LAMS Approved Bikes
Honda's Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS) range offers the performance and durability you expect from all Honda motorcycles. If you are the holder of a learner or restricted motorcycle licence you can only ride a motorcycle which is LAMS compliant. Honda has a range of motorcycles from 110cc to 650cc which are LAMS (Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme) compliant and are approved for riding. From scooters, to cruisers and sports bikes, there is a LAMS approved option to fit your style.
More information on LAMS is available on NZTA's website.
Adventure
Dusty trails. Climbing twisty mountain roads. Long and distant bush tracks or maybe just a short commute across town. Renowned for their spirit of adventure, versatility and durability, no matter how you like to spend your time, you'll find a Honda Adventure motorcycle to be the perfect partner.
Cruisers
Forget the bling. Honda's cruiser range offers stripped back, blacked out styling mixed with Honda reliability and proven platforms that deliver stimulating power delivery and genuine performance.
CMX500 RebelDisplacement: 471 cc
Transmission: Manual 6-speed
CMX500 Rebel SDisplacement: 471 cc
Transmission: Manual 6-speed
S Edition Features: Headlight cowl, fork covers and gaiters, diamond-stitch style seat
Naked
Forget the fairings, take to the streets with attitude, presence and all-round versatility. Explore the city and all it has to offer, or get to and from work in style, stand out, be bold and enjoy the ride. When you’re done for the week, set off on the great open road and embark on an unforgettable journey. On a Honda naked bike, the only limit is your imagination.
MSX125 GromDisplacement: 124 cc
Transmission: Manual 5-speed
Bike Style: Minimoto, Commuter, Naked
From $6,395
CB500 HornetDisplacement: 471 cc
Transmission: Manual 6-speed
Bike Style: Commuters, Naked
From $12,295
CL500 ScramblerDisplacement: 471 cc
Transmission: Manual 6-speed
Bike Style: Commuters, Naked
From $9,995 From $13,945
CB650R E-ClutchDisplacement: 649 cc
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled DOHC inline-four 4-stroke
Transmission: Manual 6-speed E-Clutch
From $15,995
Scooters & MiniMOTO
Honda's scooters and small bikes are incredibly efficient to run, easy to ride and can be freely parked in most places. These bikes perfectly complement a commuter lifestyle and easily get you from A to B.
NAViDisplacement: 109 cc
Transmission: Continuous variable transmission (CVT)
Seat Height: 765 mm
From $3,295
Dio NSC110Displacement: 109 cc
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
Seat Height: 760 mm
From $3,995
PCX160Displacement: 157 cc
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
Seat Height: 764 mm
From $5,899- MSX125 Grom
Displacement: 124 cc
Transmission: Manual 5-speed
Bike Style: Minimoto, Commuter, Naked
From $6,395 
MonkeyDisplacement: 125 cc
Transmission: Manual 4-speed
Bike Style: Commuters, Scooters & Minimoto
Sports
Honda's CBR Sport line up is designed to push you to the limits of speed and performance. Our sport range was born from the racetrack with a long history of flawless build quality and legendary reliability. Riding one of our race derived machines will make your hair stand on end and all the while hold you on the tarmac, pinned by an unrelenting grip that gives riders total confidence and control. With 500 and 650 LAMS approved options, your new sports bike is calling.
Frequently Asked Questions
LAMS stands for Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme. It is a set of rules that decide which bikes learner and restricted licence holders can legally ride in New Zealand. The idea is to give new riders enough power for real-world riding, without jumping straight onto high performance machines. LAMS uses a power-to-weight limit and an approved model list, rather than just engine size. If a bike is on the NZTA LAMS list, it is legal for learner and restricted riders to use, provided they still follow all normal road rules and licence conditions.
LAMS bikes are designed for Class 6 learner and restricted licence riders, but anyone with a full motorcycle licence can ride them as well. If you are on a learner or restricted licence, you must ride a LAMS approved motorcycle. If you hold a full licence, you can choose any legal road bike, including LAMS machines. Many experienced riders stick with LAMS bikes for commuting and lifestyle use because they are economical, easy to handle and still capable of open road speeds when needed.
The safest way is to check the official NZTA LAMS list and make sure the exact make, model and year you are looking at appears there. Small variations in model codes can make a difference, especially with popular mid-size engines. A trusted dealer can confirm this for you and should be able to show documentation that the specific bike is LAMS compliant. Do not rely on word-of-mouth or overseas information, as other countries use different approval schemes. Always treat it as a legal requirement, not just a suggestion.
All bikes in the LAMS category on the hondamotorbikes.co.nz website or with the LAMS icon in the top corner of the image will be LAMS approved.
In New Zealand, LAMS uses a power-to-weight limit and a maximum engine capacity rather than a simple cc cut-off. In general, LAMS-approved bikes are limited to a maximum capacity of 660 cc and a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 150 kW per tonne. Some lower-powered larger bikes can be allowed if they meet the ratio, while some smaller, high performance models are excluded. This is why checking the official LAMS list matters. It ensures the bike you are interested in fits the rules, even if the engine size looks modest.
No. If you hold a learner or restricted motorcycle licence in New Zealand, you must ride a LAMS-approved motorcycle at all times. Riding a non-approved bike is a licence breach and can result in fines, demerit points and potential insurance issues if you are involved in a crash. Police and insurers can check the model against the NZTA LAMS list. Until you graduate to a full licence, treat LAMS compliance as a hard rule. Once you obtain your full Class 6 licence, you can choose to move to a non-LAMS machine.
Most 250 cc road bikes are LAMS approved, but not all. Some older or high-performance 250 cc sports models are excluded from the list because they produce too much power for their weight. This is why relying on engine size alone is risky. Before you buy, check that the specific 250 you are looking at, including its model code and year, appears on the NZTA LAMS list. If in doubt, ask the dealer to confirm in writing. It is better to be certain up front than discover later that your bike is not legal.
You can usually fit basic accessories such as protection, luggage, cosmetic parts and comfort upgrades without affecting LAMS status. However, any modification that increases the engine’s power or significantly reduces weight can risk making the bike non-compliant with the power-to-weight rules. Big engine work, performance exhausts without proper tuning information, racing ECUs or forced induction should be avoided on a LAMS bike. If you are unsure, talk to your dealer or a qualified workshop before making changes. Keeping the bike close to factory spec is the safest approach for LAMS riders.
Yes. Many scooters, step-throughs and smaller-capacity automatic bikes are included in the LAMS scheme, provided they meet the same power-to-weight and capacity rules and appear on the NZTA list. For new riders commuting, a LAMS-approved scooter can be a simple, practical option. They are generally light, fuel-efficient and easy to operate, with automatic transmissions or centrigugal clutch systems and low seat heights. As with conventional motorcycles, you must still hold the correct Class 6 licence and follow all LAMS and road rules.
This depends on your licence stage rather than the bike itself. Learner and restricted riders are not allowed to carry a pillion passenger at all, even on a LAMS-approved motorcycle. Even when it is legal (on a full Class 6 licence), you should only carry a passenger once you are confident in your bike control and braking.
All current new Honda 500cc / 650cc models are available in LAMS-approved variants for the New Zealand market, while there are a few full-power versions of previous generation models that may not be approved for learner or restricted riders. The difference often comes down to tuning, output and exact model codes. When you are looking at a Honda 500 or 650, ask the dealer to confirm that the particular model, year and code appear on the NZTA LAMS list. Honda dealers in New Zealand will clearly identify which versions are LAMS and can guide you to a bike that fits your licence stage.