The UK L-category market registered 7,890 vehicles in October 2026, an increase of 10.3% on the 7,153 recorded in October 2025. Motorcycles above 500cc supplied much of the momentum: their total reached 2,846, up from 2,307 a year earlier, for a 23.4% annual increase.

All three larger capacity bands moved forward. Registrations in the 501-750cc class rose 29.9% to 922, while the 751-1000cc class grew 25.7% to 1,222. The 1000cc-and-over group added 12.3% to reach 702 for the month, although it remained 6.6% below its year-to-date level. Across the first ten months, the market accumulated 95,575 registrations, compared with 83,802 in the corresponding period of 2025, an overall rise of 14%.

Adventure bikes set the pace

Adventure motorcycles delivered the strongest growth among the main styles. October registrations reached 1,864, up 28.5%, putting the category 23.8% ahead year to date. Suzuki’s SV-7GX led the adventure field with 105 registrations and also topped the 501-750cc class. BMW’s R1300GS Adventure was the leader among motorcycles of 1000cc and above, with 75 registrations, while Honda’s CB1000GT headed the 751-1000cc group on 62.

Road sport motorcycles added to the positive picture, rising 21.8% to 597 registrations in October and standing 13.4% higher for the year so far. Touring produced the largest percentage increase among the main styles, moving from 70 to 113 registrations for a 61.4% gain. BMW’s R1300RT was the segment’s best seller with 58. Despite that monthly jump, touring remained 0.6% down year to date. Naked motorcycles were nearly flat, with a 1.5% increase.

Honda leads the brand table as electric registrations fall

Honda topped the brand rankings with 1,435 registrations. Yamaha followed on 708, then BMW on 565, Lexmoto on 462 and Triumph on 409. The 51-125cc band was the busiest capacity group, recording 3,038 registrations after a 7.3% increase. The market’s leading individual model was Honda’s PCX125, with 223 registrations. In the 126-500cc class, registrations slipped 0.2%, while CFMoto’s 450MT led the group with 96.

Scooters edged up 0.9%, but electric registrations fell 19.9% to 262. MCIA chief executive Tony Campbell called the market’s performance encouraging and said it had exceeded the organisation’s earlier estimates. After the recent Budget, he criticised the UK Government’s approach, citing high energy costs, taxation, additional rules and red tape for employers, and what he described as a lack of understanding of the sector. Motorcycle Live was scheduled to open at Birmingham’s NEC on Saturday, November 21, as the industry looked towards the 2027 season with many new model releases already appearing.