The number cruncher's delight that is the annual UK’s motorcycle sales report contained some remarkable news for 2015. Compiled by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), the UK’s motorcycle registration figures showed sales of ‘commuter sized bikes’ - machines between 101 and 125cc and including scooters - hit a 30-year high during 2015. The 43,700 bikes sold in this sector was the highest figure since the MCIA started recording the data in 1983. And the good news didn’t stop there. During 2015 a total of 114,160 new bikes were sold, the highest annual total since before the financial crisis in 2008. Does this mean the industry has recovered after some very dark years?
PCP has helped recovering bikes sales
As ever the figures disguise both good and bad news, so let’s start with the good. Sales of bikes over 50cc are up across the board, with the 651cc-1,000cc group recording a massive 24.9 per cent boost compared with 2014. In total, 60,957 machines over 125cc in capacity were sold in the UK in 2015. Most popular were naked bikes, equating for 30,108 sales, a massive 26.9 per cent increase over 2014. Adventure sport sales also peaked at a 26.8 per cent increase, with 16,653 sold while 13,320 supersport bikes were shifted. The touring market was the only sector dropping when compared with 2014, recording just 2,598 sales - a 15.7 per cent fall. Sub-50cc scooters/mopeds also had a hard time, dipping 11.8 per cent to 9,347. With the MCIA claiming it’s the best year since 2008, is that really true?
Taking the mopeds out of the equation reveals a more detailed picture and the truth that, compared with 114,762 in 2008, bike sales of 104,813 doesn't equate to a full recovery. It's a step in the right direction though, especially when you consider the dip to 95,080 in 2009 and just 79,401 in 2011.
And the UK's best selling bike. Yes, really
A large factor in the increase in new motorcycle sales is the new-found love of PCP among bike buyers. Well established in car dealerships, in the last four years PCP sales have gone from virtually zero to over 30 per cent of the UK’s new bike finance market. And it’s growing.
Nowadays, every single manufacturer offers PCP deals on new stock and even a few used bike dealers are beginning to offer it as a buying option. With the financial crisis now easing off, tempting PCP offers of having a brand new bike for less than £100 a month are driving new model sales. Is this a bubble that is likely to burst? As long as buyers recognise they are effectively hiring a new machine and not buying it, PCP works for all parties involved. Buyers get a new bike every three years, dealers sell new models and get a constant supply of quality used ones and manufacturers shift stock. Everyone’s a winner, in theory…
And what is the UK’s best selling bike? Take a bow, Honda PCX-125.
