A motorcycle licence easily costs €2,000 or more in Germany. That makes it all the more interesting that many manufacturers give new riders a licence discount on their first motorcycle or on protective clothing. Riding schools also get their own deals on training bikes. Here are the offers of the big brands for 2026, with conditions and sources. The details refer to the German market, and an overview of schemes in other countries follows below.
Licence discounts for new riders at a glance
| Manufacturer | Benefit | Who qualifies? | Valid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda | 10% off the RRP incl. delivery, up to €1,000 | new riders and upgraders with a test in 2025 or 2026 | until 30 Nov 2026 |
| Kawasaki | €1 per cc, max. €800; Ninja/Z 125 and e-1: €500 | licence B196, A1, A2 or A, no more than 12 months old | since 1 Jan 2026, until withdrawn |
| Suzuki | 10% off selected new bikes | A1, A2, A and B196, licence no more than 1 year old | until 30 Sep 2026 |
| BMW Motorrad | 50% off rider gear, up to €500 off the first bike | from enrolment in training (A1, A2, A, B196) | up to 6 months after starting training or 4 months after the test |
| KTM | no dedicated new rider scheme found | not applicable | not applicable |
| Harley-Davidson | no current offer (last in 2020: €1,250) | not applicable | not applicable |
Honda licence subsidy
Honda gives new riders 10% off the recommended retail price including delivery, up to €1,000. This applies to direct entrants and to upgraders who only need to take the practical test, if the test was in 2025 or 2026. Trial and MX models and the EM1 e: electric scooter are excluded. The offer runs until 30 November 2026 and cannot be combined with other Honda offers.
Kawasaki Starter Bonus
Kawasaki calculates by engine size: €1 per cubic centimetre, up to €800. The Ninja 125, Z125, Ninja e-1 and Z e-1 get a flat €500. You qualify if your motorcycle licence (B196, A1, A2 or A) is no more than twelve months old. You show your licence and proof of registration at the dealer. Special editions and the Ninja H2R are excluded, and the offer only applies while stocks last.
Suzuki discount for new licence holders
Suzuki gives 10% off selected new bikes if your licence is no more than one year old. This applies to A1, A2 and A, to A2 upgraders and to B196. The offer ends on 30 September 2026. Your dealer or the offer page will tell you whether Suzuki extends it.
BMW Motorrad new rider offer
BMW starts earlier: as soon as you enrol at a riding school you get 50% off BMW rider gear, meaning helmet, jacket, trousers, gloves and boots. On top of that there is up to €500 off your first BMW motorcycle. The offer applies up to six months after starting training or four months after passing the test, and only at BMW Motorrad partners, not in the online shop.
Clothing: discounts at Louis and POLO
The big accessory retailers also have schemes for learner riders. In 2026 Louis gives 15% off your first kit from €90 spend with a riding school stamp, valid until 31 October 2026. POLO gives up to 20% via a riding school voucher booklet, valid for one year. Ask your riding school which booklets or vouchers it hands out.
Deals for riding schools
Riding schools also get special conditions on training and escort motorcycles from many manufacturers. According to the trade press, discounts range from 5 to 23% depending on the brand. Many manufacturers only share exact figures on request.
- KTM: 10% riding school discount with a public price list, for example 390 Duke for €5,399.10 or 790 Duke for €7,829.10. Plus deals on clothing and accessories, dedicated financing and roadside assistance.
- BMW Motorrad: riding school campaign with leasing and financing through BMW Bank, at dealers for models including the G 310 R, R nineT Pure A2 and F 900 R A2.
- Honda: riding school leasing through Honda Bank, typical models are the CB500 Hornet and Rebel 500.
- Yamaha: dedicated riding school programme with MT-07 and YBR125, plus riding school kits such as crash and hand protection.
- Triumph: training and escort bikes on special terms, current figures on request only.
- Louis and POLO: riding school programmes with discount booklets for learners and offers for instructors.
Do you run a riding school and want to present it on moto-guide? Then have a look at our page Motorcycle riding schools introduce themselves (in German).
Schemes in other countries
Other countries have similar programmes. In the UK, Triumph's "Ticket to Ride" contributes up to £500 if you buy a new Triumph within twelve months of passing your test. Kawasaki France gives up to €1,000 towards your licence in spring and restricts bikes to A2 for €1. In the USA, BMW, Harley-Davidson, Suzuki, Honda and Kawasaki subsidise the Motorcycle Safety Foundation basic course when you buy a new bike.
How to get the most out of it
- Check the deadlines early: BMW counts from the start of training, Kawasaki and Suzuki from the date your licence was issued.
- Bring your licence and test certificate, for Kawasaki also proof of registration.
- Compare offers: cheap financing or an accessory package is often worth more than the new rider discount, and they usually cannot be combined.
- Clothing first: you need protective gear at riding school already, so the Louis, POLO or BMW discounts pay off straight away.
- Used can be cheaper: the discounts only apply to new bikes. What to look for in your first motorcycle is in our buying guide for your first motorcycle.
Summary
A licence discount can save you several hundred euros, with Honda up to €1,000. The conditions differ a lot, though, especially the deadlines. If you are taking your licence right now, compare the offers before you buy and ask your dealer directly. How training and the test work is explained in Getting your motorcycle licence.
Frequently asked questions
Which manufacturer gives the biggest licence discount?
In 2026 Honda offers the biggest subsidy with 10% off the RRP and up to €1,000. Kawasaki gives up to €800, BMW up to €500 plus 50% off rider gear.
Does the discount also apply to used motorcycles?
No. Manufacturer offers only apply to new vehicles at participating dealers.
Do I get the discount as an A2 upgrader?
Usually yes. Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and BMW explicitly include upgraders as long as the test or licence falls within the deadline.
Can I combine several offers?
Usually not. Honda and Kawasaki rule out combining with other offers. With Suzuki the new rider discount can be combined with some financing offers.
What deals do riding schools get?
Depending on the manufacturer, 5 to 23% discount or special leasing offers. KTM publishes a 10% riding school discount, other brands only share their terms on request.
Sources
- Honda licence subsidy (Honda Germany, German)
- Starter Bonus (Kawasaki Germany, German)
- 10% for new licence holders (Suzuki Germany, German)
- Offers for new riders (BMW Motorrad, German)
- KTM riding school offers (KTM Germany, German)
- Riding schools (Yamaha Motor Germany, German)
- Riding school terms for motorcycles (fahrschule-online, German)
- Ticket to Ride (Triumph UK)
- Kawaow offers (moto-net, French)
Last checked: September 2026. Offers and conditions change often, the manufacturers' and dealers' terms apply.