Official ACEM end of year registrations figures show that it was not only the UK that enjoyed (or suffered) a bumper end to 2024. The four other major European motorcycle markets also saw huge boosts in December, due to the rush to pre-register machines before January’s 2025 deadline for Euro 5+ emissions regulations.
While France, Spain and Italy saw December gains in line with UK figures, German dealers really went to town, registering an astonishing 27,000-plus extra bikes. Along with a spate of early pre-registering that took place in November, it means German dealships could be sitting on a mountain of more than 30,000 zero-mile “used” motorcycles. This is despite, according to the German motorcycle press, a flurry of discount deals being offered to customers throughout Q3 in an attempt to shift overstocked bikes, including many KTMs, Husqvarnas and GasGases.
Antonio Perlot, ACEM secretary general, commented: “The strong growth in motorcycle registrations across Europe’s largest markets in 2024 demonstrates the increasing appeal of motorcycling for mobility and leisure.
“However, it should be acknowledged that a consistent part of this growth is also linked to stock registrations ahead of the new Euro 5+ emissions standard – a market correction is therefore to be expected in the first half of 2025.”