It’s time once again for our quarterly look at Australia’s most-searched motorcycle brands and models. This Q1 2025 report tracks search volume share across key categories, offering insight into which manufacturers and machines are capturing the attention of Australian riders as we head into the new year.
From enduring favourites and learner-approved bikes to discontinued classics and the ever-competitive road and off-road segments, the first quarter of 2025 revealed steady movement across the board—and a few surprising shakeups. Read on for our category-by-category breakdown of who’s up, who’s down, and what’s changing in the Australian motorcycle landscape.
A Note on Methodology
This quarter, our research included 36 brands, 4.3k models, 24k search terms, and more than 5.8m searches across the quarter. These searches were divided across 20 categories, which you can explore by downloading the full report below. For this article, we focused on seven categories: All Brands, All Models, LAMS, ATV/UTV, Discontinued, Dirt Bikes, and Road Bikes.
As always, our approach to searches included the following terms:
Brand terms: If the brand is a motorcycle brand only, just the brand name was required (e.g. Harley). If it is not, the search needed to include a qualifier, for example, Suzuki Motorcycles or Suzuki V Strom.
Model terms
Dealer terms (if the dealer name contains the OEM brand)
Brand + model
Brand/model + location
Brand/model + dealer
Brand/model + category/subcategory (e.g. ‘Suzuki dirt bikes’)
Brand/model + reviews
Brand/model + problems
Variations of the above
In addition, we excluded searches that made mention of the following terms: brand + part/accessory; used; rental; manual, warranty, service etc; brand + racing/results/riders etc. This quarter, we added the following new-release models to our dataset: KTM 450 SMR 2025; Yamaha YZF-R1/YZF-R1M 2025; Harley-Davidson X350 2025; 2025 CVO Road Glide ST 2025; Ducati Panigale V2 2025; Yamaha XSR900 GP 2025.
Retain Media provides this data “as is” for informational purposes only and accepts no liability for decisions made based on this reporting. Users are encouraged to use this data as one of multiple data points in their market analysis.
The Most-Searched Motorcycle Brands in Australia (Q1 2025)
Yamaha remains the most-searched motorcycle brand in Australia, holding a 17.5% search share in Q1 2025. While this marks a 2.8% relative decline from the 18.0% it recorded in Q4, Yamaha’s position at the top remains unchallenged, underscoring its enduring dominance across multiple categories.
Additionally, search success carried over to sales success for Yamaha, who were recognised by the FCAI as the top motorcycle brand in Australia in terms of total retail sales in 2024; only the third time in 22 years that Yamaha has claimed the top spot.
Kawasaki retained second place with a 14.0% share, down slightly from 14.1% in Q4 for a 0.7% relative decrease. This minor drop brings Kawasaki back to its Q2 2024 figure, reinforcing its stable presence in the Australian market.
Honda edged up from 12.4% to 12.8%, posting a 3.2% relative increase quarter-to-quarter. This marks Honda’s highest share in the past 12 months, suggesting growing interest, likely bolstered by its strong LAMS and off-road lineups.
KTM reclaimed some ground after its Q4 dip, climbing from 7.0% to 7.3%, a 4.3% relative increase that returns the brand to its Q2 high. KTM’s recovery could be attributed to continued interest in its off-road and adventure ranges.
Harley-Davidson recorded a small uptick, moving from 6.8% to 7.0%, a 2.9% relative increase. While still down from its Q2 result of 7.3%, Harley’s rebound in Q1 suggests renewed attention, possibly driven by increased interest in cruiser and heritage models.
Ducati also saw a lift, increasing from 6.8% to 6.9%, a 1.5% relative gain that brings it back in line with its Q3 performance. While modest, this rise is an encouraging sign for the start of the year, and may herald a return to its Q2 2024 high of 7.2% may reflect consistent interest in Ducati’s premium road bikes.
