Two of Japan’s Big Four have been dominating the two-wheeled space, with bikes both anticipated and surprising.
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On a heater. That’s an apt way to describe two of the Big Four Japanese motorcycle brands, which have been making headlines left and right with compelling new bikes and strong updates to existing ones.
One such brand, Honda, grabbed the most attention with the addition of E-Clutch to its entry-level cruiser, while the other, Kawasaki, stirred equal excitement thanks to a military-inspired adventure bike.
But that’s not all the news from those and other notable manufacturers. Catch up on the latest and greatest moto launches below.
Doble MotorcyclesHonda CB1000 Hornet SP 5Four
Launched early this year, Honda’s CB1000 Hornet SP is already lauded for its performance, driven by a 1,000cc four-banger, which in the Euro trim makes 155 horsepower at 11,000 rpm and 78.9 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 9000 rpm. Thanks to Guy Willison’s 5Four Motorcycles, this special edition makeover (limited to 54 bikes) is largely aesthetic in the best possible way. Highlights include candy red, blue and pearl white “endurance-inspired paintwork,” a high-rise tail tidy and a Racefit titanium exhaust with laser-etched 5Four and Racefit logos.
Ducati2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally
The Rally already boasts more suspension travel and clearance than the standard Multistrada V4, but this new edition really stands out with a number of smart features that improve the overall experience. These include an automatic lowering device (ALD), bump detection and 70 sensors constantly assessing performance and adjusting accordingly. There’s also a quickshifter (standard), five ride modes and a 6.5-inch TFT screen, plus aerodynamic deflectors, a bigger windshield and repositioned pannier mounts that maximize passenger legroom.
Kawasaki2026 Kawasaki W230 ABS
This charming little bike leads with its retro looks: the teardrop tank, steel fenders, spoked wheels and silver pea shooter exhaust pipe, plus the classically round LED headlight, round indicators, reflectors and mirrors and round twin gauges in front of the bars. Meanwhile, a 233cc air-cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder engine combines with a 6-speed return shift transmission, curb weight of 315 pounds and seat height of 29.3 inches for a super-approachable way to get the hang of motorcycling fundamentals. It’s still a damn good time for more experienced riders too.
Honda2026 Honda NT1100 MT
Honda’s best-selling touring bike for the European market gets a new color scheme for 2026, Iridium Gray Metallic. This particular hue is so gray it’s basically black, covers most of the motorcycle — with the exception of the brake discs, skid plate and most of the exhaust pipe — and looks awesome. Beyond the looks, this bike’s torque (82.6 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm, courtesy of its Africa Twin-derived 1,084cc engine) in concert with premium suspension and brakes will carry you just about as fast and far as you’d like to go.
Honda2026 Honda CB1000F
According to Honda, the CB1000F is inspired by the 1979 CB750F, yet amped and revamped for 2025. The most notable throwback touches include the big round headlight, the angular tank and the serpentine exhaust pipes emerging from the engine and converging in a glorious bell-shaped silencer. Said engine is a down-tuned Fireblade-derived 1000cc inline-four making a claimed 122 horsepower at 9,000rpm and 76 lb-ft of torque at 8,000rpm. The bike also boasts Showa suspension, Nissin brakes and three built-in ride modes — Standard, Sport and Rain — plus two customizable ones you can dial in yourself.
Kawasaki2026 Kawasaki KLR650 Adventure ABS
This affordable and capable off-roader rocks a classic rugged ADV silhouette, outfitted with factory-installed side cases, LED auxiliary light set, engine guards and tank pad — plus (for just $100 more) the head-turning military-inspired Metallic Matte Dark Green paint scheme. The 652cc engine makes a claimed 40 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 39.1 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm, while eight inches of ground clearance and a similar amount of front and rear suspension travel ensure you can run roughshod over just about anything.
Suzuki CyclesSuzuki e-VanVan
Kawasaki2026 Kawasaki Z1100 SE ABS
The aggressive sugomi spirit of the Z1000, last seen in the US in 2016, returns with a vengeance in the form of the brand’s biggest and boldest Z model yet. While the looks speak for themselves, they are backed up by the guts, headlined by the bike’s beating heart, a liquid-cooled 1,099cc inline four, the largest-displacement engine to ever grace a Z. From within the aluminum twin-tube frame, this caged animal roars to life, making a ferocious 134 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 83.3 lb-ft of torque at 7,600 rpm.
Stark FutureStark Varg SM
Following the Varg MX and Varg EX, Stark Future has added to the lineup with its road-going supermoto SM. Like its stablemates, the EV is incredibly light — just 274.5 pounds — while also boasting a whopping 80 horsepower and 674 lb-ft of torque. While it doesn’t offer roadtrip-worthy range, topping up takes just two hours for a full charge.
Honda2026 Honda CB650R E-Clutch
Since its 2019 launch, the naked street fighter sibling to the sportier CBR650R has carried the three-pronged appeal of approachability, affordability and aesthetics. That only gets better with four head-turning new hues — Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic, Matte Jeans Blue Metallic, Candy Energy Orange and Grand Prix Red — rolling out in Europe and hopefully North America down the road. This 649cc dynamo happens to be an easy rider, too, thanks to E-Clutch, which basically takes over clutch operation so all you need to shift gears is your left foot.
Honda2026 Honda Rebel 300 E-Clutch
For 2026, Honda is giving its Rebel 300 cruiser the ultimate beginner-friendly upgrade in the form of E-Clutch technology. By removing the possibility of stalling, new riders can learn to operate the clutch lever and shift pedal without having to worry about perfect timing or technique.
Kawasaki2026 Kawasaki KLX230SM ABS
KTM2026 KTM 990 RC R
Vtopia DesignVtopia Design ‘Anima’ Ducati Diavel V4
Following its angular Vyrus transformation, Italian motorcycle customizer Vtopia Design is back with another Ducati-powered creation. Dubbed ‘Anima,’ it’s based on the Diavel V4 cruiser, but it reimagines the muscle bike with an aggressive geometric form. With a soundtrack coming from a custom four-into-four titanium exhaust, it’s made only better by the dazzling array of CNC-milled aluminum and 3D-printed parts.
Kawasaki2026 Kawasaki Vulcan S
The classically styled, nicely priced S edition of Kawasaki’s flagship cruiser hits the sweet spot of comfort, approachability and performance. Comfort comes courtesy of Ergo-Fit, by which the seat, footpegs and handlebars can be adjusted to one of 18 configurations to suit your height and reach. Approachability emerges from the rider-friendly sub-28-inch seat height and sub-500-pound curb weight, while performance takes off with a punchy 649cc engine making 60 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and max torque of 46.5 lb-ft at 6,600 rpm.
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