Motorcycle demand continues to fall

Motorcycle registrations in September fell by -23.6% compared to the same period last year and the year-to-date decline currently stands at -15.7%.

In September only 12,228 bikes were registered compared to 16,002 units in September 2016.

Motorcycles in all power sectors declined, with the exception of 651 – 1000cc machines which showed a slight increase of 1.3%.

The entry level 51 – 125cc market marked a huge decline of -36.4% and heavy high powered machines power 1000cc declined -26.7%. This is often a more secure, stable market that has established mature riders who are less affected by the highs and lows of the economy. This sector was also unaffected by the issues caused by the Euro 3 and Euro 4 pre registrations at the beginning of the year.

Stephen Latham, head of the national motorcycle dealers association (NMDA), said, ‘The uncertainty in the economy, the devaluation of sterling and the slow pace of progress in Brexit talks are all factors which have led to riders holding off purchasing new bikes this year, and there is a worry amongst dealers about achieving their manufacturer’s year-end targets.

‘With the year-to-date registrations at 85,507 units, it is now a waiting game to see whether or not we can reach the 115,000 target by the end of the year, however this level of business would mean 10,000 bikes a month would now need to be registered in what is typical the quietest quarter of the year in the run up to Christmas.’

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