The Rest of the Top 20
BMW halted its downward trend, nudging up from 5.9% in Q4 to 6.0%, a 1.7% relative increase, though still below its Q2 2024 peak. Triumph held steady at 5.2%, maintaining its improved position from Q4, while Suzuki recovered slightly, rising from 4.9% to 5.0%, a 2.0% relative gain which marked a return to the figure it has held for three of the last four quarters.
CFMOTO maintained its 4.4% share quarter-to-quarter, holding onto the gains it made throughout 2024. Its continued strength suggests lasting momentum among value-conscious buyers, especially in the ATV/UTV segment.
Further down the list, Royal Enfield edged up from 1.8% to 1.9%, a 5.6% relative increase, and a minor rebound following a slip in mid-2024, potentially signalling renewed interest in its retro-styled road bikes. Husqvarna saw a more notable decline, dropping from 1.5% to 1.3%, a 13.3% relative decrease, continuing its downward trajectory.
Polaris also dipped slightly, from 1.3% to 1.2%, a 7.7% relative decrease, marking a second consecutive quarter of decline. Aprilia fell back from 1.3% to 1.2%—a 7.7% relative drop, while Vespa held firm at 1.1%, maintaining its modest yet consistent share.
At the bottom of the list, Braaap dropped from 0.7% to 0.5%, a 28.6% relative decline, erasing its Q4 gains. Moto Guzzi remained unchanged at 0.4% for the fourth consecutive quarter, underscoring its niche but stable audience.
The Most-Searched Motorcycle Models in Australia (Q1 2025)
The Yamaha YZF-R1 retains the top spot in Q1 2025, holding a 1.9% search share, down from 2.1% in Q4 2024, representing a 9.5% relative decline quarter-to-quarter. While the R1 continues to lead the field, its search share has fluctuated quarter-to-quarter over the past 12 months, suggesting a seasonality to consumer interest.
Second place goes to the Yamaha YZF-R3, which also held at 1.7%, unchanged from Q3 2024 but marking a 5.6% relative decrease from its Q4 result of 1.8%, and a 19.0% relative decrease from its Q2 2024 result. Despite this, the R3 remains a popular LAMS-approved option and one of the most-searched bikes in Australia overall.
Climbing into third place, the BMW S 1000 RR increased from 1.4% to 1.5%, a 7.1% relative gain that marks a return to its Q2 2024 high. This continued upward trend reflects renewed attention to BMW’s flagship superbike.
The Yamaha YZF-R6 fell from 1.5% to 1.4% in Q1, a 6.7% relative decline, but still enough to keep it in fourth place, further solidifying Yamaha’s dominance in the top rankings.
The biggest mover in the top five was the Suzuki Hayabusa, rising from 1.2% to 1.4%—a 16.7% relative increase, and its highest share in the past year. This suggests a resurgence in consumer interest for the iconic hyperbike.
However, the biggest loser in the top 10 is undeniably the Kawasaki Ninja 400, which saw its search share slip from 1.5% to 1.3% quarter-to-quarter, and from 1.7% back in Q2 and Q3 2024. These figures represent a relative decline of 13.3% quarter-to-quarter, and 23.5% over the past 12 months.
The Rest of the Top 20
The BMW R 1100 S edged up from 1.2% to 1.3%, an 8.3% relative increase, while the Honda Grom and Kawasaki Ninja H2R both held steady at 1.2%. These results reflect consistent interest in both retro-modern and ultra-performance extremes of the market.
The Honda CBR650R climbed from 1.0% to 1.1%, a 10% relative increase, continuing its gradual ascent in search share.
Meanwhile, the Yamaha PW50 also posted a notable gain, rising from 0.9% to 1.0%—an 11.1% relative increase, reaffirming its longstanding appeal as a go-to option for first-time riders.
The Ducati Panigale V4 held steady at 1.0%, maintaining the momentum it gained from its Q4 jump. The Honda GoldWing also increased from 0.7% to 0.9%, a 28.6% relative increase, and one of the largest quarter-to-quarter gains in this category.
