Dealers may be interested to know that bikers in the market this month are being pointed towards three “best-buy” machines by website mymotorcyclecheck.com.
The website has identified the BMW HP4 (“highly desirable”), the Triumph Bonneville (safe bet) and the Aprilia Shiver 750 (used star) as value-for-money stand-outs.
Commenting on the state of the market, the site’s Rob Hobson says: “This is going to be another interesting year for the motorcycle market. There are without doubt positive vibes around the trade. Some dealers are even reporting light at the end of the tunnel! New bike registrations finished 2013 just under two per cent down on the previous year, with a total 91,910 registrations. This gives credence to the belief that the new market has stabilised and is set for a period of growth.
“There are a number of great initiatives around which can only benefit the trade. Wheels To Work has financial backing and real impetus, and this is not the only sign that decision makers might finally be accepting that motorbikes and scooters deserve a place in future transport planning.
“The used market doesn’t seem to have had the usual sharp dip for the time of year, and both values and demand are fairly strong. Most dealers agree that their stock levels are lower than they would ideally like, partly due to the difficulty in buying sufficient stock at the desired price.
“There is concern, even expectation, that used stock will again be thin on the ground later in the year. While dealers would like to be in a position to buy wherever possible, too much of what is currently available is of high mileage and in non-retailable condition. The weather will undoubtedly have a bearing upon how the market fares over the next few weeks.”