2014 got off to an optimistic start with a 10.4 per cent registrations rise to 4517 units in January, according to latest data from the Motor Cycle Industry Association.
Total motorcycles and scooters were up by 13.3 per cent to 3893 units. Only the 50cc moped and Touring sectors spoilt the overall party, with falls of 4.7 per cent, to 624 units, and 13.5 per cent, to 77 units, respectively.
Although a degree of caution has to be counselled in larger-capacity categories as to the number of new-season dealer demonstrator registrations slanting these statistics — most notably some 55 Honda NC750X machines topping the Adventure Sport slot — 11.1 per cent growth in the utility 51-125cc engine band to 1895 units suggests the picture is broadly accurate.
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