A Motorcycle Safety and Transport Policy Framework
UK Registrations and Motorcycles On-Road Since 1992
(Source: DfT, MCIA)
The UK market has evolved considerably during the last ten years. Utility and practical motorcycles have traditionally occupied around half the market and until the turn of the century, supersport models and other high performance bikes occupied a large market share.
The strong development of the adventure market after 2005 and the increase in the market share of scooters and low powered commuter bikes after the economic downturn of 2008 has created a much wider diversity in the overall motorcycle market. It can no longer be claimed that motorcycling is all about the sport with a few commuters underpinning this. People now use motorcycles for a large number of reasons and the leisure market has become much more focussed on the use of motorcycles for ‘personal discovery and enrichment’, with touring and adventure riding within the UK and to other far-flung places now being a high profile part of the overall market.
(Source: MCIA)
It is notable that despite the state of the economy since 2008, the total number of bikes in use (licenced stock) was barely affected and indeed has risen again from 2012.
The surge of interest in commuter motorcycling is clearly expressed in the new machine registration figures. Of the top ten selling motorcycles in 2015, only four models are over 125cc, with the top three being 125cc or under.
Over 50cc motorcycle market share (2015)
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(Source: MCIA)