If you’ve been around Accra, Kumasi, or Tamale, you’ve seen them—motorbike riders weaving through traffic, gliding past long trotro lines, and carrying passengers with speed and ease. These are the famous okada riders, and they’ve become a big part of how people move around in our busy cities.
According to the Okada Riders Association of Ghana, the okada business has created jobs for over 800,000 people nationwide.
But have you ever stopped to wonder, what kind of motorbikes these riders use? Why do some bikes seem more common than others?
To an okada rider, a motorbike isn’t just a vehicle, it’s a business tool, a hustle machine, and sometimes the difference between eating or not. So, which bikes have won the hearts (and wallets) of Ghanaian riders?
Bajaj: The Street King
Indian-made Bajaj, especially the rugged Bajaj Boxer, is the undisputed boss on Ghana’s roads. These bikes, with engines between 100cc and 150cc, are known for being durable, fuel-efficient, and easy to repair.
Many riders swear by it, saying the Boxer is one of the few bikes they trust to keep going no matter where the road leads. That’s the level of trust Bajaj enjoys. No wonder it has become the top choice for okada riders across West Africa, including in Nigeria and Uganda.
TVS: Light, fast, and fuel-friendly
Next up is TVS, another Indian brand giving Bajaj stiff competition. Models like the TVS Star HLX and TVS Apache are popular for being lightweight and economical on fuel.
TVS bikes have been gaining fans in Ghana because of their speed and agility in tight traffic. They’re especially loved by younger riders and those making short-distance trips. Even Nigerian markets rank TVS among their top okada brands.
Honda Cubs: The quiet classics
You’ll also see plenty of Honda Cub–style bikes, such as the Honda Wave or Ace. These bikes, with engine sizes around 110cc to 125cc, are step-through motorcycles—simple, comfortable, and long-lasting.
They’re especially popular for food delivery services and light cargo trips. Riders say they’re not the most powerful, but they “go the distance,” particularly in flat urban zones.
Chinese brands: The budget fighters
Listings on Jiji Ghana show that Sonlink motorbikes typically fall between GHS 6,500 and GHS 14,000, depending on the model and condition. Similarly, Upfrica GH lists Supreme Star motorbikes with 125cc–150cc engines priced around $1,266, which converts to roughly GHS 15,000 at current exchange rates.
Riders often see them as a good starting point—but parts can be trickier to find, and reliability varies from model to model.
What makes a bike “Okada-ready”?
After chatting with riders in Madina, it’s clear that every okada-worthy bike needs to be fuel-efficient, easy to fix on the go, made with affordable parts that are easy to find, and built with strong shocks and frames to survive Ghana’s infamous “off-road” roads.
Electric Bikes? Not quite yet
While electric bikes are catching global attention, Ghana’s okada market isn’t there yet. A few local startups, like OkadaMotto, are piloting electric models, but challenges such as battery charging, pricing, and limited infrastructure mean petrol still rules the road.
So, the next time you hop on an okada in Madina, Osu, or Adum, take a look at the bike. Whether it’s a Bajaj Boxer or a TVS Apache, know that behind those handlebars is a story of hustle, survival, and resilience.
These motorbikes aren’t just machines—they are engines of the everyday Ghanaian dream.
