UK Motorcycle Sales | September sales dip but 2021 gains remain on target

Sales of motorcycles in the United Kingdom remain on course to be at their most buoyant since 2018 despite a slight dip in sales for September 2021 compared with last year.

While figures couldn’t compete with those of 12 months ago when the UK was still experiencing a boom of sales in the wake of the COVID lockdown coming to an end, the slide was minimal with the introduction of the ‘61 plates’ stimulating sales further..

Sales dipped by -7.5% across larger motorcycles and scooters, with all segments suffering a dip across the board with the exception of scooters, which were boosted by the increasing popularity of EV models, which is now up a huge 143% year-to-date compared with 2020.

Overall, the industry maintains a healthy lead over 2020 sales during the same nine month period at the end of the third quarter, with the 92,574 units shifted. This represents a 13.1% increase over last year’s 81,876.

More representative though is the gains over 2019 prior to COVID striking with 89,283 motorcycles being sold up to the end of September.

The biggest selling motorcycles in the UK during September 2021

Honda continued its reign at the head of the sales charts, the Japanese firm enjoying a buoyant month on the back of the registration plate switch, shifting double the units of BMW, which enjoyed a strong month to rise to second overall.

Triumph maintained its momentum of late with 1,141 models leaving its showrooms in September, putting it ahead of Yamaha in fourth place.

Entry-level specialists Lexmoto held fifth overall, with Suzuki in sixth following a noticeable lift in sales that placed it ahead of main rivals Kawasaki. KTM, Royal Enfield and Piaggio rounded out the top ten.

At segment level, the Honda PCX 125 scooter took over from the Yamaha NMAX as the best-selling two-wheel model outright, with the Honda CB 125 R the best selling motorcycle.

Among larger engine models (600cc + ) the BMW R 1250 reigned supreme with the RT and GS Adventure topping their respective Touring and Adventure categories.