2026 Motorcycle Preview: New Bikes, Tech, and Industry Shifts | Highside/Lowside S11E07

Robot vs. Motorcycle: Who's the A-hole?

• 🤖 A delivery robot in Los Angeles pushed over a Harley-Davidson parked on a sidewalk, sparking a debate about who was in the wrong.
• 💡 Most commenters sided with the robot, arguing that blocking pedestrian access is unacceptable, even for a motorcycle.
• ⚠️ The discussion also touched on the sophistication of delivery robots and their ability to navigate obstacles and pedestrians.

2026 Motorcycle Highlights: Sport & Sport-Touring

• 🚀 The Triumph Tiger 800 Sport is highlighted as an exciting sport-touring option from 2025.
• 🎯 The Suzuki SV7GX, an upright SV650, is discussed as a more comfortable sport-touring evolution.
• ⚡ KTM's upcoming 1390 Super Adventure S and R models are anticipated for their luxury and capability.
• 💥 The KTM 990 RC R is noted as a new breed of street-based sport bike with premium components.
• 📈 A trend towards more sophisticated, premium mid-weight sport bikes is observed, balancing performance with usability.

Adventure and Standard Motorcycle Updates

• ⛰️ BMW's F450 GS prototype is generating excitement for the small displacement adventure segment.
• 💨 The Kawasaki KLE 500 is discussed, with some skepticism regarding its ground clearance and engine mounting, despite its potential for entry-level riders.
• 💡 Honda's Rebel 300 is getting an E-clutch, making motorcycle riding more accessible by simplifying clutch engagement.
• 🌟 The Honda Hornet is also expected to feature the E-clutch technology, appealing to both new and experienced riders.
• 📈 Triumph is updating its 400cc line with the Scrambler 400 X and Thruxton 400, focusing on styling and rider experience.
• 📉 The Trident 800 is poised to replace the Street Triple R, offering a larger engine in a similar aesthetic.

Cruisers, Electric, and Alternatives

• 💰 Speculation surrounds a potential $6,000 Harley-Davidson model for 2026, possibly a resurrection of an air-cooled Sportster.
• 🔄 Indian Motorcycles is transitioning to new ownership outside of Polaris, raising questions about its future direction.
• ⚡ LiveWire is introducing the Honcho, an electric minibike with swappable batteries, aiming to attract new riders to electric motorcycles.
• 🔌 Honda's WN7 electric motorcycle for the European market signifies the brand's move into full-size electric offerings.
• 💨 Stark is releasing a street-legal Supermoto variant (Var SM) of its electric dirt bike, building on the success of its off-road models.
• ⚙️ Ural is launching a new model with a liquid-cooled parallel twin engine made in China, marking a significant shift for the brand.

Future of Motorcycle Tech & Safety

• 🎧 Cardo is introducing a new noise-canceling helmet (GTS) with advanced features like 53mm speakers and integrated tail lights, potentially reducing the need for earplugs.
• ⚠️ The helmet also includes crash detection technology, notifying emergency contacts in case of an accident.
• 📈 The motorcycle industry is seeing rapid evolution in helmet technology, with brands like Alpine Stars and Sena also pushing boundaries.