Motorcycle Insurance

Number of Motorbikes in the UK

Here are figures for the number of motorcycles in the UK, including the proportion of motorbikes with different engine sizes.

Number of Motorbikes

At the end of 2020, there were 1,273,775 motorbikes registered in Great Britain (and 1,297,802 in the UK). After rising nearly 80% in the 15 years from 1994 to 2008, the number of motorbikes in GB has remained relatively steady since.

Interestingly, the number of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds increased in 2020, unlike cars—the number of cars in the UK dropped by 192,460 (0.6%) in 2020.

Number of Motorcycles,Scooters and MopedsGreat BritainUnited Kingdom
20201,273,7751,297,802

2019
1,250,2091,273,379

2018
1,242,6901,265,142

2017
1,233,5901,255,860

2016
1,248,0741,270,216

2015
1,230,7791,253,080

2014
1,216,1681,240,212

2013
1,219,399

2012
1,224,849

2011
1,238,321

2010
1,234,369

2009
1,275,641

2008
1,274,568

2007
1,248,321

2006
1,209,557

2005
1,206,389

2004
1,191,168

2003
1,134,682

2002
1,070,022

2001
1,009,954

2000
953,737

1999
889,364

1998
813,784

1997
752,357

1996
738,756

1995
702,493

1994
720,922
chart showing the number of registered motorbikes in Great Britain
There were 1,273,775 motorcycles, scooters and mopeds registered in Great Britain in 2020

Average Engine Size of Motorbikes

The average engine size of motorbikes in the UK is 611cc—but only 5.6% of UK motorbikes are actually between 601 and 650ccs. The reason the average falls in that range is because there are a lot of 51 - 125cc bikes (22.6% of all motorbikes) and bikes over 1,000cc (17.8%).

Motorbikes with smaller engines are popular not only because they are easier to ride and get qualified for—they're also cheaper to buy, cheaper to run and cheaper to insure.

Proportion of Motorbikes by Engine Size UK
1 - 50cc5.1%
51 - 125cc22.6%
126 - 150cc1.0%
151 - 400cc12.1%
401 - 500cc5.3%
501 - 600cc6.6%
601 - 650cc5.6%
651 - 800cc10.0%
801 - 1,000cc13.6%
1,000cc +17.8%
Unknown / BEV0.4%
chart showing the percentage of motorbikes by engine size in the UK
22.6% of motorbikes are 51 - 125cc; 31.4% are over 800cc
Erin Yurday

Erin Yurday is the Founder and Editor of NimbleFins. Prior to NimbleFins, she worked as an investment professional and as the finance expert in Stanford University's Graduate School of Business case writing team. Read more on LinkedIn.

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