The UK motorcycle registrations August 2026 figures show total registrations up 17.0 per cent year on year. For learners in London and Hertfordshire, the petrol-engined 51 to 125cc band grew more slowly than the overall market in August but faster over January to August. Source: MCIA.
What is the headline from the August 2026 figures?
Total registrations reached 8,009 in August, compared with 6,846 in August 2025, up 17.0 per cent. January to August registrations stood at 75,574, against 65,314 a year earlier, up 15.7 per cent. Source: MCIA.
Within August’s total, motorcycles accounted for 7,538 registrations, compared with 6,439 a year earlier, up 17.1 per cent. Mopeds accounted for 433, against 373, up 16.1 per cent, while tricycles contributed 38. Source: MCIA.
For earlier coverage in this series, read our July registrations report and June registrations report.
In MCIA’s release of 7 September 2026, Tony Campbell, CEO of MCIA, said: ‘we are still awaiting the Government’s response to the rider licence review, which remains an important opportunity to support access to the market’.
Is the learner 51 to 125cc band still growing?
Yes. Petrol-engined 51 to 125cc registrations reached 3,071 in August, against 2,734 a year earlier, up 12.3 per cent. That was slower than the overall market’s 17.0 per cent growth. Over January to August, however, the band reached 23,767 registrations, compared with 19,064, up 24.7 per cent, still ahead of the overall market’s 15.7 per cent. Source: MCIA.
For a London learner, these UK figures provide context, not a measure of local training demand or a recommendation for a particular bike. Keep the practical decision focused on your journeys and training needs. Explore our CBT courses in London when planning your next step, or our CBT guide for delivery riders when considering delivery work.
What do August’s best-selling bikes tell us?
The Honda PCX 125 was August’s best-selling model overall, with 272 registrations. The Honda CB 125 F was the best-selling naked motorcycle, with 113. Source: MCIA.
Scooters of all sizes recorded 2,141 registrations in August, up 5.8 per cent year on year. Over January to August, registrations totalled 16,671, up 14.0 per cent. The scooter total is not a count of learner machines alone. Source: MCIA.
For someone planning to ride in London or Hertfordshire, the useful training question is automatic or geared, rather than which model tops the chart. An automatic removes manual clutch operation and gear changes from the riding task. On a geared bike, plan time to practise coordinating those controls, especially when moving off and changing speed.
Think about the type of bike you intend to ride after training and discuss any previous experience or concerns with us before booking. Whichever you choose, keep observation, braking and low-speed control central to your learning. A registration ranking cannot tell you how comfortable you will feel on a bike, how its controls suit you or how much practice you need.
Where is the strongest growth in the wider market?
Adventure registrations reached 1,652 in August, up 41.4 per cent year on year. Their January to August total reached 17,241, up 27.5 per cent. Naked motorcycles recorded 1,742 registrations in August, up 23.3 per cent. Source: MCIA.
Among petrol-engined capacity bands, August registrations in the 126 to 500cc band reached 1,338, up 39.2 per cent year on year. The 751 to 1000cc band recorded 1,477, up 47.4 per cent, while the over 1000cc band fell to 691, down 16.7 per cent. Growth was uneven across the larger-engine market. Source: MCIA.
Body styles and engine-capacity bands describe different views of registrations, so their totals should not be added together. Nor do these figures show whether buyers were moving up from smaller bikes or replacing a machine they already owned.
Today’s CBT rider may be tomorrow’s full-licence rider, but that is a personal training goal, not a prediction drawn from these numbers. For riders considering that step, our DAS full motorcycle licence training page is a starting point. Discuss your riding experience and goals with us rather than choosing a training path to match a growing market category.
What happened to electric registrations?
Electric registrations reached 272 in August against 253 a year earlier, up 7.5 per cent. However, January to August registrations stood at 1,967 against 2,194, down 10.3 per cent. The monthly increase sits alongside a year-to-date decline, rather than replacing that picture. Source: MCIA.
Within electric registrations, motorcycles up to 11kW recorded 194 in August, up 7.8 per cent, while their January to August total was 1,326, down 11.1 per cent. Petrol-engined registrations reached 7,737 in August, up 17.4 per cent. Source: MCIA.
For a prospective rider, keep these registration trends separate from the question of which machine suits your journeys. Consider where you would charge an electric bike and whether that fits your routine.
The CBT and licence rules continue to apply to electric mopeds and motorcycles according to their vehicle category and power, as explained in our electric moped licence and CBT guide.
What does this mean for someone commuting in London?
Start by deciding what you want the bike for: travelling to work, making local journeys or combining commuting with longer rides. Note the roads you expect to use, your travel times and what you need to carry. For a running-cost comparison, use our London Commuting Cost Index and consider how its assumptions relate to your own journey.
Next, understand the licence route for the type of machine you have in mind. Discuss your existing riding experience and your goal with us before choosing a course. Explain any parts of the commute that concern you, so the discussion starts with your actual riding needs.
Then train for the conditions you will face. Bring questions about busy junctions, low-speed traffic, wet roads and riding after dark to your instructor. Explore our seven training centres in London and Hertfordshire to choose a practical location and check your journey there before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Did UK motorcycle registrations rise in August 2026?
Yes. Total registrations reached 8,009 in August 2026, against 6,846 in August 2025, up 17.0 per cent. This total includes motorcycles, mopeds and tricycles. Over January to August, registrations reached 75,574, up 15.7 per cent on the same period last year. Source: MCIA.
Is the 51 to 125cc market still growing faster than the overall market?
Not in August alone. The petrol-engined 51 to 125cc band grew by 12.3 per cent year on year, below the overall market’s 17.0 per cent. Across January to August, however, its 24.7 per cent growth remained ahead of the overall market’s 15.7 per cent. Source: MCIA.
Which was the best-selling motorcycle in the UK in August 2026?
The Honda PCX 125 was the best-selling model overall in August 2026, recording 272 registrations. The Honda CB 125 F led the naked motorcycle category with 113 registrations. These rankings describe registrations, not which bike will suit an individual learner. Source: MCIA.
Did electric motorcycle registrations rise in August 2026?
Total electric registrations rose to 272 in August 2026, against 253 a year earlier, up 7.5 per cent. However, January to August registrations totalled 1,967, down 10.3 per cent year on year. These are the overall electric figures, not a motorcycle-only total. Source: MCIA.