A muscular burst of preregistrations relating to discount deal offers — of which there are a lot about at the moment, given the market’s parlous state — has certainly helped to perk up November’s action. And let us not forget the traditional “jingle bells” seasonal showroom inventory registrations to ensure year-end bonus targets are met. Either way, overall 9.7% growth to 6926 units was much better than nothing. Within that, the petrolhead ICE firmament boasted a 9.6% rise to 6659, while the battery-electric presence staggered 11.7% upwards to a gestural 267.
Motorcycles actually rose by 21.4% to 4941. But over-50cc scooters were 6.5% down to 1674, and mopeds slumped by 31.8% to just 283. Trikes took a 33.3% dive to only 28.
Among the broad sweep of ICE capacity classes, almost all were positive for the first time in several months. Sole laggard was the premium 1000cc-plus slot, falling by 6.7% to 819. Its “best seller” was the new BMW R1300GS Adventure, although a tally of 89 bikes registered may have included dealer demonstrators.
The 0-125cc mobility sector, including mopeds, added the weakest gain of 5.2% to a mix of 3075 units. Yamaha seized fleet delivery honours thanks to 305 NMAX 125 scooters plated during the month — although 301 Honda CB125F motorcycles were in very close pursuit.
Bracketed by those two extremes were a trio of solid performers. The budget-priced 126-500cc range was 21.1% up to 1193, with Honda’s Forza 350 scooter usurping the more regular domination of 350cc Royal Enfield or 400cc Triumph bargain products. The 501-750cc sector grew by 23.7% to 595, headed by 72 samples of the Honda NC750X. And finally, 751-1000cc steeds improved by 20.5% to 977. Suzuki’s keenly priced DL800 V-Strom twin topped that particular pile.
Arriving at the MCIA’s best-selling brands chart, readers might like to mark their own homework when it comes to casting aspersions about who has been preregistering and/or distress discounting.
Honda’s leadership was unchallenged and 6.6% up. First loser Yamaha, on the other hand, was 10.4% down, and those NMAX scooters comprised 37.3% of the brand’s entire monthly volume. BMW in third spot was 10.5% up. Royal Enfield climbed by 99%, and Suzuki added 70.1% to complete the top five, allegedly.
Triumph was a humble 4.1% higher, followed by insolvent KTM 18% in arrears. Then Lexmoto and Kawasaki respectively incurred modest losses of 4% and 5.3%. Finally, Keeway stacked on a heroic 45.7%. Distributor MotoGB’s Keeway K-light 125 and Benelli Leoncino 125, respectively rode off with November’s Custom and Modern Classic best-selling accolades. Maybe…
For the 11 months of 2024 to date, total registrations were 2.9% down to 105,193. Gas guzzler headcount had fallen by 2.8% to 101,662. Battery-electric declined by 7.2% at just 3531 units.