Out with the old, in with the new. As we say farewell to 2025, which was another tough year, we are looking forward to a brighter 2026.
Dave Willis said: “It’s been another tough year in 2025 but not as tough as 2024. We’ve not got crazy numbers of models anymore and motorbike sales are pretty much where they should be.”
Business overheads went up last year but it was still one of the better years for sales over the past decade when the Covid pandemic had a real impact.
For most of last year we had four franchises, with the arrival of Royal Enfield at the start of 2025, and we finished the year by adding CFMoto.
We were happy with our sales figures but expect them to grow this year with the addition of a fifth franchise.
Last year was a difficult one for KTM with its financial difficulties and company restructuring halting production of new models and Kawasaki was also trying to shift older models as a result of oversupply.
Our CFMoto launch was delayed while it appointed a new UK distributor and Suzuki did not quite meet the expectations of its new models which people are still discovering.
Royal Enfield performed well and we had a good year, even though we had to get the new franchise up and running at the start of last year.
“For 2026 I am hoping that the network is not overstocked and there are some great new models coming out in the medium-capacity market.”
He thinks demand will rise, due to a lack of stock, and there will be less discounting to shift older stock.
Last year had not been brilliant for the motorcycle industry, with pre-registered models and dealerships closing.
Dave hopes 2026 will see an end to that with a prediction of an upturn in the market in late spring and, hopefully, interest rates will stay reasonably low.
Over a few days after the Autumn Budget in late November we sold many more motorbikes than we would expect at that time of year.
“I think that shows people had been holding off because they feared bad news after a lot of rumours,” he said.
Manufacturers are still overcoming the effects of Covid. Production was halted, which caused a shortage of motorbikes, and then manufacturers overcompensated.
“Then we had oversupply but now production is getting back to pre-Covid levels.”
Dave said: “KTM is not going to build motorbikes in the same numbers as before. We’re probably going to have fewer than half the number of bikes we’ve had in the past.
“We’ll probably only get one of some models. I don’t think there are going to be any extras to take.”
Royal Enfield has a good stock of motorbikes but Kawasaki is currently looking to bring in fewer models for which demand is limited. That could change if there is a call for them.
CFMoto is coming on stream under the new UK distributor. Our stock will grow in the new year as more models become available.
Suzuki has a good supply of core product with some new 2026 models now starting to arrive but some models will be limited.
“Manufacturers have spent the last two years clearing out stock. They are now just about there and starting to produce motorbikes again in more limited numbers so they don’t oversupply,” Dave explained.
“You might be thinking about getting a new motorbike in April, and that there will be plenty about, but I don’t think there will be. I think certain models will be quite hard to come by.”
If you are after a particular model visit our showroom now, call our sales team on 01473 257401 or email sales@orwell.co.uk
