Traxio: ‘More new and fewer used motorcycle registrations’

Registrations of new motorcycles continued to rise during the first nine months of 2024 to 22,694 units (+2,7%) – despite the wet weather. Compared to the first nine months of 2022, the increase is even +7.4%. In concrete terms, this means that almost 1,600 more new motorcycles have been registered this year than two years ago.

The second-hand market performed +4.6% better than last year in the first nine months, with 49,502 units. However, compared to 2022, the market has fallen -22.4%. This means that more than 14,000 motorcycles have disappeared abroad or have been resold to buyers for export to avoid the mandatory second-hand motorcycle inspection in Belgium.

Bad news

Filip Rylant, spokesperson for mobility federation Traxio: “Of course, this is bad news for the motorcycle dealer (less maintenance, repairs, and parts) and the consumer (less choice of affordable used vehicles).”

Adding up new and second-hand registrations for the first nine months of the year, we see that 2024, with 72,196 units, is doing 6,770 units better than last year but still 12,639 units behind 2022. Flanders is growing by +5.2% and remains the largest region, with 60.0% of total new motorcycle sales. Wallonia accounts for 34.9% and Brussels 5.1%.

Flanders ahead

Flanders is also the largest second-hand market until September 2024 (60.0% cumulative), with Wallonia at 33.1% and Brussels at 6.9%. It is striking that the larger engine sizes generally perform better than the lightest classes.

In West Flanders (+15.4%), Luxembourg (+10.0%), and Flemish Brabant (+8.6%), we see strong growth. Antwerp remains at the top, with 3,289 units, ahead of East Flanders with 2,836 units. In Wallonia, Hainaut narrowly retains first place (2,639) ahead of Liège (2,602).

Brands

Yamaha (+18.4%), Kawasaki (+11.1 %), and Honda (+6.9%) are doing well in the new motorcycle market; big losers are KTM (-19.4%) and Piaggio (-10.2%).

BMW is making substantial progress with parallel twins and boxers (older GS models released on the second-hand market). KTM is also rising sharply with larger engine capacities, just like Ducati. Suzuki is losing ground almost everywhere except for the 125 cc, while the other Japanese brands are gaining a little everywhere.

Sales of electric motorcycles remain at a low level.

Speed pedelecs

“Over the first nine months of this year, registrations of new speed pedelecs are declining in favor of second-hand units,” explains Filip Rylant. Between January and September, 10,189 new units were registered (-17.9% compared to 2023, and -24.4% compared to 2022) compared to 6,277 second-hand units (+17.4% compared to 2023, and +39,3% compared to 2022). Of the 16,466 speed pedelecs registered, 6,277 are second-hand, and 10,189 are new.

The figures per province show the same trend: a general decline for new speed pedelecs and a strong growth for second-hand high-speed bikes in all regions. However, figures show that speed pedelecs are considered a sustainable means of mobility that is becoming increasingly accessible for many users.

In 2023, second-hand speed pedelecs still accounted for 29.1% of the market, while new ones accounted for 70.1%. In 2024, second-hand will increase to 38.1% compared to 61.9% for new.

Circular product

About half (49.2%) of the new registrations come from leasing, 36.3% from private individuals, and 14.4% from business customers. Private individuals dominate the second-hand market, with a market share of 93.0%, followed by companies with 5.6%, and leasing with only 1.4%.

Lease bicycles come onto the market after a few years as affordable second-hand bicycles, which offers perspective for those looking for a fast but affordable alternative.

Speed pedelecs are a predominantly Flemish phenomenon. Flanders accounts for 94.4% (new, 9,623 units out of 10,189) and 90.9% (used, 5,705 units out of 6,277) of the market, respectively.