Honda PCX125; best-selling moto worldwide Despite the gloomy reports swirling around the U.S. motorcycle market, the fact is that America repesents a small portion of world moto sales, which is led by the emerging economies of India, Latin America and SE Asia. In fact, while global sales are rising year over year, American sales declined 1% last year and Canada 4%, much of that due to our penchant for large displacement bikes in a world focused on small, practical scoots.
From top to bottom, here's the top ten in two-wheeled production….
1. HONDA. Honda has held this top spot for an amazing 52 years! With numbers frankly hard to comprehend, Honda sold 20.7 million motos last year, an average of 56,000 per day, more than Ducati makes in a year. Honda also holds the distiction for the current best-selling two-wheeler in the world, the PCX125.
2. HERO. Vitually unknown to most of us in the west, Hero is the leading Indian manufacturer, selling 6.1 million units, mostly concentrating on the small displacement Inidan and South American market.
3. YAMAHA. Always one of the world leaders, Yamaha posted 4.8 million sales.
4. TVS MOTOR. Running a close fourth but definitely a future player, TVS sold 4.5 million bikes, mostly in its homeland of India. TVS is also the parent company of Norton and has built small bikes under license for BMW. They're also betting on the electric future of two-wheeled transportation.
5. YADEA. One of two Chinese companies to make this list, Yadea makes only electric bikes — 4.3 million of 'em actually.
6. BAJAJ AUTO. With 3.3 million of their own sales, Bajaj has also partnered with KTM, producing two smaller models in their Indian factory.
7. SUZUKI. With possibly their best production year ever, Suzuki manufactured 2.2 milliion units last year.
8. ITALIKA. The largest manufacturer in North America, Italika serves mostly their domestic Mexican market with 1.3 million bikes, but also builds under license for Hero and Benelli.
9. ROYAL ENFIELD. Gaining steam in each of the past three years (+46% just last year!) Royal Enfield is fighting sucessfully for off-shore expansion but still sells most of their 1.2 million units on their home turf of India.
10. NIU. The second Chinese manufacturer to place in the top ten, Niu also makes only electric motos, 1.1 million last year.
So, for national bragging rights, India takes the lead with four in the top ten, followed by Japan with three, China with two, and Mexico with one.
And the future looks bright. According to MotorCycles Data (.com), "Despite a highly uncertain global economic environment, the motorcycle industry continues to expand at a solid pace. After four consecutive years of growth ended with the new record established in 2025, the first quarter 2026 started with double-digit growth. Indeed, Q1 2026 global 2-wheeler sales have been 16.8 million (+11.0%), the highest quarter ever…."
From top to bottom, here's the top ten in two-wheeled production….
1. HONDA. Honda has held this top spot for an amazing 52 years! With numbers frankly hard to comprehend, Honda sold 20.7 million motos last year, an average of 56,000 per day, more than Ducati makes in a year. Honda also holds the distiction for the current best-selling two-wheeler in the world, the PCX125.
2. HERO. Vitually unknown to most of us in the west, Hero is the leading Indian manufacturer, selling 6.1 million units, mostly concentrating on the small displacement Inidan and South American market.
3. YAMAHA. Always one of the world leaders, Yamaha posted 4.8 million sales.
4. TVS MOTOR. Running a close fourth but definitely a future player, TVS sold 4.5 million bikes, mostly in its homeland of India. TVS is also the parent company of Norton and has built small bikes under license for BMW. They're also betting on the electric future of two-wheeled transportation.
5. YADEA. One of two Chinese companies to make this list, Yadea makes only electric bikes — 4.3 million of 'em actually.
6. BAJAJ AUTO. With 3.3 million of their own sales, Bajaj has also partnered with KTM, producing two smaller models in their Indian factory.
7. SUZUKI. With possibly their best production year ever, Suzuki manufactured 2.2 milliion units last year.
8. ITALIKA. The largest manufacturer in North America, Italika serves mostly their domestic Mexican market with 1.3 million bikes, but also builds under license for Hero and Benelli.
9. ROYAL ENFIELD. Gaining steam in each of the past three years (+46% just last year!) Royal Enfield is fighting sucessfully for off-shore expansion but still sells most of their 1.2 million units on their home turf of India.
10. NIU. The second Chinese manufacturer to place in the top ten, Niu also makes only electric motos, 1.1 million last year.
So, for national bragging rights, India takes the lead with four in the top ten, followed by Japan with three, China with two, and Mexico with one.
And the future looks bright. According to MotorCycles Data (.com), "Despite a highly uncertain global economic environment, the motorcycle industry continues to expand at a solid pace. After four consecutive years of growth ended with the new record established in 2025, the first quarter 2026 started with double-digit growth. Indeed, Q1 2026 global 2-wheeler sales have been 16.8 million (+11.0%), the highest quarter ever…."
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