With the registration of the brand name “Electra” in India, Norton is announcing a remarkable change in strategy. The traditional British brand, previously known primarily for large-displacement machines, now wants to get involved in the lightweight motorcycle segment.
The CFMoto 500SR Voom caused a stir when it was unveiled in 2024 – but the sporty four-cylinder was initially intended exclusively for the Chinese market. Now there are concrete indications that the retro sports bike could also be coming to Europe. New patent images show the machine in a version optimized for the European market with specific details that have not been seen before.
Suzuki appears to be expanding its range of sporty mid-range tourers. New documents submitted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) indicate that two new models, the GSX-8T and GSX-8TT, will be launched with the proven 776 cc parallel twin engine.
With the KLX230 Sherpa, Kawasaki is launching a new, small adventure enduro in 2026 that stands out above all for its lightness, robustness, and affordable price. It is positioned as an uncomplicated off-road bike for beginners and experienced riders alike – and could soon be available in Germany.
Royal Enfield continues to push ahead with the electrification of its adventure segment: The traditional Indian brand is currently testing the HIM-E, a fully electric version of the popular Himalayan, under real conditions in the high mountains. During a trip over the Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the world (5,359 m / 17,582 ft), both the HIM-E and a potential new model with a combustion engine – the Himalayan 750 – were put through their paces. Also present: CEO B. Govindarajan and chief designer Mark Wells.
The rumor mill surrounding an electric version of the KTM Duke has been given new fuel: An Instagram video by official KTM stunt rider Rok Bagoroš shows a near-production E-Duke prototype model for the first time at the KTM Motohall in Mattighofen. This confirms what Pierer Mobility had already announced in 2022: the iconic Duke naked bike series will soon also be available electrically.
The clues have been gathering for months - now it's official: Kawasaki is launching a new Z1100. Fresh certification documents from the Netherlands confirm what was previously only speculation. The large naked bike is not only a reinterpretation of the familiar Z design, but also uses tried and tested components. This positions the Z1100 as a powerful four-cylinder road warrior below the Z H2 - with a clear focus on riding fun instead of electronic overkill.
Ducati has officially unveiled the next-generation Panigale V4 R during a two-day Superbike test at the Misano World Circuit on May 27, 2025. The bike, destined for competition in the 2026 World Superbike Championship, was ridden by test rider Michele Pirro, who completed 39 laps. His best lap time was 1:34.574 minutes—about 1.5 seconds slower than Toprak Razgatlioglu's fastest time of the day (1:33.034) aboard a BMW.
The Ducati Monster will appear in a new guise in 2026 - the first prototype images from test rides in Italy leave no doubt: the traditional naked bike series will receive a comprehensive technology and design update. Although the striking basic shape remains the same, a completely new concept is concealed underneath, which is based on modern Ducati platforms. This is the next big step for the Monster series.
Aprilia appears to be preparing a new edition of the RSV1000. At the beginning of 2025, Piaggio, the parent company of the Italian brand, had the model name “RSV1000” protected again - initially in the USA. This trademark protection is valid until at least November 2026 and covers both motorcycles and accessories with this name. While official confirmation from Aprilia is still pending, there are many indications that the traditional brand is working on a new V2 super sports bike.
Chinese manufacturer QJMotor could soon be adding a three-cylinder engine to its portfolio. A patent application published in February 2025 points to a new triple - and it is even said to be equipped with an automated manual transmission (AMT). As Benelli belongs to the Qianjiang Group, it is conceivable that this engine will also be used in new models from the Italian brand.
Royal Enfield presented its new electric sub-brand “Flying Flea” at EICMA 2024 and unveiled a model designed for urban use: the Flying Flea C6. The traditional brand, which looks back on over 100 years of history, is venturing into electromobility with the Flying Flea C6 and is thus building on its past, when the original Flying Flea model became known as a light military machine during the Second World War.