We’re on the cusp of Daytona, and already this week’s information is exhibiting off a bevy of lovely issues for the kickstart to the driving season:
- Design filings present that KTM is seeking to uprate its 790 Duke whereas making certain the factor stays compliant with Euro5+ rules.
- Paper revealed from India present that the RTR HyprStunt TVS debuted at EICMA 2025 will doubtless turn out to be a factory-built stunt bike actuality within the coming months.
- Chris Carr, multi-time champ of the Flat Monitor scene, has been named the brand new Collection Director for American Flat Monitor!
- I’ll be becoming a member of Royal Enfield as all of us journey right down to Daytona – and on high of the standard top-tier obligatories, the enjoyable will doubtless embrace some sliding college and a few SuperCross!
Let’s start with KTM’s information, we could?
Quick Filings: New Designs Present Subsequent-Gen KTM 790 Duke On the Means
KTM Closes the Hole Between the 790 and 990 Even Additional
New design filings have emerged exhibiting that KTM’s 790 Duke – the “Authentic Scalpel” – is getting a critical surgical replace for the brand new yr. Current design filings have leaked a machine that’s transferring away from its budget-friendly roots towards a extra premium, aggressive structure (and a tad nearer to the bigger-bore 990).
Whereas the 799cc LC8c parallel-twin stays the guts of the bike, the encircling {hardware} features a fully redesigned metal trellis body and a brand new gravity-die-cast aluminum subframe much like that of the 990 Duke. This specific change is more likely to improve stiffness whereas making the bike even lighter for simpler flick-ability within the corners.
Visually, the bike in these papers exhibits the “hole” LED headlight design of the trendy Duke household, together with a brand new, extra underslung exhaust system and a chiseled gas tank that comes with bigger air intakes that we’re guessing helps the LC8c meet more and more stringent Euro 5+ emissions with out sacrificing that signature mid-range punch.
Odds are that KTM’s transfer to improve the bike’s chassis and tech suite is a bid for a middleweight contender to deliver a higher-performance middleweight different to riders who need the agility of a twin with out the value tag of the Tremendous Duke vary.
A reminder that, on the company facet, Bajaj Auto formally took majority management of KTM from Pierer Mobility AG in early 2025 – and whereas 2025 revenues had been down considerably (largely due to an enormous “stock clearing” effort that diminished inventory by over 100,000 models), the model is now in a way more secure monetary place.
For the rider, this implies KTM has cleared out the “previous” inventory to make room for this subsequent era of {hardware}, all whereas balancing out financially and persevering with to assist their staff.
For a deep dive into the patent sketches and a side-by-side comparability with the present mannequin, check out the full report at Cycle World.
Rumor Has It: TVS is About to Debut a Manufacturing unit-Constructed Stunt Bike
Apache RTR 310 with a Crash Cage, or New Market Potential?
The “Racing DNA” advertising and marketing seize from TVS Motor Firm is taking a really literal – and quite neat – flip into 2026. We first caught a glimpse of a stunt bike idea known as the “RTR HyprStunt” machine at EICMA 2025 in Milan. On the time, many dismissed the venture as an Apache RTR 310 with a crash cage – a flashy showpiece designed to seize the attention with out an excessive amount of follow-through. New papers filed in India, nonetheless, have proven in any other case – and gone on to point out that TVS believes the market may benefit vastly from a brand new factory-built stunt bike.
Sketches reveal a purpose-built stunt platform with {hardware} particularly engineered for low-speed, high-stress technical maneuvers. The patent drawings spotlight a “pro-only” cockpit with large, tapered handlebars and a left-hand grasp cylinder for a devoted hand-operated rear brake – an absolute necessity for skilled stunting. We’re additionally seeing a V-shaped, cushioned seat designed for straightforward place switching and upward-angled tank shrouds that give riders a secure platform to face on throughout technical tips.
As for energy, the brand new RT-XD4 liquid-cooled engine (doubtless the 312cc unit seen within the Apache RTX 300) is mounted right into a body that appears like a complete evolution of the Apache trellis. The dearth of a conventional headlight meeting within the sketches additional emphasizes that TVS is focusing on the competitors circuit or a distinct segment, limited-run “off-road solely” launch.
On the company facet, TVS is at the moment driving a wave of record-breaking monetary success. The corporate reported its highest-ever quarterly gross sales on the finish of 2025, with working income surging +37%. This large inflow of money, supported by a 29% gross sales surge in January 2026, is what permits a producer the liberty to experiment with “halo” merchandise just like the HyprStunt.
For the rider, this monetary stability implies that TVS can afford to take dangers on specialised niches with out compromising its major lineup. When a producer will get 35% of its income from worldwide exports, it regains elevated availability to begin constructing bikes which have better potential to outline tradition quite than simply chasing gross sales quantity.
