Chinese imports inspire UK motorbike interest

Posted : 24-04-2006

A surge of interest in motorbikes among new riders is being fuelled by a flood of cheap Chinese imports, according to the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI).

The UK bike market has seen dramatic growth this year, with the most impressive performance categories being those with a wide choice of Chinese imports.

The custom bike market saw 33 per cent growth in March 2006, with naked up 20 per cent and Trail/Enduro up 15 per cent.

Total sales were likewise boosted by Chinese imports, with motorbike sales up by 13 per cent, scooters up 10 per cent and mopeds up by one per cent. Chinese imports now account for some 25 per cent of the under 125cc market.

Motorcyclenews.com quoted Craig Carey-Clinch, MCI's director of public affairs, saying: "There are hundreds of manufacturers in China producing a vast array of bikes and scooters, which means they may not often appear in the top five sellers, but this is changing and in March 2006 Chinese brands appeared in the top five Custom and Trail/Enduro bikes.

"Clearly, people have aspirations to own motorcycles and scooters and British based companies can now capitalise on this demand, that has been partly stimulated by cheaper Chinese models."


© Adfero Ltd

The views expressed within the article are entirely those of Adfero Ltd and are not those of BDML Connect Ltd