May
Motorcycle Editorial - MAY 2013
Retail demand for powered two-wheelers appeared to be building steadily from the beginning of January but then slowed dramatically when the first snow arrived; thereafter activity during February and March was dictated by the weather, with patches of consumer interest interspersed with longer lulls; that pattern continued until after Easter, severe... more
May
Motorcycle Market Trends - May 2013
Figures released by the MCIA show that registrations of powered two-wheelers have fallen by 10.8% in March 2013 to 12,319 machines, down from 13,815 recorded in the same month last year. This was predominantly due to the severe weather conditions. As a result of declines in registrations in January (-14.0%) and February (-4.6%) the situation a... more
April
Motorcycle Editorial – April 2013
Motorcycle Parc Reducing
Registrations of motorcycles above 125cc have declined over recent years, and so the pool of machines available to the used market, termed the Motorcycle Parc, has also contracted. While this ultimately includes all second-hand machines regardless of age, many of which are eminently saleable and highly profitable,... more
April
Market Trends - April 2013
Figures released by the Motorcycle Industry Association show that a total of 3,660 powered two-wheelers (p-t-w) were registered during February 2013, 4.6% below the total last year. This left the year-to-date total (y-t-d) at 7,752 machines, 9.8% down against 2012.
Registrations of mopeds fell 6.1% during February to 634 machines, leaving the y-t-d t... more
March
Motorcycle Editorial and Market Trend – March 2013
Adventure Sport machines have steadily displaced sales of traditional touring motorcycles and increasingly those of supersports and naked machines too. With so many new examples of these models being launched in 2013 this sector’s share of overall sales is bound to grow rapidly.
Inevitably, a significant number of earlie... more
February
Motorcycle Editorial and Market Trends - February 2013
REGISTRATION FIGURES
Figures released by the MCI show that overall registrations of powered two-wheelers (p-t-w) fell by just 0.2% in 2012, to close the year at 93,667 machines.
Registrations of mopeds fell by 7.1% overall, a fall of just over 1,000 units to 13,416 units.
The scooter sector produced strong... more
January
Motorcycle Editorial – January 2013
Motorcycle Live
It was reported that Motorcycle Live attracted 108,317 visitors over the nine days that the show was open. Difficult travelling conditions were believed to have affected some of the days, but it was perhaps slightly disappointing that this figure was 3.5% below the 2011 total of 112,197 visitors.
Despite that... more
January
Motorcycle Market Trend – January 2013
Figures released by the MCIA showed that a total of 5,092 powered two-wheelers were registered in November 2012, a fall of 3.2%. This left the y-t-d total 89,968 machines, just 0.1% above the total at the same point in 2011.
Registrations of mopeds continued their steady decline, falling 6.9% in November to 951 units. The y-t-... more
December
Motorcycle Editorial – December 2012
LICENCE LAW CHANGES
Changes to licensing and testing regulations come into force on the 19th January 2013, as a result of the Third Driving Licence Directive (3DLD). The four powered two-wheeler licence categories will fall under the following rules from that date
... more
December
Motorcycle Market Trend – December 2012
Market Trends
According to statistics released by the MCI, overall registrations of powered two-wheelers increased by 0.7% in October, to 6,554 machines. This left the y-t-d total just positive, +0.3%, at 84,876 powered two-wheelers.
