The latest data released by the MCIA (Motorcycle Industry Association) in the UK still makes for disappointing reading, even allowing for Euro 3 inventory pre-registration cross-over.
Motorcycle registrations in August were down by -18.54 percent (6,200 units) following -12.37 percent (8,992 units) in July. On a year to date basis the UK market is -13.76 percent (68,329 units YTD compared to 79,234 for the first eight months of 2016).
Moped sales were -11.23 percent in August and are running at -20.91 percent year-to-date (4,373 units).
In total PTW terms the UK was down -17.95 percent in August (6,793 units in total; -12.01 percent/9,659 units in July) and the UK market is running at -14.23 percent year-to-date (72,702 units YTD compared to 84,763 for the first eight months of 2016).
‘Naked’ style bikes remain the most popular in the UK (22,173 units YTD, which is relative growth compared to other styles of bike at -6.5 percent in a market that is down -13.8 percent overall), followed by Adventure Sport models (12,733 units YTD, down by only -1.6 percent). The UK scooter market has seen sales drop by -23.8 percent YTD (3,850 units) and the historically dominant Supersport market is down -24.0 percent (7,130 units YTD). Custom style bikes are down -18.3 percent YTD (5,869 units) and Trail/Enduro (the sixth largest sector in the UK) are down by -10.6 percent (3,862 units YTD). Touring and Sport Touring models are down by -2.6 and -18.7 percent respectively.
In power band terms, the loss is below 650cc with 651-1000cc and 1000cc+ registrations modestly up at +1.2 and +2.8 percent respectively.
Honda was overall market share leader in August (motorcycles and scooters), having sold 1,316 units, followed by Yamaha (963) and Triumph (532).
The MCIA reports that the total number of road registered motorcycles in use has continued to grow with 1.27 million registered in total in 2017 (suggesting an aging fleet) and 37,900 motorcycle tests passed in the UK last year (24,500 in 2016).
In 2016 UK motorcycle registrations were + 13.52 percent (118,990 units), a fifth straight year of growth for the UK market and the best annual market performance since before 2008. In total PTW terms the UK market was +11.86 percent for 2016 at 127,702 units – a third straight year of growth and also the highest annual market performance since before 2008.
