Author: Andreas Denner

Motorcycle accessories supplier Polo has once again filed for insolvency under its own administration and intends to continue business operations under the protection of insolvency law. Despite economic difficulties, the stores remain open and employees’ wages are secure for the time being.

Triumph is expanding its Street Triple series with the addition of the sporty 765 RX and 765 Moto2 Edition models. Both bikes are designed to offer greater exclusivity and a more race track-oriented focus, and are based on the powerful RS model.

The official MotoGP winter test in Valencia offered four hours of intense action and provided a first glimpse of the 2026 season. Aprilia took the lead with Raul Fernandez, while Toprak Razgatlioglu made a strong impression in his first outing on the V4-powered Yamaha.

Despite an uncertain sales situation in parts of Europe, Moto Morini is working on new models. The latest addition is the Rumble, a bobber that, according to the manufacturer, is intended to be a blend of simple classic shapes and modern elements. Visually, it is said to be inspired by early 20th-century designs, combining these with bold lines and deliberately minimalist details.

Arai unveiled a new special edition of its popular sports helmet at Motorcycle Live in Birmingham. The RX-7V EVO IoM TT 2026 Limited Edition will be available in small quantities during the TT starting in May 2026. With this edition, the brand continues its longstanding connection to the Tourist Trophy, which has existed for decades.

Following the recall campaign in spring 2025 for the CB 650 R and CBR 650 R, the next measure is now being implemented. This time, it affects the Honda CB 1000 Hornet and Honda CB 1000 SP Hornet from the 2025 model year. These models may also experience loose gear shifting. According to Honda, under certain conditions, the shift linkage pivot pin may lose its preload and, in the worst case, come loose.

Following his surprising departure from Kove, Zhang Xue, a leading figure in the Chinese motorcycle industry, has started a new chapter with ZXMoto. Without much fanfare, he left Kove—a brand he had built himself—and went on to found a new motorcycle brand named after his initials: ZXMoto.

The season finale in Valencia provided a clear picture at the top. Marco Bezzecchi controlled the Grand Prix from the first to the last lap and, together with Raul Fernandez, secured a historic success. For the first time, Aprilia managed to win two MotoGP races in a row. While Bezzecchi secured his start-to-finish victory, Fernandez closed in towards the end but was unable to make a decisive move.

The final sprint of the 2025 MotoGP season in Valencia offered a mix of early incidents, tactical duels, and clear battles for position. Alex Márquez took advantage of his strong start, kept Pedro Acosta at bay, and claimed his third sprint victory of the season. Fabio Di Giannantonio prevailed in a close duel with Raul Fernandez to complete the podium.

Harley-Davidson’s 2025 Let’s Ride Challenge – Ride for Heroes ran across the United States between March 28 and October 31 and became one of the manufacturer’s largest participatory campaigns. More than 29,000 registered participants collectively racked up 83.4 million miles on their Harley-Davidson motorcycles. This significantly exceeded the original target of 50 million miles and triggered a donation of US$1 million (approx. €920,000) to various organizations that support military personnel, veterans, and first responders.

MV Agusta is working on a new engine concept that differs significantly from classic designs. The so-called Cinque Cilindri combines five cylinders in a compact arrangement reminiscent of VR engines, but without adopting their typical V-structure. The concept was first unveiled at EICMA and subsequently supplemented with further information.

Midual is launching a new version of its handcrafted roadster, the Type 1 Série 3. This exclusive vehicle will continue to be produced in very small numbers and is aimed at collectors who value artistic craftsmanship and unusual technology. Only 20 units are to be built in total.

Milestone will release the next major installment in its racing game series, RIDE 6, in early 2026. The title will be released on February 12, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and according to the manufacturer, it will be the most comprehensive project in the series to date. Pre-order customers will have access via early access starting February 9, 2026.

British manufacturer Langen has unveiled the production-ready version of its Lightspeed. The aircraft will be limited to 185 units and is scheduled for delivery from mid-2026. It can already be ordered now, with a deposit of £1,000 (around €1,170/$1,270) securing your place. The starting price is £44,400, which corresponds to approximately €51,948 or $56,388.

In model year 2024, KTM AG is recalling several KTM and Husqvarna motorcycles worldwide. Specifically, this affects the Duke 125, 390, and 990 models, as well as the Husqvarna Svartpilen and Vitpilen 125 and 401 models. The recall is a preventive measure to replace the fuel cap sealing ring.

Triumph is expanding its Tiger series for the 2026 model year with four new special editions: Alpine and Desert editions are available for the Tiger 900 and 1200 respectively. Both model variants feature special equipment, new colors, and, for the first time, a standard Akrapovič muffler. The new editions are not only designed to evoke mountain landscapes and deserts, but also offer real added value in terms of technology and comfort.

Following his retirement as a full-time rider in the Superbike World Championship, Jonathan Rea will now serve as an official test rider for Honda. This brings things full circle for the Northern Irishman, who began his international racing career with Honda and is now returning to the Japanese manufacturer after successful years with Kawasaki.

The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) is using the National Road Safety Conference in the United Kingdom to call for a fundamental change in transport policy. Instead of continuing to treat motorcycles as a nuisance, the NMC is campaigning for them to be accepted as an equal and sustainable part of the transport system.

A round table was set up in the district of Aschaffenburg to discuss road safety for motorcyclists and how to deal with noise caused by motorcycles. The initiative came from the district municipalities, in particular from Laufach’s mayor Friedrich Fleckenstein. The focus is on the circuit between Laufach, Heigenbrücken, Jakobsthal, and Sailauf, as well as the access roads from Wiesen and Vormwald. This route is apparently used regularly for time trials and filming unauthorized “competitions,” which repeatedly causes considerable noise pollution for residents.

Insta360 has teamed up with Leica to introduce three new videography bundles for the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 action camera. The aim of the new packages is to provide creative professionals in particular with a flexible and practical set that is easy to use and versatile in everyday life. The bundles were developed in collaboration with the international community and are geared toward specific needs such as quick setups, versatile lenses, and integrated tools for immediate use.