If the absence of any peak-season perk delivering proper summer weather in July wasn’t bad enough, a significant sales slump made matters worse. Total monthly registrations fell by 7.3% to 9283 units. Motorcycles were 6% down to 6904. Over-50cc scooters suffered a 9.1% decline to 1863. Mopeds were 11% in arrears on 455. And trikes dived by 46% to 61.
Besides an irrelevant 14.9% loss to 331 units for battery-electric stuff, core petrolhead products dropped by 7% to 8952. Within that, the up-to-125cc mobility and delivery fleet sector shrank by 11.8% to 3442. Honda’s PCX125 scooter topped fleet sales for a fourth consecutive month. The 126-500cc sector (notionally the preserve of A2 licence holders but actually a budget proposition) offered the only spurt of growth, 21.6% up to 1785. Triumph’s keenly-priced Speed 400 thumper claimed best-seller status.
Every other capacity bracket was on the back foot. The 501-750cc slot was 4.5% down to 1045. Honda’s born-again CBR600RR enjoyed a third month on the trot of best-selling glory. 751-1000cc machines shrivelled by 11.8% to 1552, with Honda’s CB750 Hornet twin bargain earning best-seller honours. Finally, the premium 1000cc-plus range plunged by 19.5% to 1128. Swansong stock of BMW Motorrad’s R1250GS Adventure, rumoured to be subject to some tasty discount deals as the launch of its R1300GS Adventure successor approaches, ensured best-seller domination.
Inevitably, the MCIA best-selling brands chart featured a lot of minus signs versus manufacturer performance in July last year. Honda’s headcount fell by 5.6% to 1578. Yamaha was 6.2% down to 1132. But Triumph crowned the first month of its new fiscal year with a 35.8% gain to 830, no doubt helped by the influx of smaller 400cc singles now sold in considerable quantities. BMW went the other way, falling by 8.7% to 591.
KTM and Kawasaki were both substantial losers, respectively down by 28.2% to 477 and 27.8% to 451. Chinese cheer leader Lexmoto’s volume grew by 19.9% to 434, although the limited numbers of Cypher electric mopeds that have joined its fold can’t be much assistance. Royal Enfield was yet another loser, 16.7% down to 423. Suzuki took a worse hammering, plummeting by 35.6% to 300. Ducati was the tail-ender, plating 195 bikes. But the brand’s lack of chart presence in July 2023 meant a comparison wasn’t possible.
For the seven months of 2024 to date, total registrations are now 1.6% in arrears at 71,101 units. ICE machines are also 1.6% lower at 68,843 and electric bikes are 2.4% down to 2258.