AUSTRALIAN motorcycle and off-highway vehicle (OHV) sales experienced a modest decline during the first quarter of 2025, according to data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).

It reported that 19,206 units were sold between January and March 2025, which is a 3.5 per cent decrease compared to the same period in 2024. 

The biggest loser in the figures is the scooter segment, down 8.5 per cent compared with the same period in 2024. 

Overall, Yamaha was the top-selling brand during the quarter, followed by Honda, Kawasaki and KTM.

However, Australia has makes and models that do not supply sales figures to the FCAI and it is believed that the true motorcycle sales figure is closer to 25,000 for the quarter, according to motorcycle publication MCNews.com.

Sales by segment according to the FCAI are:  

• Road motorcycles: 8073 units (down 1.8 per cent) 
• Off-road motorcycles: 6897 units (down 5.0 per cent) 
• Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs): 2909 units (down 2.3 per cent) 
• Scooters: 1327 units (down 8.5 per cent) 

FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said the result reflects the ongoing challenges faced by both consumers and the broader economy.

“Motorcycles are often a discretionary purchase, and in the current environment of high living costs and interest rates, many Australians are understandably more cautious with their spending,” Mr Weber said.

The scooter segment, which had seen recent growth driven by urban mobility trends, recorded the sharpest fall, down 8.5 per cent compared with 2024.

Tony Weber

“While there is a slight softening across all categories in the wake of current economic conditions, we expect to see enthusiasm among Australian riders to return as conditions stabilise and maybe ease,” Mr Weber said. 

MCNews.com reported that unlike New Zealand, some motorcycle brands are not represented in the Australian official audit sales figures.

“Brands under the Urban Moto Imports group such as Royal Enfield, Benelli, MV Agusta, Segway and Rieju are not included in the FCAI audit,” MCNews said.

“Likewise, the likes of CFMOTO, Kymco, Sherco and Landboss that come under the stewardship of Mojo Motorcycles, are not included in the sales figures as these companies are not members of the FCAI.

“Their reluctance to release their figures to the audit body and be part of the FCAI seems to be the catalyst for the FCAI brands now releasing only very limited data, seemingly to not reveal any market intelligence to the brands not aligned with the FCAI.

“With the quoted 19,206 total sales in the Australian market from the FCAI figures during the first quarter of 2025 not including sales from those brands, the real figure is quite likely closer to 25,000 units.”