As motorcycle sales struggle in Britain one brand and bike-style is bouncing back according to numbers released by the Motor Cycle Industry Association for September 2009.

While motorcycle sales were down in September over the same month lat year, they showed an improvement over August numbers.

Sales in September were 21.2% lower than the same month last year, an improvement on the market’s performance in August when a 30.5% fall was recorded. Total registrations of powered two wheelers (PTWs), the method used in Britain to gauge motorcycle and scooter sales, last month were 12,941, compared with 16,430 a year ago.

Leading the pack was the Naked bike sector, recording a 3.4% increase in registrations compared to September 2008 and a 25.4% increase in market share. The most popular model in this category is Honda’s new CBF 125 M, closely followed by the Yamaha YBR 125. Between them they have taken one-fifth of the market share within the Naked style, with a combined total of 3,788 registrations year-to-date.
 
The small engine size is popular in England because it allows bikers to ride under a learners permit for a limited time. They are also the first choice for many commuters.
The three most popular style of new motorcycles registered in September were Naked (2,471), followed by Scooter (1,983) and Supersport (1,930).

The biggest-selling bike in September was the Yamaha YBR 125, with 328 registrations. The company also managed to take the title of biggest-selling manufacturer with 2,233 new registrations, closely followed by Suzuki (1,875) and Honda with 1,764

“The market has done well against the extremely testing conditions of economic uncertainty, poor weather and high-profile problems with the new motorcycle test, ”Sheila Rainger, MCI’s Director of Communications, said, “Continued strong performance in the learner and commuter sectors demonstrates again that people are interested in a budget-friendly, flexible and convenient means of transport."