H. Yoo
Research expert covering South Korea
Motorcycle industry in the United Kingdom - Statistics & Facts
The use of motorcycles in the United Kingdom saw a noticeable rise between 2019 and 2023, with the number of motorcycles registered in 2023 being about six percent higher than in 2019. This growth can be attributed in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, with socially distanced rides becoming more popular and the boom of delivery services leading to the growing use of two-wheelers because of it. This change, however, was not reflected in sales. Sales value plummeted in the second quarter of 2020, when the UK went into its first COVID-19 lockdown. The following quarter expenditure rebounded but then dropped again and stabilized at a quarterly sales expenditure of just under 200 million pounds.
Honda remains the leading manufacturer
Despite the overall slump in sales value, Honda remained the most popular motorcycle brand and sales began to rise again in 2021, reaching over 20 thousand units sold. New registrations for the brand fluctuate seasonally, with the brand's strongest months tending to be in spring. In comparison with the 20,155 motorcycles Honda sold in 2023, Yamaha, the second most popular brand sold around 12,250 new two-wheelers. BMW has overtaken British motorcycle brand Triumph, which has dropped to fourth place in motorcycle sales in the UK in 2023.England accounts for largest share of motorcycles
Most motorcycles in the UK were registered in England in 2023, coming in at about 1.2 million motorcycles. In particular, the South East region of England saw the greatest share of motorcycle registrations with just over 230 thousand motorcycles. After several years of disruption in the sector, sales of motorcycles are projected to grow in the coming years, it will reach an estimated sales volume of 120,740 units in 2028. This rise in motorcycle sales beyond the COVID-19 pandemic may partly be explained by the rising cost of living in the UK, where motorcycles present a better economic option offering lower upfront and running costs.
