We’re lower than two weeks away from the beginning of EICMA—the large annual bike commerce present that historically brings a slew of recent bike releases. However, as has turn into the norm over the previous few years, it looks like there’s extra information earlier than the occasion than we’re anticipating from the occasion itself.
Up to now month alone, 2026 bikes from main gamers like Honda, KTM, Ducati, Kawasaki, and Triumph have all damaged cowl. We have rounded up our favourite highlights, whereas asking the query: with a lot great things taking place earlier than EICMA, has the present itself misplaced its attraction?
2026 Ducati Monster
Ducati has redesigned the venerable Monster for 2026, marking the bare roadster’s fifth era. In what we will solely assume is a bid to make us overlook that they axed the Monster’s iconic trellis body 5 years in the past, the Italian agency has tweaked the styling to include key particulars from the Monsters of yore.
Ducati says they redesigned the brand new Monster from scratch, but it surely nonetheless bears a detailed resemblance to its predecessor, with a pointy, fashionable vibe. Ducati’s newer V2 engine is suspended from a monocoque body, the swingarm takes inspiration from the Panigale, and the subframe is an element technopolymer with the tiniest trace of a metal trellis part.
The engine makes use of Ducati’s proprietary ‘Consumption Variable Timing’ system, delivering smoothness down low and vitality up excessive within the revs. It makes 111 hp at 9,000 rpm and 91.1 Nm at 7,250 rpm, delivering greater than 80% of its most torque between 4,000 and 10,000 rpm. Working gear consists of Showa suspension, Brembo entrance brakes, a full electronics package deal, a quick-shifter, and a brand new TFT sprint.
On the styling entrance, the brand new Monster’s tank is extra akin to the hunched models on older iterations, with consumption vents that recall the second-generation Monster. The Monster + mannequin comes with a headlight cowl and a extra rounded passenger seat cowl than earlier than; each particulars are as soon as once more extra aligned with the standard Monster aesthetic.
The general look is rather less fussy than earlier than, with fewer plastic bits and a clearer have a look at the engine, which is nice. That mentioned, the styling nonetheless does not fairly have us satisfied. Maybe the sixth-generation Monster will get it proper. [Ducati]
2026 Honda CB1000F
Excellent news, sports activities followers: the Honda CB1000F idea that the Japanese marque has been teasing all yr has gone into manufacturing. It is one of the crucial thrilling fashionable classics to hit the scene in recent times, but it surely’s solely accessible in Japan and Europe (for now).
Visually, the 2026 Honda CB1000F is a superbly modernized model of the enduring Nineteen Eighties CB750F—from the bodywork to the classic Honda-inspired liveries it is available in. Underneath the hood, you get the bones of a Honda CB1000 Hornet, though its inline-four cylinder motor’s been tuned for a barely mellower 122 hp and 103 Nm.
Past the basic styling lie fashionable Showa suspension elements, twin radial-mounted entrance brakes, LED lighting, a TFT show, and a full suite of digital using aids. And if personalization is your factor, Honda presents a smorgasbord of bolt-on elements, together with a ‘consolation’ seat, a headlight fairing, a quick-shifter, mushy baggage, and extra.
By re-jigging the Hornet as a basic CB, Honda’s used the identical technique as Kawasaki with the Z900RS and Yamaha with the XSR900. However we reckon Massive Pink’s achieved it higher. [Honda Europe]
2026 KTM 990 RC R
KTM’s forte is off-road, journey, and bare bikes, however the Austrian marque frequently dabbles in sportbikes—at all times with radical outcomes. The 2026 KTM 990 RC R takes the corporate’s vigorous LC8c engine, tunes it to 128 hp and 103 Nm, and packs it right into a purpose-built supersport for the road, with a metal chassis, an aluminum subframe, and KTM’s signature hooligan styling.
There are hints of the KTM’s MotoGP contender, the RC16, within the 990 RC R’s fairing—particularly its aero wing and the recess that hosts the headlight. The bike additionally appears to be like to hold over learnings from the 2024 KTM RC 8C, which was developed in collaboration with the German boutique race bike model, Krämer.
As you’d count on from KTM, the 990 RC R comes with WP APEX suspension and Brembo brakes, plus an 8.8” TFT dashboard with a number of using modes—together with an choice monitor mode and two customizable modes. Ergonomically, the RC R’s been designed to optimize each contact patch, with adjustable foot pegs to accommodate shorter and taller riders.
The KTM 990 RC R is pitched at sportbike riders who need a bike equally good for the monitor or avenue. But when that is not centered for you, the corporate has teased a KTM 990 RC R TRACK version that is launching subsequent yr, together with a bike-specific racing collection in Europe. [KTM]
2026 Kawasaki KLE500
Massive information out of Kawasaki’s camp this week was the return of one of many journey using scene’s most beloved underdogs—the Kawasaki KLE500. Obtainable in normal and ‘SE’ trim (as pictured right here), and powered by a plucky 451 cc parallel-twin mill, the brand new KLE sports activities the kind of rally raid aesthetic that is turn into ubiquitous amongst dual-sport bikes.
Highlights embody a metal trellis body, 21F/17R wheels, 43 mm KYB forks, and switchable ABS. The SE spec provides a taller windscreen, strengthened hand guards, a much bigger bash plate, LED lights, and a TFT show with smartphone connectivity.
Small-to-mid-sized journey bikes just like the Royal Enfield Himalayan and Honda NX500 are all the fashion proper now, so the Kawasaki KLE500 ought to match proper in. Kawasaki is legendary for constructing usable and unbreakable journey bikes, so we’re absolutely anticipating to see 2026-model KLE500s nonetheless tearing up the paths 20 years from now. [Kawasaki]
Stark VARG SM
The Spanish electric motorcycle firm Stark Future is comparatively younger, but it surely’s already making waves. They just lately pulled the wraps of the brand new Stark VARG SM—a light-weight electrical supermoto with sharp styling and a gaggle of intelligent options.
With a paltry curb weight of 124.5 kilos [274.5 pounds], and an output of as much as 80 hp (relying on which mannequin you purchase) delivered with the kind of urgency that electrical motors provide, the VARG SM appears like barrels of enjoyable. Its carbon-fiber-sleeved motor—derived from Stark’s motocross bike—is partnered with a metal body that makes use of the bike’s honeycomb magnesium battery as a structural part. The subframe is a solid aluminum half, whereas the forks and shock are adjustable models from KYB.
The VARG SM appears to be like crisp and razor sharp, with fastidiously thought-about floor finishes and numerous particulars that will make any industrial designer giddy. The flower-shaped CNC-machined switchblock is one standout function, as are the CNC-machined hubs. You additionally get a water-resistant and shock-resistant Android-based Arkenstone show, loaded with performance.
The battery presents a claimed most vary of 120 km [74.6 miles] below the mildest situations, with a full cost in lower than two hours. Underneath the hood, riders can customise the bike’s energy supply and regenerative ‘engine’ braking to swimsuit their private using fashion.
All that can set you again $12,900 for the 60 hp model and $13,900 for the 80 hp model within the US. That pitches the Stark VARG SM in opposition to bikes just like the KTM 690 SMC R and Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono—each of which weigh extra however go a lot additional on a full tank. [Stark Future]
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