As widely anticipated, UK bike registrations safely breached the 100,000-unit barrier in 2014 with a 10.2 per cent annual improvement to 101,277 units — thanks to an impressive surge in December, writes Roger Willis.
According to latest full-year Motorcycle Industry Association data, motorcycles were 13.2 per cent up at 69,162 units. Scooters rose by 7.1 per cent to 21,511 units. Only the 50cc moped sector was disappointing, with a 1.2 per cent fall to 10,604 units.
Despite representing a traditionally thin month truncated by the Xmas to New Year trading hiatus, December delivered a splendid 10.6 per cent increase to 4554 units. The monthly motorcycle tally climbed by 9.8 per cent to 2836 units. Scooters leapt by 19 per cent to 1148 units and even mopeds finished with a marginally positive 0.4 per cent result at 570 units.
In terms of growth, the strongest style category was Naked, up by 35.5 per cent and led by Honda’s CBF125M. Touring was second-best performer with an 18.9 per cent rise — mainly thanks to the BMW F800GT seizing almost one third of all registrations in that particular slot — and Trail/Enduro claimed third spot, up by 8.3 per cent. Sport/Tour, Adventure Sport and Supersport declined, respectively by 15.6 per cent, 7.8 per cent and 4.1 per cent.
The largest capacity class was 51-125cc, stacking on 18.3 per cent to 1903 units. Runner-up was the 651-1000cc band, rising by 8.1 per cent with a useful 850 machines registered.
As usual, Honda dealers led the market, registering 856 bikes in December. Yamaha was a distant second with 464 units, followed by BMW on 333 units. Piaggio (320 units) and Triumph (227 units) completed the top five.
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See detailed analysis in the next print issue of British Dealer News.