Naturally, we’ve acquired a giant bag of goodies for this week’s information record, courtesy of our good Powersports group (and Santa’s little helpers, in the event you’re into that kind of EOY cheery baloney):
- Indian Bikes – in France – has collaborated with a {custom} firm for a bespoke Challenger Venum that can be out there to France’s driving group (though we’re advised the large reveal can be in Spain).
- On prime of the software program updates and remembers, KTM has made the choice that big-bore efficiency precision is strictly what we want underneath the tree this yr… and the paperwork exhibits a weight discount on prime of a really good pipe selection.
- Polaris has formally launched its 2026 mannequin lineup, alongside the Slingshot’s new colourways, variants, and different performance-oriented goodies.
- PowerSports Enterprise has cataloged its information, and now we have an official winner for the primary bike model in the USA (and a gander at the place Harley-Davidson is within the docket).
- The FIM JuniorGP World Championship Cup is Now Open for Functions!
Let’s see what’s occurring in Indian’s court docket first, lets?
Indian Bikes Companions Up with Venum for New Customized Challenger
In-built France, Debut Set for Madrid on December thirteenth
If you happen to’re questioning what Indian’s been as much as underneath their new CEO, now we have a solution…form of.
Apparently, Indian’s French division has been going laborious in the way in which of {custom} bike tasks; this most up-to-date reveal – a “Challenger Venum,” titled after the Indian bike’s mannequin and the inclusion of a world chief in fight sports activities gear “Venum” – exhibits off the choice to fuse uncooked American bagger efficiency with the assertive aesthetics of battle tradition. The collaboration was purportedly impressed by the Challenger’s model and options an unique camouflage paint scheme, due to the creativeness of Venum’s visible codes. and their translation of the {custom} world at massive.
Baptiste Grenguet (Advertising Supervisor for Indian Bike France) and Louis Caze (Chief Enterprise Improvement Officer at Venum) are positively aligned on the thrilling particulars:
– Baptiste Grenguet, Advertising Supervisor for Indian Bike France (Indian) |
– Louis Caze, Chief Enterprise Improvement Officer at Venum (Indian) |
On prime of sneaky-sneaky hues, we’re advised that this specific Challenger Venum has been given a candy Dr. Jekill & Mr Hyde exhaust system that enables the rider to toggle between a subdued rumble and an aggressive, highly effective roar on the press of a button (very well mannered for suburban streets after hours).
Fittingly, the official unveiling of the Indian Challenger Venum won’t be at a standard motorbike present, however at an unique occasion throughout WOW FC 25 on the Madrid Enviornment in Spain on December 13, 2025.
For extra data on the limited-edition Indian Challenger Venum and its distinctive options, make sure you check out the official press release from Indian Motorcycle France.
Quick Filings: KTM 1390 Tremendous Duke RR Breaks Cowl
Paperwork Exhibits Huge-Bore Liter Bike with Light-weight Design
Regardless of a yr of economic turbulence, remembers, and software program updates, KTM is again on observe with product launches, and European approval filings have simply revealed that the Austrians are engaged on a brand new 2026 KTM 1390 Tremendous Duke RR!
Primarily based on what we’re advised from sightings of European approval paperwork on CycleWorld, this higher-spec machine will observe the identical profitable, limited-edition formulation as its 1290 predecessor; by that, we imply all the ability of the bottom mannequin, solely lighter.
The paperwork affirm that KTM’s new 1390 RR will produce the identical energy/yank ratio – 188 hp and 107 lb-ft of torque – as the usual R, minus the truth that this child is purportedly solely going to weigh a scant 450 kilos with a full tank of gas; a slight weight score certainly, contemplating the earlier R mannequin’s 467-pound score.
On to the large query: What’s KTM doing to create such weight discount for the 1390 Tremendous Duke RR? Apparently, the inventory exhaust is being changed with a light-weight, road-legal Akrapovič titanium muffler full with twin stacked retailers. This liter bike can also be anticipated to hold the same heady cocktail of components and parts as that of KTM’s earlier 1290 Tremendous Duke RR: A lithium-ion battery, a carbon-fiber heavy physique equipment, a single-seat tail, and cast wheels that shave roughly three kilos from total rotating mass.
As for the bike’s normal silhouette, dimensions will kind of stay unchanged; we’re advised the papers present the standard 58.7-inch wheelbase, with sure platforms guessing that we are going to additionally see digital damping in favor of absolutely adjustable, track-focused WP Apex Professional suspension duties.
Though KTM’s launch schedule is barely delayed, the European approval paperwork record this as a 2026 mannequin, suggesting a debut throughout the subsequent few months. Cling tight and we are going to make sure you preserve you up to date!
For an in depth evaluation of the type-approval filings for the brand new 1390 Tremendous Duke RR, make sure you check out the full report on CycleWorld.
Polaris Drops 2026 Mannequin Lineup with Slingshot
New Colourways Be part of Premium Componentry & Badging
Right here in Canada, Polaris’s three-wheeled choices are thought of “bikes,” so we thought to carry a little bit of seasonal cheer and an additional little bit of rubber to the bi-wheeled group.
Polaris Slingshot has formally launched its 2026 mannequin yr lineup; in accordance with their latest press launch, the debut is headlined by a vibrant vary of premium paint colours and the thrilling reintroduction of the limited-edition Grand Touring mannequin, which comes with Polaris’s traditional plethora of bells and whistles.
