April 2025.
We recently received a condensed sales breakdown for new motorcycle sales in the first quarter of 2025 by the AMID (Association of Motorcycle Importers And Distributors) and the news is mostly good.
Compared to last year this time, overall sales are up a pretty substantial 39.5 percent. And the report breaks it down a bit and that’s where things get interesting…
Commercial motorcycles are where the bulk of South Africas motorcycle sales are. They represent more than seventy percent of all new bikes sold. The rest is split between all other players.
So far this year, commercial bike sales are up 44 percent year on year – and you can see evidence of this in just about every street.
Interestingly, scooter sales are down 7 percent and we suspect that that might be because the delivery riders prefer geared models.
Small capacity bikes are a really attractive option both in terms of price andlow running costs.
Good news is that the leisure market which encompasses street and adventure motorcycles is up 15 and a half percent year on year! Cool huh!
Interestingly – and also understandably, most of that growth is in the sub 500cc capacity – as prices creep up people are looking for more affordable machines – and there are some very cool bikes at prices that make a lot of sense in the smaller capacity category.
AMID notes growth in the larger capacity segment thanks to new model introductions as well as well designed deals and finance options.
Dirtbikes have seen a very slight decrease, while ATV’s and Side By Sides are seeing growth.
Our dirtbike market is slightly down so far (one and half percent) but Quads and Side By Sides have seen an improved 36 percent in sales for 2025 so far, mostly utility machines.
Used motorcycle sales statistics are only available up to February 2025 YTD, which is down 3,7% on the corresponding period for 2024.
Electric bikes are fast becoming a thing, especially in the commercial market…
Electric is a thing:
We quote: “Electric 2 and 3 wheeled motorcycles continue to grow almost exponentially, with 1st quarter growth 2025 sitting at 177%. Further analysis of sales activity show that this is almost entirely commercial with the bulk being 2 wheeled motorcycles with very few entrants in this market, so we expect more activity as time goes on.”
Whilst AMID does not supply the actual numbers of bikes sold, it’s all looking rather peachy right now.
Keep up the good work chaps – you need a motorcycle in your life!