If nothing else, the HyprStunt will probably be backed by the R&D price range of a model that’s arguably at its strongest level in historical past.
To investigate the patent filings and see the specialised componentry of the HyprStunt, go to the deep dive at Cycle World.
Passing the Torch: Chris Carr Named AFT Collection Director
Seven-Time Champion Takes Cost of American Flat Monitor Operations
Chris Carr, a seven-time Grand Nationwide Champion and the winningest rider in American Flat Monitor historical past, has formally been named the Collection Director for AFT. That is big for the world’s premier grime observe collection, as Carr’s rise to collection Director follows a number of seasons of technical rule modifications and shifting class constructions. AFT’s transfer to place Carr – a veteran champion – in control of operations alerts the group’s want to return to the core aggressive values that outlined the game’s golden period.
On this new position, Carr will probably be overseeing the direct administration of the AFT Mission SuperTwins and AFT Singles courses, masking every thing from technical parity to occasion security. We’re advised that Chris’s main focus for the 2026 circuit will probably be in balancing the varied producers, particularly the continuing rivalry between the purpose-built Indian FTR750 and the production-based twins from KTM, Yamaha, and Royal Enfield.
For the collection this yr, riders can count on a renewed emphasis on observe preparation and race-day logistics. Carr’s intimate information of how a observe floor “grooves up” means we’re additionally more likely to see extra constant racing traces throughout the 16-round schedule, which improves side-by-side motion for the followers.
From a collection perspective, 2026 is exhibiting a shift towards extra “Quick Monitor” and “Half-Mile” occasions, which cater to the explosive, high-torque nature of the trendy twins. By leveraging Carr’s deep business relationships, AFT is positioning itself to bridge the hole between its heritage roots and the trendy calls for of a televised excessive sport, which embrace technical stability and honest play.
For the complete interview with Chris Carr concerning his imaginative and prescient for the 2026 season and the up to date AFT technical rules, go to Motorcycle.com.
Beachside Certain: Royal Enfield Takes on Daytona Bike Week 2026
A Heritage Presence on the “World’s Heart of Racing”
I’m headed to spend a handful of days with Royal Enfield’s most interesting – and this yr, the agenda features a journey to Florida, the place we could have excursions about St. Augustine, a day-long journey to Daytona Worldwide Speedway, time on a Royal Enfield at Slide Faculty, and a front-row seat to SuperCross!
As one of many fastest-growing manufacturers within the North American market, Enfield is using Daytona’s plethora of fairly stuff to showcase its increasing 650cc platform whereas leaning into its One hundred and twenty fifth anniversary, a marketing campaign that continues to deliver riders alongside right into a two-wheeled, clever future.
Highlights for this journey will embrace time on Royal Enfield’s Basic 650 – a machine that carries the identical platform because the Tremendous Meteor 650 I swung a leg over a handful of years again. I ought to add this: One of many major explanation why I’ve been so concerned with Royal Enfield through the years is because of my continuous respect for the group’s kindness, rigorous care of the rider, and the ultra-reasonable worth factors Royal Enfield machines can boast whereas nonetheless displaying strong long-term machine sturdiness.
Have I ever owned a Royal Enfield? No – however I’m contemplating including to my assortment. And if I had been to seize a machine, it’d doubtless be one boasting their new middleweight platform.
However again to the obligatories.
Financially, Royal Enfield is at the moment the “golden little one” of the powersports world. The corporate simply celebrated a historic milestone, crossing 1 million models bought in simply 10 months of the 2025-26 fiscal yr. In January 2026 alone, the model noticed a +14% year-on-year development, pushed by a home surge in India and a major +34% improve in international exports.
For the rider, this monetary powerhouse standing interprets to an aggressive product roadmap – and document earnings are being funneled instantly again into R&D for the upcoming 750cc platform and particular One hundred and twenty fifth-anniversary editions. When an organization is that this wholesome, riders profit from higher supplier availability, extra accent assist, and the peace of thoughts that their machine is backed by a model that’s arguably at its strongest level in its 125-year historical past. One may even say that the presence of a heritage-focused model like Royal Enfield at a venue constructed on “The Pursuit of Velocity” highlights the model’s character-richand budget-friendly different to the standard cruiser and sportbike crowds of Daytona.
Backside line, I’m greater than a bit jazzed to be part of all of it, and can preserve y’all posted on highlights of this journey!
To see the complete schedule of demo rides and occasions taking place on the World’s Heart of Racing, go to the official Daytona International Speedway calendar.
*Media sourced from KTM, TVS, AFT, and Royal Enfield*
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