February has traditionally been a month of preparation for the active season for the Ukrainian motorcycle market. While other segments of the car market are experiencing a certain cooling, two-wheeled vehicles are showing the first signs of spring revival.
In total, 2,869 registration actions with motorcycles were recorded during the month, which, although less than last yearʼs figures, nevertheless indicates the formation of new consumer habits.
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The most activity was recorded in the domestic resale segment — 1,419 transactions. Despite a significant drop compared to January ( -25.8% ) and last February ( -33.9% ), this sector remains the foundation of the market. Instead, the real surprise was the import of used equipment: a rapid growth of 62.6% was recorded here compared to January. Such a surge indicates that experienced buyers seek to import quality equipment from abroad in advance, without waiting for peak prices at the height of the season. The segment of new imported motorcycles showed relative stability with a result of 1,224 units, recording only a minimal fluctuation within -2.5% compared to the previous month.
Domestic market
In the domestic secondary market, an interesting balance between reputable brands and budget solutions is maintained. Japanese manufacturers continue to maintain the status of "hard currency". Buyers actively choose equipment that has proven its endurance over the years, which makes the segment leaders not just a means of transportation, but also a reliable tool for saving money.
At the same time, there is an active penetration of Chinese brands into the mass segment. Brands specializing in universal models for urban and rural use confidently compete with eminent manufacturers due to the availability of spare parts and simplicity of design. Interestingly, brands focused on active recreation and enduro also made it into the top ten, which hints at the presence of the audienceʼs interest in hobbies and sports.
Import of used motorcycles
The sector of "freshly driven" used equipment remains the most emotional and brand-dependent. It is dominated by brands that shape the worldʼs motorcycle culture. Ukrainians who buy a bike abroad are usually looking for either powerful road models or status vehicles for traveling. That is why in this list we see the largest concentration of legendary brands, including American and German classics.
A characteristic feature of February imports was the appearance of the first electric models from specialized manufacturers. Although these are still isolated cases, they signal that global electrification is beginning to affect niche segments of the Ukrainian market. The main flow of imports is still made up of Japanese brands, which occupy more than half of the entire list of leaders, which is a sign of high confidence in their engineering resource.
New motorcycles
In the segment of new motorcycles, the picture is radically different from other parts of the market. Rationalism and an orientation towards the initial value prevail here. More than 90% of the top ten are brands offering equipment for everyday needs, logistics or entry-level off-road entertainment. The leader was a brand that is actively developing the niche of enduro and motocross motorcycles, which reflects the great popularity of active recreation among young people.
The popularity of budget brands is explained by the opportunity to get a new vehicle with a warranty for the price of a used Japanese scooter. However, it is worth noting that one of the Japanese giants still remains in the top ten even in the new car segment, which emphasizes the presence of a layer of customers who are willing to overpay for premium quality even when buying new equipment from the showroom.
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