A total of 11,592 motorcycles, mopeds and scooters were registered in May 2009, compared to almost 14,000 for the same month last year (2008). Economic downturn and uncertainty relating to the new motorbike test have been suggested as the most likely causes.

It was not all bad news however, as registrations of motorbikes up to 125cc, an important class for new and learner riders, accounted for almost 1 in 4 new registrations giving a good indicator of the long term health of the motorbike industry in the UK.

The highest registering manufacturers were Yamaha with 1,973 registrations, followed by Honda (1,746) and Suzuki (1,348).