If you happen to’re curious in regards to the Polaris Slingshot GT, anticipate to fork over an MSRP of round $41,999; for this worth level, you’re getting a bike – autocycle? – constructed upon the high-performance R mannequin basis, full with the 204 hp ProStar 2.0L engine. The go-go juice is accompanied by a novel two-tone Viper Black and Inexperienced Venom iridescent paint scheme; riders seeking to embrace the posh package deal will even look ahead to that sweet-looking, color-matched Slingshade and rear fender, custom-stitched heated and cooled seats, and a Rockford Fosgate Stage 3 Max + Lighting audio system full with 700 watts of sound.
As for electronics, the Grand Touring consists of RIDE COMMAND+ with real-time climate, visitors overlays, and car diagnostics. Per earlier articles, we do wish to specify right here that this program does include a subscription – that means that you simply can’t entry all of the options except you pay additional – however Polaris has come a step additional to the shopper with a proposal for the rider’s first yr free!
Past the Grand Touring, Polaris has additionally amplified model throughout the whole 2026 lineup. The SL, SLR, and R fashions all debut new paint colours, with three paint schemes throughout the lineup, together with the R mannequin’s Radiant Grey with Pink Indy Pearl, incorporating Slingshot’s signature iridescent end.
New for 2026, the SLR and R fashions include new five-spoke honeycomb wheels, which improve efficiency by growing airflow for improved brake cooling; for the R mannequin, these identical wheels are debuted in a black gloss end (all the higher to point out off these fairly Brembo® brakes, we expect).
Naturally, Polaris President is as a lot behind the debut as the remainder of the staff:
– Josh Hermes, Polaris Slingshot Vice President |
Shipments to sellers start this month, so keep tuned!
To discover the unique Grand Touring mannequin, new colorways, and full lineup specs, try the official press release on Polaris’s website.
America’s 2025 Prime Promoting Bike Model is…
…Inexperienced!
A view of Kawasaki’s massive vendor: The Vulcan S Cruiser! Media sourced from Kawasaki.The shifting sands of the American motorbike market have formally revealed a brand new champion for 2025: Kawasaki!
In accordance with year-to-date figures by means of September (by way of a report from Powersports Business), Crew Inexperienced has surged to turn out to be the top-selling motorbike producer within the U.S., overtaking each Honda and Harley-Davidson in a single fell swoop (Honda was #1 final yr). Presently, Kawasaki is first, with Honda coming in second and Harley-Davidson coming in third.
Maybe one of many explanation why Kawi’s outcomes are so spectacular is because of the unlucky proven fact that this yr has been horrible for bike gross sales; in truth, we’re advised that this yr has carried one of many hardest gross sales climates previously decade. You may think about, then, the exceptional mountain of challenges each bike model has confronted to maintain numbers within the black (or much less within the crimson) as we barrel towards 2026 – and whereas the general U.S. motorbike market stays underneath strain, down 6.5% YTD (together with the worst first half in 10 years), Kawasaki continues to point out off appreciable momentum.
Right here’s the official record of America’s 2025 top-selling motorbike manufacturers:
- Kawasaki: +14.2%
- Honda: -8%
- Harley-Davidson: +15.9%
- Indian: +4.9%
All advised, Kawi’s gross sales are up an enormous +14.2%; the comparability is kind of stark once we put Kawasaki in opposition to #2 – Honda, exhibiting an -8% decline – and #3, Harley-Davidson, who fell to 3rd after a steep -15.9% drop in gross sales thanks partly to inside turmoil and income challenges.
Apparently, a part of the gross sales successes Kawasaki celebrates are because of robust demand for the inexpensive and dependable Ninja lineup and the Vulcan S cruiser, which continues to supply beautiful worth (the brand new key phrase of 2026, we expect) in lists across the web, for newbie and skilled riders alike.
Additional down the record, American icon Indian Bike stays a brilliant spot, posting a +4.9% development.
Included on this article, then, we put up the next confirmations as we go into 2026:
- Riders proceed to be swayed by rides that provide worth and accessibility.
- Sellers are seeing buyer priorities shift towards the proper mix of affordability and dependability.
Primarily based on the above, we can be curious to see how manufacturers like Royal Enfield do in America’s markets within the coming months.
For an in depth have a look at the 2025 gross sales figures and the shifting market developments that put Kawasaki on prime, check out the full report on Powersports Business.
FIM’s JuniorGP Cup is Now Open for Functions!
Moto2, Moto3, Moto4 and Extra
Are you that grid-happy hoonigan searching for your subsequent repair of asphalt, dreaming of twisties and beating that one unbearable BMW that treats observe day straightaways like his personal private runway? Nicely then, future champions, collect round the 2026 FIM MotoJunior World Championship applications, which at the moment are formally open!
In accordance with a latest press launch from RoadRacing World, potential riders can now apply for entry into the next classes:
- FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship
- Moto2 European Championship
- Inventory European Championship
- Momoven Moto4 European Cup
The important thing deadline to recollect is January 26, 2026; that is when half of the whole utility charge should be paid (besides Momoven Moto4 European Cup candidates) and when all functions shut, after which affirmation of chosen riders can be despatched by way of e mail by February 16. If you happen to’re new to this entire course of, all good – simply keep in mind that each the staff and the rider are thought of for being accepted, and in the event you make adjustments after registering, it’ll seemingly value you an additional charge or so.
This open utility interval is step one towards the 2026 world racing season! The ultimate registration deadline is March sixteenth of subsequent yr, so make sure you discover somebody to enroll!
For additional details about the 2026 utility situations, entry charges, and to use, make sure you try the main points on MotoGP’s press release, published to RoadRacing World.
*Media sourced from Indian Motorcycles, KTM, Polaris, FIM, and Kawasaki*
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