This is what RAI Vereniging and BOVAG are observing in the run-up to the 40th edition of MOTORbeurs Utrecht, from February 19 to 22 in Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs.
The increasing popularity of motorcycling is also reflected in other figures. For example, the motorcycle fleet grew along with it: from 828,456 (December 2024) to 848,214 (December 2025), a plus of 19,758 motorcycles (+2.4 percent). The number of Dutch with a motorcycle license also continues to rise. By 2025, 20,145 were added. By the end of 2025, 1,564,091 Dutch had a motorcycle license.
Trends in the occasion market
The record sales were accompanied by clear shifts. Compared to 2020, the
share of lighter categories: engines up to and including 35 kW collectively accounted for 27.3 percent of used sales in 2025, where in 2020 the percentage was still 24.4 percent. 35 kW+ dropped from 71.3 percent to 69.6 percent. A shift toward younger people also emerged over the past 5 years, with 18- to 25-year-olds accounting for 15.6 percent of used sales, down from 12.2 percent in 2020. At the same time, the share of 46- to 55-year-olds buying a used motorcycle dropped from 21 percent to 15.5 percent.
Bart Pols, president BOVAG Gemotorized Two Wheeler Businesses: "The popularity of used motorcycles really sky high. You see many people getting back on the bike via the occasion market or just starting their motorcycle hobby. The supply is wide and diverse. The fact that used motorcycle sales are now breaking another record is a clear sign that motorcycling is still hugely popular."
The top 5 occasion brands 2025:
- Honda (28,086 used cars sold, 17.8 percent market share)
- Yamaha (26,822 used motorcycles sold, 17.0 percent market share)
- BMW (21,133 used cars sold, 13.4 percent market share)
- Suzuki (16,164 used cars sold, 10.2 percent market share)
- Kawasaki (15,860 used motorcycles sold, 10.1 percent market share)
New sales stabilize at record high
Sales of new motorcycles remained almost the same in 2025 with 19,608 registrations as in 2024 (19,819). Thus, the Netherlands deviates positively from the European trend: in the top 5 of Europe, 1,002,848 new motorcycles were registered in 2025, 36 percent less than in 2024 (1,555,640), while the Netherlands remained almost stable at a historically high level. Moreover, new sales have shown an upward trend for ten years: from 12,575 motorcycles sold in 2016 to 19,608 in 2025. 2024 was the record year with 19,819; 2025 was almost at that. Motorcycles with displacement of more than 1,000 cc still form the largest category, but within new sales a clear shift can be seen towards slightly smaller motorcycles. The share in the 650-
850 cc and 850-1,000 cc increased in recent years.
The profile of the buyer changed too. The share of 18- to 25-year-olds grew from 6.6 percent (2020) to 9.9 percent (2025) and the share of over-65s from 5.7 percent to 8.9 percent. In addition, the share of women in news registrations grew from 7.5 percent (2020) to 9.7 percent (2025). A total of 87,630 new motorcycles were sold in the Netherlands during the 2021-2025 period.
Tom Crooijmans, section chairman motorcycles at RAI Association: "Last year we as an industry welcomed a growing number of new motorcyclists. This is good news, because motorcycling is more than just an experience: it is a mobility solution that allows more and more Dutch people to get from A to B in an affordable way. We still see a lot of potential for motorcycle use, especially in the area of commuting. We challenge employers to look more broadly at mobility plans: the motorcycle is part of that."
The top 5 brands in new sales 2025:
The increasing popularity of motorcycling is also reflected in other figures. For example, the motorcycle fleet grew along with it: from 828,456 (December 2024) to 848,214 (December 2025), a plus of 19,758 motorcycles (+2.4 percent). The number of Dutch with a motorcycle license also continues to rise. By 2025, 20,145 were added. By the end of 2025, 1,564,091 Dutch had a motorcycle license.
Trends in the occasion market
The record sales were accompanied by clear shifts. Compared to 2020, the
share of lighter categories: engines up to and including 35 kW collectively accounted for 27.3 percent of used sales in 2025, where in 2020 the percentage was still 24.4 percent. 35 kW+ dropped from 71.3 percent to 69.6 percent. A shift toward younger people also emerged over the past 5 years, with 18- to 25-year-olds accounting for 15.6 percent of used sales, down from 12.2 percent in 2020. At the same time, the share of 46- to 55-year-olds buying a used motorcycle dropped from 21 percent to 15.5 percent.
