The start of a new year not only gives an opportunity to look forward to new motorcycles and events but also to look back on the best of the previous year. January traditionally sees the publication of year-end motorcycle sales and registration figures for the year before and from that, we can see which models have been the most popular.
The leading manufacturers all release brand-specific sales data at this time of year while industry bodies such as, in the UK, the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), and the Driving and Vehicle Licence Authority (DVLA) also release industry-wide registration figures. From this we can get a good idea of the most popular motorcycle models over various categories and capacities.
BMW R1300 GSA
It's also worth noting here that 2024 has been a slightly unusual year, sales-wise. The arrival of the new Euro5+ emissions and noise regulations which came into force on January 1 meant that models that didn’t comply had to be sold (often at a discounted rate) before that date, or pre-registered.
This caused a spike in ‘sales’ at the end of the year with new registrations in December being more than double (114%) those for December 2023. December 2024 saw registrations of 11,206 machines compared to 5,236 previous year. This alone resulted in overall registrations for 2024 closing at 116,399, a 2.5% increase on 2023, when, for much of 2024, sales had lagged behind those of the previous year.
As Tony Campbell, CEO of the MCIA, said: “The slight growth in the market is purely a result of unusual registration activity and not an indication of growth. 2024 has been an incredibly challenging year for the sector, with several dealer closures and rising pressure on businesses to maintain positive cashflow to ride out the next few months.”
Even so, there have been notable sales successes, too. BMW’s big boxer GS continues to be a best seller and ‘king’ of the large capacity adventure bike class. Triumph’s all-new 400cc, single cylinder duo, the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X, have been hugely popular, helping fuel the success of the 400cc category; while perennially popular commuter scooters such as Honda’s PCX125 and Yamaha’s NMAX 125 have remained big sellers, too.
So, which machines have been the most popular motorcycle models of 2024? What do they offer and might they be the right next new (or used) bike for you?
Top 7 Best Selling Bikes in 2024
BMW R1250GSA | Price: From £14,415
BMW R1250GSA
A slightly quirky one, but also a proven best-seller. BMW’s most recent 1250cc, ‘ShiftCam’ boxer twin adventure has always been popular in its biggest large-tanked, more rugged ‘Adventure’ form.
For 2024, the 1250 was replaced by an all-new 1300, first in stock GS trim, then, at the end of the year, by a new 1300GSA. The 1300, in both forms, has been one of 2024’s biggest sellers and is undoubtedly capable – being lighter, more powerful, and more sophisticated – but not all 1250GSA owners were convinced, partly due to its odd looks and lesser stature, so much so that many traded-in for the ‘last’ 1250GSAs while they were still available causing an unexpected surge in sales and making it the overall best-selling big bike of 2024.
Up to a point, we can see their view: the 1250GSA is a proven monster of an adventure machine – versatile, rugged, good looking and with all the tech most people need – but you won’t be able to buy a new one for long. If you can’t, rest assured: the R1300GSA is faster, more powerful (145bhp), lighter, more nimble and more sophisticated, even having a new semi-automatic option, but it starts at £18,780.
Triumph Speed 400 | Price: £5,195
Triumph Speed 400
One of 2024’s biggest sales success stories. Introduced at the beginning of the year as Hinckley Triumph’s first smaller (than 660cc), entry-level machines, the all-new 400cc single was offered in two forms (Speed 400 roadster and £600 more expensive, Scrambler 400X), immediately impressed for its combination of excellent 40bhp performance, traditionally good Triumph handling, and impressive value and was expected to appeal to a younger generation of A2 licence holders.
In reality, although a massive sales success, many of those buyers, instead of being a younger generation, have proved to be older existing owners trading down or buying a second bike, which has caused some problems for Triumph dealers in terms of reduced margins and unexpected trade-in stock. Even so, there’s no denying the 400 is a brilliant bike: stylish, easy to ride, a decent performer and great value. The cheaper Speed 400 has been the bigger seller of the two but the Scrambler 400X isn’t far behind and, if considered together, Triumph’s new ‘baby’ is far and away the biggest selling 125cc+ bike of 2024.
It's also worth adding here that Triumph isn’t the only one having great success in the growing c.400cc class. Royal Enfield’s cute single-cylinder custom, the Meteor 350 and its lightweight new liquid-cooled adventure bike, the Himalayan 450, have also been big sellers in 2024.
Yamaha MT-07 | Price: £7,700
Yamaha MT-07
Perennially popular in the middleweight 500-750cc class ever since its launch in 2015 the only surprise about Yamaha’s MT-07 roadster again being a best seller in 2024 is that it’s about to get a major overhaul and restyle for 2025.