Other bikes that saw modest quarter-to-quarter growth include the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Yamaha YZ250, and Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, all inching upward to 0.8%. In contrast, the Harley V-Rod and Harley Breakout each held steady at 0.7%, maintaining their place in the back half of the top 20.
Although the Kawasaki Ninja 400 experienced a noticeable decline, the overall landscape remains tightly contested, with most of the top 20 separated by only a few tenths of a percent, underscoring how broad Australians’ tastes and search habits are.
The Most-Searched LAMS Brands in Australia (Q1 2025)
Honda extended its lead in the LAMS category with a commanding 30.3% share in Q1 2025, up from 29.1% in Q4, a 4.1% relative increase quarter-to-quarter, and a 5.5% relative increase over the past 12 months. This marks Honda’s highest share in the past year and underscores its unmatched strength in the learner-approved segment, likely driven by consistent interest in models like the CB500X and CRF300L.
Kawasaki retained second place with a 20.9% share, down from 21.2%, a 1.4% relative decline. Despite the dip, Kawasaki’s LAMS-approved lineup, including the Ninja 400, continues to perform solidly and appeal to a wide range of beginner riders.
Yamaha maintained third place but slipped from 17.1% to 16.5%, a 3.5% relative decrease, returning to its Q3 level. While still a formidable player in the category, Yamaha’s Q1 decline suggests a possible plateau in consumer interest after modest Q4 gains.
KTM experienced a drop from 4.9% to 4.6%, a 6.1% relative decline, bringing the brand below even its Q2 2024 standing. This suggests softening demand for KTM’s learner-focused models, which may be facing increased pressure from competing mid-tier brands.
Royal Enfield rebounded to 4.5% after dipping to 4.3% in Q4, a 4.7% relative increase. This marks a return to its Q2 level and reflects a renewed interest in the brand’s accessible retro-styled models, which remain popular with first-time riders.
The Rest of the Top 20
Suzuki effectively held steady, inching up from 3.8% to 3.9%, a 2.6% relative increase that returns the brand to its Q2 result. CFMOTO, on the other hand, dropped from 3.8% to 3.4%, a 10.5% relative decline, reversing the steady gains it posted in the back half of 2024. Despite this, CFMOTO has marginally improved its search share over a 12 month timespan.
Ducati gained ground, rising from 2.1% to 2.3%, a 9.5% relative increase, suggesting that even premium brands are finding a foothold in the LAMS space with options like the Monster 659. Aprilia declined from 2.4% to 2.2%, a 8.3% relative decrease, returning to its Q2 and Q3 2024 figure.
Husqvarna saw one of the sharpest drops in the top 10, falling from 2.3% to 2.0%, a 13.0% relative decline, and its lowest share in the past 12 months. Triumph and BMW both posted minor gains, climbing from 1.5% to 1.6%, a 6.7% relative increase for each. However, both brands remain down on the position they held in Q2 2024.
Among the lower-ranked brands, Kymco rose from 0.9% to 1.0%, an 11.1% relative increase, while Harley-Davidson held firm at 1.0%. Vespa also rebounded, increasing from 0.5% to 0.6%—a 20% relative gain, returning to its Q2 figure.
Can Am, Benelli, Piaggio, Braaap, and Moto Guzzi all recorded no quarter-to-quarter movement. Notably, Benelli, Piaggio and Braaap remain below their Q2 highs, while Moto Guzzi has now held a flat 0.3% for four consecutive quarters, indicating stagnant interest.
The Most-Searched ATV and UTV Models in Australia (Q1 2025)
The CFMOTO ZFORCE 950 continues to lead the ATV/UTV category with a 9.0% search share in Q1 2025, up from 8.6% in Q4, a 4.7% relative increase quarter-to-quarter. This marks the model’s fourth consecutive quarterly gain, cementing its position as Australia’s most-searched side-by-side.
