December 2024 Used Stats

Glass’s used market overview

Sales activity for used machines in October was reportedly down on this time last year, with some dealers comparing the market with 2008, when times were also challenging. While some dealers saw a boost in September sales because of late-season promotions, activity has eased in recent weeks.

Mid-range machines, especially lower-priced models, are generating the most robust demand. However, Yamaha’s MT-07 and the Triumph Tiger 900 are particularly buoyant with a rapid turnover. Larger adventure machines continue to be less popular, with a high number in the market.

Stock is plentiful, with many offers from the public. As a result, some dealers are turning offers away because they are already well stocked. Traders are also reluctant to purchase machines currently, and are consequently offering low prices.

Outlook

October was a mixed month with some fair riding conditions, and November has started on a dry and mild note, albeit lacking in sunshine. The clocks have now gone back, and daylight hours are nearing their minimum for the year. Taking this into account, the suppressed market and high stock levels, Glass’s expects residuals to ease across many segments during the coming weeks.

Paul McDonald
Leisure vehicles editor

New bike launches bring in a buzz!

While most of us have barely had any cold weather yet, the seasons march on relentlessly, and we’re now into the thick of winter events: EICMA, Motorcycle Live and the Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show in February.

The MCN website has been buzzing with news of all the new bikes, and our reviews section reflects some of the changes, too. Naked bikes make up a whopping 26% of all sessions in bike reviews, and the latest is the most popular read: Husqvarna’s Vitpilen 801.

The most popular new adventure bike is the new Kawasaki Versys 1100, with that sector accounting for 19% of sessions, while sports bikes make up 15% of sessions, and BMW’s popular S1000 RR remains in the top spot there.

Over in Bikes for Sale, adventure bikes now account for a fifth (20%) of traffic, nipping on the heels of naked at 21%. There’s been a change in the three most popular bikes for sale, too, with Honda’s NC750X in the top spot, followed by BMW’s R1250 GS Adventure (presumably in the wake of the launch of the R1300) and then Honda’s Africa Twin.

Gareth Evans Online editor, MCN

Bikes for Sale

1. Honda NC750X
2. BMW R1250 GS Adventure
3. Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin
4. BMW S1000 XR
5. BMW R1200 GS
6. Yamaha Ténéré 700
7. BMW R1250 GS
8. Royal Enfield Himalayan
9. Kawasaki Versys 1000
10. Kawasaki Versys 650

MCN Reviews

1. Honda 18.7%
2. Yamaha 11.5%
3. BMW 10.3%
4. Kawasaki 10.0%
5. Suzuki 9.7%
6. Triumph 9.1%
7. Ducati 6.7%
8. KTM 3.3%
9. Royal Enfield 3.1%
10. Aprilia 2.7%

End-of-year boost sees used traffic rocket

As winter begins to tighten its grip on the British weather the average number of days to sell bikes on Auto Trader Bikes’ website was slightly quicker than the same period last year. This is thanks in part to an increase of 29% overall in the number of visits to the site.

The good news continues when we look at market health, with this being up by a staggering 9.1% year-on-year – the highest level since 2022. This is mostly due to a massive 17.4% increase in demand, combined with the supply of suitable machinery only growing by 7.6%.

The fastest selling bikes on the site are again 125s, with learner-friendly kit taking up three quarters of the top 20 places. Honda’s CRF300L was the most in demand “big” bike, taking, on average, 11.5 days to leave showrooms. Of the large-capacity bikes to break into the top 20, four were adventure-style machines, with the only outlier being the cruiser-style Indian Scout.

Eddie Bahn

Account director, Auto Trader Bikes

Fastest selling bikes on Autotrader