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, CB125R and CB125F only | new riders and upgraders with a test in 2025 or 2026 | limited to 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 €800; Ninja/Z 125 and e-1: €500 | licence B196, A1, A2 or A, no more than 12 months old | since 1 Jan 2026, until withdrawn (no fixed end date) |
| Suzuki | 10% off selected new bikes | A1, A2, A and B196, licence no more than 1 year old | ended 30 Sep 2026, successor not yet announced |
| BMW Motorrad | 50% off rider gear, up to €500 off the first bike | from enrolment in training (A1, A2, A, B196) | gear: up to 6 months after starting training or 4 months after the test; bike: no deadline stated |
| 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. The subsidy applies to the new CB125R and CB125F: that is €562.90 on the CB125R (RRP €5,629) and €327.90 on the CB125F (RRP €3,279). Eligible are direct entrants and upgraders who only need to take the practical test, as well as new riders with a test from 2025 or 2026. The offer is limited to 30 November 2026 (as of 12 November 2026 according to honda.de), applies only at participating dealers and cannot be combined with other Honda offers. For larger models Honda runs a general autumn offer (€300 to €1,000 off depending on the model) that is not tied to the licence and also ends on 30 November 2026. After 30 November 2026 the current offer is listed on Honda's own website.
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. Kawasaki names no fixed end date: the offer has applied since 1 January 2026 until withdrawn.
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 ended on 30 September 2026. We were not aware of any extension or successor offer as of 12 November 2026. Ask your dealer; there is often a new offer at the start of the season in spring.
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 50% off gear 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. BMW states no deadline for the discount on the bike; you show your new licence at the partner.
Clothing: discounts at Louis and POLO
The big accessory retailers also have schemes for learner riders. In 2026 Louis gave 15% off your first kit from €90 spend with a riding school stamp. The offer ended on 31 October 2026. Louis or your riding school can tell you whether a follow-up offer exists. 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 gave up to €900 towards your licence and restricted bikes to A2 for €1 in its "Kawaow 2026" spring offer (1 April to 31 May 2026, ended). 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 riding school discounts like those from POLO or BMW 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 Kawasaki up to €800. 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 Kawasaki offers the biggest fixed subsidy with up to €800. Honda gives 10% off the RRP of the CB125R and CB125F (€562.90 and €327.90, limited to 30 November 2026), 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 the now expired Suzuki offer, the new rider discount could 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: 12 November 2026, Honda, Kawasaki and BMW re-read on that day. Offers and conditions change often, the manufacturers' and dealers' terms apply.