In second place, the Yamaha YFZ450R dropped from 4.5% to 4.3%, a 4.4% relative decline that sees it marginally ahead over the past 12 months. Despite this, the model maintains a strong position at the top, driven by its continued popularity in the high-performance sport quad market.
The Kawasaki Mule held steady at 4.0%, reflecting stable demand for utility-focused UTVs, while the Can-Am Commander remained unchanged at 3.7%, maintaining its fourth-place position over three of the last four quarters.
The most notable shift among the top five came from the CFMOTO UFORCE 1000, which rose from 3.1% to 3.7%, a 19.4% relative increase. This is the model’s highest result to date and pushes it into the top five for the first time, driven by its reputation for delivering value in the utility segment.
The Rest of the Top 20
The Can-Am XT Max rebounded from 3.3% to 3.6%, a 9.1% relative increase, returning to its Q3 figure. Meanwhile, the Polaris Ranger saw a continued drop, sliding from 3.7% to 3.3%, a 10.8% relative decline and its lowest result in the past year.
Other Can-Am models, such as the Outlander (2.3%) and Renegade (2.3%), held steady quarter-to-quarter, while the Polaris RZR crept up from 1.9% to 2.0%, a 5.3% relative increase, recovering from its Q3 dip to end the last 12 months back where it started.
The Can-Am G2 posted a modest rise from 1.6% to 1.8%, a 12.5% relative increase, after three consecutive quarters at 1.6%. In contrast, the Yamaha Viking dropped from 1.6% to 1.3%, an 18.8% relative decrease, now at its lowest point in four quarters.
Other movers included the Polaris RZR XP 1000 Sport EPS (up from 1.3% to 1.5%, a 15.4% relative increase) and the CFMOTO ZFORCE 950 Sport (up from 1.4% to 1.5%, a 7.1% relative increase). Meanwhile, the Can-Am Defender slid from 1.6% to 1.4%, a 12.5% relative decrease, marking a continued decline since Q2 2024.
At the bottom of the top 20, the Suzuki QuadSport Z50 ticked up from 1.1% to 1.2%, a 9.1% relative increase, quietly maintaining its position among Australia’s most-viewed entry-level quads.
Overall, the Q1 2025 results highlight CFMOTO’s growing dominance in the ATV/UTV category, with the ZFORCE 950 and UFORCE 1000 both showing strong quarter-to-quarter gains. Utility-focused models continue to perform well, though established names like the Polaris Ranger and Yamaha Viking have begun to show signs of decline. Meanwhile, interest in high-performance and value-for-money offerings remains high, with multiple entries from Can-Am, Polaris, and CFMOTO jostling for position just outside the top five. This quarter reinforces a broader shift toward versatility and value in off-road vehicle searches.
The Most-Searched Discontinued Motorcycle Models in Australia (Q1 2025)
Everyone’s favourite out-of-production bike, the Honda Grom, continues to lead the discontinued category with an 11.8% search share in Q1 2025, down from 12.5% in Q4 for a 5.6% relative decline. Despite this dip, and the fact that the Grom finishes the 12 month period 0.1% down on where it started, it has now topped this category for at least four consecutive quarters, reinforcing its cult-like popularity in the used bike market.
The Harley-Davidson V-Rod rebounded to 7.0% after holding steady at 6.4% across Q3 and Q4, marking a 9.4% relative increase. This recovery suggests renewed interest in one of Harley’s most distinctive discontinued models.
The Kawasaki KLX110 rose again, climbing from 3.5% to 3.6%, a 2.9% relative increase, extending its impressive run of consistent growth since Q2 2024. The KLX110 now holds its highest position in the top 20 to date.
The Harley-Davidson Street 500 (XG500) held firm at 3.4%, showing stability across three consecutive quarters, despite being down 10.5% on its position 12 months ago. The Harley-Davidson Iron 883 also maintained its 3.2% share, reflecting consistent search volume for these learner- and cruiser-friendly favourites.
