Royal Enfield the standout for August as UK motorcycle sales stay strong

Sales of motorcycles in the United Kingdom continued to maintain the strong trend of recent months as the industry continued its recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown processes.

While sales have inevitably surged clear of the levels seen in 2020 due to the closures of dealerships and movement restrictions during various periods of the year, the subsequent surge of sales in the wake of the long initial lockdown ending in July 2020 was expected to reflect a decline during the same period in 2021.

However, sales of motorcycles in the UK for August 2021 were only -4.4% shy of those achieved in 2020, which rises slightly to -5.3% when scooters and moped sales are taken into account.

As a comparison, sales in August 2021 were a full 24% clear compared with August 2019.

In addition, sales of electric or alternative fuelled models continues to soar with a +122% growth, bringing the year to date rise up to +187.8%

It means 2021 is well on course to exceed the total of new motorcycle sales in 2020 with figures well clear at +17.5%.

The biggest selling motorcycles in the UK for August 2021

Honda was well clear at the head of the overall sales tables with another healthy shift of 1,641 units, well clear of fellow Japanese rivals 963 units.

Triumph continued to consolidate its status as the UK’s consistently third best-selling manufacturer, predominately down to the success of the Triumph Trident 660, a platform that is on the verge of being expanded with the launch of the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 soon.

Lexmoto, BMW and KTM posted strong figures too in fourth, fifth and sixth, ahead of Kawasaki and Royal Enfield.

Indeed, Royal Enfield enjoyed one of its best-ever months in August with two models emerging as the best selling of their sectors - the Royal Enfield Himalayan (Adventure) and Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 (Modern Classic) - while the recently launched Royal Enfield Meteor 350 was the best-selling model in the 126cc - 650cc engine band.

Meanwhile, the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT knocked the Trident off its perch as the best selling 651-1000cc model sold.