Top Selling Motorbikes in NZ

There are no official figures for motorbike sales in New Zealand. Instead, we have to rely on the number of bikes that are registered for road use.

This figure doesn’t include motorbikes intended solely for off-road use, but it still provides a pretty accurate register of the country’s top models and brands.

Here are last year’s top-ten bikes by number of registrations:

Top three motorbikes

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

CFMOTO 450MT

CFMoto describes its 450MT as an adventure motorbike that delivers a smooth ride on- and off-road. Not just popular in NZ, the bike is a top seller internationally, earning great reviews for its rideability and value. Price: from $9990.

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450

The Himalayan 450 is another adventure bike, one that delivers power and controllability in a package that’s suitable for experienced riders and beginners. The all-new Himalayan is a redesign of Royal Enfield’s original model, released a decade ago, and features a new 452cc liquid-cooled engine and improved suspension and brakes. Price: from $9190.

Triumph Scrambler 400X

Triumph’s Scrambler 400X, as its name suggests, delivers more off-road capability than its roadster brother, the Speed 400. Perfect for new riders, the Scrambler 400X features a great specs list and a wide choice of accessories. Price: from $8995.

Top motorbike brands

Although the top three best-selling bikes come from brands headquartered in China, India and the UK, respectively, overall, brands from the Land of the Rising Sun are most popular in Aotearoa:

Top-selling electric motorbikes

Major bike manufacturers haven’t embraced electric power, and those electric motorcycles that are available come with lower speeds and range than ICE models, plus far heftier price tags.

However, that’s not to say that electric motorbikes are absent from the market. And some smaller, niche brands have achieved quite a few new registrations last year, notably homegrown brands UBCO and FTN Motion. Although, regrettably, UBCO is now in liquidation.

Top 3 electric motorbikes

UBCO 2×2

Kiwi brand UBCO was the country’s most popular electric motorbike over 2024, so let’s hope the brand can be saved. The 2×2 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.

• Power: 2 x 1kW motors
• Price: from around $7100

FTN Motion Streetdog

FTN Motion is another homegrown Kiwi brand. Its Streetdog bikes play on the styling of classic cafe racers to deliver an electric ride that will propel you around the urban landscape in style. The original Streetdog50 has a top speed of 50km, and a 80-100km range, while the new Streetdog80 has a top speed of 80km, and a 60-80km range.

• Power: 5kW/7.5kW
• Prices: from $11,400

Lima M9

The Lima M9 has a top speed of 45km/h and a range of up to 80km, depending on usage. It has hydraulic suspension and loads of underseat storage.

• Power: 1.5kW
• Price: $2800

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

Bruce Pitchers is Canstar NZ’s Content Manager. An experienced finance reporter, he has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in Australia, the UK and NZ, including ACP, Are Media, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. As a freelancer, he has worked for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority and major banks and investment companies on both sides of the Tasman.
In his role at Canstar, he has been a regular commentator in the NZ media, including on the Driven, Stuff and One Roof websites, the NZ Herald, Radio NZ, and Newstalk ZB.
Away from Canstar, Bruce creates puzzles for magazines and newspapers, including Woman’s Day and New Idea. He is also the co-author of the murder-mystery puzzle book 5 Minute Murder.