UK Motorcycles Sales | End of lockdown spurs 570% upsurge for April

Sales of motorcycles in the United Kingdom have surged by a mammoth 570% month-on-month to provide much needed relief for the motorcycle industry following the end of the latest lockdown measures.

With dealerships closed since December 2020, the easing of restrictions on April 12 saw the doors reopen with prospective buyers able to kickstart sales with 10,374 units being sold in that period, according to figures from the MCIA.

Not unsurprisingly, this compares favourably with April 2020 - the first full month of lockdown when COVID-19 struck - when only 1,823 PTW (powered two-wheelers) were sold. Using a representative scale, it April 2021 surpassed the sales of April 2019 (9,280) and 2018 (9,154).

With the end of the 2021 lockdown coinciding with the beginning of 2020’s, it has subsequently reversed the year to date figures, which were down 20% after the first three months, but are now 17% up compared with the same period in 2020 (29,844 vs 25,451).

However, sales are still well down on those seen in 2019 during the first four months of the year when 36,951 units had been shifted by this stage.

“Whilst the 2020 lockdown may have instigated the thirst for PTWs as an isolated and safer way to travel, 2021 is seeing the transport decisions materialising in new PTW purchases for both efficiency, leisure and the many mental and social health benefits associated with riding,” read the MCIA official statement.

Breaking down the categories there were three figures rises in most categories, though Adventure Sport and Touring categories surged with a 1,357% and 2,671% rise in sales respectively.

The Best Selling Motorcycles in the UK for April 2021

The bumper month for sales saw all manufacturers enjoy strong results though it was Honda resuming its customary place at the head of the pile having contributed a devilish 1,666 unit sales.

However, while Yamaha was second in terms of brands with 1,355 sales, it did have the best-selling model outright with its Yamaha NMAX 125.

There will be smiles at Triumph as it comfortably secured the third highest sales of any manufacturer, thanks predominantly to the Triumph Trident which has contributed to a big boost in sales for the brand. It was the best selling 650-100cc model of the month.

Elsewhere, the enduring popular BMW R 1250 GS twins - the Adventure and RT - topped the Adventure Sport and Touring categories respectively, spurring the German firm onto fourth overall. KTM, despite a fairly limited dealer network compared to its rivals, is also having a strong year in fifth. Kawasaki was sixth, helped by the best-selling supersport, the Ninja 1000 SX.