According to data release by British trade association the MCIA, while the total PTW market in the UK remained down in 2013 (-1.88 percent compared to 2012) motorcycle registrations were up at +1.16 percent (81,180 units), making the UK the 5th largest PTW market in Europe in 2013.
However, as has been seen elsewhere in Europe, the year ended well, with total PTW sales in the UK up by 11.27 percent compared to December 2012 (at 4,116 units) and motorcycle sales for the month up by 16.75 percent at 3,548 units.
Commenting in January on the results achieved in the UK last year, MCIA CEO Steve Kenward said that "the motorcycle market in the UK has taken longer to pick up than the car market. The majority of our sales are to leisure customers, and so upgrading the bike regularly became a casualty of reduced disposable income. That seems to be changing from what our members are reporting with regard to intention to buy in 2014.
"Though the UK motorcycle market has fared better than mainland Europe, it's been a tough few years, and those areas where there has been growth tended to be from new customers looking for more economical ways to commute".
Though small at 2,728 units for 2013 the Touring market in the UK was the fastest growing (+27.4 percent), and with Trail/Enduro models (+8.4 percent, 4,551 units), Adventure Sport models (+7.2 percent, 12,600 units), Customs (+6.5 percent, 7,296 units) and 'Naked' streetbikes (+4.3 percent, 17,941 units) all up.
The traditionally strong Sport Tourer (-7.9 percent, 4,037 units) and Supersport markets
(-5.2 percent, 11,716 units) continued to be soft, suggesting a shift in riding habits in the UK; though down by -4.4 percent at 20,099, scooters were the largest single PTW sector in the UK in 2013.
The MCIA said that the motorcycle industry contributes £7.2 Bn (approx €8.64 Bn) to the UK economy each year and directly employs some 60,000 people in more that 6,350 businesses.
Exhibitors reported strong positive interest at the MCIA's annual 'Motorcycle Live' consumer expo in November last year with over 106,000 show visitors; this year's show will be staged from November 22nd to 30th.
The GB Trade Expo (also at the UK's NEC/National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham) reported improved attendance up 20% over 2013 (more than 3,000 visitors representing over 1,500 businesses) at its 19th annual show in January.
Brussels based motorcycle industry association ACEM reports that the UK market's total
'Bike Park' was worth 1,224,849 total PTWs in ownership (making it Europe's 8th largest total market), declining from a recent peak of 1,432,092 in 2008.
