New Delhi, Jan. 25 (PTI): A spike in motorcycle sales and a resurgent scooter market drove domestic two-wheeler sales up 8.5 per cent in the first nine months of 2003-04.

In all, 3.97 million units were sold against 3.65 million units in the same period of 2002-03, SIAM data showed.

Bike sales in the world’s second-biggest two-wheeler market jumped 12.1 per cent to 3.08 million units. Scooters hit the turnaround trail, rising 2 per cent to 6.60 lakh units. Moped sales dropped 13 per cent to 2.27 lakh.

The demand has been fuelled by bountiful rains that raised the prospects of a good harvest and improved sentiment.