Even so, there’s plenty to still like about the 2024 version. Its ‘CP2’ (standing for Crossplane crank twin) remains characteristically grunty, flexible and fast; its lightweight chassis with decent cycle parts still delivers a brilliant blend of easy, day-to-day practicality yet with the nimble, involving handling to entertain and, at well under £7K, it remains brilliant value. It’s worth pointing out, here, that the MT-07’s sales success has been such that it's now attracted a range of competitive rival twins, not least Honda’s new 91bhp CB750 Hornet and Suzuki’s GSX-8S, both introduced in 2023, but in 2024 the Yamaha remained the most affordable of the trio with a proven, if slightly aging, track record. We can’t wait for the new 2025 version!
It's also worth pointing out here that one other middleweight roadster rival ran the MT-07 close in terms of UK sales in 2024 – Triumph’s brilliant, three-cylinder Street Triple RS. The sporty British triple may be, at £11,995, more expensive than the Yamaha, but it’s also, with its top spec suspension, brakes and Moto2 related, 118bhp engine, probably the finest sporty middleweight roadster money can buy…
Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro | Price: £13,895
Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro
Speaking of Triumph, the leading British brand had another best-selling motorcycle in 2024 that was actually ahead of the Street Triple RS and only slightly behind the best-selling 400s. That bike was the Tiger 900 GT Pro, the top spec, more road-orientated incarnations of its market-leading middleweight adventure bike, the Tiger 900.
In many ways, this shouldn’t be a surprise: Triumph was one of the first manufacturers to explore the ‘middleweight adventure’ category when it launched its first Tiger 800 in 2010 (thus being second only to BMW with its ‘junior GS’, 2008’s F800GS). The bike, available in both XR road-orientated and XC dirt-focussed guises, proved a big hit for its fruity three-cylinder character and flexibility, versatility, and price such that it’s become a mainstay of the Triumph range ever since. Successive updates have followed with the latest offerings being the base 900 GT (£12,195), Pro, and more dirt-focussed £14,495 Rally Pro.
All all of these models have TFT dashes, great handling, fruity performance, plenty of electronics and more yet retain manageability and affordability. It’s not hard to see why they’re so popular.
Honda CB125F | Price: £3,149
Honda CB125F
From gizmo-laden, multi-facetted, multi-cylinder adventure bikes to one of the most straightforward mainstream motorcycles currently available – but also a long-time best seller.
Honda’s most basic 125cc motorcycle, the CB125 has been around in various guises for decades, and still has at its heart a super-frugal, air-cooled, four-stroke single-cylinder motor, that backs that up with a basic but effective no-frills chassis with the result being both one of most proven and cheap to run commuters you can buy and also one that’s a darling of motorcycle training schools.
Returning a potential 150mpg, being a doddle to ride, solidly built, reliable, and also affordable, the latest CB125F may not be exciting but it’s so good at what it sets out to do that none of Honda’s Japanese rivals now even bother to offer an alternative.
Honda PCX125 | Price: £3,659
Honda PCX 125
Drum roll, please – the 125cc scooter category remains (and has long been) the best-selling powered two-wheeler category of all, and again its true in 2024.
The reason’s simple: being 125cc they’re A1 licence compatible, so you can ride them on a provisional licence as long as you have a valid CBT certificate; being easy-peasy ‘twist and go’ scooters, with no clutch or gearchange to worry about, they’re simple and easy to ride and, as affordable, comfortable effective scooters, they appeal to both cost-conscious commuters and delivery riders.
In terms of sales and popularity, two machines stand out – Honda’s PCX125 (which has now been around in various forms since 2009) and its newer rival from Yamaha, the NMAX125. Both have been UK best sellers, both have a slightly sporty look with easy handling, LCD or TFT dashes that are Smartphone connectable, both return well over 100mpg, and both are available for around £3500. The Honda had the upper hand – just – in 2024 but, they’re so close it might come down to which dealer is nearer or offering a better deal…
Honda ADV350 | Price: £5,899
Honda ADV 350
And our final best-seller, at least in terms of what we can gleam from the available market data, is 2024’s best-selling ‘mid-scooter’ – ie scooter that’s over 125cc yet under 500 – which this time is the boldly styled yet eminently versatile and appealing Honda ADV350.
Launched in 2022, the ADV350 initially seemed quirky and niche but in reality, has proven temptingly versatile and with broad appeal. Inspired by the larger, more expensive X-ADV maxi scoot, which was launched in 2017 as a ‘crossover’, blended 750cc scooter practicality with adventure bike off-road style and which, despite its current £11K+ price, has proved a big hit, particularly in Europe, the ADV350 has a similar style yet ‘just’ A2-compliant 330cc performance, lots of scooter practicality and a far more affordable sub-£6000 price.
The result looks great, is accessible and easy to ride, can still cruise at 85mph, has bags of storage space, and costs peanuts compared to a car. With hindsight, maybe it’s no surprise that it’s proved so popular after all…