The Kawasaki Ninja 500R slipped from 3.3% to 3.1%, a 6.1% relative decline, yet remains significantly higher than the 2.0% share it held back in Q2 2024. Similarly, the Suzuki GSXR 600 increased from 2.9% to 3.1%, a 6.9% relative gain, continuing its climb since Q2.
The Rest of the Top 20
The Kawasaki Ninja 250R held steady at 2.9%, while the Harley Forty-Eight rose slightly from 2.3% to 2.5%,an 8.7% relative increase, nudging it up above its mid-2024 levels. The Suzuki Boulevard remained unchanged at 2.4%, as did the Yamaha V-Star XVS650, which held 2.3%.
Meanwhile, the Suzuki DR650 slipped from 2.2% to 2.1%, a 4.5% relative decline, its lowest result of the past four quarters. The Suzuki Boulevard M109 held steady at 1.8% across all four quarters.
The Kawasaki KX250F remained at 1.6%, its highest level in 12 months, while the Ducati Monster 659 dipped from 1.6% to 1.5%, a 6.3% relative decrease.
At the back of the top 20, the Kawasaki KX 125 increased from 1.3% to 1.4%, a 7.7% relative gain, while the Yamaha PW80, Harley Shovelhead, and Ducati Multistrada 1200 each held steady at 1.4%, 1.4%, and 1.1%, respectively.
Finally, the Kawasaki KLX250S fell back from 1.2% to 1.1%, an 8.3% relative decline, matching its result from Q3.
Overall, the category remains highly competitive, with minimal movement in search share separating models in the lower half of the top 20, indicating steady interest across a diverse range of discontinued bikes.
The Most-Searched Dirt Bike Models in Australia (Q1 2025)
The Yamaha PW50 continues to lead the dirt bike category, climbing from 4.5% in Q4 to 5.2% in Q1 2025, a 15.6% relative increase quarter-to-quarter and its highest result in the past 12 months. As one of the most popular beginner bikes on the market, its consistent growth highlights strong demand among families and first-time riders.
The Honda CRF250R followed in second place with 4.4%, up from 4.0% in Q4, a 10% relative increase that reinforces the model’s standing as a versatile and competitive all-rounder.
The Yamaha YZ250 regained ground to secure third position, rising from 3.8% to 4.0%,a 5.3% relative gain. This model continues to benefit from its reputation as a reliable two-stroke option for experienced off-road riders.
The Honda CRF150R climbed again, reaching 3.7%, a 2.8% relative increase from Q4, and a continuation of steady gains across the past three quarters. It now sits just ahead of the Yamaha WR450F, which slipped slightly from 3.5% to 3.4%, a 2.9% relative decline, though it remains one of the strongest large-capacity enduro bikes in the top 10.
The Rest of the Top 20
In sixth place, the Honda CRF110F posted one of the strongest gains of the quarter, increasing from 2.3% to 2.7%, a 17.4% relative increase, driven by its appeal as a fun, user-friendly mid-size trail bike.
The Yamaha YZ85 dropped from 2.4% to 2.2%, an 8.3% relative decrease, while the YZ250F declined more sharply, falling from 2.4% to 2.1%, a 12.5% relative decrease, its lowest result in four quarters.
The YZ450F held steady at 2.0%, alongside the Kawasaki KLX110 and Honda CRF250F, which also remained unchanged quarter-to-quarter. The Honda CRF50F, however, jumped from 1.6% to 2.0%, a 25% relative increase, marking one of the largest moves in the category.
Other notable shifts include the Yamaha TT-R125, which declined slightly from 1.7% to 1.5%, and the Honda CRF450R, which rose from 1.2% to 1.4%, a 16.7% relative increase. Meanwhile, the KTM 300 EXC dipped from 1.5% to 1.4%—a 6.7% relative decrease, returning to its Q3 level and leaving it slightly up over the past 12 months.
