Two wheels on the rise
The latest figures from the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) show that 102,229 motorcycles have been registered year-to-date in 2015, a 12.4% increase over the same period last year.
In October alone, registrations increased by 14.2% to 8,504 units. The dry weather and higher than average temperatures are thought to have played a part in this.
Geared motorcycles, excluding scooters, have continued their month-on-month surge, increasing by 19.5% in October, bringing the year-to-date total to 74,220, which represents a rise of 18.2%. Of note, Sports Tourers performed particularly well with a 43.5% increase in registrations compared to October 2014, which is impressive although registrations are actually 4.4% down year to date.
Commenting on the latest findings, Jayson Whittington, manager – commercial and leisure vehicle valuations, Glass’s said, ‘Machines between 651-1000cc saw a significant rise of 32.67% in October compared to 2014 and are up year-to-date by 26.89%. This represents a 4,897 year-to-date volume increase to 23,110 machines. Registrations for 51-125cc machines have continued to show an increase over October last year at a healthy 20.24% and 14.46% year-to-date. Registrations of naked bikes saw another large increase being 22.3% up on October 2014 and up year to date 27.8%.
‘Meanwhile, registrations for mopeds continue to decline, being 19.7% lower than October 2014 and 13.4% down year-to-date. Touring bikes also experienced a large decline, being 31.9% down on October 2014 and 14.1% down year-to-date but, as has been touched on previously, it is believed that many who would traditionally favour a machine of this type now gravitate towards an adventure sport machine.’
