The end-of-year registration figures always give us a useful snapshot of how healthy the UK motorcycle scene really is. According to figures reported by Motorcycle News (MCN), and supported by official Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) data, 2025 turned out to be a more challenging year for new bike registrations than many riders and dealers were hoping for.

At first glance, the headline numbers look worrying. Across all L-category vehicles, including motorcycles, scooters and mopeds, registrations finished the year at just under 94,000 units. That represents a drop of roughly 19 per cent compared with 2024. Looking specifically at motorcycles, registrations landed at around 89,000 bikes for the year, down from well over 110,000 the year before.

That’s a sizeable fall, but it’s important to put it into context. What we’re seeing doesn’t feel like a collapse in demand for motorcycling. Instead, it looks far more like a market correction after several turbulent years shaped by the pandemic, supply shortages and unusually strong pent-up demand.

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There are a few clear reasons why the market softened in 2025. The cost of living continues to bite, and higher interest rates have made financing a new bike more expensive than it was a few years ago. Insurance costs have also risen, particularly for newer riders and higher-performance machines. On top of that, many dealers entered 2025 with better stock availability, meaning fewer rushed purchases and fewer late-year registration pushes.

One of the most interesting findings highlighted by MCN is that adventure bikes once again topped the sales charts. Around 20,000 adventure bikes were registered during 2025, making them the most popular motorcycle category in the UK. That tells us a lot about where rider priorities are right now.

Adventure bikes offer comfort, practicality and flexibility, which suits the way many of us actually ride in the UK. They can handle commuting, touring and weekend riding without feeling compromised, and that broad appeal continues to drive sales even when the wider market slows. The ongoing success of bikes like BMW’s GS range, along with strong competition from other manufacturers, shows this trend is firmly established rather than a passing phase.

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At the other end of the spectrum, scooters and entry-level machines had a tougher year. Scooter registrations fell by close to 20 per cent, broadly in line with the overall market decline. That matters because scooters and 125s are often the entry point into motorcycling. Fewer new riders coming into motorcycling now could have longer-term implications if barriers such as training costs, insurance and urban riding conditions aren’t addressed.

Electric motorcycles remain a small but notable part of the picture. Government licensing data suggests that around three per cent of new motorcycles registered in 2025 were zero-emission. Most of those were smaller, urban-focused machines rather than large-capacity electric bikes. While electric motorcycles continue to improve, range, charging infrastructure and purchase price are still holding back wider adoption. Electric clearly has a future, but it’s not about to replace petrol bikes any time soon.

So what does all this mean for riders heading into 2026?

From a buyer’s point of view, a softer new-bike market often brings opportunities. Dealers are more likely to offer stronger finance deals, discounts on outgoing models and better value overall. Choice remains excellent, particularly in the adventure, modern classic and mid-capacity naked segments.

If you’re thinking about changing bikes in 2026, it’s worth keeping an eye on mid-capacity adventure bikes, which continue to hit a sweet spot for UK riding. Modern classics also remain popular, combining character with everyday usability. The used and nearly-new market is likely to become more attractive too, as higher trade-in volumes help stabilise prices.

The key takeaway from the 2025 registration figures is that motorcycling in the UK isn’t shrinking, it’s recalibrating. Riders are being more considered with their purchases, prioritising value, versatility and long-term ownership over impulse buying. According to MCN and MCIA data, people are still buying bikes, just with a bit more thought than before.

As we move through 2026, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. A more balanced market tends to be a healthier one, and for riders, it could mean better choice, better deals and bikes that are better suited to how we actually ride.

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Sources and Credits

This blog post draws on the latest UK motorcycle registration data and industry reporting:

• Motorcycle News (MCN) – End-of-year UK motorcycle registration figures and analysis
• Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) – Official L-category vehicle registration data
• UK Government Vehicle Licensing Statistics (DVLA / GOV.UK) – Zero-emission and overall vehicle registrations
• Visordown – UK motorcycle segment trends and market commentary

Disclaimer:
All figures reflect publicly available 2025 data and are used to provide an independent overview for UK riders. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the author and website cannot guarantee that all information is complete or free from errors or omissions. The content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. Readers and buyers are advised that any decisions to purchase motorcycles are made at their own risk, and the author and website accept no responsibility for outcomes related to such purchases.