Yamaha is not sending any of its four MotoGP bikes to the Qatar Grand Prix, openly defying the organiser. MotoGP is sticking to the race, threatening the manufacturer with consequences and at the same time having to deal with a rider field that mostly does not want to go to Lusail at all.
Kawasaki is bringing a big fuel-injected two-stroke, a KLE500 with an automatic pull-away clutch and a four-legged hydrogen-powered vehicle to EICMA 2026 in Milan. German prices and delivery dates are already set for several of these new models.
Pedro Acosta won the MotoGP sprint in Sepang after Alex Marquez crashed out of the lead and raindrops unsettled the field. Marc Marquez finished second and now leads the championship by 19 points over the injured Jorge Martin.
For the 2027 model year, Ducati is launching the Monster as the all-black Dark, with the same 111 hp V-twin as the standard version. The savings are not made on the engine or electronics, but on a few comfort details and on the price.
For many manufacturers, EICMA 2026 in Milan is the stage for the 2027 model year. Some have announced fixed unveiling dates, while for others only spy shots and homologation papers point to a premiere so far.
Italy has issued new rules for underride protection on crash barriers, which is meant to protect fallen motorcyclists from posts and edges. A single serious accident can trigger an obligation, but designers and road operators may opt out with a justification.
After a summer of many fatal motorcycle crashes in the northern Black Forest, authorities are relying on rumble strips, drones and more checks. A traffic psychologist thinks this is not enough and wants to tackle risky riding where he believes it starts: in the mind and on the smartphone.
Italy’s government wants to oblige drivers in traffic jams to clear a corridor for motorcycles and allow motorcycles onto the hard shoulder when traffic backs up. Nothing has been adopted yet, and the corridor will by no means be mandatory on every road.