Registrations of mopeds fell by 3.4% in October to 1,147 units leaving the y-t-d to... more
October
Motorcycle Editorial - October 2012
Despite the distractions of the peak holiday period the powered two-wheeler [p-t-w] market grew by 3.1% (+205 units) in August, with overall registrations totalling 6,773 machines. Although that was not quite as strong as the 4.5% increase seen in July, it was the best August since the sharp drop off in registrations which occurred in 2010 (-1... more
October
Motorcycle Market Trends - October 2012
The moped sector, 50cc and below, continues to perform poorly relative to the rest of the p-t-w market, despite the lowest of all machine costs and public concern regarding fuel prices and the cost of travel generally. Registrations of mopeds during August were down a substantial 10.6% at 1,212 units, which left the y-t-d total at 9,117 ma... more
September 
Motorcycle Market Trends - September 2012
According to figures released by the MCIA registrations rose by 4.5% during July 2012 to 9,170 powered two-wheelers, compared with 8,778 in the same month last year. Despite that reasonably firm monthly rise the year-to-date (y-t-d) total at the end of July 2012 was 60,565 powered two-wheelers, just 0.6% above the figure at the same poin... more
August
Motorcycle Editorial - August 2012
During the spring and early summer months the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, plus much of Western Europe experienced some of the heaviest rainfall on record. It was ironic that the heavens opened almost from the moment that drought orders had been approved for many regions, as a consequence of a second winter of unusually low rainf... more
August
Motorcycle Market Trends - August 2012
Figures released by the MCIA showed that registrations of powered two-wheelers fell by 1.6% in June, to 10,010 machines. Despite that, the half-year total for the whole p-t-w market was almost unchanged against last year, at 51,395 machines.
However, registrations of geared motorcycles, excluding scooters, fell by 4.5% in June, t... more
July
Motorcycle Editorial - July 2012
New Sales
The first three weeks of May continued the trend of unsettled, cool and wet weather seen in April. Although conditions improved later in the month, particularly in the North, and even produced a record high temperature for May in the Scottish Highlands, this was not sufficient to offset the earlier weakness in retail sales. ... more
July
Alternative power
The cost of petrol and diesel has fallen recently, as a result of more favourable Sterling exchange rates and weaker global demand for oil. However, that situation is likely to change rapidly once the world economy picks up and that will force fuel and feed-stock prices ever higher. Coupled with the threat to climate, habitat and ecology from rising levels of ... more
June
Motorcycle Market Trends - June 2012
According to figures released by the MCI registrations in May were lower than the same month last year, with overall powered two-wheelers falling by 3.5% to 9,318 machines. This left the y-t-d total up by just 0.8%, at 31,727 machines.
Registrations of mopeds remain particularly weak, falling 9.6% in May to 1,149 units, which left ... more
May
Motorcycle Editorial - May 2012
As we went to press it was confirmed that Audi AG had agreed to purchase Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. from Italian private equity group Investindustrial for a sum suggested to be in the region of euros 860m. Apparently this will realise a long-held ambition of Volkswagen AG chairman Ferdinand Piech and adds motorcycles to that group’s wide portfo... more
May
Motorcycle Market Trends - May 2012
Figures released by the MCI confirmed that 13,815 powered two-wheelers were registered in March 2012, with the average increase of 1.9% for the month identical across each main of the market segments. This brought the total at the end of the first quarter 2012 to 22,409 powered two-wheelers, representing growth of 2.7%.
Although reg... more
March
Motorcycle Editorial - April 2012
Dealers have recently been reporting that long-standing customers are again visiting their showrooms, after an extended period of absence. This expression of interest points to some pent-up demand and will be a great relief for many within the motorcycle industry. Not only are new sales essential in their own right, they also support service d... more
March
Motorcycle Market Trends - April 2012
Figures released by the Motorcycle Industry Association confirmed that 3,835 powered two-wheelers (p-t-w) were registered during February, representing growth of 1.4%, which probably wasn’t a particularly bad result given the wintry weather which affected the UK for part of that month.
This left the year-to-date (y-t-d) total o... more
March
Motorcycle Editorial - March 2012
New Sales
January 2012 was much milder than the previous two years, with above average sunshine across most of the UK, although Scotland experienced stormy and wintry conditions. Clear roads encouraged riders out on their machines and showroom visitor numbers picked up strongly. However, despite the interest expressed by prospective... more
March
Motorcycle Market Trends - March 2012
Figures released by the MCIA show that 4,759 powered two-wheelers (p-t-w) were registered in January 2012, 6.3% more than in the same month last year.
