Europe’s new-motorcycle market recorded a strong advance between January and September 2026. France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom together accounted for 944,129 registrations, compared with 823,653 in the same period of 2025. That puts the year-on-year increase at 14.6% across the five major markets.

Germany produced the sharpest percentage gain, with 173,947 motorcycles and growth of 24.1%. Spain followed with 221,236 registrations, up 20.9%, while Italy remained the biggest market by volume at 313,095 units, an increase of 10.9%. France recorded 151,737 motorcycles (+4.8%), and the United Kingdom reached 84,114 (+14.6%).

Moped registrations add to the positive picture

Mopeds also moved higher across the six markets covered: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. Their combined total reached 118,544 registrations in the first nine months of 2026, versus 110,811 a year earlier, representing a 7% increase. France led the category with 38,130 units (+0.3%), ahead of Belgium at 22,521 (+11.9%) and the Netherlands at 20,084 (+3.6%). Germany recorded 14,881 (+16.2%), Italy 12,613 (+14.8%), and Spain 10,315 (+8.6%).

Antonio Perlot, Secretary General of the European motorcycle manufacturers’ association, attributes the sustained progress to the continuing appeal of powered two-wheelers. In his view, motorcycles and mopeds are increasingly being treated as a practical response to rising travel costs and urban congestion, while retaining their recreational value. He also points to conventional and electric motorcycle registrations standing well above the corresponding levels recorded from 2019 onwards.

Perlot is calling for policies that recognise the contribution of L-category vehicles to European mobility and encourage the innovation behind them. EICMA in Milan is the industry’s next major showcase, where the sector is expected to present further solutions aimed at different kinds of riders.