Two things every rider should pay attention to right now:
how drivers are tested and what’s happening to motorcycle sales in the U.S.
Here’s the quick, no‑nonsense breakdown.
Maryland Targets Motorcycle Awareness on Driving Tests
What’s happening:
A Maryland State Senator has introduced a bill that would require motorcycle-related questions on every driver’s license exam.
Why it matters:
- Most states, including Maryland, use randomized questions for license exams
- That means a driver can currently pass without seeing a single motorcycle question
- The proposal would mandate at least five motorcycle and traffic-related questions per test
Status:
- As of early February 2026, the bill was still in committee
Why riders should care:
More awareness at the testing stage means fewer “I didn’t see them” excuses later. This is one of the rare policy moves that directly acknowledges motorcycles as a normal, everyday part of traffic.
U.S. Motorcycle Sales Decline—Again
The headline:
U.S. motorcycle sales fell 5% in 2025.
The context:
- The U.S. is the 14th largest motorcycle market in the world
- Typical annual sales: about 500,000 motorcycles
- 2025 total sales: approximately 507,000 units. That’s not a collapse—but it’s another step backward.
Winners and Losers: Brand Performance in 2025
Top of the leaderboard (barely):
- Honda retained the #1 spot
- Margin: just 1,000 motorcycles ahead of Kawasaki
The twist:
- Honda sales: down 12%
- Kawasaki sales: up 12%
If trends continue, that lead may not last. Kawasaki is making up the ground with their smaller sportbikes
Harley-Davidson: Still Sliding
- 2025 sales decline: 12.7%
Another year, another drop. The brand still has loyalty—but the numbers show ongoing pressure. They rank 3rd in the US for sales
KTM Takes the Biggest Hit
- Worst decline of the year: 25.4%. That’s not a dip. That’s a warning sign. But now that they have stabilized it might make a turn around.
I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!! 