2-wheel sales still down on 2010

The latest new motorcycle and scooter figures show year-on-year sales were down 3.8 per cent compared with 2010 and down 2.1 per cent year-to-date. However scooter sales were up 16.5 per cent in June, whilst larger bike registrations fell by almost 11 per cent. The year-to-date figures show that Scooter sales have increased by 15.9 per cent but larger bike sales have decreased 8.4 per cent.

There was a rise in sales of 50-125cc motorcycles in the recent months with this month seeing a rise of 19 per cent. This could be due to the increase in people purchasing smaller bikes instead of cars as their means of commuter transport.

Sue Robinson, director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association which represents motorcycle and franchised car retailers across the UK and Northern Ireland, commented: “The slowdown in sales of larger bikes could be due to a lack of consumer confidence when it comes to purchasing big ticket items. Motorcycles are usually viewed as a non-essential item and the lack of disposable income is stopping consumers from buying.”

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