At the bottom of the top 20, the Kawasaki KLX140R ticked up from 1.2% to 1.3%, an 8.3% relative increase, showing modest gains over the past year.
Overall, the category remains one of the most hotly contested, with small percentage shifts resulting in significant movement among mid-ranked models.
The Most-Searched Road Bike Models in Australia (Q1 2025)
It’s a familiar story in the road bikes category, with superbikes dominating the results once more. The Yamaha YZF-R1 continues to lead the category with a 2.5% share in Q1 2025, down from 2.7% in Q4, a 7.4% relative decline quarter-to-quarter. Despite the dip, the R1 maintains a firm grip on the top spot, cementing its reputation as one of Australia’s most sought-after litre-class superbikes.
The Yamaha YZF-R3 followed in second place, falling from 2.4% to 2.2%,an 8.3% relative decrease, and one which leaves it 18.5% down on its Q2 2024 position. As one of the more accessible learner-approved sports bikes on the market, the R3’s Q1 dip may signal intensifying competition in the LAMS-friendly segment.
In third, the BMW S 1000 RR held steady at 1.9%, showing consistency across the last two quarters. This stability reinforces the model’s strong standing in the high-performance sports category.
The Yamaha YZF-R6 slipped from 2.0% to 1.8%,a 10% relative decline. Despite its discontinued status, the R6 remains highly searched, suggesting sustained interest from second-hand buyers or track-day enthusiasts.
In contrast, the Suzuki Hayabusa increased slightly from 1.7% to 1.8%, a 5.9% relative gain, matching its 12-month high and reflecting continued interest in high-powered, long-haul sport touring machines.
The Rest of the Top 20
The Kawasaki Ninja 400 posted the largest decline among the top 10, falling from 2.0% to 1.7%, a 15% relative drop, and its lowest share in a year. The BMW R 1100 S remained flat at 1.7%, while the Kawasaki Ninja H2R rose slightly from 1.5% to 1.6%.
The Honda Grom decreased slightly from 1.7% to 1.6%, a 5.9% relative drop, while the Honda CBR650R rose from 1.3% to 1.4%, a 7.7% relative increase, continuing its upward momentum from Q3.
The Yamaha MT-07 dropped from 1.5% to 1.3%, a 13.3% relative decrease, while the Ducati Panigale V4 held steady at 1.3% following its surge from 0.8% in Q2 2024.
Other stable performers included the Honda GoldWing and Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, both holding 1.1% in Q1. The ZX-6R retained its Q4 figure, while the GoldWing rebounded from a previous dip, a pattern it has exhibited over the past 12 months.
The remainder of the top 20—including the Kawasaki ZX-10R, Harley V-Rod, Harley Breakout, Triumph Rocket 3 R, Yamaha MT-09, and Triumph Bonneville T120—each recorded between 0.9% and 1.0%, with no quarter-to-quarter movement recorded for all but the Yamaha MT-09.
While no new entries disrupted the top 20, the data reflects a maturing category where established favourites continue to dominate, but subtle shifts suggest growing diversification in rider preference.
Trust Retain Media for Industry-Leading Insights
The Q1 2025 results show a market that’s holding firm at the top while continuing to shift underneath. Yamaha, Honda, and Kawasaki remain dominant across multiple categories, but there’s growing momentum from emerging segments, including value-driven ATVs and mid-tier LAMS offerings. Premium brands like BMW and Ducati are holding their own, while discontinued favourites like the Grom and V-Rod prove their staying power.
With subtle but consistent changes across nearly every category, Q1 sets the tone for what’s shaping up to be another competitive year in the Australian motorcycle market. Keep an eye on our next quarterly update for the latest shifts in brand and model interest.
In the meantime, check out our other market reports for comprehensive insights into the state of the Australian automotive industry, including the caravan market, truck market, tractor market, and marine market.
