Motorcycle sales are still on the up in the UK according to industry statistics for March.
Overall, the registration of new two wheel machines was up 11.8%, equivalent to more than 1,700 units this March versus the same month of the previous year, although moped registrations were down once again, by 8.7%. The registration of new motorcycles and scooters was up 13.3%.
Naked bike sales were up 29.7%, and the often flat Supersport segment by a strong 23% as it sees something of a resurgence in 2015. Trail & Enduro model registrations were up 11.9%, and Adventure Sport by 10.1%. There was also modest growth in the Custom and Scooter segments, of 7.4% and 6% respectively. However, Sport Touring bike sales fell by 14.6%, or around 100 units, and Touring Bikes by a similar figure.
The 0 – 50cc engine band was down -7.3%, but there was strong growth once again in the learner legal 51 – 125cc engine band, with an 11.6% increase in registrations. Are learners moving away from mopeds to small capacity motorcycles and scooters? The 126 – 650cc engine band saw increased sales of 23.5%, and the 651 – 1000cc engine band saw similar growth of 22.8%. Sales of 1000cc+ bikes remained flat, with a -0.5% fall, although it remains up year to date.
Honda once again topped the manufacturer sales figures, shifting 3,041 units in March, with Yamaha selling 2,075 in 2nd position. That leaves BMW in 3rd with 1,630, Triumph in 4th with 1,496 and Kawasaki in 5th with 1,391. Suzuki and Harley-Davidson took the next two spots, registering 798 and 763 units respectively.
The top selling model of the month was the Yamaha MT-09 Tracer. By style, the highest selling models were as follows:
- Adventure Sport – Yamaha MT-09 Tracer
- Custom – Harley-Davidson Sportster N883
- Naked – Yamaha MT-07 ABS
- Scooter – Honda PCX125
- Sport Touring – Kawasaki Z1000SX
- Supersport – BMW S1000RR
- Touring – BMW R1200RT
- Trail & Enduro – Honda CRF250L
Overall total registrations are up 11.7% this year so far, slightly ahead of the prediction from the Motorcycle Industry Association. With a three month heatwave predicted, long may it continue!
