South Africa’s motorcycle market is heading towards its strongest year in nearly two decades, with smaller, more affordable motorcycles leading the charge.
New motorcycle sales for the first nine months of 2026 were 13.5% ahead of the corresponding period in 2025, according to figures released by the Association of Motorcycle Importers and Distributors.
If the current momentum continues, annual sales could exceed 46,000 units. That would make 2026 the strongest year for South African motorcycle sales since 2008.
The growth is not being driven primarily by expensive superbikes or premium adventure motorcycles. Instead, South African buyers are increasingly choosing smaller-capacity motorcycles offering lower purchase prices, manageable running costs and enough performance for commuting and weekend riding.
The leisure market has grown by an impressive 42%, with motorcycles below 500 cc recording a 43% increase. Youth motorcycles and quad bikes are up 39%, motorcycles above 500 cc have grown by 16%, and off-road motorcycle sales are 6% higher.
South Africa could exceed 46,000 motorcycles in 2026
South Africa recorded 43,144 new motorcycle sales during 2025, which was already the market’s best result since 2014. The latest projections suggest the industry could add approximately 3,000 units to that total in 2026.
AMID National Director Arnold Olivier says the market recovered strongly during the second and third quarters after a relatively slow beginning to the year.
Reaching 46,000 units would not return South Africa to the considerably larger volumes recorded during motorcycling’s strongest periods, but it would represent an important milestone. It would also show that recent growth has developed into something more substantial than a temporary post-pandemic increase.
Used-motorcycle sales, by comparison, increased by a modest 1.1% year to date. That indicates that much of the present momentum is coming directly from new motorcycles entering the market.
Smaller motorcycles are driving the growth
The strongest figure in the latest market report is the 43% increase in sub-500 cc leisure motorcycle sales.
That result continues a trend which became clear during 2025, when smaller leisure motorcycles overtook the over-500 cc category in unit sales for the first time in several years.
The shift does not mean South Africans have lost interest in larger motorcycles. Sales above 500 cc are still up by a healthy 16%. Instead, the market is becoming broader.
Motorcycles such as the BMW G 310 GS, KTM 390 range, Honda NX500, Kawasaki Ninja 500, CFMOTO 450MT and Kove 450 Rally demonstrate that riders do not need a litre-class engine to enjoy touring, adventure riding or weekend breakfast runs.
Smaller motorcycles are generally less expensive to purchase, insure, maintain and fuel. They can also be easier for inexperienced or returning riders to manage.
AMID has consistently identified affordability and value for money as central factors behind the present growth. The message from buyers appears fairly simple: South Africans still want to ride, but the product must make financial sense.
Chinese manufacturers are becoming part of the mainstream
Chinese manufacturers are helping accelerate this change by introducing increasingly sophisticated motorcycles at prices that challenge traditional Japanese and European brands.
Earlier AMID figures indicated that Chinese manufacturers already accounted for slightly more than 10% of South Africa’s premium leisure segment.
Brands including CFMOTO, Voge, QJMotor, Zontes and Kove now offer motorcycles equipped with TFT displays, riding modes, traction control, adjustable suspension and recognised components from suppliers such as Brembo, KYB and Bosch.
The motorcycles are no longer competing purely on price. They are increasingly competing on specifications, styling and performance.
However, price alone will not guarantee long-term success. South African buyers are becoming more selective about importer support, parts availability, warranty administration and resale values.
Indian manufacturers strengthen the affordable end
Chinese brands are not the only manufacturers benefiting from the move towards affordability.
Indian manufacturers such as Bajaj and TVS are targeting commuter, delivery and smaller-capacity leisure segments where purchase price and operating costs are particularly important.
TVS returned to South Africa during 2026 with motorcycles priced from below R20,000. Its range stretches from commercial workhorses such as the HLX and Trak 150 to the Raider 125 commuter and Apache leisure models.
These products give dealerships an opportunity to reach customers who might previously have considered only a used motorcycle—or no motorcycle at all.
Commercial motorcycles and electric bikes continue growing
South Africa’s commercial motorcycle market has increased by 10.2%.
Petrol-powered motorcycles and scooters remain dominant, with internal-combustion models growing by 8% and accounting for approximately 85% of commercial-sector volume.
Electric motorcycle sales rose by 35%, although that increase comes from a comparatively small base. The introduction of more conventional electric motorcycles during the third quarter is important, but the commercial electric market remains closely tied to battery-swapping infrastructure.
What the growth means for dealerships
A growing market creates opportunities, but it also increases competition.
Dealerships can no longer depend entirely on selling a relatively small number of expensive motorcycles to established enthusiasts. Much of the new growth is coming from first-time buyers, younger riders, commuters and customers moving into smaller leisure motorcycles.
Those riders may need more guidance with finance, insurance, protective equipment, servicing and rider training. A customer entering the market on a 200 cc or 400 cc motorcycle could become a future buyer of a larger adventure bike, tourer or superbike.
Businesses must also manage the risks associated with carrying a rapidly expanding number of brands. Parts support, technician training and reliable distributor backing will matter as much as the initial selling price.
Torque & Throttle Take
South Africa’s 13.5% sales increase is good news, but the composition of that growth is more important than the headline number.
The 42% increase in leisure motorcycles and 43% growth below 500 cc show that motorcycling is becoming accessible to a broader group of buyers.
Affordable Chinese and Indian motorcycles are placing pressure on traditional manufacturers, expanding consumer choice and forcing the entire industry to reconsider what represents value.
If sales exceed 46,000 units, 2026 will become South Africa’s strongest motorcycle year since 2008.
The bigger opportunity is what happens next: converting this wave of affordable motorcycle sales into a larger, younger and more sustainable riding community.
Sources: Association of Motorcycle Importers and Distributors; Business Day; TVS Motor South Africa.
