Motorcycle Registrations Continue to Grow

As high-street retailers report a wet August and rising interest rates hit consumer sales generally, the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) today released figures indicating a rise in new bikes sales. New motorcycle registrations rose 7.6 per cent in August compared to the same month in 2003. This is the second successive month of growth in the market and reverses a downward trend over the previous year. August also saw the publication of Department for Transport figures showing that motorcycle traffic increased 10.4 per cent last year and follows earlier figures showing that the number of motorcycles in use also continued to rise during 2003.

The figures reveal that 40.3 per cent of the UK market is now comprised of scooters, an increase of 14 per cent compared to last year’s figures. “Scooters are popular among commuters and young riders for their economy and ease of use on congested roads. They dominate sales of mopeds and lightweight motorcycles. But riders are also looking for machines with longer range or capable of multiple roles, as figures for other styles of motorcycle indicate,” said Craig Carey-Clinch, MCI director of public affairs.

According to MCI, sports-bikes continue to play a significant role in the market, accounting for around a quarter of all new registrations. The more traditionally styled naked (bikes built to a basic specification with little or no fairing) and custom (cruisers and choppers) machines have become almost as popular, while specialist bikes with dual tarmac/off-road uses continue to grow.

“These registration figures show that despite gloomy consumer sales motorcycle sales are forging ahead as people continue to vote with their wheels by switching from four to two to avoid traffic congestion,” commented Mr Carey-Clinch