It’s hardly a shock that Filipinos have taken to motorcycles the way they have. Essentially a bicycle with an engine, the “bike,” as many casually call it, has become a go-to machine for personal transport, small business needs, and even the thrill of motorsports.
The Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA), which represents top motorcycle brands in the country like Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, and TVS, has the numbers to back that up. In the second quarter of 2025 (covering May to July), motorcycle sales hit 910,923 units. That’s a 4.8% jump compared to the same period in 2024, when 876,074 units were sold.
Leading the charge is the automatic/scooter category, now the top-selling motorcycle type in the Philippines. Following it are mopeds, street bikes, commercial or business bikes, big bikes, and a few niche segments.
MDPPA points to several drivers behind this growth – among them, the rising need for affordable personal mobility, steady economic recovery, and easier access to financing.
But perhaps the most relatable reason for the everyday rider? The sheer practicality of a motorcycle. They take up less space on the road, use far less fuel (or none at all for electric models), and slip through gridlock in ways a car simply can’t. Riders can also go places cars would think twice about—steep mountain trails, narrow village paths, even shallow river crossings.
As MDPPA President Alex Cumpas put it, “Filipinos continue to see two-wheeled vehicles as a practical solution to daily commuting challenges, as their affordability, fuel efficiency, and ability to weave through heavy traffic, among other advantages, make them an essential choice for urban mobility.”
