MyMotorCycleCheck.com – the UK’s No.1 motorbike and scooter provenance website – has saved many a biker from making an expensive two-wheeled mistake. In these monthly bulletins its Valuation Team’s expert reveals significant trends in the UK market and suggests three wise buys.
Highly desirable: Honda XL125 Varadero
Safe bet: Kawasaki Z1000 SX
Enjoy everything More Bikes by reading the monthly newspaper, Read FREE Online.
Used star: Suzuki TL1000 R
MyMotorCycleCheck.com‘s Rob Hobson commented: “For our highly desirable model this month we’ve chosen the Honda XL125 Varadero. This bike still has little to challenge it in the 125cc market. They suit taller riders and also hold their money really well. So long as you carry out a history check to ensure the one you’re looking at is what it claims to be – for instance, that it hasn’t been written-off and isn’t still on finance – then this is certainly a bike worth paying a premium for.
“In terms of bikes that hold their value, safe bets don’t come much safer than the Kawasaki Z1000 SX. Buy a nearly new one, with the initial sharp depreciation accounted for, as they represent the best value for money. As always, do your homework and check before you buy. Watch for mileage and good service history.
“For our ‘used star’ this month we’ve chosen the Suzuki TL1000 R. Although used examples may be getting a bit long in the tooth, a good, clean and importantly, standard, example should prove to be a wise investment. When it comes to negotiating, remember, as well as revealing a bike’s history, MyMotorCycleCheck.com also provides valuations – a great tool for haggling with dealers or private sellers.”
As to market trends, Hobson commented: “As the schools close for the summer break not only do commuter routes become that bit quieter, showroom traffic tends to slow as well. Retail values have dipped slightly of late and we have reflected this in this month’s data.
“With 54,000 machines registered by the end of June, the new bike market is currently 11% up compared to last year. Expectations are that this level of increase will now be maintained to the end of the year. If so, this will be hugely positive for the industry as it will mark the end of the post-summer slumps that have blighted recent years. All style sectors continue to show sales increases over last year, with the Naked style achieving a massive 37% increase.
“The used bike market continues to be strong. With stock moving quickly earlier in the year, there was a short period when the trade was willing to pay a bit more for models such as the Suzuki Bandit and CBF Honda in order to fill showroom spaces. We can now see that there is less demand for these bikes and trade bids have weakened.
“There is strength in the Sports market. Most straight and honest 600-1000cc Sports bikes with all the right mods and full service history are changing hands quickly, be it privately or through the dealer network. The likes of Suzuki GSX-R1000 K5 and K6, and to a certain extent early straight R1 and 929/954 Fireblades, are making surprisingly strong money.
“We’ve had some good news from the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) with regards to the tagging scheme and its potential to reduce two wheel vehicle theft. Unfortunately, we’ve also had some sobering new statistics surrounding the decline in the number of younger riders taking the Motorcycle Test.
“The latest change to the licencing regulations, which sees younger riders restricted to A1 category machines, is obviously having a detrimental effect upon training. This trend needs to be highlighted to the relevant authorities before it has a negative effect upon rider safety.”
MyMotorCycleCheck.com‘s parent company, CDL Vehicle Information Services, performs over a million look-ups a day for companies including AutoExpress, CompareTheMarket, Confused.com, Go-Compare, Moneysupermarket, Swiftcover, Tesco Compare and WhatCar?.
It uses up-to-the-minute data from the Police (NPIA – previously known as the Police National Computer or PNC), the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and major finance houses including Lloyds TSB and Santander.
To help UK consumers make the right choice, MyMotorCycleCheck.com provides an instant snapshot of all the key vehicle information. For only £4.95 you can confirm whether your potential pride and joy has ever been scrapped, stolen or written-off, has any money owing on it, has had a plate or colour change and much more.
Know what you’re getting onto: MyMotorCycleCheck.com
Advert
Enjoy everything More Bikes by reading the MoreBikes monthly newspaper. Click here to subscribe, or Read FREE Online.
