For a long time, the return of the two-stroke engine was considered virtually impossible. Strict emissions laws and high fuel consumption were seen as insurmountable obstacles. But US start-up Alpha-Otto has unveiled the REV Force, an engine that has little in common with classic two-stroke engines. It combines the latest high-tech solutions with the advantages of the two-stroke principle – and aims to make the combustion engine fit for a clean, flexible, and powerful future.
Japanese automotive supplier Toyoda Gosei is turning its attention to a previously neglected issue: active accident protection for motorcyclists. By developing its own airbag system for motorcycles, the company aims to help reduce injuries and fatalities in road traffic in the future.
Yamaha is marking a milestone in the motorcycle world with the introduction of adaptive Matrix LED headlights in the revised Tracer 9 GT+. This is the first time that this technology, familiar from the automotive sector, has been used as standard on a motorcycle. While it has been established in cars for over a decade, a number of technical hurdles had to be overcome before it could be used on two wheels.
Ducati is working on a new chapter in motorcycle technology - an automated clutch that does not neglect comfort or sportiness. What initially sounds like a classic step towards automatic transmission turns out, on closer inspection, to be a highly developed, adaptive system aimed at both ambitious riders and racing. With this technology, Ducati is clearly not just trying to catch up, but to set its own standards - in its own style: technically sophisticated, adaptable and future-oriented.
The Italian brake icon Brembo presented its new Greentell braking system at Auto Shanghai 2025 - a system that not only stands for high braking performance, but also specifically reduces the environmental impact. The combination of innovative coating and intelligent material selection is intended to massively reduce brake dust emissions while still offering the usual performance. One of the reasons for this is the forthcoming Euro 7 standard, which should also regulate particulate emissions from brakes for the first time.
BMW is currently working on an innovative system that uses high-pressure air jets to actively influence the aerodynamics of motorcycles. The focus is on a type of “jet assistance” that is intended to increase grip and improve handling in cornering situations. Initial patent applications provide an insight into the complex system, which could represent a new evolutionary stage in active aerodynamics.
While Honda is preparing for series production with the V3R E-Compressor and electrically powered supercharger, Yamaha is taking a completely different direction - with an electrically assisted turbocharger, or E-Turbo for short. New patent applications now provide insights into Yamaha's approach to combining increased performance, efficiency and reduced emissions in motorcycles.
Electromobility is currently experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions. While the initial euphoria has waned and political setbacks under the renewed presidency of Donald Trump are causing uncertainty in America, development is not standing still. A technological breakthrough by General Motors (GM) and LG Energy Solution could give new impetus to electromobility - especially for motorcycles and off-road vehicles.
Suzuki is reportedly pushing forward with the development of a Variable Valve Timing (VVT) system for its small-capacity motorcycles. Recently surfaced patent documents reveal that the Japanese manufacturer is working on a VVT system tailored for its 249cc single-cylinder engine – the one currently powering the V-Strom 250 and GSX-250R.
Yamaha is bringing movement to the motorcycle market - with an unusual concept: the Japanese company has developed a plug-in hybrid version of its popular MT-09 naked bike. The prototype combines the familiar three-cylinder engine with an additional electric motor, offering a mixture of classic riding fun and innovative technology. However, according to Yamaha, the focus is not on CO2 neutrality, but on the joy of riding.
The Indian motorcycle manufacturer TVS Motor Company is apparently working on a new electric motorcycle. A recently published patent points to a completely new vehicle concept that could expand the company's existing electric fleet. TVS currently offers two electrically powered scooters, the iQube and the TVS X. The model that has now been patented would be the company's first fully electric motorcycle.
Since their introduction in the automotive industry, airbags have established themselves as a life-saving innovation. According to the NHTSA, over 50,000 lives were saved by airbags in the USA alone between 1987 and 2017. Worldwide, it is estimated that they prevent around 70,000 deaths every year. However, while cars have long been equipped with this technology across the board, airbags have a niche existence in motorcycle construction. Only the Honda Gold Wing has been available with an airbag as standard since 2007 - an exception that highlights the particular challenges involved in implementing such systems on two-wheelers. Now Yamaha is getting into the game with an innovative sensor concept.
With the “Concept 01 Corleo”, Kawasaki presents a futuristic project that is equally reminiscent of a sci-fi fantasy creature and modern robotics. The four-legged robot named “Corleo” was presented at an event for the upcoming Expo 2025 in Osaka and is intended to represent nothing less than a new form of personal mobility - somewhere between a motorcycle, quad bike and mechanical mount.
With the registration of new trademark rights in the USA, there are increasing indications of an upcoming production model from Honda that is making technology enthusiasts particularly curious: the V3R E-Compressor will not only feature a rare V3 engine, but also an electrically powered compressor - a first for production motorcycles.
Damon Motorcycles is once again making headlines - not with a finished product, but with a new prototype and a remarkable change in strategy. In cooperation with the Italian design and development company Engines Engineering, a new “HyperSport Race Program” is to be created. This project serves as a technology demonstrator and could point the way for the future of the company - provided it actually results in a marketable product this time.
Winglets are no longer just reserved for the aerodynamically advanced prototypes of MotoGP. More and more manufacturers are adapting the technology for production motorcycles, especially in the high-performance segment. But Kymco - previously better known for scooters and small motorcycles - is surprising us with an innovative approach: the company is working on actively adjustable winglets that react automatically to wheelies and thus improve riding stability when accelerating.
The motorcycle industry has undergone an enormous transformation since its beginnings: from handmade frames and heavy cast iron engines to sophisticated aluminum bridge frames, carbon fairings and coated engine components. Advances in materials science have made motorcycles not only lighter and more powerful, but also more efficient. However, as technical sophistication increases, so does the complexity of manufacturing - and this is where a revolution could be on the horizon.
Since Triumph became the official engine supplier for the Moto2 class in 2019, there has not been such a major technical overhaul as for the 2025 season. The British manufacturer has developed a completely new engine and integrated a fully-fledged racing gearbox for the first time. But what exactly makes this new version so special?
Radar-based driver assistance systems (ADAS) have been making their way into the motorcycle world for several years now. Manufacturers such as Ducati, KTM, Kawasaki, Yamaha and Moto Guzzi offer adaptive cruise control with front radar, while Triumph and Indian also use rear radar for blind spot assistance. However, Honda, the industry giant, has so far dispensed with such a solution - and could instead take a new approach.
Honda is attracting attention with an unusual prototype: from March 7 to 9, 2025, the Japanese brand will be exhibiting a motorcycle based on the legendary Pokémon Koraidon at the Welcome Plaza Aoyama in Tokyo. What initially looks like a pure marketing campaign for Pokémon fans reveals a serious project with advanced technology behind it on closer inspection.