There was strong overall growth in the step-through sectors, although registrations of mopeds increased by a modest 1.3%, to 789 machines. In contrast, the scooter sector started ... more
February
Motorcycle Editorial - February 2012
As we went to press it was reported that in the face of the clearly challenging market conditions George White Motorcycles had gone into receivership. While no longer as large an operation as it was a while ago this nevertheless represented the largest motorcycle and accessory retail group in the UK. The first thoughts must be for their staf... more
February
Motorcycle Market Trends - February 2012
December 2010 saw an unusually early arrival of extreme winter weather and it entered the record books as the coldest month for over 100 years. In comparison with those conditions the end of 2011 was very much milder and unsurprisingly the motorcycle market fared significantly better. According to figures released by the MCIA, registrati... more
January
Motorcycle Editorial - January 2012
Those that travelled to Motorcycle Live in November last year benefitted from much kinder weather than in 2010, and as a consequence the visitor numbers provide a much better comparison with previous years.
Total attendance in 2011 was 112,197 which represented a 13.8% increase over the snow-affected figure of 98,580 seen in 2010; mo... more
January
Motorcycle Market Trends - January 2012
Figures released by the MCIA show that 5,262 powered two-wheelers were registered during November 2011, 10.3% below the total in the same month of 2010. This left the y-t-d total at 89,894 powered two-wheelers, exactly 3.0% below the total seen at the end of November 2010.
Registrations of mopeds had dropped during October and f... more
December
Motorcycle Editorial - December 2011
We have regularly reported on the accelerating decline in registrations of powered two-wheelers in use in the UK, and in July gave specific details of the parc of machines up to five years old. Motorcycles in that age-range are of keen interest to both franchised and non-franchised retailers alike, having depreciated sufficiently to represent... more
December
Motorcycle Market Trends - December 2011
Figures released by the MCIA show that registrations in October 2011 totalling 6,506 powered two-wheelers were 11.5% lower than in the same month last year This left the y-t-d total at 84,632 machines, now 2.5% below the total at the same point in 2010.
Registrations of mopeds can appear quite volatile, moving up and down sharp... more
November
Motorcycle Editorial - November 2011
It has been conjectured that the days of the high street showroom are numbered and it is clear that the growth in internet selling is being felt right across the retail environment. Motorcycle dealerships know they are not immune to these changes and some already believe they are at risk of becoming mere display points, where showroom visitor... more
November
Motorcycle Market Trend - November 2011
According to figures released by the MCIA registrations of powered two-wheelers rose by 2.7% in September, to 11,384 machines. This brought the total at the end of the third quarter of 2011 to 78,126 powered two-wheelers, 1.7% below last year.
Registrations of mopeds declined by just 0.5% in September to 1,701 units, which left the YTD to... more
October
Motorcycle Market Trends - October 2011
Figures released by the MCI showed that registrations of powered two-wheelers rose by 7.1% in August 2011, to a total of 6,568 machines. While any increase is undoubtedly welcome, it must be remembered that the current comparison is with a particularly poor result in August 2010 [6,131 units], which represented a fall of 12.7% against th... more
September
Motorcycle Editorial - September
The motorcycle industry currently faces the strongest headwinds encountered for a generation or more and the almost universal view is that conditions will get worse before they get better. The most obvious cause for the drop in sales of what are primarily boys’ toys is simply the dire state of the economy, but perhaps the early season lift in sal... more
September
Motorcycle Market Trend - September 2011
Figures released by the MCIA show that registrations of powered two-wheelers fell by 10.2% in July, to 8,778 machines. This left the y-t-d total at the end of July at 60,174 powered two-wheelers, 3.4% below the total at the same point in 2010.
After strong performance earlier in the year registrations of mopeds slipped signi... more
August
Motorcycle Editorial - August 2011
By the end of June, overall registrations of powered two-wheelers totalled 51,396 machines, a fall of just 2.1% against last year and a result that is perhaps not too bad given the current economic conditions. However, that was in comparison with a poor 2010 total of 52,501 machines, which had dropped a much more significant 15.9% against the 2... more
August
Motorcycle Market Trends - August 2011
According to figures released by the MCI overall registrations of powered two-wheelers fell by 3.8% in June to close at 10,173 machines. This left the mid-year total at 51,396 machines, down 2.1%.
