UK Motorcycle Market Trends: What’s Next for Riders and Instructors?

TL;DR: Current UK motorcycle market trends point toward stable growth driven by new commuters, returning leisure riders, and a growing number of female motorcyclists. The new stability is opening strong opportunities for both buyers and prospective instructors.

The past five years have been wild for the British motorcycling industry. Supply chain bottlenecks, economic shifts, and new emissions regulations temporarily slowed new bike purchases. 

Consultations on motorcycle training and licensing created a little uncertainty at the beginning of the year, which has settled and looks to provide further stability for the industry. Rising living costs and a surge in two-wheeled commuting have tipped the balance back toward sustained demand—particularly in the 125cc commuter and adventure bike segments.

This matters whether you’re looking to buy your first bike, upgrade to a more powerful machine or switch careers and become a motorcycle training instructor. Why? Because demand for new and used bikes influences prices—that’s simple economics. And if you’re thinking of a career switch, steady demand for training ensures a reliable, future-proof career path with plenty of room to develop.

New registrations and used bike prices: are sales declining?

If you look at headlines from 2025, you’ll have seen the ~19% drop in new registrations (~93,900 units). It’s easy to assume motorcycle sales are on the way down. But the reality is quite the opposite.

The 2025 dip was largely a market distortion caused by manufacturers and dealers pre-registering 2024 stock ahead of Euro 5+ emissions regulations. Now that’s passed, 2026 data shows double-digit year-on-year growth for new motorcycle registrations—confirming that the UK motorcycle industry is back on a steady-growth track.

UK Motorcycle Market Trends Summary 2024-26

• Late 2024: Euro 5+ pre-registration surge
• 2025 new registrations dip: Market corrects as ~93.9k new registrations are absorbed
• 2026 outlook: Double-digit year-on-year growth

Used bike values hold firm

Just like the used car market post-pandemic, used motorcycle prices in the UK have stayed firm compared to pre-2020 levels. Thanks to the continued interest in used machines, stubborn inflation and higher prices for brand-new machines, good-condition secondhand bikes are holding their value. It’s great news for riders selling their motorcycles after upgrading their licence and boosting power levels.

Which pre-loved motorcycles are selling best?

Two categories of motorcycles continue to lead the sales charts:

• 125cc Commuters & Scooters: Driven by rising living costs, urban congestion and delivery work, low-capacity machines remain consistent top-sellers.
• Adventure Bikes: For leisure and touring riders, adventure-styled machines (like BMW’s GS series) dominate the mid-to-large capacity space.

Whether you’re eyeing a budget-friendly commuter bike or a long-distance touring machine, taking time to evaluate your riding goals will make choosing the best motorcycle for your needs much easier.

UK motorcycle licence statistics: who’s taking to the road?

Motorcycle sales figures tell only half the story. New licensing data shows us who’s actually taking to two wheels. Annual DVSA testing records show continued strong demand—over 60,000 Module 2 tests have been taken each year since the 2021/22 post-COVID recovery. The national UK motorcycle test pass rate remains strong at around 71–73% across both Module 1 and Module 2 tests, showing solid preparation among candidates is the norm.

A shift in rider demographics

Looking at the underlying UK motorcycle licence statistics, the British rider profile is evolving into three distinct groups:

• Younger & Entry-Level Commuters: High fuel prices and public transport costs are pushing younger people toward CBTs and A1/A2 licences and increasing registrations of lower-powered machines. For many under-25s and gig-economy workers, a 125cc or restricted machine provides financial independence and transport freedom.
• Returning Born-Again Bikers: Mature riders returning to two wheels after their kids have flown the nest—often with more disposable income—are a substantial group taking full Category A tests and making larger-capacity bike purchases.
• The Rise of Female Riders: Female test-takers now account for around 8 to 10% of overall test volumes. Interestingly, DVSA data shows that female candidates match (and occasionally exceed) male pass rates on the Module 2 road test, showing strong two-wheeled skill and confidence.

What do motorcycle training and licence consultations mean for you?

The recent DVSA and Department for Transport (DfT) consultations on motorcycle training and licensing aim to modernise the entire system. Proposed updates include progressive training pathways to allow riders to upgrade from an A2 to a full A licence without re-taking test modules. All changes are designed to make stepping up safer, simpler, and more rewarding.

If you’re progressing beyond a 125cc, exploring the 5 best A2 licence bikes of 2025 is a great way to see what options fit your riding style before committing to training.

The motorcycle instructor shortage

High test pass rates and rising candidate numbers show a healthy interest in riding, but the industry faces delays and challenges in test availability. DVSA test centre bottlenecks and long training waiting lists across the UK mean that thousands of new and upgrading riders face delays in booking Module 1 and Module 2 test dates.

This surge in demand highlights a widespread shortage of DVSA-certified motorcycle instructors that needs addressing. In short, qualified motorcycle instructors are in demand!

High demand and waiting times: Are motorcycle instructors in demand?

Yes. The high volume of CBT candidates, coupled with experienced riders seeking Direct Access Scheme (DAS) training, has put motorcycle training schools under pressure. Approved Training Bodies (ATBs) across the country are actively searching for skilled, passionate riders to join their instructor teams to meet demand.

For experienced motorcyclists, a career or side-income opportunity awaits:

• Turn your passion into a profession: Share your love of riding and help new students develop essential life-saving skills.
• Flexible working options: Whether you’re looking for a complete career transition or part-time weekend work, modern instructor roles offer flexible schedules.
• Accessible entry requirements: To qualify, you need to be over 21 years old and have held a full Category A or A2 motorcycle licence for a minimum of three years.

Taking the first step toward teaching

Becoming an instructor doesn’t mean stepping into a classroom unprepared. Professional training pathways give you practical coaching skills and nationally recognised qualifications.

If you have three or more years of riding experience, exploring how to become a motorcycle training instructor is the best place to begin. Finding out why 2026 is the year for CBT instructor training will give you insight into the upcoming regulatory changes and how they’ll create even greater demand for qualified trainers.

UK motorcycle market trends FAQs

The numbers don’t lie—the UK motorcycle industry is on the up! Double-digit registration growth, robust secondhand values, and steady testing volumes all prove that two-wheeled transport remains as appealing as ever, if not more.

Whether you’re an entry-level commuter saving on travel costs, a returning rider upgrading your capacity, or a female motorcyclist joining a growing demographic, there’s never been a better time to get out on the road. At the same time, this thriving riding community needs passionate leaders to keep moving forward. We need experienced riders to step into instructor training and turn their riding skills into a fulfilling career to help clear national training backlogs.

Ready to take your next step? Explore our range of motorcycle training courses or discover how you can become a certified motorcycle instructor today.