INTERMOT. The trade fair. New formats herald a new era

December 9, 2025 editor 2025, Exhibition, Germany, INTERMOT, trade fair 6 min read

Germany’s largest trade fair for the motorcycle scene – brought the community together and showcased the new models for 2026 in the country for the first time. Live shows and launches gave veteran riders and young bike fans a chance to connect, with CREATOR DAY, CREATOR LOUNGE, PLAYGROUND, RACING AREA and the INTERMOT live stage powered by Bering all playing their part and increasing the event’s reach. All these elements together secured INTERMOT’s status as the hotspot for manufacturers and the community for many years to come.

Performance, touring, urban mobility and e-mobility prove especially popular

INTERMOT. The trade fair. New formats herald a new era

INTERMOT 2025 sent a strong signal to the German market with growth of around one-third in domestic exhibitors. Visitors were met by a broad spectrum of exhibitors presenting countless technological innovations for everyday mobility and safety – supporting INTERMOT’s mission to share the latest trends with ticket holders live and in person.

On the exhibition floor, bike lovers had the opportunity to experience their favourite models the conventional way: by jumping straight into the saddle. Leading brands in the industry, together accounting for a market share of around 75 per cent – among them BMW Motorrad, Honda, Kawasaki, Norton, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha – had a prominent presence at INTERMOT, strengthening their connection with the biking community.

This clearly demonstrated the unwavering interest of these international brands in shaping the German market and injecting fresh life into it with their new models and innovations. In this context, INTERMOT once again positioned itself as the leader of the pack when it comes to the German market, responding to calls for development by delivering growth signals and spurring on vital future momentum.

From exhibition floor to social media feeds: INTERMOT puts new products in the spotlight

The doubling of creator collaborations compared with 2024 is a prime example of INTERMOT’s transformation. At this year’s event, CREATOR DAY and the CREATOR LOUNGE were the hotspots for a young target audience of digital natives, directly linking on-site experiences with social media reach. The established scene was also represented, with INTERMOT content shared and passionately discussed on Facebook.

As well as sharing insights into their worlds with visitors at the fair, bikefluencers including @marii__official, @viktor__stahl, @nanaxyda and @meddesyoutube also attracted approximately 40 million views on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. It’s clear that their reach stimulated a great deal of interest, especially among younger visitors, as almost 40 per cent of private visitors were under the age of 30.

The creators also inspire specific purchasing motivation by showcasing their own product selections. Many of the exhibitors generated additional buzz by offering their own promotions and other benefits. The PLAYGROUND, featuring stunt and drift action, and the racing formats and panel discussions all attracted large audiences as well.

“INTERMOT has once again been the place to be for motorcycle enthusiasts. Through creator collaborations, live formats and media partnerships, INTERMOT is embracing a younger, more interactive and more digital approach.

As a result, innovations and insights from the event are set to be present across various media channels long after it has ended – a win-win situation for industry, commerce and the motorcycle community,” says Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH.

Hands-on model debuts and accessories

Manufacturers presented a wide selection from their model ranges for the upcoming season, including everything from high-performance flagship models – complete with aerodynamics and electronics updates – to touring bikes emphasising comfort and connectivity, as well as urban-mobility solutions built on compact platforms and offering connected services and low running costs.

The extensive accessories segment featured helmets, rider apparel and motorcycle components, all designed with a focus on safety, proper fit and high-quality materials. Performance and custom parts were also a major focus. In addition, the line-up included electric road and city concepts prioritising range, faster charging and TCO optimisation.

The newly revealed models give the heritage and naked categories a distinctly modern update for 2026, while the midweight segment is moving towards lighter, more approachable designs. Visitors had the chance to experience the quality of the products first-hand and appraise them with a discerning eye, very much in line with the trade fair’s central idea: bringing hands-on model debuts and the latest trends together in one place.

Up-and-coming mechanics were also given a platform: The German Motorcycle Industry Association (IVM) spotlighted the training of young talents in the field of two-wheel and vehicle mechatronics (specialising in motorcycles) through its #motorradazubi challenge, showcasing the already impressive skills of tomorrow’s master mechanics.

Apprentices stepped up to test their abilities against one another, making a playful yet powerful statement in support of the next generation of skilled workers. “The #motorradazubi challenge was an investment in the future of the motorcycle industry. Supporting young talent today means having a stronger skilled workforce tomorrow,” says Reiner Brendicke, General Executive Manager of the IVM.

What exhibitors and the community had to say

Feedback from the community confirmed that the CREATOR LOUNGE, CREATOR DAY and event areas like the PLAYGROUND brought the scene closer together, encouraged interaction and offered numerous opportunities for content creation. Media representatives and creators also highlighted the wealth of model premieres and the exciting new themes emerging across the event.

Naked bikes, tourers and sport bikes are in high demand, alongside growing interest in urban mobility and electrification, while connectivity and rider assistance features continue to gain relevance. INTERMOT carried these dynamic developments forward and channelled them into a meaningful platform that showcased Germany-firsts, facilitated direct comparisons across all segments and generated increased media interest and coverage – providing brands, retailers and the wider community with fresh momentum in the German market.