The US motorcycle market is going through an unexpected movement. Kawasakithe manufacturer is behind Ninja 1100SXwas positioned as The best-selling brand in the country Displacing historical competitors such as Honda and Harley-Davidson. The commercial leap broke the traditional trend of the segment, with Harley typically emerging as the undisputed standard for American motorcycles and Honda as the usual holder of the sales lead.
The numbers explain the change according to Yahoo NewsKawasaki recorded 14% year-on-year growth in 2025 and rose to first place in the North American market. Honda, which in the first months of the year showed a slight progress of 3%, was unable to maintain the pace. By mid-2025, the company suffered a decline of nearly 8%, shifting leadership in one of the world’s most competitive markets.
Kawasaki’s performance has not been replicated in the rest of the world. America, which includes the United States and the Latin region, It appears to be the only area where the brand has shown positive numbers. At the global level, the panorama was different. In Southeast Asia, which represents about 40% of the company’s business, sales fell by about 15% during the first half of the year. In Europe, on the other hand, the decline was more moderate and amounted to about 1.5%.
The key to growth in the United States is explained by two production lines: The Ninja, the flagship sports model, and the Vulcan, the cruiser family Which targets both beginners and more experienced motorcyclists. For example, the Vulcan S gained strong ground for its maneuverability and adaptability to pilots at different altitudes. The Vulcan 900 has remained relevant and remains one of the favorite models after nearly two decades on the market, according to reports Yahoo News.
Within the sports sector, The Ninja 400 emerged as the most popular choice Among new and advanced users, and also as an accessible option for route use. Meanwhile, the ZX-6R’s performance paved the way for the 2026 model to be confirmed, with the challenge of maintaining the momentum that made Kawasaki the unlikely leader this year.