Registrations of mopeds rose by 8.4% in June to 1,464 units, leaving the total for the first 6 months of the year at exactly 7,000 mop... more
July
Motorcycle Editorial - July 2011
Although cheaper ‘price-range’ machines have been selling well in these straitened times, and will always find a ready market, it is generally acknowledged by retailers that motorcycles between one and five years old can offer them and their customers the best balance between affordability, freshness and style, coupled with low servicing and w... more
July
Motorcycle Market Trends - July 2011
Data provided by the MCI showed that registrations of powered two-wheelers fell by 5.5% in May, to 9758 machines, leaving the year-to-date (y-t-d) total at 41,223 machines, a fall of 1.7%.
Registrations of mopeds fell by just 0.7% in May to 1,282 units, holding back the y-t-d increase to 2.3% for a total of 5,536 machines.
... more
June
Motorcycle Editorial - June 2011
We have reported almost continually this year on the shortage of used motorcycles in the UK market, and the on the higher buy-in prices that retailers have frequently felt obliged to pay. At the same time, the public generally and even the most enthusiastic motorcyclists have not been feeling particularly flush with cash. It has also been necess... more
June
Motorcycle Market Trends - June 2011
Figures released by the MCI showed that registrations of powered two-wheelers fell by 4.6% in April, to 9,651 machines. This left the y-t-d total at 31,465 powered two-wheelers for a decline of just 0.4% overall.
Registrations of mopeds, below 50cc and below, fell during April, but by only five units to 1,271 machines. This left t... more
May
Motorcycle Editorial - May 2011
After something of a tentative start to this year the longer, brighter days and a burst of generally good weather has seen a significant increase in activity on forecourts and in dealers’ showrooms.
However, that is not intended to give the impression that everything in the garden is coming up roses. While transaction volumes have b... more
May
Motorcycle Market Trends - May 2011
Figures released by the Motorcycle Industry Association showed that registrations during March totalled 13,555 powered two-wheelers, 8.2% below the same month last year. This left the total at the end of the first quarter of 2011 at 21,814 powered two-wheelers, just 1.5% above last year’s total of 21,485 machines.
Registrations of... more
April
Motorcycle Editorial - April 2011
Earthquake
Following the largest earthquake ever known to have hit Japan and the resulting tsunami, on 11th March, expressions of sympathy and offers of assistance were extended from around the world. With widespread damage, serious environmental issues and many killed and injured this event is particularly distressing to the many Jap... more
April
Motorcycle Market Trends - April 2011
Figures released by the MCI showed that totalled 3,782 machines, an increase of 20.3% compared with the same month last year. This brought the year-to-date total to 8,259 powered two-wheelers, exactly 23% higher than in 2011.
However, while this looks like very positive growth the figures were boosted by self-registration of dem... more
March
Motorcycle Market Trends - March 2011
Statistics released by the MCIA showed a total of 4,477 powered two-wheelers were registered in January 2011, a 25.5% increase compared with the 3,567 machines recorded in the same month last year. This trend appeared to have continued into February, although slightly less strongly, and as of the middle of last month registrations were sti... more
March
Motorcycle Market Trends - March 2011
These registration figures have already been mentioned here, and, given that they appear to offer a skewed picture of the market at this time there is little benefit in describing them in greater detail.
... more
February
Motorcycle Market Trends - February 2011
According to data released by the MCIA, registrations of powered two-wheelers fell by 31.1% in December 2010 to 3,214 machines; hardly surprising with the country in the grip of a severe freeze. However, that fall must be set against an already low previous monthly total since December 2009 was also affected by winter weather and there wa... more
February
Motorcycle Editorial - February 2011
A welcome patch of mild weather at the start of 2011 helped to drive an increase in showroom traffic and in retail transactions, producing a mood of cautious optimism among many motorcycle dealers. However, no-one we spoke to was showing any signs of getting carried away, and most expect another tough year ahead.