Bart Pols, president BOVAG Gemotorized Two Wheeler Businesses: "The popularity of used motorcycles really sky high. You see many people getting back on the bike via the occasion market or just starting their motorcycle hobby. The supply is wide and diverse. The fact that used motorcycle sales are now breaking another record is a clear sign that motorcycling is still hugely popular."
The top 5 occasion brands 2025:
1. Honda (28,086 used cars sold, 17.8 percent market share)
2. Yamaha (26,822 used cars sold, 17.0 percent market share)
3. BMW (21,133 used cars sold, 13.4 percent market share)
4. Suzuki (16,164 used cars sold, 10.2 percent market share)
5. Kawasaki (15,860 used cars sold, 10.1 percent market share)
New sales stabilize at record high
Sales of new motorcycles remained almost the same in 2025 with 19,608 registrations as in 2024 (19,819). Thus, the Netherlands deviates positively from the European trend: in the top 5 of Europe, 1,002,848 new motorcycles were registered in 2025, 36 percent less than in 2024 (1,555,640), while the Netherlands remained almost stable at a historically high level. Moreover, new sales have shown an upward trend for ten years: from 12,575 motorcycles sold in 2016 to 19,608 in 2025. 2024 was the record year with 19,819; 2025 was almost at that. Motorcycles with displacement of more than 1,000 cc still form the largest category, but within new sales a clear shift can be seen towards slightly smaller motorcycles. The share in the 650-
850 cc and 850-1,000 cc increased in recent years.
The profile of the buyer changed too. The share of 18- to 25-year-olds grew from 6.6 percent (2020) to 9.9 percent (2025) and the share of over-65s from 5.7 percent to 8.9 percent. In addition, the share of women in news registrations grew from 7.5 percent (2020) to 9.7 percent (2025). A total of 87,630 new motorcycles were sold in the Netherlands during the 2021-2025 period.
Tom Crooijmans, section chairman motorcycles at RAI Association: "Last year we as an industry welcomed a growing number of new motorcyclists. This is good news, because motorcycling is more than just an experience: it is a mobility solution that allows more and more Dutch people to get from A to B in an affordable way. We still see a lot of potential for motorcycle use, especially in the area of commuting. We challenge employers to look more broadly at mobility plans: the motorcycle is part of that."
The top 5 brands in new sales 2025:
- Kawasaki (3,165 registrations, 16.1 percent market share)
- Yamaha (2,762 registrations, 14.1 percent market share)
- BMW (2,619 registrations, 13.4 percent market share)
- Honda (2,608 registrations, 13.3 percent market share)
- Suzuki (1,131 registrations, 5.8 percent market share)
Consumer research (2025)
Previous consumer research (2025) showed that in addition to sales figures, there is also "dormant" potential among license owners without motorcycles: 34 percent were open to motorcycle rental, with 75 percent preferring to rent through a rental company (rather than through a platform). Remarkably, this does not have to be a "new" target group: of the license holders without a motorcycle, 70 percent did own a motorcycle in the past. At the same time, the doubt group is large: in addition to the 26 percent who want to buy or lease a motorcycle in the near future, 15 percent did not yet know. Among those who did consider buying or leasing, the preference was most often for a touring motorcycle (48 percent).
MOTORbeurs Utrecht 2026
On the eve of the 40th edition of MOTORbeurs Utrecht , Royal Jaarbeurs is gearing up for a completely sold-out anniversary edition, bringing together virtually all major motorcycle brands under the motto All Brands United.
MOTORbeurs Utrecht remains the starting point of the motorcycle season with new models, used, clothing, accessories and spectacular shows. Exhibition manager Rachel Jankowsky: "The energy in the industry is so palpable. A completely sold out exhibition floor with all the major brands says everything about the trust and cooperation within the motorcycle world. And how nice is it that rock band Mooi Wark recorded a new motorcycle song especially for this anniversary? That fits perfectly with the unique atmosphere of the fair: pure, uninhibited and with lots of love for everything that roars and roars. We are enormously looking forward to kicking off this party together with visitors, exhibitors and Mooi Wark."
