Sales of motorcycles across Europe’s biggest markets (France, Spain, Italy, Germany and the UK) bounced back strongly from the torrid early months of 2025, when machines from the Euro5+ pre-registration frenzy cluttered showrooms and decimated new bike sales.
The first three months of 2026 saw a 21% increase in motorcycle registrations, returning them to a level just 1.8% short of 2024’s total. The largest moped markets (Belgium, France, Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Spain) fared less well, posting only a 2.2% increase over 2025, with electric-powered mopeds particularly badly hit.
Antonio Perlot, ACEM secretary general, commented: “This strong motorcycle growth is particularly encouraging in a broader macroeconomic context that remains uncertain. Against this backdrop, the resilience of the motorcycle segment highlights the continued importance of powered two-wheelers for European citizens, for everyday mobility, small logistics and leisure.”