Norton
UK motorcycle market plunged 18.3% to 94,389 units in 2025 amid weak GDP growth (1.5%) and constrained consumer spending. The electric segment grew +19.8%, yet adoption remains limited due to the government’s lack of incentives and infrastructure investment.
Economic Outlook
UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is estimated at 1.5% in 2025, with only modest improvement expected in the near term. Persistent geopolitical uncertainty and subdued business confidence continue to weigh on investment decisions across the economy, limiting opportunities for sectors reliant on discretionary spending, including motorcycles.
GDP growth is projected to remain around 1.4% in 2026, a downward revision from earlier OBR forecasts, signaling a tougher environment for consumer-driven industries. High food inflation and frozen tax thresholds are further squeezing household budgets, constraining discretionary purchases such as motorcycles.
Motorcycles Industry Trend and Perspectives
In this challenging economic environment, the UK motorcycle market struggled in 2025, with total sales plunging 18.3% to 94,389 units, following moderate declines in the previous three years. Despite the severe contraction, the electric two-wheeler segment grew 19.8%, showing latent demand for low-emission mobility.
However, this positive trend highlights a glaring issue: the lack of meaningful government support or incentives for electric motorcycles. Without subsidies, tax breaks, or infrastructure investment, adoption remains slow, and UK consumers face higher upfront costs compared with countries actively promoting EVs. The sector is left to rely solely on market dynamics, which in a shrinking economy is clearly insufficient to sustain growth or attract new players.
Market Leaders and Performance
Competitive dynamics remained volatile. Honda maintained leadership but declined 11.5%, while BMW (+1.8%) unexpectedly overtook Yamaha (-23.7%) and Triumph (-21.3%). Other key players suffered severe losses: Kawasaki (-28.6%), KTM (-36.4%), and Royal Enfield (-36.1%), reflecting both weak demand and limited market support.
The combination of stagnant policies, lack of targeted incentives, and limited charging infrastructure has left UK manufacturers exposed, particularly in the EV segment, putting the market at risk of falling further behind more proactive European peers.
Lexmoto Yadea G5
