October motorcycle sales down 13.6 per cent

According to figures from the Motor Cycle Industry Association, registrations in October fell by -13.6 per cent compared to the same period last year and the year-to-date decline currently stands at -15.5 per cent. 7,406 bikes were registered in the month compared with 8,595 units in October 2016.

“Demand for motorcycles continued its downward trend in October – marking 10 consecutive months of decline in the market”, said Stephen Latham, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK.

Latham continued: “This could be down to the fact that we have almost gone through the pre-registration euro 3 bikes, however it must also it must be remembered that last year’s October registrations were beginning to get artificially inflated with these pre-registrations.

“This point is verified when you compare the sector with the largest volume and percentage deficit being the 51-125cc sector which was down -33.1 per cent – meaning that 13,659 less machines were registered so far this year. We all know it was this particular sector that had to pre-register masses of euro 3 light motorcycles. This is a clear indication of what has distorted this year’s market.

“If you compare all the other sectors above 125cc, the decline could be put down to the slowdown in the economy with the uncertainty around Brexit and the decline in sterling’s value. The reality is that so far this year we have registered 59,322 motorcycles over 126cc and above, compared with 61,275 registrations in the first ten months of last year, which is a mere decline of only -3.19 per cent.

“What adds even more credibility to these figures of over 126cc motorcycles that are trending at a modest decline around -3 per cent, is that in the same period car registrations are down -4.6 per cent and light commercials are also down -3.4 per cent.

“What matters now is that we focus on what customers want and need, maintain good customer service, and with manufacturers financial support, offer attractive deals such as PCP’s keeping the bigger bikes trending in line with other large ticket items in this period of economic uncertainty.”