New petrol bike registrations have continued to grow across 2026, with data released by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) showing positive year-to-date figures up to the end of May.
Published at the beginning of June, the data showed a total of 44,073 internal combustion engined (ICE) motorcycle registrations to the end of May 2026 – up from 37,764 for the same period in 2025 and representing an increase of 16.7%.
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According to the numbers, every category of petrol-powered motorcycle is up year-to-date (YTD) too – with the 51-125cc, 126-500cc, and 501-750cc categories all representing the most significant areas of growth, up 29.9%, 21.1%, and 20.8% respectively.
The numbers are also green when looking specifically at the month of May, with an increase of 17.1% when compared with the fifth month of 2025 – now up to 11,007 machines from 9403 last year.
MCIA CEO, Tony Cambell says he is now keen to capitalise on this upward trajectory and is calling upon the UK Government act on their licencing reform proposals first launched on January 7.
“While we constantly hear about other Government priorities, we are demanding and calling on this Government to respond positively to the on-going rider licence review and at the same time meet with the sector to discuss and agree a clear path as to how this sector can support the Government new transport strategy,” he said in a statement.
“With the right policy framework in place, the sector is well positioned to support economic growth and be an enabler to attract inward investment into the UK economy, it is about time we stop hearing excuses and start seeing some action.”
Amongst the changes proposed were progressive access training, rather than repeat testing, plus major updates to the CBT course .
Industry groups such as the MCIA would like to see this go further still, offering additional measures such as doing away with the Module One and Module Two test structure, plus further regulation on illegal small-capacity electric e-bikes and scooters .
Back to the May sales figures though and the best-selling bike of the period was the £3999 Honda GB350S with 322 registrations. Honda were also the best-selling brand of the month with 2162 registrations – over 1000 more than second placed Yamaha with 1135 units.
Although positive, the overall numbers still trail behind previous years – with YTD figures for May 2024 sitting at 47,592 ICE machines. That said, it’s a far more positive picture than we saw just 12-months-ago.
Motorcycle sales are a good indicator as to how the industry as a whole is fairing. Seeing an increase in the number of bikes being purchased is comforting and can only be a positive thing. Hopefully the trend continues.
Dan is a fully-trained journalist, with a Gold Standard Level 3 Diploma from the National Council for the Training of Journalists. He has a passion for motorcycles of all capacities, but feels at home aboard a sportsbike. He's been working for MCN in print and digital for the best part of 10 years, with regular contributions to RiDE Magazine on the side.
News Editor, trackday fan, lover of 90s sportsbikes