Motorcycle sales take a dip in January after defying COVID-19 limitations

MOTORCYCLE sales wavered for the first time in a long time in January after further lockdowns restricted face-to-face sales and the Euro5 transition compounded matters.

Further upset was added to the mix when the government refused to offer those riding on a CBT an extension of their certificate, despite testing and training centres for the most part remaining closed.

The total PTW market ended January with 3,834 units sold, down 37.6% on pre-Covid January last year. Within this figure, motorcycles stood at 2,555 (43.1% down) and scooters at 1,279 (-22.8%).

There was a spark of light in this otherwise gloomy tunnel though, with electric motorcycles continuing to grow. Road legal electric scooters and motorcycles ended January 166 per cent up on last January, further pushing home the fact that they are a legitimate alternative to public transport for many people.

Trail and enduro motorcycles were one sector that saw the smallest amount of shrinkage, possibly helped out by the number of people living in rural areas using them as leisure vehicles or rural transport. Of these bikes, the KTM 300 EXC TPI was the best selling model, with 43 units sold through the month.

Best-selling motorcycles of January 2021 by category