The French motorcycle market is going through a period of rapid restructuring. With the arrival of Chinese manufacturers in segments once reserved for Japanese and European brands, the transition to Euro 5+ standards, and the gradual expansion of low-emission zones, the choice between a new motorcycle, a recent used one, or an older thermal model is no longer made in the same way as it was three years ago.
Chinese Brands in the French Motorcycle Market: A Shifting Balance of Power
Have you noticed the growing presence of CFMOTO or Voge in multi-brand dealerships? It’s no coincidence. The specialized press now considers these manufacturers as “saving” the overall growth of the motorcycle and scooter market in France, while registrations for Honda, Yamaha, BMW, and Kawasaki have declined in certain months.
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In practical terms, Chinese brands are no longer curiosities but direct alternatives to Japanese roadsters. Multi-brand distributors are no longer hesitant to compare a Yamaha MT-07 roadster with a CFMOTO 700 CL-X, for example. The technical specifications are comparable, the prices are significantly lower, and the manufacturer warranties are approaching European standards.
What changes for the buyer is the economic calculation. A motorcyclist looking to browse the motorcycles available at Mister Bike will find both established Japanese models and these new Asian references, often positioned in the same engine capacity range but at lower starting prices.
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The direct consequence: recent Japanese models depreciate faster in the used market. A trail or roadster two or three years old finds itself in direct competition with new Chinese models at the same price. For the used buyer, this is a boon. For the seller, it creates new pressure on resale value.
Euro 5+ Standard and Low-Emission Zones: What It Means for Buying a Motorcycle in 2024
The Euro 5+ standard, which came into effect recently, has caused a measurable side effect. Manufacturers massively sold off their stocks of “classic” Euro 5 models at the end of the previous year, artificially inflating sales. The result: a collapse in registrations at the beginning of the following year, with a marked decline in the used market.
To understand the daily impact, let’s take a simple example. A Euro 4 thermal motorcycle bought used remains perfectly legal on the road. However, if you regularly ride in a metropolis implementing a low-emission zone, the Crit’Air sticker of your motorcycle determines your access to the city center.
Criteria to Check Before Buying a Used Thermal Motorcycle
- The Euro standard of the model (indicated on the registration document, field V9), which determines the Crit’Air sticker assigned and thus access to low-emission zones in major French urban areas
- The date of first registration, as the same model produced over several years may have changed standards during its commercial life
- The maintenance history and actual mileage, especially since the accelerated depreciation of recent models pushes some sellers to sell motorcycles whose maintenance is not up to date
These regulatory constraints create a new segmentation. Urban motorcyclists are turning to new Euro 5+ or electric models. Rural or suburban motorcyclists benefit from the depreciation of older thermal models without facing traffic restrictions.
Recent Used Motorcycle or Thermal Youngtimer: Balancing Your Budget
The term “youngtimer” is starting to circulate in motorcycle vocabulary, borrowed from the automotive world. It refers to thermal models around ten years old, often well-built, whose value decreases because they no longer meet the latest standards.
A well-maintained thermal youngtimer remains reliable and enjoyable to ride. A 2015 Suzuki SV 650 or a 2017 Kawasaki Z650, for example, offers performance that is more than sufficient for mixed road and leisure use. Their purchase price is sometimes two to three times lower than that of an equivalent new model.
Why is this choice worth considering? Because spare parts for a ten-year-old Japanese model remain available and affordable. For a recent Chinese model, the distribution network for parts is still being developed. The ease of maintenance weighs as much as the purchase price in the real cost of ownership.
The Trap of Accelerated Depreciation on Recent Used Models
The arrival of Chinese brands and the transition to Euro 5+ have compressed the value of used motorcycles aged two to four years. An impatient buyer may see this as a good deal. The risk is that they may sell the same motorcycle in two years at an even lower price, as depreciation has not yet finished its course.
In contrast, youngtimers have often reached a price floor. Their value stabilizes, or even slightly increases for models sought after by collectors or enthusiasts of customization.
New Motorcycle Market in France: Key Figures
The overall dynamics of the new motorcycle and scooter market in France remains slightly positive, with a cumulative increase of about 7% at the beginning of the year compared to 2025, across all segments. This figure masks deep disparities between brands and segments.
- Honda remains the best-selling manufacturer by volume, followed by Yamaha and BMW, but their market shares are being eroded month by month by emerging Asian brands
- The electric segment is progressing in registrations, driven more by urban scooters than by road motorcycles, where range remains a concrete barrier
- The used market has recorded a notable decline, with a total of registrations down compared to the previous year, a direct consequence of the Euro 5+ stockpiling effect
The French motorcycle market is polarizing between accessible new models of Asian origin and rapidly depreciating thermal used models. Premium European models (BMW, Ducati, KTM) retain their clientele, but in a narrower segment.
The choice of a motorcycle in 2024 depends less on the brand than on the intended use and place of residence. A motorcyclist in a rural area has every interest in looking at Japanese youngtimers. An urban rider subject to low-emission zones will direct their search towards new Euro 5+ compliant models or electric scooters. Chinese brands, on the other hand, are positioned right in between, with prices that force the entire market to reposition itself.