The severity of ... more
January
Motorcycle Editorial - January 2011
The majority of manufacturers appeared to be applying merely the rise in VAT to their existing 2010 prices and some have even tried to absorb part or all of that increase. As revised pricelists become available to Glass’s the New Prices section will be updated as quickly as possible.
Yamaha, already the price leader since ... more
January
Motorcycle Market Trends - January 2011
According to figures released by the MCIA, registrations of all types of powered two-wheelers actually increased in November 2010, rising by 3.3% compared with the same month in 2009, to 5,866 machines. This left the y-t-d total at 92,707 powered two-wheelers, now 13.2% below the total for the previous year. However, it must be... more
December
Motorcycle Editorial - December 2010
The Dirt Bike Show attracted 17,263 visitors over its traditional four day opening during early November, with reports of keen interest in the latest machines and kit. However, this total was appreciably lower than the 21,000 claimed to have attended last year (+14% on 2008), and as a result many stall-holders saw takings down. more
December
Motorcycle Market Trends - December 2010
Figures released by the MCIA showed that registrations of powered two-wheelers (p-t-w) fell by 11.8% in October, to 7,348 machines. This left the year-to-date (y-t-d) total at 86,841 machines, now 14.2% lower than at the same point in 2009.
Registrations of mopeds fell by 13.7% in October, to 1,337 units, leaving the y-t... more
November
Motorcycle Editorial - November 2010
Suzuki sent shockwaves through their own, and other, franchised networks last month when they issued letters giving twelve months’ notice of termination to 41 of their road motorcycle dealers, reducing their network from 133 to 92 outlets. This action was justified on the basis of sharply falling sales which had led to over-repr... more
November
Motorcycle Market Trends - November 2010
According to figures released by the MCIA, registrations of powered two-wheelers fell by 12.5% in September 2010 to 12,879 machines. This was the second successive month in which registrations declined in every single specified sector. The year-to-date (y-t-d) percentage figures have been negative in the majority of categories... more
September
Motorcycle Editorial - October 2010
Some months ago the Driving Standards Agency released figures which included the first year, 2009/2010, in which candidates were required to pass both modules of the newly introduced two-part test. These are shown below in comparison with previous testing years:
A great deal of comment has previously been made regarding ... more
September
Motorcycle Market Trends - October 2010
Figures release by the Motorcycle Industry Association showed that a total of 6,131 powered two-wheelers (PTW) were registered in August 2010, a fall of 12.7% against the same month last year. As a result the y-t-d total at the end of August was 68,409 powered two-wheelers, 14.4% below the total at the same point in 2009.
... more
September
Motorcycle Editorial and Market Trend – September 2010
According to figures released by the MCIA, registrations of powered two-wheelers fell by 6.6% in July 2010, to 9,777 machines. This brought the year-to-date (y-t-d) total, at the end of July, to 62,278 registrations, down 14.5% and a fall of almost 10,600 units compared with the same period last year.
... more
August
Motorcycle Editorial - August 2010
Below we list the overall registrations, by brand, for the first six months of 2010. When viewed in conjunction with the registrations by category, in Market Trend, these all make uncomfortable reading.
Clearly a whole series of factors have had a negative influence on the market: the recession, then the election, now th... more
August
Motorcycle Market Trends - August 2010
two-wheelers were registered in June 2010, a fall of 10.4% against the same month last year. This left the total of registrations at the mid-point of 2010 at 52,501 machines, 15.9% below the total seen last year and a loss of almost 10,000 units.
