Number of Motorbikes in the UK
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 Mopeds | Great Britain | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1,273,775 | 1,297,802 |
2019 | 1,250,209 | 1,273,379 |
2018 | 1,242,690 | 1,265,142 |
2017 | 1,233,590 | 1,255,860 |
2016 | 1,248,074 | 1,270,216 |
2015 | 1,230,779 | 1,253,080 |
2014 | 1,216,168 | 1,240,212 |
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 |
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 - 50cc | 5.1% |
| 51 - 125cc | 22.6% |
| 126 - 150cc | 1.0% |
| 151 - 400cc | 12.1% |
| 401 - 500cc | 5.3% |
| 501 - 600cc | 6.6% |
| 601 - 650cc | 5.6% |
| 651 - 800cc | 10.0% |
| 801 - 1,000cc | 13.6% |
| 1,000cc + | 17.8% |
| Unknown / BEV | 0.4% |
