For the M 1000 RS, BMW takes the M 1000 RR engine at full power and puts it into an unfaired motorcycle. The RS badge does not refer to the brand’s sport tourers but to early racing machines such as the RS 255 Kompressor.
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Benda showed the Dark Flag 600 Ultra EC at EICMA 2026, a V4 cruiser with an electronic clutch and automatically lowering air suspension. Compared with the familiar Dark Flag 500 Commander, it gains around 23 hp and still weighs six kilos less.
With the Africa Twin Enduro Sports, Honda is introducing a third version of its big adventure bike for the first time, one clearly aimed at tough terrain. It does without the electronic suspension of its sister models and instead relies on long suspension travel, more ground clearance and 9 kg less weight.
Yamaha enters the adventure scooter segment with the new RW series and launches three models at once. The RW700 uses the Ténéré 700’s twin along with chain drive and the Y-AMT gearbox, while the smaller RW350 gets a new engine and its own drivetrain concept.
Ducati has officially unveiled the new Panigale V4 SP, bringing the name back into the current superbike generation. A dry clutch, carbon wheels, a racing gearbox with neutral below first gear and its own aero package make it the track version of the range.
Decisions on new closures and restrictions for motorcycles are usually made once the season is over. On the B500, near Oberhof and at the Sudelfeld, such decisions are due in the coming weeks.
In the Außerfern region, further roads could soon be closed to motorcycles with a stationary noise level above 95 decibels, as the Tyrolean state parliament reviews an extension of the ban. Ironically, the justification is motorcycles that are avoiding the existing closures.
Italy has issued new rules for underride protection on crash barriers, which is meant to protect fallen motorcyclists from posts and edges. A single serious accident can trigger an obligation, but designers and road operators may opt out with a justification.
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