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Motorcycle sales continue to grow: over 15 percent more registrations in the first half of the year

MOTORbeurs Utrecht

July 9, 2026

2 min

In the first half of 2026, 14,062 new motorcycles were registered. That represents a 15.3 percent increase compared to the same period last year, when 12,193 new motorcycles were registered. The month of June also showed a positive trend. A total of 2,622 motorcycles were registered, compared to 2,211 in June 2025 (+18.6%)

This is according to figures from the RAI Association, BOVAG, and RDC.

Motorcycles remain as popular as ever in the Netherlands. This is evident not only from sales figures but also from the growing number of motorcycle license holders. While nearly 1.5 million Dutch people held a motorcycle license at the start of 2021, that number had risen to nearly 1.6 million by the start of 2026.

Tom Crooijmans, chair of the Motorcycles Section at RAI Vereniging: “More and more Dutch people see motorcycles not only as a source of riding pleasure, but also as a smart and affordable way to travel. In addition to recreational use, more and more people are also choosing motorcycles as a practical means of transportation, for example for commuting. Motorcycles take up less space, are maneuverable, and contribute to accessibility. At the same time, we see that motorcycles are still far from being automatically included in employers’ mobility schemes. The announced introduction of the pseudo-final tax makes it easier for employers to offer employees greater freedom of choice through a mobility budget. As a result, more people will have the freedom to choose a mode of transportation that suits them, and for many, the motorcycle can be an attractive alternative.”

More motorcycles are staying in the Netherlands

In addition to rising new motorcycle sales, the used motorcycle market is stabilizing near last year’s record level. In the first half of the year, 82,407 used motorcycles were sold—slightly fewer than the 82,848 sold during the same period last year, but still the second-highest number ever recorded.

The influx of used motorcycles also remains steady. In the first half of the year, 11,808 used motorcycles were imported, compared to 11,617 in the same period last year. That is the highest number ever recorded. At the same time, motorcycle exports fell to 5,669 units, compared to 6,538 last year. This brought exports to their lowest level since the first half of 2013.

Bart Pols, chairman of BOVAG Motorized Two-Wheeler Dealers: “The growth isn’t limited to new motorcycles. We’re also seeing a lot of used motorcycles coming into the Netherlands, while fewer are being exported. Because it’s mainly older motorcycles that are being exported and relatively newer used ones that are being imported, the Dutch motorcycle fleet is getting younger. At the same time, proper maintenance remains essential, especially now that more and more people are using motorcycles not only for recreation but also as a serious alternative for daily mobility.”