ZXMoto’s new V5 engine is said to be on show at EICMA in November, with the Superbike World Championship named as the target for 2028. Yet a five-cylinder does not appear in that series’ rulebook at all.
Browsing: Rumors
Rumors
Under this tag you will find articles covering current rumors and speculation within the motorcycle industry. This may include potential new models, technical developments, planned collaborations or possible changes in racing and manufacturer strategies.
The list below brings together all content dealing with information that has not yet been officially confirmed. Where possible, the background and current status of the information are presented in a factual context.
Californian registration documents list two model names that do not exist in Ducati’s current line-up. Both point to a renewed collaboration between Ducati and British car manufacturer Bentley.
MV Agusta has confirmed its entry into the Italian crisis procedure Composizione Negoziata della Crisi, admitting both operational and financial difficulties. For owners and prospective buyers this raises very concrete questions about spare parts, warranty and resale value, which neither the factory in Varese nor the German sales company has answered so far.
The Suzuki SV 650 has been newly certified in California for the 2027 model year, together with the revised 645 cc V-twin from the SV-7GX. Whether that means the model also returns to Europe has not been confirmed by Suzuki so far.
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner made two different statements about Ducati’s future within a single day. Neither version says anything has been decided, but since the supervisory board resolution of 4 September the brand from Borgo Panigale is on the Volkswagen Group’s review list.
Sam Sunderland set off from London on 5 September 2026 on his round-the-world record attempt. In the photos from the start he is apparently sitting on a Triumph Tiger 1200 that does not officially exist yet.
Production at MV Agusta’s Varese plant has reportedly been idle since April after the planned entry of Chinese manufacturer CFMOTO collapsed. Dealers in several countries have been waiting months for new motorcycles and spare parts.
The 490 RC is set to become the smallest model in KTM’s new sport range. More recent information shows that it is not based on the 450 RC sold in China, but on a purpose-developed twin-cylinder platform.
BMW Motorrad shows the R20 uncamouflaged and almost finished for the first time in an official video. Company boss Markus Flasch openly says he would like to bring the two-litre boxer’s sales launch forward.
On 2 November 2026 Yamaha will show a new model that many expect to be a Ténéré 900 with a three-cylinder engine. If it does arrive, it will face a field of five established enduros separated by around 8,000 euros in price.
Kawasaki has released a twelve-second video on its European social media channels showing nothing but the sound of a supercharged engine and the line “Return To Beyond Belief”. Together with the already known US certification data for the 2027 model year, the signs are mounting that the Ninja H2 is returning to Europe after a five-year break.
Yamaha has announced a presentation in Milan for 2 November and turned it into a riddle. An image showing three uneven heartbeats and a line about the rhythm of the industry have been fuelling speculation ever since.
Yamaha is launching a new fully faired machine in the R series on 27 August 2026, positioned between the R15 and the R3. Pre-orders are already running, while the manufacturer is holding back official technical data until the premiere.
US regulatory documents list a BMW M 1000 RS for the 2027 model year that does not yet appear in any model range. It is set to take over the M 1000 RR’s engine, but with a different focus than the superbike.
Honda is developing a 900 cc V3 engine with an electric compressor, and the next Africa Twin is seen as a strong candidate for that drivetrain. On paper, the familiar adventure bike would become an Africa Triple.
A so far unknown Yamaha XSR900 SP appears in registration documents for the US market. The vehicle identification code suggests this is a standalone model rather than an already known variant under a new name.
A Californian environmental agency has approved a Ducati Panigale V4 SP for the 2027 model year. The SP badge thus returns to the range for the first time since the previous Panigale generation.
Royal Enfield is apparently bringing back the simple adventure bike, though with a larger engine and a sixth gear. The Indian market launch is expected for September 2026; the manufacturer has confirmed nothing officially so far.
Triumph has developed a new race engine for Moto2, but the matching production motorcycle does not exist yet. The manufacturer now rules out that the unit is derived from the Trident 800 or the Tiger Sport 800.
Maverick Vinales has publicly contradicted reports of an immediate end to his MotoGP spell with Red Bull KTM Tech3. At the centre of it all is less the dispute with the manufacturer than the condition of his left shoulder.