Kids bikes and trail bikes fuel sales boost in first half of 2026

Australia's motorcycle market has continued its recovery in 2026, with strong demand for kids' bikes and trail motorcycles helping lift overall sales by 8.2 per cent during the first six months of the year.

According to figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), 46,023 motorcycles were sold between January and June 2026, up from 42,549 during the same period in 2025.

The biggest gains came in the off-road segment, which the FCAI said was the primary driver behind the market's overall growth.

Sales of kids' motorcycles increased by 32 per cent year-on-year, while trail bike sales more than doubled, rising 131 per cent compared with the first half of last year.

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber said the off-road market had gathered momentum over recent months.

"The strongest growth has come from the off-road segment, which has continued to improve over recent months and is now driving the overall market result," Weber said.

Outside the off-road category, the market was comparatively steady.

Road motorcycle sales remained broadly in line with last year's figures, while off-highway vehicle (OHV) sales were effectively unchanged. A total of 6,764 OHVs were sold during the first half of 2026, compared with 6,760 over the same period in 2025.

Scooters were the only major segment to record a decline, with sales falling 2.7 per cent.

"While off-road motorcycles were the standout performer, the broader market remains stable, with road motorcycles and OHVs tracking close to last year's levels," Weber said.

The latest figures suggest recreational riding continues to underpin Australia's motorcycle market, with growing demand for entry-level kids' models and trail bikes offsetting softer performance in other segments. Whether the off-road boom continues into the second half of the year remains to be seen, particularly as road bike sales have yet to show the same level of growth.