July brought another strong rise in UK motorcycle registrations, but the most relevant signal for new riders is lower down the capacity range. Petrol-engined bikes in the 51 to 125cc band are growing faster than the overall market, while the two best-selling models of the month were both 125s. Source: MCIA.
What is the headline from the July 2026 figures?
Total registrations reached 10,644 in July 2026, against 9,057 in July 2025, up 17.5 per cent. Across January to July, registrations reached 67,565 against 58,468, up 15.6 per cent. Source: MCIA.
Within that total, 10,129 motorcycles were registered during July, up 18.5 per cent. This needs to be read correctly: total motorcycles are a subset of total registrations, not a second independent market measure. The wider total also includes mopeds and tricycles. Source: MCIA.
That follows the positive direction discussed in our June edition, but July gives us a particularly useful view of what is happening at the learner-friendly end of the market.
Why does the 51 to 125cc market matter so much for new riders?
The clearest figure for people thinking about learning to ride is the petrol-engined 51 to 125cc band, which includes the core CBT and A1 learner market. Registrations reached 3,769 in July, up 21.0 per cent, while the January to July total reached 20,696, up 26.7 per cent. Source: MCIA.
That year-to-date growth is running ahead of the overall market’s 15.6 per cent rise. For a London learner, this is significant because the smaller-capacity end is not simply being carried along by wider motorcycle growth. It is showing strong growth of its own.
If you are considering joining that market as a learner, our CBT course page explains the training route and what to expect before riding independently on learner entitlement.
What do July’s best-selling bikes tell us?
The two best-selling models in July were both 125s. The Honda PCX 125 recorded 285 registrations, while the Honda CB 125 F recorded 185. Source: MCIA.
They represent two familiar approaches to smaller-capacity riding, a scooter and a geared naked motorcycle. More importantly for this month’s market story, their position at the top of the July figures supports what we can already see in the capacity data: 125cc machines remain central to current buying activity.
For someone learning in London, that makes the choice between automatic and geared training a practical one rather than an abstract question. The right starting point depends on what you actually expect to ride after training.
Are other parts of the motorcycle market growing as well?
Yes. July was not only a 125cc story. Adventure bikes reached 2,373 registrations, up 41.8 per cent, while naked bikes reached 2,300, up 24.5 per cent. Source: MCIA.
That broader growth matters because today’s CBT rider may be tomorrow’s full-licence rider. Some learners want a practical 125 for everyday London journeys and are happy to remain there for a time. Others start with CBT as the first stage towards larger motorcycles.
If your longer-term aim is a full motorcycle licence, our DAS full licence guide explains that route separately.
What does the DVSA CBT figure add to the picture?
There is also a separate training statistic worth noting. DVSA reports that 193,575 CBT certificates (DL196) were issued to training bodies in Great Britain during 2025-26, the highest figure since 2021-22. Source: DVSA. The underlying CBT statistics are published in DVSA table INS0203 and were updated with data to March 2026.
This figure should remain separate from the MCIA registration data. It measures DL196 certificates issued to training bodies, not new motorcycle registrations, and the two datasets should not be combined into one trend line or treated as though every certificate corresponds to a new motorcycle purchase.
What it does provide is useful separate context for the learner-training side of motorcycling at a time when the 51 to 125cc registration band is also showing strong growth.
What happened to mopeds and electric registrations?
Mopeds were unchanged in July at 463 registrations. Electric new registrations moved in the opposite direction to the wider market, falling 15.1 per cent in the month to 310, while the year-to-date figure was 1,695, down 12.7 per cent. Source: MCIA.
That is a statement about new registrations, not a judgement on whether learning on or riding an electric moped or motorcycle makes practical sense for an individual rider. The current CBT and motorcycle licence rules continue to apply to electric mopeds and motorcycles according to their vehicle category and power.
Anyone considering an electric machine can read our electric moped licence and CBT guide before deciding what training or entitlement they need.
What should a London learner take from these numbers?
The July figures do not tell you which motorcycle to buy, but they do show where a substantial part of current market activity is taking place. The learner-friendly 51 to 125cc segment is expanding faster than the market overall, and 125cc models occupied the top two positions in July.
For someone considering riding in London, the sensible sequence is still to decide what you want the bike for, understand the licence route, and train for the conditions you will actually face. A rider planning regular urban journeys may have different priorities from someone whose CBT is simply the first stage towards a full licence.
London-specific running rules also matter when making that decision. Our motorcycle Congestion Charge guide covers that subject separately, so it does not need to be mixed into the registration figures themselves.
Frequently asked questions
Did UK motorcycle registrations rise in July 2026?
Yes. Total registrations were 10,644 in July 2026 compared with 9,057 in July 2025, an increase of 17.5 per cent. Year to date, registrations were 67,565, up 15.6 per cent. Source: MCIA.
Is the 51 to 125cc market growing faster than the overall market?
Yes. Petrol-engined 51 to 125cc registrations were up 21.0 per cent in July and 26.7 per cent year to date, compared with overall market growth of 17.5 per cent for July and 15.6 per cent year to date. Source: MCIA.
Does the fall in electric registrations change CBT or licence rules?
No. The MCIA figures show a fall in new electric registrations, but that does not change the current CBT and licence framework applying to electric mopeds and motorcycles. Riders still need the appropriate entitlement for the vehicle they intend to ride.
Should I start with CBT or work towards a full motorcycle licence?
That depends on your age, experience and what you ultimately want to ride. If you want to begin on learner entitlement, start by understanding CBT; if your goal is to progress to a larger motorcycle and full licence, plan the appropriate full-licence route from the outset.