By Ramon Tomeldan
From the minimalist “naked bike” to the popular scooters to the thundering Harleys, the motorcycle business has never had it so good since the catastrophic onslaught of the COVID pandemic four years ago.
According to the government-sanctioned Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, motorcycle sales jumped by 12 percent to 1.723 million units in a year from April 2024 to March 2025.
Sales exceeded the pre-pandemic level of 1.704 million units in 2019, an indication that the motorcycle industry has bounced back to its firm footing.
MDPPA data based on submissions from Japanese motorcycle brands—Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha, as well as TVS, the Indian brand, point to sustained growth for the participating companies.
The five-member MDPPA has 85 percent of domestic motorcycle sales and production, with Honda dominating this space with sales of 945K units and a 55% market share as of March 2025.
No single factor could account for the soaring sales in the Philippines, but some of the growth drivers are low interest rates on bank loans, aggressive promos offering a suite of freebies, varied options and choices, and easy-on-the-pocket downpayments.
Motorcycles have grown more popular than ever since their mass production began in the late 1800s.
More than the need for speed, motorbikes have the utilitarian function of conveniently transporting people and some cargo; they also offer maneuverability and flexibility to deal with crawling traffic in major urban areas such as Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao.
While there is no such thing as a perfect motorbike, these two-wheel wonders are designed according to the rider’s general preference and taste, fit for purpose in a way, as function comes before form.
According to US online publications such as Engine Patrol and HiConsumption, there are more than a dozen types of modern motorcycles, ranging from 12 to 18.
For the techno tyros, a definition of each is in order, but because of space constraints, Malaya Business Insight’s Torque & Power just handpicked a few examples and their features.
CRUISER: These Cruiser bikes have low seat heights and beefy chassis. They are ideal for commuting and long-distance traveling for riders of any experience level.
BAGGERS: They are usually tech-laden with speaker systems for music, onboard navigation software, and phone connectivity. The extra weight required by the increased luggage and passenger capacity entails more powerful engines.
FULL DRESSERS: These are heavy, large-displacement motorcycles intended for cross-country touring with the most amenities that can be fit on two wheels.
DIRT BIKES are designed for use strictly in off-road terrain, whether on rugged trails or enclosed dirt tracks. Road safety features abound, except for headlights or turn signals, and they are, therefore, not street legal.
NAKED BIKES: Also known as a standard motorcycle, a naked bike is designed for urban commuting. It has a compact engine, frame, and modest-sized fuel tank. It is easy to ride and park in a crowded area.
Scooters are small, lightweight two-wheelers intended for efficient commuting at a slow to moderate speed. They are low-cost, easy to ride, and often feature single-gear or automatic transmissions.
Electrically charged battery packs power ELECTRIC BIKES and therefore run on volts rather than piston-generated horsepower. They require a recharge on average of every 100 miles.
