Top Selling Motorbikes in NZ

When measuring the most popular motorbikes in New Zealand, there are no official sales figures. Instead, we have to rely on the bikes that are registered for use on our roads.

However, while they don’t include motorbikes intended solely for off-road use, the numbers still provide a pretty accurate register of the country’s top models and brands.

Here are this year’s top selling bikes, and the overall figures from 2023:

Top-10 Motorbike Models in NZ 2024

Top-10 Motorbike Models in NZ 2023

Top-3 Motorbikes

Here’s an overview of the top three bikes sold in NZ last year:

Honda CT 125

Based on the classic CT110 Postie Bike, the Honda CT125 is a 125cc four-stroke bike that is comfortable on and off the blacktop. The bike comes in two models: Trail and Farm – the farm kit adds off road tyres, farm gearing, front carry rack and handlebar protection. Prices start from around $6500.

Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650

The Super Meteor 650 is a cruiser built around Royal Enfield’s 650 twin-cylinder engine that combines easy controls with relaxed rider ergonomics and great highway stability. Prices start from around $12,500.

Suzuki DS250 V-Strom SX

Suzuki’s DS250 V-Strom SX features a 249cc, four-stroke engine. Easy to ride for both beginners and experienced riders alike, the bike is great both on and off road. Prices start from around $7000.

Top Motorbike Brands in NZ

Just as Japanese models dominate our bike Top 10, brands from the Land of the Rising Sun are also the most popular in Aotearoa on our list of the top brands of 2023. American icon Harley Davidson sits in the middle of the pack, above Austrian manufacturer KTM and UK brand Triumph.

Note that this is a Top 11, because we couldn’t bring ourselves to leave off the Indian motorcycle brand, which sits just out of the Top 10 in terms of total 2023 registrations.

Top-selling Electric Motorbikes

Hybrid and electric cars now make up a third of all new cars on our roads. However, electric motorbikes are yet to prove as popular. But while the big motorcycle brands are notably absent from the market, some smaller, niche brands have achieved quite a few new registrations over the past year, notably homegrown brands UBCO and FTN Motion.

2023’s Top-3 Electric Motorbikes

UBCO 2×2

Kiwi brand UBCO stands out above the competition as the country’s most popular electric motorbike. It delivers a top speed of 50kph and a range of up to 120km. The motorbike features all-wheel drive with two motors, and can carry up to 150kg. UBCO’s full range features a number of special bike fit-outs, including accessories for farming and hunting. Prices start from around $7600.

FTN Motion Streetdog

FTN Motion is another homegrown brand, and its Streetdog plays on the styling of classic cafe racers to deliver an electric ride to propel you around the urban landscape in style. The Streetdog has a top speed of 50km, and a 80km range, plus it has 30l of secure storage. Priced at $12,000.

Mangosteen M1

The M1 boasts some distinctive styling, and describes itself as more an electric scooter than an electric motorbike. This is reflected in its more limited range, just 40km on a single charge, although it has a top speed of 55km/h and a load capacity of 200kg. It’s available in both road and off-road models, with the street-legal M1’s price coming in around $2300.

For the full rundown of the top-selling electric motorbikes in NZ, check out our story Electric Motorbikes: What’s Available in New Zealand?

About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar’s Editor, Bruce Pitchers. Bruce has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in the UK and Australasia, including ACP, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. Prior to Canstar, he worked as a freelancer, including for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority, and for real estate companies on both sides of the Tasman.