UK government urged to “realise significance” of motorcycles after 10% growth report

The UK government has been urged to “realise the significance” of the motorcycle industry after October showed a 10 per cent registrations growth in 2026 compared to a year ago.

7,890 motorcycles were registered in the UK last month compared to 7,153 in the same month in 2025.

That represents a 10.3 per cent increase, growth driven entirely by the combustion bikes, which grew by 11.7 per cent in October year-to-year while electric bikes fell by 19.9 per cent.

Year-to-date sales remain up as well, now by 11,773, or 14 per cent, compared to last year, with 95,575 bikes sold so far in 2026.

Within the combustion categorisation, it was bikes that fell between 501cc–750cc that had the biggest growth in October compared to 2025, with growth of 29.9 per cent in this category. However, this still only came from 922 registrations; the numbers for other categories were much higher, most notably the 51cc-125cc category with 3,222 registrations.

The 126cc–500cc category was the only one that showed decline in October 2026 compared to 2025, this by 0.2 per cent, which equated to three registrations: 1,415 in October 2025 compared to 1,412 in October 2026.

Scooters sold the most of any class of bike in October with 1,870, although the adventure class remained strong at 1,864. Year-to-date, adventure remains clearly the most popular category with now over 22,000 registrations, which is also a 23.8 per cent increase over this time last year.

BMW’s R1300 GS has often been the most popular adventure bike this year, but in October Suzuki took that spot with its SV 650 GX, which sold 105 units. In the scooter category, Honda’s PCX 125 was the most popular with 223 registrations. Honda also sold 112 of its CB125 F, a number which made it the most popular bike in the naked class.

The MCIA says that the growth shown in October is proof that the UK government should put more support behind the motorcycle industry to use to push the economy.

“As we head toward the year end, it is encouraging to see another strong month of growth from the sector which has exceeded our earlier estimates,” said MCIA CEO Tony Campbell.

“As we enter ‘Show’ period for the industry, we are already witnessing many new model releases ahead of the 2027 season which can all be seen at MCL [Motorcycle Live] 26 which starts on Saturday 21st November at the NEC in Birmingham.

“Following the recent Budget, it remains clear that the Government are struggling to fully understand what needs to happen in order to drive economic growth as energy costs remain high and without support for businesses, increasing rules and red tape for employers, higher taxation and a complete lack of understanding and appreciation for our sector, it is clear, this Government needs to take stock of its policies which will continue to fail businesses.

“At the recent launch of the sector’s European Economic study produced and published by Oxford Economics in association with ACEM, the report covered the five main European markets for the sector including the UK. 

“The key takeaways from the report highlighted that Powered Two Wheelers represented 1.8 million new vehicles sold in 2024 which represented an economic value of €35.1bn [£29bn]. It also found that the sector employs over 481,000 workers, produced tax revenues of €20.6bn [£17bn] (including the UK) with over 42 million vehicles in constant use across Europe that are saving energy, travel times and emissions.

“We hope this Government finally realises the significance of this industry and how it can support its objectives for industrial growth, economic value and the wider role it is and can play in the wider transport eco-system.”