- KTM 390 Adventure R shakes up the market: The long-awaited arrival of KTM’s small-capacity adventure bike pushed it straight to 2nd place in August 2025 sales, overtaking the popular CFMOTO 450MT.
- Small-capacity bikes dominate: Kiwi riders continue to favour 300–500cc motorcycles, which are affordable, modern, and easier to manage both on- and off-road.
- Overall market still soft: Year-to-date motorcycle sales are down 7% compared to 2024, but new model arrivals and favourable economic factors could boost registrations in the final quarter.
The motorcycle industry in New Zealand is still feeling the pinch of reduced consumer spending, with sales continuing to track lower than 2024. But there was one bright spot in August: the long-awaited arrival of KTM’s 390 Adventure R. The new model gave the market a welcome boost, proving that demand is alive and well when the right bikes finally land.
Blip or Turning Point?
KTM’s well-documented production delays have left dealers short of stock for much of the year. That changed in August, with the first shipment of 390 Adventure R models hitting local showrooms. The result? Every unit was spoken for before bikes even touched the floor, showing just how much pent-up demand there is for a small-capacity adventure machine with KTM’s pedigree.
The timing couldn’t have been better. Adventure bikes in the mid-capacity class have been hot property, with the incredibly popular CFMOTO 450MT (274 sales YTD), still smashing it in 2025 after being the biggest seller in 2024. And Royal Enfield’s Himalayan 450 (72 sales YTD), and Triumph’s Scrambler 400X (52 sales YTD) have also retained their popularity from last year, sitting 4th and 7th in the sales charts respectively.
KTM is confident the new 390 Adventure R is “the most off-road capable middleweight adventure bike in the segment,” and plenty of Kiwi riders seem willing to believe it. The bike jumped straight into second place in the August charts, overtaking the CFMOTO 450MT for the month. Whether it’s a one-off blip or the start of a longer trend will depend on whether KTM can keep the shipments flowing.
Small Bikes, Big Business
The sales data tells a clear story: Kiwi riders love small-capacity motorcycles. Cost is one factor — they’re more affordable for a wider audience — but it’s also about value. Today’s 300–500cc machines come with modern electronics, rider aids, and solid build quality, so buyers no longer feel they’re missing out by choosing smaller.
Adventure bikes continue to ride the wave of popularity, and in the smaller classes the appeal is obvious. Lighter bikes are easier to manage off-road and less painful on the wallet when they inevitably hit the dirt. The Honda CT125 is a bit of an anomaly thanks to units purchased by NZ Post for delivery riders, but the Kawasaki Ninja 500 has made a strong showing in 2025 so far by taking out 3rd spot.
Honda and Suzuki are well represented in the Top 20, while Triumph’s Speed 400 is proving a consistent hit. Among larger-capacity bikes, Honda’s CBR650R is the biggest engine in the Top 10, sitting just ahead of the CFMOTO 450RS. The heavyweight standout is BMW’s R1300GS, the only big-bore machine to crack the list with 35 sales so far in 2025.
Year-on-Year: Market Still Down
Despite KTM’s recent surge, the market overall remains soft. By the end of August 2025, 3,898 new motorcycles had been registered, compared to 4,179 over the same period in 2024 — a decline of around 7%. August was however the biggest month for motorcycle registrations during 2025 since January, and hopefully this trend continues.
And there are a number of reasons for cautious optimism for dealers. September and October could bring an uptick, with the new Triumph Scrambler 400XC now arriving, and more variants of KTM’s 390 Adventure (Enduro and X) are still to come. Then there’s Suzuki’s new DR-Z4S that is expected before the end of the year and Suzuki’s new stylish retros, the GSX-8T and GSX-8TT.
On the economic front, warmer weather, a predicted drop in the OCR, and improved dairy payouts may also loosen consumer spending.
Whether that momentum will be enough to close the gap on 2024’s stronger total of 6,553 units is the question. For now, the spotlight is firmly on how the small-capacity adventure segment continues to perform. With the 390 Adventure R showing that even in a tough market, the right bike can still create plenty of excitement, a few new models combined with a bit of economic good news might be enough to get riders back into stores and sales picking up for the final quarter of 2025.
Year To Date Motorcycle Sales 2025 (Jan-Aug) – New Zealand
CFMOTO MT450 — 274
Honda CT125A — 115
Kawasaki Ninja 500 — 84
Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 — 72
Triumph Speed 400 — 62
Suzuki GSX250R — 53
Triumph Scrambler 400X — 52
Honda CBR650 — 44
CFMOTO 450SRS — 42
Aprilia RS457 — 38
Honda CB500XA — 38
Suzuki GSX150 — 38
Honda CRF300L — 37
KTM 390 Duke — 37
BMW R1300GS — 35
Honda NSC110L — 35
Honda CMX500 Rebel — 33
Honda CRF300L Rally — 33
Yamaha MT-07LA — 33
August 2025 Motorcycle Sales – New Zealand
Honda CT125A — 35
KTM 390 Adventure R — 28
CFMOTO MT450 — 23
Honda CMX500 — 12
Honda CRF300LA — 11
Honda Z125MA — 11
Honda CBR650 — 9
CFMOTO CL-C — 9
Suzuki DS250 RLM5 — 9
Honda CRF300L Rally — 8
Yamaha MT-07LA (S) — 8
Royal Enfield Himalayan 452 — 7
KTM 390 Duke — 7
Triumph Tiger Sport 800 LP2 — 7
Suzuki GS FRLM5 — 7
BMW R12 G/S 1.2P — 7
Triumph Scrambler 400 X (THB) — 6
Honda NSC110L — 6
CFMOTO 800MT-X — 6
Aprilia RS457 — 5
Source: MIA
