Industry data shows motorcycle sales continue to fall short despite late summer registration boost

The latest figures released by the Motorcycle Industry Association have shown a significant boost in bikes sold compared with August, with machines in the 1000cc-plus bracket seeing more than double the number of units registered compared with the month prior. 

Despite 11,204 motorcycles being sold overall, there has still been a shortfall of 13.8% compared with the same time last year. Scooter sales flopped by almost one fifth compared with September 2023 too. 

Big bike registrations, while up at their highest level since June, are still considerably lower than in previous years, suggesting that the appetite for such machines is diminishing among UK buyers in favour of smaller, more affordable motorcycles – as shown in August’s figures too. 

During the summer months, when 1000cc plus sales have historically picked up, manufacturers have continually struggled to shift stock, resulting in an overall September registrations shortfall of 21.4%. 

Throughout the month, only motorcycles in the 126-500cc and 501-750cc brackets have experienced positive numbers compared with the same period during 2023– despite this small win, the latter group has continued to maintain relatively poor year-to-date sales in each monthly report across 2024. 

There were a few class specific wins to note though. Modern classic and road sport machines saw 1307 and 1008 units registered respectively which puts them at a significant year-to-date positive.  

Of the 1307 modern classics registered, 112 came from Triumph’s popular Speed 400 model. Those numbers were enough to make it the best seller both by capacity bracket and bike type – a feat the £5195 single-cylinder has managed in all but one month of the year.