Bike Insurer Lists Top Selling Motorcycles in 2021

Handy info for anyone in the motorcycle and scooter market. Knowing what bikes are in demand for insurance quotes is a great way to reach new customers and win `em over for the long haul. There’s good news from the biking sector, with the MCIA reporting an increase in 2021 registrations as bikers consider their transport options for both business and pleasure. 

The Bike Insurer has crunched their quote data from the past 12 months to identify the most popular runners and riders of 2021. Read on to find out what’s being quoted on and what sold last year, with the MCIA top ten listed at the end of the article.

By the way, if you’re a fan of new bikes like the Triumph Tiger 900 or Trident 660, then Breitling have a special Triumph themed Top Time chronograph watch. Could be the perfect accessory for Triumph riders. More here.

Honda and Yamaha dominate commuter segments

New and used 125cc bikes generated the most quotes, supporting MCIA data for this segment, which says that 36 per cent of new registrations in 2021 were in the 51-125CC category. 

Honda dominated 2021, with four of its bikes making the Top 10 and the top spot claimed by its ever-popular PCX 125. It had a facelift in 2021 and the improvements have clearly paid off, as it stormed up nine places from 2020, to take poll position last year. The CBR 125 R swiped second place, making it a Honda double-header on quote requests. This little mover has been around since 2004 and the volume of models keeps it a perennial favourite.

Fourth place went to the CBF 125 model, while its VISION 110 clinched the 8^th spot, climbing up three spots over the previous year – a bonus for VISION owners is that average comprehensive premiums dropped by 14 per cent last year.

Yamaha was the second manufacturer to enjoy a bumper 2021, matching Honda with four bikes in the top 10. The YZF-R125 took the last podium position, placing Yamaha in the top three most-quoted for bikes. Inspired by its larger sibling, the R1, this lightweight racer has kerbside appeal and was last updated in 2019. Yamaha’s NMAX 125 and YBR 125 took fifth and sixth place respectively, with the Yamaha MT 125ABS claiming the last spot.

Only BMW, with its hugely popular R1200GS, and Suzuki with the legendary GSX-R600 break the Honda-Yamaha stranglehold and are the only ‘big’ bikes to make the top 10.

BIG BIKES MEAN BIGGER MARGINS

The motorcycle market is split into tribes and commuters are just one group; there’s adventure touring, custom, sportsbikes, retro, classics etc – generally, it’s an older blokes pursuit in the UK and the opportunity for brokers lies at the luxury end of the lesisure market. A 20K BMW tourer buyer will want pillion cover, legal, european breakdown and probably kit cover too. Some helmets cost over £700, add on £1200 for a set of leathers/all season jacket & trousers, plus £300 for top brand gloves and boots, so there’s £2000-£3000 of clothing investment worth protecting.

Ed Bevis, Commercial & Marketing Manager at The Bike Insurer, says: “It’s interesting to see our data support MCIA’s reporting for 2021, with the ever-popular 125CC category dominating the top 10. We know these bikes are multi-functional, ideal for new bikers, those with short commutes or city lifestyles or consumers simply looking for a cost-effective and independent mode of transport.

“We’re encouraged to see that the market held pretty steady last year with a strong volume of riders taking to the roads. We’re specialists in providing insurance quotes for bikers of every age and ability and it’s always fascinating to see the models and manufacturers that dominate the rankings. We’re already looking forward to seeing how the rankings play out over the next 12 months.”

WHAT SOLD WELL IN 2021 – AND WHY?

Here are the top 10 best selling two-wheelers of 2021 based on MCIA registration data;

1. Yamaha NMAX 125 – this commuter has been snapped up by delivery fleet operators, keen to rent the NMAX 125 out on a daily basis to freelance Uber Eats and Deliveroo riders, who really only need it at weekends. Makes sense.
2. Honda PCX125 – same story, delivery fleets choosing reliable transport for freelancers.
3. Honda CBF125 – genuine ride-to-work bike popular with shift workers who know public transport just doesn’t cut it. 100mpg too.
4. BMW R1250GS Adventure – The default choice for pensioners who want to spend their kids inheritance by touring Europe every summer.
5. Honda SHi 125 – another reliable commuter/delivery tool.
6. BMW R1250GS – the standard GS with cast wheels, slightly smaller fuel tank and fewer scaffolding poles on the sides.
7. Triumph Trident 660 – Handy all-rounder gives you sunny Sunday fun, decent looks compared to some Naked bikes too.
8. Royal Enfield Intercerptor 650 – just super cheap retro fun, an Adventure version priced under 9K would clean up.
9. Honda NC110 Vision – If you have to commute to a city then a Vision does the job. Helmet storage, 120mpg, twist & go throttle.
10. Super Soco CPX – an electric scooter is an expensive choice at £4700, but does about 60 miles on full charge. The battery packs look relatively cheap to replace once it’s unable to hold charge in 5-7 years too.