European new motorcycle registrations are down in 2025
Motorcycle and moped registrations fall across Europe in early 2025, with Spain the only major market showing growth.
Motorcycle registrations in five of Europe’s biggest markets have dropped by over 11 per cent in the first half of 2025. That is according to new figures released by the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM).
Between January and June, a total of 542,361 new motorcycles were registered in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. That marks a significant decline compared to the same period in 2024, when 611,145 units were registered. The bike loving nation of Spain is the only market on the rise, with new registrations reaching 111,363 units, an increase of 5 per cent year-on-year.
Elsewhere, the numbers have headed in the opposite direction. Italy remains the largest motorcycle market in Europe with 195,025 units, but that still reflects a 4.2 per cent drop compared to 2024. France saw registrations fall to 98,499 units, down 14.8 per cent, while the UK recorded a sharper decline of 19.8 per cent with just 47,464 motorcycles registered.
Germany posted the most significant contraction among the group. Only 90,010 new motorcycles were registered there in the first six months of the year, representing a steep 29 per cent drop from the previous year.
It was a similar story in the moped segment. Registrations across six key European markets — Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain — fell by 19.2 per cent year-on-year, down from 84,974 units in 2024 to 68,690 units so far in 2025.
Every moped market monitored by ACEM saw a year-on-year decline. Spain fared best with just a 2 per cent drop (5,628 units), followed by Germany (8,333 units, down 5.9 per cent), Belgium (13,304 units, down 9.7 per cent), and the Netherlands (13,199 units, down 17.4 per cent). France reported 21,607 moped registrations, a 27.7 percent drop, while Italy saw the sharpest decline with a 32.4 percent fall to 6,619 units.
Motorcycle industry reaction: Euro5+ transition driving a market shift
Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General, acknowledged the slowdown, attributing it to the expected adjustment following the Euro 5+ transition.
“The first half of 2025 confirms the market adjustment expected after the transition to the Euro5+, with a decline in overall registration volumes across several key European markets,” said Perlot.
“Despite this short-term downturn, motorcycles remain a popular choice for individual mobility in many parts of Europe.”
Perlot stressed the importance of recognising motorcycles, mopeds and other L-category vehicles as a core part of future transport strategies.
“As the transport landscape undergoes a profound transformation, it is essential that L-category vehicles are fully recognised and supported as an integral part of the future mobility mix. These vehicles offer flexible, efficient and sustainable solutions to meet diverse mobility needs,” he said.
“European decision-makers must continue to support the sector’s competitiveness by integrating L-category vehicles into future transport policies and long-term citizens’ strategies.”
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
