SUNNY NEWS FOR SALES

The weather in August might not have been sensational but the sun certainly shone on UK powered two-wheeler registrations, according to latest MCIA data. 

An overall monthly increase of 13.9% to 7951 units was primarily powered up by an impressive 23.3% surge for motorcycles to 5385 units. Scooters added a somewhat subdued 4.7% at 1750 units while the 50cc moped market continued to implode, down by 13.4% to 816 units.

Best news was to be found in the 651-1000cc motorcycle slot, which stacked on 38.2% for the month to 1494 units and has now risen by 27.2% for the year to date, boasting a tally of 18,732 machines. That was the jewel in the crown of an increasingly confirmed trend towards more profitable bigger-inch tackle. August yielded 25.4% growth in over-125cc sales with 3549 units shifted out of showrooms. And for the eight months of 2015 so far, that sector is up by 16.8% to 44,959 units — representing 56% of the entire UK market.

However, the contribution of 51-125cc products cannot be discounted. Monthly improvement of 11.8% to 3581 units and a YTD total up by 14.3% at 29,087 units is still brisk business.

As for the higher-volume style categories, star monthly performer was Naked, climbing by 29% to 2089 units and led by Honda’s trusty CB125F. But the really juicy action was to be found, as we’ve come to expect, in Adventure Sport. Headline numbers were hiked by 28.9% to 927 units with the Yamaha MT-09 Tracer snatching a tenth of the trade and best-seller accolade on 92 units. BMW Motorrad had an easily as lucrative proposition, though, registering 63 of its top-of-the-range R1200GS Adventure offering. 

Custom was strong as well , up by 16.4% to 710 units, Harley’s 883 Skirtster leading that pack. And Supersport was healthy too, posting 21.9% growth and 951 units. Yamaha’s YZF-R125 ABS mini-missile fronted the grid. The only negative style option was Sport/Tour, falling by 8.7%. Given that meant a drop of just 20 bikes out of a small total, it hardly warrants concern.

Brand rankings in August provide some interesting revelations. Inevitably, Honda led the field on 1228 units, up by 8.3% year-on-year. But its market share fell from 16.2% to 15.4%. Yamaha remained runner-up, improving by a smaller margin of 5.8% to 1030 units. Similarly, it lost share, down from 13.9% to 12.9%. Chinese pace-setter Lexmoto again claimed third podium step thanks to 644 units — more than doubling its equivalent figure last year, although such good fortune is qualified by inclusion of rebranded Pulse products. Big surprise was Suzuki in fourth spot, having also effectively doubled sales to 476 units. Close behind was Triumph, completing the famous five on 474 units. Some consolation for the loss of its third place in August 2014 could be drawn from an 18.2% volume increase.

Among top-ten credits, the only brand going backwards was Piaggio, plunging from fourth last year to seventh on the back of an 11.7% sales decline. All the rest can brag about bigger volumes.

For the year to date, registrations are up 13.2% to 80,189 units. Motorcycles put on 18.5% to 58,768 units. Scooters rose by 6.7% to 15,345 units. Mopeds are 11.8% down at 6076 units. 

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