Market Research • United Kingdom • Jan–Jul 2025
UK Motorcycle Market Mid-2025: Registration Trends and Insights
A data-driven recap for industry professionals, covering monthly volumes, segment performance, ICE vs Electric, brand dynamics, and best-selling models using MCIA press statistics (Jan–Jul 2025).
Key takeaways (KPIs)
Source: MCIA Monthly Press Statistics (Jan–Jul 2025).
Overall market trends (Jan–Jul 2025 vs 2024)
The market started weak in Q1 (-25% to -32% range), but the gap narrowed through spring and summer. By July, total registrations were almost level with 2024. Year-to-date remains down ~18%, indicating recovery but not a full rebound.
| Month 2025 | Total | YoY change vs 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4,201 | -30.5% |
| February | 3,457 | -32.3% |
| March | 13,086 | -22.1% |
| April | 8,506 | -14.6% |
| May | 9,800 | -12.3% |
| June | 10,361 | -18.6% |
| July | 9,057 | -2.4% |
| YTD (Jan–Jul) | 58,468 | -17.8% |
Category & segment performance
Mopeds
- YTD: 2,365 (-20.2%). July +1.8% YoY indicating mid-year stabilization.
- Moped Scooter (largest sub-segment): 1,730 (-18.4%) YTD.
- Naked down sharply (-33.7%) YTD; “Other” mopeds -19.0% YTD.
Tricycles
- YTD: 334 (-30.7%). Small niche & volatile month-to-month.
- “Other” trikes YTD 181 (-20.3%) vs Tricycle Scooters 153 (-40.0%).
Motorcycles by segment (YTD Jan–Jul)
| Segment | Units | YoY | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adventure | 12,289 | -17.1% | Flat in July; big-ADV launches (e.g., R1300 GS) supported demand. |
| Naked | 11,860 | -17.2% | Improving trend from Q1 lows; strong mid-weights. |
| Scooter (＞50cc) | 10,712 | -22.1% | Rebounded to +6.1% in July; PCX/NMAX leading. |
| Modern Classic | 7,552 | -13.5% | Resilient; demand steady for retro singles & twins. |
| Road Sport | 5,391 | -20.6% | July +15.5% helped by 125cc sport volumes. |
| Competition | 3,032 | -4.3% | Comparatively robust; electric dirt bikes gaining. |
| Touring | 1,215 | -11.1% | Mildest decline; June +21% YoY. |
| Unspecified | 99 | -19.5% | Small residual category. |
Powertrain: ICE vs Electric (YTD)
ICE
- Total YTD: 56,527 (-17.9%).
- 51–125 cc: 16,330 (-23.1%); 126–500 cc: 10,247 (-22.9%).
- 751–1000 cc: 11,961 (-3.3%) – most resilient capacity band.
- 1000 cc+: 9,130 (-21.2%), but July posted +8.4% YoY.
Electric
- Total YTD: 1,941 (-14.0%) ≈ 3.3% market share.
- ≤11 kW: 1,310 (+17.2%) – key growth pocket (urban/commuter).
- ≤4 kW moped class: 524 (-46.9%).
- >11 kW motorcycles remain niche: ≤35 kW = 45 (-22.4%); >35 kW = 14 (-41.7%).
| Band | Units | YoY |
|---|---|---|
| ICE total | 56,527 | -17.9% |
| Electric total | 1,941 | -14.0% |
| Electric ≤4 kW (moped) | 524 | -46.9% |
| Electric ≤11 kW (125-equiv.) | 1,310 | +17.2% |
| Electric ≤35 kW | 45 | -22.4% |
| Electric >35 kW | 14 | -41.7% |
Brand performance
Leaders & chasers
- Honda – clear #1 across months; breadth from 125cc scooters to tourers.
- Triumph • Yamaha • BMW – tightly grouped, trading monthly #2–#4.
- Royal Enfield • Lexmoto – strong value plays in 125–350cc range.
- Kawasaki • KTM • Suzuki • Ducati – consistent top-10 presence.
Signals to watch
- ADV/touring refresh cycles (BMW GS family, Honda NT/ADV lines) underpin premium demand.
- Value 125s (Lexmoto, Honda, Yamaha) remain volume drivers despite Q1 softness.
- Electric fleets (e-scooters) can spike monthly totals; off-road EVs show real traction.
Best-selling models (highlights)
Combustion
- Honda PCX 125 – consistent #1 in scooter; top overall model in multiple months.
- BMW R 1300 GS / Adventure – leads big-ADV; March & June standouts.
- Honda GB 350 S – dominant modern classic single throughout H1.
- Honda CB Hornet family – CB750/CB1000 Hornet driving naked segment peaks.
- Lexmoto LXR 125 – frequent road-sport #1 at entry level.
Electric
- Vmoto Super Soco CPx – major e-scooter volume; fleet spikes (e.g., May).
- Stark VARG (EX) – #1 competition in June/July; EV standout off-road.
- Sur-Ron Ultra Bee – early-year competition leader.
- Talaria Sting / TL 5500 – top e-moped off-road in summer months.
- BMW CE 04 – small but steady premium e-scooter presence.
What it means for H2 2025
Market outlook: Momentum improved into July; a flat-to-slightly-negative H2 vs 2024 looks achievable if new-plate months and late-summer demand hold.
Product strategy: Double-down on resilient bands (751–1000cc), modern classics, and 125cc scooters. Consider promotional focus where pent-up demand exists (ADV/touring).
Electrification: Growth is concentrated in ≤11 kW (urban mobility) and off-road. High-power EV road bikes remain niche – fleet and specialty channels matter.
All figures sourced from MCIA Press Statistics (Jan–Jul 2025).
Monthly total registrations & YoY % (Jan–Jul 2025)
Source: MCIA Press Statistics (Jan–Jul 2025)
YTD composition (units, Jan–Jul 2025)
Source: MCIA Press Statistics (Jan–Jul 2025)
YTD powertrain share (Jan–Jul 2025)
ICE: 56,527 • Electric: 1,941
Motorcycle segments (YTD units, Jan–Jul 2025)
Segments: ADV, Naked, Scooter>50cc, Modern Classic, Road Sport, Competition, Touring, Unspecified
ICE capacity bands (YTD units, Jan–Jul 2025)
Bands: 0–50cc, 51–125cc, 126–500cc, 501–750cc, 751–1000cc, 1000cc+
Electric power bands (YTD units, Jan–Jul 2025)
Bands: ≤4 kW (Moped), ≤11 kW, ≤35 kW, >35 kW, Exempt, Unknown
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