February new motorcycle registration figures brought continued good news to the UK motorcycle industry with an increase of 7.8% compared to February 2006. Total motorcycles experienced a 12% increase although mopeds are still not fairing aswell with a slight drop of 3% during the same time period.
The car market, in comparison to the good news for motorcycle market, experienced a decrease of 3.2% registrations in February 2007 compared to 2006.
A range of new models are now available and attractive offers from dealers led to increases across several of the most popular sectors; Adventure Sport, Custom, Scooter, Sport-Tour, and SuperSport machines.
The increases were spread across all engine bands between 51-1,000cc and brought cheer to many famous established marques as well as the more recent Chinese entrants to the UK market who focus on small engine motorcycles and who have been taking market share in recent years.
The new March registration plate change marks a traditional high-point in new registrations. Early indications show a 15% increase on 2006 figures as the 2007 series of registration plates became available, suggesting a solid start to the 2007 season.
Craig Carey-Clinch, MCI's Director of Public Affairs, said, "Milder weather, manufacturer deals and the interest in a new registration plate could have contributed to this early increase in registrations. The car market has seen a drop this month in comparison with last year, so perhaps more people are actually recognising the benefits of motorcycling - a cheaper, congestion busting mode of transport.
