four in the top ten, followed by Japan with three, China with two, and Mexico with one.

And the future looks bright. According to MotorCycles Data (.com), "Despite a highly uncertain global economic environment, the motorcycle industry continues to expand at a solid pace. After four consecutive years of growth ended with the new record established in 2025, the first quarter 2026 started with double-digit growth. Indeed, Q1 2026 global 2-wheeler sales have been 16.8 million (+11.0%), the highest quarter ever…."

What: 2005 VFR800 Interceptor
Why: Low miles, all-round rider
Where: Ottawa, Illinois
Price: $4500

This VTEC 800 looks like a nicely-optioned example of a very useable sport tourer. It shows only 8300 miles and sports some nice extras, like factory luggage, Delkevic slip-ons, aftermarket seat (Corbin?) and aftermarket windscreen. The seller, Scott, is a man of few words, but states the original seat and exhaust is included. I wrote for more details, but, again, few words: "It has a scratch on the left side. It can be easily touched up. Tires have some age on them. But they have tread. Runs perfectly."

I suspect that this is simply mid-western straight talk from a mid-western straight shooter, as the bike is located about 1.5 hours southwest of Chicago's O'hare airport, so a possible fly-n-ride opportunity. And, I would say the asking price of $4500 is just about right.

Back in the heyday of print magazines, I devoured at least four each month, including Rider. Upon fetching the magazine from the mailbox I would immediately get comfortable and open to the last page, where would be found the "Retrospective" column, penned by Clement Salvadori. I enjoyed the informal, opinionated, entertaining accounts of an eclectic selection of classic motorbikes.

​Clem was a modern renaissance man who lived with purpose and conviction, ivy league educated and serving as a Viet Nam-era Army Green Beret. His friend and long-time editor, Mark Tuttle, offered his personal remembrance:

"Sad news, especially after hearing of his wife Sue passing a few months ago. If there was ever a full life well lived, it was Clem's. I had the honor of being his editor at Rider for many years (which he tolerated but didn't always relish), and in 50 years of publication he was by far the magazine's most popular contributor. When Clem didn't have a pair of handlebars or a keyboard at hand, he was generally reading a travel book of some sort (or taking a nap), having touched feet and tires in more than 70 countries on six continents. He called himself the "Literary Motorcyclist" on his business card, and I always looked forward to reading his Road Tales columns and countless travel stories written for Rider and many other publications. I will miss his boisterous laugh, his story telling and even his infamous sneezing attacks, which could be heard in the next county. Mostly I will miss just riding with the guy, which always felt more important somehow. Godspeed Clem! I hope you made arrangements for the cats."