According to Dealer News 25, motorcycle sales across Europe’s five largest markets, France, Spain, Italy, Germany and the UK have made a strong comeback in Q1 compared with the same period in 2025.

Between January and March 2025, 202,185 internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycles and 4,941 electric motorcycles were sold, bringing total new registrations to 207,126.

Fast forward to Q1 2026, and registrations have climbed to 250,762, made up of 244,848 ICE motorcycles and 5,914 electric motorcycles. This represents an increase of more than 43,600 registrations year-on-year, with total market growth of 21.1% compared with Q1 2025.

The recovery brings motorcycle sales back in line with the stronger registration levels seen in 2023 and 2024, highlighting continued demand and renewed confidence within the market.

However, these figures raise an important question: what is holding back electric motorcycles?

Electric motorcycle adoption continues to lag significantly behind the wider automotive market. In Q1 2026, electric motorcycles accounted for just 2.3% of new registrations, compared with electric vehicles representing almost 25% of new car registrations by the end of June 2026.

So, why has the transition been so slow?

The obvious answer is that, although electric motorcycle technology continues to improve, many riders still feel that it has not reached the point where it can fully replace traditional motorcycles.

Range remains a concern, with many electric motorcycles offering significantly less distance between charges than their ICE equivalents. Charging times can also create challenges, particularly for riders who enjoy longer journeys, while performance figures often struggle to compete with similarly priced petrol-powered alternatives. All while being more expensive to buy upfront, yes the running costs are lower but you will have to do a lot of electric miles in order to bridge the gap.

However, another possibility is that the challenge is less about the technology itself and more about the experience.

This is a much harder problem to solve.

Unlike cars, motorcycles are rarely purchased purely as a method of transport. For many riders, they are a leisure vehicle built around enjoyment, emotion and connection. The character of a motorcycle often comes from the feeling of the engine, the sound of the exhaust, the process of changing gears and the sense of freedom that comes with riding.

Electric motorcycles offer many benefits, including instant torque, lower running costs and a quieter riding experience. However, those same characteristics can also remove some of the traditional elements that enthusiasts have grown to love.

For many riders, motorcycling is about much more than efficiency. It is about the journey itself. It is about the feeling, the excitement and, ultimately, having fun.

Adding more power or increasing range can solve some practical challenges, but recreating the emotional connection riders have with traditional motorcycles is a far greater challenge.

As the industry continues to evolve, manufacturers will need to find ways to combine the benefits of electrification with the passion and excitement that have made motorcycling popular for generations.

However, the challenge may not only be about the riding experience. It is also about confidence in ownership.

Many riders are familiar with extended warranty protection for ICE motorcycles, but awareness of protection options for electric motorcycles is still developing.

As battery technology, electric drivetrains and charging infrastructure continue to improve, helping riders understand how they can protect and maintain these newer vehicles will become increasingly important.

The future of motorcycling may be electric, but for adoption to accelerate, riders need confidence that they can enjoy the experience without worrying about unexpected ownership costs.

Manufacturers will also need to create electric motorcycles that deliver more than just efficiency. They will need to deliver excitement, character and the thrill that riders have always associated with two wheels.

Because whether powered by petrol or electricity, the reason people ride has always been the same: they love the experience.