Honda’s Africa Twin is within roughly 20 registrations of the BMW R 1300 GS in Italy’s motorcycle ranking for 2026. With the year entering its final months, the result of a close contest could give Honda a particularly symbolic achievement in one of Europe’s most important two-wheeler markets.

Honda already holds a leading position in Italy’s scooter market, where the SH family—covering the 125, 150, 350 and SH Mode—has a strong presence in the individual model rankings. The company has also led the motorcycle sector by market share for several years, supported by a broad range tailored to Italian buying habits. That range includes established adventure models as well as less predictable successes such as the GB 350.

The Africa Twin has now put Honda in contention for the outright motorcycle-registration lead. A win would be notable not only because of the model’s popularity, but also because the Africa Twin is considered to be near the end of its current product cycle. A major update is expected from 2027 onward, although the timing and form of that renewal are not confirmed here.

BMW remains the immediate obstacle. The R 1300 GS is traditionally a regular presence near the top of Italy’s best-selling motorcycle rankings, and it had recovered first place in the year-to-date standings by September, moving ahead of the Africa Twin. The two models were nevertheless separated by only around 20 registered units, leaving the final position open as the remaining registrations are added.

September’s Italian market results

Italy’s powered two-wheeler market recorded 33,061 registrations in September 2026, an increase of 7.86%. Scooters led the expansion, rising 11.21% to 20,381 units. Motorcycles also returned to growth after two consecutive declining months, although at a more restrained rate: registrations increased 1.64% to 11,175. Mopeds advanced by 12.99%, reaching 1,505 units.

The scooter table was headed by the Honda SH 125 with 1,384 registrations, followed by the Honda SH 150 on 830. The Piaggio Liberty 125 and Voge SR 16 each recorded 818 units. The Voge SR 450 X made its debut in the rankings with 266 registrations.

In motorcycles, the Benelli TRK 902 led September with 443 registrations. The BMW R 1300 GS followed on 305, while the Yamaha Ténéré 700 recorded 239. Those monthly results did not mirror the year-to-date order, where the BMW had moved back ahead of Honda’s Africa Twin.

Nine-month market picture

From January through September, Italy’s powered two-wheeler market reached 324,911 registrations, up 10.87% from the comparable period. Scooter registrations rose 15.11% to 192,668, while motorcycles increased 4.71% to 120,364. Mopeds also remained in positive territory, with a 10.55% rise to 11,879 units.

Electric vehicles continued to grow as well. September registrations climbed 48.04% to 1,208 units, and the year-to-date total reached 8,524 after a 24.66% increase. Against that broader market background, the Africa Twin–R 1300 GS battle will be decided by the registrations accumulated through December, a period traditionally associated with lower commercial activity.

A senior motorcycle-industry executive has also suggested that final figures could be influenced by dealer or manufacturer pre-registrations, particularly when a symbolic sales milestone is at stake. That possibility remains an indication rather than a confirmed explanation of how the ranking will finish. For Honda, however, taking the motorcycle-registration lead with the Africa Twin would turn its already strong Italian presence into one of the clearest commercial stories of the 2026 market.