As the second month of spring rolls around, New Zealand’s roads are filling with fresh-painted machines. To understand which two-wheelers are truly resonating with Kiwi riders, we examined the NZTA registration database for all new registrations above 125 cc from January through September 2026. The analysis excludes used imports and re-registrations, leaving a clean picture of genuine market demand.
In total, 4,407 new motorcycles and scooters entered the streets during the nine-month window. While the figures do not equate to retail sales—dealer demos and fleet plates also appear—they provide a reliable barometer of where consumer enthusiasm is headed.
Brand standings and the CFMOTO surge
When the numbers are sorted by manufacturer, CFMOTO emerges as the clear leader with 535 registrations, representing 12.1 % of the above-125 cc segment. Close on its heels are Yamaha (498), Suzuki (477), Honda (421), Triumph (420) and Kawasaki (416). The gap between CFMOTO and Yamaha is a modest 37 plates, while Honda, Triumph and Kawasaki are separated by just five units, indicating a tightly contested market.
The bulk of CFMOTO’s success rests on a single model: the CFMOTO 450MT. With 224 registrations – roughly 42 % of the brand’s total – the 450MT has become the standout bike of the year. Its appeal lies in a blend of naked-sport ergonomics and a powerplant that sits comfortably in the 400-600 cc sweet spot, making it both approachable for newer riders and exciting for seasoned enthusiasts.
Model-by-model breakdown of the top sellers
Beyond the headline brands, the data reveals which individual models are moving the most plates. The CFMOTO 450MT tops the list with 224 new registrations, followed by the Kawasaki Ninja 500 (including SE trim) at 118, and the KTM 390 Adventure R with 90. The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 registers 87, while the Yamaha Ténéré 700 and Triumph Speed 400 each record 75.
Some manufacturers bundle several variants under a single entry in the NZTA database. For example, KTM’s “390” family actually comprises six distinct bikes, but the Adventure R alone accounts for the majority of those registrations. Similarly, Suzuki’s “GSX250” tally splits into 71 faired GSX250F models and 48 naked GSX250s. Such housekeeping confirms that the 450MT’s lead is not an artifact of aggregated data—it genuinely outpaces the combined Ninja 500 registrations by 106 units.
Capacity bands: why middleweights dominate
The most popular engine-size range is the 401-600 cc bucket, delivering 988 registrations (22.4 % of the total). The 251-400 cc segment follows closely with 906 plates, and the 601-750 cc band contributes 784 registrations. Together, motorcycles between 251 cc and 750 cc make up 2,678 registrations, or 60.8 % of the above-125 cc market.
Despite the focus on midsize machines, larger displacement bikes still command attention. Models over 750 cc generated 1,319 registrations (29.9 % of the total), including 684 in the 751-1000 cc window and 635 above 1000 cc. The presence of 245 Harley-Davidson registrations underscores that heavyweight machines retain a devoted niche.
Affordability, lower running costs, and a wealth of modern electronics—colour TFT displays, traction control, selectable riding modes and quick-shifters—explain why the middle-weight class is flourishing. Riders can now enjoy features once reserved for high-end sportbikes without breaking the bank.
Electric motorcycles: the emerging contender list
While internal-combustion bikes continue to dominate registrations, the electric segment is gaining visibility. Industry reviews for 2026 highlight ten models that blend range, performance and price, positioning them as viable alternatives for both city commuters and long-distance touring.
Zero SR/F earns the “best The Verge TS Pro pushes technological boundaries with a hub-less rear wheel and aggressive torque, appealing to early adopters. For touring, the Energica Experia supplies generous battery capacity and fast-charging capability, while the LiveWire ONE provides premium road manners at a slightly lower price point.
Urban riders may gravitate toward the LiveWire S2 Del Mar or the more accessible Can-Am Pulse both delivering sub-four-second 0-60 mph times and practical city ranges. The Ryvid Anthem solves the charging-in-apartment problem with a removable battery, and the budget-friendly Ryvid Surron Ultra Bee and Stark VARG cater to off-road enthusiasts.
Even though electric motorcycles do not yet appear in the NZTA registration tally (many are still pending homologation), their growing media presence suggests they will soon influence the market dynamics, especially as charging infrastructure expands across New Zealand.
Riders seeking a blend of performance, modern tech, and manageable displacement are steering the market, and the next few years will likely see those preferences reflected in both registration data and showroom floors.
