Europe’s motorcycle market continues to grow: the state of play in 2026

Europe’s motorcycle market continues to perform strongly. During the first half of 2026, 636,490 new motorcycles were registered across the continent’s five largest markets, an increase of 16.8% compared with the same period last year. All five markets recorded growth, and registrations were also higher than in 2024. Here is what the figures actually tell us.

636,000 new motorcycles across five markets

During the first six months of the year, a total of 636,490 new motorcycles were registered in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. These are five of Europe’s largest motorcycle markets, according to figures from the industry association ACEM.

All five countries recorded growth, presenting a clear picture of a market gathering momentum.

What is behind the sharp increase?

Part of this year’s substantial rise can be explained by the fact that 2025 was an unusually subdued year. The stricter Euro 5+ emissions requirements became applicable to all newly registered motorcycles in the EU from 1 January 2025. This prompted many manufacturers and dealers to register remaining stocks of older Euro 5 models towards the end of 2024, before the new requirements came into effect.

This resulted in high registration figures in 2024, followed by a natural slowdown during 2025. Consequently, the increase appears particularly pronounced when the 2026 figures are compared with the previous year.

A more stable way of assessing the development is to compare the figures with the first half of 2024, before the effects of the transition had fully worked their way through the market. During that period, 610,757 motorcycles were registered across the same five markets. This year’s total of 636,490 therefore represents approximately 25,700 additional motorcycles, an increase of around 4.2%.

That represents solid underlying growth. It confirms that the increase is not merely the result of comparison with a weak year, but reflects a market that continues to develop positively.

A market growing over the long term

The clearest indication of the longer-term trend comes from the comparison with the period before the pandemic. ACEM points out that registrations are now 27% higher than during the corresponding period in 2019.

This suggests a growing and sustained interest in powered two-wheelers in Europe, both as a means of transport and for leisure riding.

However, the overall figures do not reveal exactly which types of motorcycle are driving the increase. Scooters and smaller-capacity motorcycles account for a significant share of registrations in several major European markets. Without more detailed data, it is therefore not possible to conclude that adventure bikes, naked motorcycles or touring models are primarily responsible for the growth.

Conclusion

Europe’s motorcycle market has made a strong start to 2026, with higher registration figures, growth across all five major markets and an underlying positive trend that remains visible even after allowing for the effects of the Euro 5+ transition.

With registrations up by just over 4% compared with 2024 and no less than 27% above pre-pandemic levels, the overall picture is clear: interest in motorcycles across Europe continues to grow.

What does “registered motorcycle” actually mean?

Statistics on “new motorcycles” are based on registrations – not on how many have actually been sold to a customer. Normally, registration takes place when a customer buys and collects their motorcycle, often directly in the customer’s name.

Dealers usually avoid registering their stock in advance. As soon as a motorcycle is registered, it legally counts as used – even if it hasn’t covered a single mile – which triggers insurance and tax obligations, among other things.

Ahead of the new Euro 5+ emissions standard, which came into force on 1 January 2025, a firm cut-off date applied: motorcycles built to the older Euro 5 standard could only be first registered up to and including 31 December 2024. Many dealers with unsold stock therefore registered their motorcycles in their own name before the new year – without a customer having bought them yet – in order to be able to keep selling those physical motorcycles throughout 2025.

The result: registration figures for late 2024 were artificially inflated, as part of the “sales” in the statistics were actually dealers protecting themselves against an upcoming regulatory change, rather than genuine customer purchases.