Australia’s motorcycle market is growing, but it’s not road bikes leading the charge.
New figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) show off-road motorcycle sales jumped 17.1% in the first nine months of 2026, outperforming road bikes, scooters and off-highway vehicles (OHVs).
They now account for the largest share of the market, with dirt bikes responsible for the vast majority of overall sales growth.
Off-road motorcycles now dominate the market
Between January and September 2026, Australians purchased 68,304 motorcycles, scooters and OHVs, an increase of 6.7% on the same period last year.
Of those, 30,845 were off-road motorcycles, representing 45.2% of the total market. That’s up from 41.2% a year earlier.
Off-road motorcycles were comfortably the largest category, outselling road motorcycles by 6,682 units.
Their 17.1% increase in sales was also well ahead of the rest of the market. Scooter sales grew 4.3%, road motorcycle sales were virtually unchanged and OHV sales fell 3.3%.
The market as a whole grew by 4,316 units, but off-road sales alone increased by 4,505 in the same period. That means off-road bikes were responsible for more than 100% of the overall growth, making up for a small drop in sales across the other categories combined.
Off-road motorcycle sales hit five-year high
The latest figures mark a significant rebound for Australia’s off-road motorcycle market, with sales reaching their highest level for the January-to-September period since 2021.
Following the pandemic-era boom, off-road sales fell from 35,120 units in the first nine months of 2021 to 26,340 over the same period in 2025.
The biggest drop came in 2022, when sales fell by almost 18% to 28,923. Demand continued to soften over the following three years, with sales slipping to their lowest point in 2025.
This year’s recovery has reversed much of that decline, with off-road sales now around 88% of their 2021 level. While the market hasn’t quite returned to its pandemic-era peak, the strong rebound suggests demand is starting to pick up again.
Recreational riding is driving the dirt bike boom
The FCAI has attributed the strong performance of fun, trail and motocross motorcycles to the continued appeal of recreational riding.
Its half-year results offer a clearer picture of where that demand is coming from. During the first six months of 2026, trail bike sales surged 131%, while kids’ motorcycle sales climbed 32%.
The figures suggest growing interest in recreational and family-oriented riding, rather than demand being limited to traditional motocross enthusiasts.
How much are Australians borrowing to buy dirt bikes?
With demand for off-road motorcycles rising, new data from Savvy offers an insight into how much Australians are borrowing to finance their purchases.
Over the past 12 months, the average motorbike loan for off-road motorcycles was $14,939 according to Savvy, although the amount varied considerably between brands.
KTM topped the list with an average financed amount of $17,739, followed by Husqvarna ($15,766) and Yamaha ($15,636).
| Brand | Average amount financed |
| KTM | $17,739 |
| Husqvarna | $15,766 |
| Yamaha | $15,636 |
| Suzuki | $12,946 |
| Honda | $11,570 |
| Kawasaki | $11,045 |
| Other brands | $16,371 |
Source: Savvy finance data, [June 2025 – June 2026]
While dirt bikes are available at a range of price points, Savvy’s data suggests many buyers are prepared to spend more to get the bike they want.
Even at the lower end of the scale, average loan amounts exceed $11,000, suggesting riders are willing to make a substantial investment in their bikes.
Whether riders are buying their first trail bike or upgrading to something more powerful, the latest figures show there’s plenty of demand for getting off the beaten track.
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