If you look at new motorcycle prices in Turkey, you will see huge gaps between models just below and just above 250 cc. Two bikes sharing the same platform can differ by 150–200 thousand TL. The main reason is the special consumption tax (ÖTV). In this guide we explain how ÖTV works on motorcycles, how the 250 cc limit affects the price, and how you can use this when choosing a bike, with real prices from the catalogue.
\n| Class | ÖTV | VAT | Total tax burden (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine capacity 250 cm³ and under | 8% | 20% | 29.6% |
| Engine capacity over 250 cm³ | 37% | 20% | 64.4% |
| Electric, 20 kW and under | 3% | 20% | — |
| Electric, over 20 kW | 37% | 20% | — |
Important note: these rates are based on sources dated October 2024. We found no official regulation indicating a change in the rates for 2026, but we could not confirm the current position through the Official Gazette or the Revenue Administration either. Because the rates can occasionally be changed by Presidential decision, we recommend checking with the dealer or the current ÖTV list before you buy.
\nÖTV is calculated on the pre-tax price of the bike, while VAT is calculated on the amount with ÖTV added. So the two taxes stack on top of each other:
\nFor example, a bike with a pre-tax price of 300,000 TL sells for about 388,800 TL if it is 250 cm³ or under, and for about 493,200 TL if it is over 250 cm³. For the same bike, the tax class alone creates a gap of roughly 104 thousand TL. That means a bike over 250 is about 27 per cent more expensive than a 250 with the same pre-tax price.
\nLet us look at sibling models from the same brand on either side of the 250 cm³ limit. Prices are October 2026 list prices.
\n| Model | cc | Power (hp) | Weight (kg) | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha R25 | 249 | 35.5 | 169 | 491,000 TL (Oct 2026) |
| Yamaha R3 | 321 | 41.4 | 169 | 641,500 TL (Oct 2026) |
| KTM 250 Duke | 249 | 30.8 | 165 | 381,500 TL (Oct 2026) |
| KTM 390 Duke | 399 | 44.3 | 165 | 587,000 TL (Oct 2026) |
| Yamaha XMAX 250 Tech MAX | 249 | 22.5 | 183 | 446,000 TL (Oct 2026) |
| Yamaha XMAX 300 Tech MAX | 292 | 27.6 | 180 | 634,000 TL (Oct 2026) |
The Yamaha R25 and Yamaha R3 share almost the same body and weight (169 kg). The difference is in engine size: 249 cc against 321 cc. The R25 costs 491,000 TL and the R3 641,500 TL, a gap of 150,500 TL. If we strip out the taxes with the formula above, the R25's pre-tax price comes to about 378,900 TL and the R3's to about 390,200 TL. So the two bikes differ by only around 11 thousand TL before tax; almost all the rest comes from the ÖTV step.
\nOn the KTM side, the KTM 250 Duke is 381,500 TL and the KTM 390 Duke 587,000 TL, a gap of 205,500 TL. The pre-tax prices are roughly 294,400 TL and 357,100 TL; so here there is a noticeable difference before tax too, but more than half of the total gap still comes from the tax step.
\nAmong maxi-scooters, the Yamaha XMAX 250 Tech MAX is 446,000 TL, and the 292 cc Yamaha XMAX 300 Tech MAX 634,000 TL. The gap is 188,000 TL. The extra power the 300 gives is 5.1 hp; the price of that comes largely from tax. For a comparison of the two models, see also the Forza 250 or XMAX 250 guide.
\nThese calculations are approximate; distributors' pricing policies, exchange rates and equipment differences also affect the price. But the table clearly shows the general trend: the 250 cm³ limit is the most important break point in motorcycle prices in Turkey.
\nThis tax structure also explains why 249 cc models are so common on the Turkish market. In the catalogue, many models such as the CFMoto 250NK, Yamaha MT-25, KTM 250 Duke and Yamaha XMAX 250 are 244–249 cc, sitting just under this limit. For the buyer this means a wide range of models below the limit: you can find a 250 option in naked, sports, scooter and adventure classes alike. You can check a model's engine capacity in the technical data on its model page and see straight away which side of the limit it falls on.
\nThe 250 cm³ limit is a step not only in ÖTV but also in the annual motor vehicle tax (MTV). In the 2026 tariff, for a bike aged 1–3 years, annual MTV is 1,069 TL in the 100–250 cc band and 2,214 TL in the 251–650 cc band. So once you go above 250, the annual tax more than doubles as well. The full table is in the MTV guide, and the total annual cost is in the cost calculator.
\nFor electric motorcycles the limit is not engine capacity but motor power: ÖTV is 3% for 20 kW and under, and 37% above that. Most electric scooters designed for city use stay low in power, so they fall into the low-rate class. Details are in the electric motorcycle guide.
\nÖTV on motorcycles is 8% for 250 cm³ and under and 37% above that; with VAT, the total tax burden rises from about 29.6% to 64.4%. That is why most of the 150,500 TL gap between the Yamaha R25 and R3 comes from tax. If you are looking for a powerful bike on an A2 licence, 249 cc models have the advantage in value for money; if you are going over 250, it may make more sense to look straight at the 450–500 cc class. For options, see the lists of the most powerful bikes you can ride on an A2 licence and best value-for-money bikes.
\nAccording to the most up-to-date sources we could reach, it is 8% for motorcycles of 250 cm³ and under and 37% above 250 cm³. VAT is a separate 20%. We could not obtain official confirmation for 2026.
\nBecause ÖTV is 8% on bikes of 250 cm³ and under, the total tax burden is about 29.6%; above 250 cm³ it is about 64.4%. That is why there is a gap of about 27% between two bikes with the same pre-tax price.
\nYes. It is 3% on electric motorcycles of 20 kW and under, and 37% above 20 kW.
\nÖTV is not paid on a used sale, but since used prices follow new prices, they are affected indirectly.
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