November registration figures show positive turn for UK motorcycle industry despite dealer closures

Attendees of the recent Motorcycle Live event size up CF Moto motorcycles

November registration figures released by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) have revealed a slight uptick in sales for the month, closing the gap on the struggling figures seen throughout the year.  

Although total registrations were down by 765 compared to October, November’s numbers are nonetheless positive compared with the same time last year – with almost 10% more bikes sold than November 2023.

Despite the recent flurry of dealership closures, this news hints that the market could finally be moving towards a positive trajectory, after the year’s strong start stalled out during the peak summer season.

Looking at November specifically, it is once again small to middleweight machines that led proceedings, with 1000cc plus motorcycles continuing to fall out of favour with customer preferences.  

Where these largest capacity rides topped the charts last year, appetites appear to have shifted towards 751-1000cc bikes, with these now taking the top spot for unrestricted class sales. 

Dealers managed to shift a total of 6659 motorcycles throughout the month, and of those, 3584 were larger than a 125cc machine – taking total year to date sales to 101,662.  

That’s marginally down on what was achieved in recent years, but with November’s relatively positive turn, that fugure comes within 2.8% of bikes sold by the same time last year.  

Unsurprisingly, as the weather turns colder adventure bikes such as the BMW R1300GS and scooters, like the Yamaha NMax 125, proved popular, but naked bikes also held their own, and modern classic sales continued to storm well ahead of 2023’s numbers.