Registrations of mopeds fell by 16% in June, from 1,608 to 1,351 machines... more
July
Motorcycle Guide Editorial and Market Trend – July 2010
According to figures released by the Motorcycle Industry Association registrations of powered two-wheelers totalled 10,326 machines in May 2010, 10.9% lower than the same month last year. This left the year-to-date (y-t-d) total at 41,924 machines, a decline of 17.2% compared with the same period in 2009, and w... more
June
Motorcycle Market Trends -June 2010
Figures released by the MCIA showed that April 2010 was another weak month for sales of new powered two wheelers, down by 16.1% against the same month last year, at 10,112 machines. This left the year-to-date (y-t-d) total at 31,597 powered two-wheelers, a fall of 19.0% and almost 7,500 units down against the first four months of 20... more
June
Motorcycle Editorial - June 2010
bmf Show
The 50th Anniversary bmf Show, staged in Peterborough in mid-May, was blessed with fine weather, which helped to attract over 60,000 visitors to Europe’s largest outdoor motorcycle show and the traditional season-opener for many riders.
Having somewhat lost its way over recent years,... more
May
Motorcycle Editorial - May 2010
Perhaps we were just a little too optimistic when we headed last month’s edition with that same declaration; we should probably have held a hazel twig out of the window or tried some more reliable method of forecasting before being quite so bold. With Easter one week earlier than last year, and conditions still chilly in many areas a ... more
May
Motorcycle Market Trends -May 2010
According to figures released by the MCIA, registrations of powered two-wheelers during March 2010 totalled 14,773 machines, down 11.8% against the same month last year. However, this represented a significant improvement on the grim situation in January and February and, by the end of the first quarter of 2010, registrations were do... more
April
Motorcycle Editorial - April 2010
Although another cold snap cannot be ruled out, including the possibility of further snow in Scotland and Northern England, it is hoped that the worst of the winter is now firmly behind us and that spring is fully in prospect. However, even if ice and road grit may no longer be in evidence, the pot-holes that remain, in conjunction ... more
March
Motorcycle Market Trends - April 2010
Figures released by the MCIA show that registrations of powered two-wheelers during February improved appreciably on the trend seen in January, but even so were 23.4% down on the same month last year. As a consequence the y-t-d total at the end of February was 6,712 machines, 34.3% below the total at the same point in 2009.
... more
March
Motorcycle Editorial - March 2010
It is widely anticipated that there will be a shortage of second-hand motorcycles in UK showrooms during 2010. This is a developing consequence of a steady decline in sales of new machines, easier access for private sellers to alternative disposal channels and also strong and sustained demand from foreign buyers.
With used ... more
March
Motorcycle Market Trends - March 2010
Figures released by the Motorcycle Industry Association showed a substantial fall in registrations of powered two-wheelers across the entire spectrum of styles and machine sizes. As a consequence there is little illumination to be gained from describing the results in each category.
Since December last year most of the ... more
February
Motorcycle Editorial - February 2010
implementing New European Union Requirements
(Directive 2006/126/EC – the third Directive on driving licences)
The consultation period for the Third Driving Licence Directive (3DLD) finishes on Friday 5th February 2010. Subscribers therefore have barely one week from receiving this edition in which to... more
February
Motorcycle Market Trends - February 2010
According to figures released by the MCIA a total of 4,663 powered two-wheelers were registered in December 2009, a fall of 30.5% compared with the previous December. This brought the total for the full year 2009 to 111,513 machines, 20.2% below the total for 2008.
Unusually for a winter month, registrations of ... more
January
Motorcycle Market Trends - January 2010
Figures released by the MCIA for November 2009 showed that registrations of powered two-wheelers continued to decline rapidly, down 24.4% at 5,680 machines for the month. This left the y-t-d total at 106,850 machines, a fall of 19.7% compared with last year.
Interestingly, the trend in registrations of mopeds ha... more
January
Motorcycle Editorial - January 2010
The consultation period for the EU’s Third Driving Licence Directive opened in November and closes on 5th February 2010. As this could significantly affect the licensing of motorcyclists and thus the market for powered two-wheelers in the future, it is desirable that the motorcycle trade takes the time to participate in this cons... more
