The motorcycle import landscape to Panama remains dynamic in 2025, with enduring demand for classics, cruisers, adventure bikes, and sporty Japanese models. If you're considering shipping your motorcycle from the US to Panama, knowing which brands and models are most commonly imported helps you anticipate resale interest, registration ease, and availability of local service and parts.
For detailed step-by-step shipping instructions, import costs, and regulations, always refer to our 2025 Panama Motorcycle, ATV & SUV Shipping Guide.
Harley-Davidson remains the preeminent American motorcycle export to Panama in 2025. Heritage Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, and Sportster families continue to capture Panama’s attention, owing to their iconic styling, strong resale value, and robust support network. The durability, highway comfort, and classic appeal make these bikes ideal for Panama’s growing enthusiast community.
Indian Motorcycles—especially the Scout and Chief lines—also gain market share among riders seeking vintage looks and modern reliability. Both Harley and Indian models are preferred for import because Panama's import rules favor popular, well-supported US brands and most cruiser models readily comply with roadworthiness and documentation standards.
Learn more about American classic bike import nuances in How to Export a Classic American Car to Panama.
Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki provide the backbone of mid-budget, everyday motorcycle imports to Panama. The most frequently shipped models include:
Honda Rebel 500/1100: Simple, reliable, and perfect for city and touring.
Yamaha MT-07 and Ténéré 700: Balanced power and agility, ideal for Panama’s mixed terrain.
Kawasaki Z650 and Ninja 500: Sporty, affordable, and easy to register, especially new Ninja variants due to Kawasaki’s surging US popularity.
Suzuki V-Strom 650: Lightweight adventure-touring versatility with an excellent track record.
These bikes are shipped for individual use, dealership resale, and adventure tourism. Owners favor them because of straightforward import eligibility, proven reliability, and adaptable riding positions for Panama’s urban/rural mix.
Adventure bikes continue their upward trend among shipments, with strong demand for models designed for long-range exploration and off-road capability:
Honda Africa Twin: Premium all-terrain performance and established dealer network.
BMW GS Series: Larger import cost but popular among expats for advanced electronics and travel comfort.
Kawasaki KLR650, Husqvarna Norden 901: Chosen for rugged touring and reliability, increasingly common in Panama's adventure travel market.
Dual-sport and modern classic imports are popular with touring companies and expats pursuing exploration within Panama and neighboring countries.
Shipments of Zero Motorcycles (SR/F, DSR/X, FXE) and new electric models from Kawasaki, Honda, and Harley-Davidson are slowly increasing. Panama’s favorable tax incentives for full EVs (excluding hybrids) have sparked interest, though infrastructure for charging and servicing is developing. Battery shipping must comply with strict international standards—see how to ship electric & hybrid cars to Panama.
Panama’s appreciation for American and Japanese classics means vintage motorcycle imports remain strong. Models from the Harley-Davidson Shovelhead era, Honda CB series, and iconic Kawasaki Zs frequently appear in shipping manifests. To qualify for classic vehicle exemptions, importers must supply extra documentation—title history, clear photos, and provenance certificates—for discretionary approval.
Find more details on collector and classic vehicle processes in "Classic Car Export Update".
Yes, due to ease of compliance and registration—though classics for collectors are a strong secondary category.
Harleys have the most established dealer and parts support, but both brands are popular and eligible with proper documents.
Panama’s landscape and tourism growth make them ideal for mixed paved/unpaved travel and longer tours.
Absolutely. Panama provides EV tax incentives, but only for full electrics; battery paperwork is more complex but manageable.
West Coast Shipping provides transparent rates, model eligibility guidance, and seamless logistics for any motorcycle you want to ship. For a complete overview, start with the 2025 Motorcycle Shipping Guide and use our shipping calculator for Panama for instant quotes and next steps.