As we pass the halfway point of 2015, the UK powered two-wheeler market has definitely established a renaissance, according to latest Motorcycle Industry Association data.
Total registrations in June were up by a splendid 19.2% at 13,128 units. Motorcycles provided the muscle behind that growth, rising by 23.4% to 9974 units. Scooters put on 14.5% to 2308 units. The only disappointment was ongoing deterioration in the 50cc moped sector, dropping by 7.8% to 846 units.
Every style category apart from Touring boasted growth. And Supersport was the only one of those that didn’t manage a double-digit improvement. Among bigger-volume slots, the role of honour was led by Naked (plus 28.9%, 3758 units) and Yamaha’s MT-07 ABS maintained best-seller status. Adventure Sport came second (plus 25.6%, 2108 units) and BMW’s R1200GS reasserted its top-dog ranking — both in its style slot and the over-1000cc band.
While Supersport was third (plus 5.2%, 1567 units) — fronted by a Honda CBR125R tiddler rather than your proper crotch rocket — it’s interesting to note Custom in fourth (plus 34.7%, 1137 units) and appropriately starring a Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster. Given that particular model is generally referred to as a “Skirtster” by Harley aficionados, maybe more interest from the women’s market is signified.
And the trade will surely welcome a 27.8% increase in the over-125cc market, which represented 65.8% of all registrations at 7915 units. Even more attractive in revenue terms, the over-650cc engine bands added up to 6163 units, up by 29.6% against June last year.
As for monthly brand leadership stakes, Honda still ruled the roost with a 3.7% rise to 2070. Yamaha was runner-up but declined by 1.5% to 1568 units. Stock shortages may have something to do with that. BMW dramatically seized the final podium step and over-500cc hegemony from Triumph, stacking on 47.3% to 1304 units. Nevertheless, Britain’s flag carrier managed a 3.9% improvement to 1239 units in fourth spot. Suzuki was a perhaps surprising candidate for rounding out the top five with a 49.5% upwards lunge to 863 units.
A Chinese brand was best of the rest, with Lexmoto in sixth thanks to more than doubling its performance year-on-year to 696 units. Ducati was another notable performer in eighth place, up by 62.6% to 569 units.
For the six months of 2015 to date, overall UK bike registrations have grown by 12.9% to 60,965 units. Motorcycles are up by 17.6% to 45,304 units. Scooters increased by 6.7% to 11,315 units. Mopeds are down by 10.5% to 4346 units.