Electric bike sales plummet by almost a third as petrol models lead the way in 2024

February figures released by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) reveal petrol bike sales are on the up as we move toward the warmer riding season. 

With 10,450 new motorcycles registered across all categories since the beginning of 2024, the data shows an overall climb of 5.7% in year-to-date figures compared with 2023. 

What’s more, with 4794 bikes sold in February alone, sales are up by 6.5% when compared with the same month a year earlier. 

• What’s that kit? Arai Tour-X 4 helmet review

“The positive start to 2024 is encouraging, where we are confident this trend can continue into the spring despite the pressures on household incomes,” said MCIA CEO Tony Campbell. “Our market has proven its robustness during tough economic pressures and hope it will continue to in this positive vein.”

February’s biggest seller was the dependable L-plate friendly £3649 Honda PCX 125, which recorded 309 new registrations. The next closest was the Yamaha MT-07, which recorded 62 registrations to claim the title of most popular naked. 

Trailing by one was top adventurer, the BMW R1300GS, with Suzuki’s new GSX-8R sportsbike making a splash with 57 sales across the month. 

It’s a less positive story in the electric category though, with monthly registrations down by 31.4% when compared with February 2023.