New motorbike registrations took quite a dip last year compared to 2024 but the figure is deceptive.
Registrations across the UK were 19.3% down last year at 93,922 new motorbikes, scooters and mopeds compared to 116,399 in 2024.
But there is a very good reason for that decline – Euro5+.
The new emissions standard meant many new, unsold Euro5 motorbikes that did not meet the stricter standard, introduced at the start of last year, had to be registered by the end of 2024.
Even though sold last year, they were registered in 2024 which artificially pushed up that year’s overall figure and pulled down 2025’s total.
So more bikes were sold last year than the figure suggests and the mood in the motorcycle industry is actually quite encouraging.
Dealers are upbeat about the demand for motorbikes and, with lots of new and smaller models coming to the marketplace, optimistic about the prospects for this year.
Mark Trench, our dealer principal, said: “Last year’s registrations were 19% down on 2024 for the whole market but it was a bit ‘smoke and mirrors’.
“Because the 2024 market was bigger than it really was, with many pre-registrations, 2025 was smaller than it really should have been.”
There’s little point then putting too much store in comparing figures for the past two years. Instead it is better to look the future with some encouraging trends.
Motorcycle Live, the UK’s largest and Europe’s second biggest annual motorcycle show at Birmingham’s NEC in November, made significant gains last year over 2024.
There were more than 97,000 visitors over the nine days, compared to just under 90,000 in 2024, more advanced ticket sales and more stand space sold to exhibitors.
That optimism is continuing into 2026.
Mark said: “Industry insiders are seeing an improved market in the way things are already going this year.
“There are a lot of new brands which can only be good as it breeds competition and makes everyone else sharpen up.”
Many manufacturers are now bringing models into the UK which are desirable and popular.
“I think the growth in the small bikes market is great,” he said.
“We’re seeing them as second bikes and people having them to do shorter journeys and commuting.
“Previously, the UK market had been more aligned to larger-capacity and higher-performance machines. Now there is this market for smaller-capacity, little bikes with big growth in 350 to 500cc motorbikes.
“Orwell Motorcycles has seen this coming and enhanced the brands we’ve got. We’ve now got two big players by adding Royal Enfield and CFMoto to our franchises.”
Check out the full CFMoto range at orwell.co.uk/cfmoto/orwell-cfmoto-ipswich
Find out more about the Royal Enfield range at orwell.co.uk/royal-enfield/new-royal-enfield-motorcycle-range
