Naturally, we’ve received an enormous bag of goodies for this week’s information checklist, courtesy of our good Powersports group (and Santa’s little helpers, when 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 might be obtainable to France’s using group (though we’re informed the massive reveal might be in Spain).
- On high of the software program updates and recollects, KTM has made the choice that big-bore efficiency precision is precisely what we’d like beneath the tree this 12 months… and the paperwork exhibits a weight discount on high of a really good pipe alternative.
- 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 knowledge, and now we have an official winner for the primary bike model in america (and a gander at the place Harley-Davidson is within the docket).
- The FIM JuniorGP World Championship Cup is Now Open for Purposes!
Let’s see what’s occurring in Indian’s courtroom first, lets?
Indian Bikes Companions Up with Venum for New Customized Challenger
Inbuilt France, Debut Set for Madrid on December thirteenth
Should you’re questioning what Indian’s been as much as beneath their new CEO, now we have a solution…type of.
Apparently, Indian’s French division has been going arduous in the way in which of {custom} bike initiatives; 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 type and options an unique camouflage paint scheme, because of the creativeness of Venum’s visible codes. and their translation of the {custom} world at giant.
Baptiste Grenguet (Advertising and marketing Supervisor for Indian Bike France) and Louis Caze (Chief Enterprise Growth Officer at Venum) are undoubtedly aligned on the thrilling particulars:
– Baptiste Grenguet, Advertising and marketing Supervisor for Indian Bike France (Indian) |
– Louis Caze, Chief Enterprise Growth Officer at Venum (Indian) |
On high of sneaky-sneaky hues, we’re informed that this explicit 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 is not going to be at a standard bike present, however at an unique occasion throughout WOW FC 25 on the Madrid Area in Spain on December 13, 2025.
For extra data on the limited-edition Indian Challenger Venum and its distinctive options, remember to try the official press launch from Indian Bike France.
Quick Filings: KTM 1390 Tremendous Duke RR Breaks Cowl
Paperwork Exhibits Huge-Bore Liter Bike with Light-weight Design
Regardless of a 12 months of economic turbulence, recollects, and software program updates, KTM is again on monitor 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!
Based mostly on what we’re informed from sightings of European approval paperwork on CycleWorld, this higher-spec machine will observe the identical profitable, limited-edition components 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 gasoline; a slight weight ranking certainly, contemplating the earlier R mannequin’s 467-pound ranking.
On to the massive 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 be anticipated to hold an identical heady cocktail of elements 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 general rotating mass.
As for the bike’s normal silhouette, dimensions will roughly stay unchanged; we’re informed the papers present the same old 58.7-inch wheelbase, with sure platforms guessing that we are going to additionally see digital damping in favor of totally adjustable, track-focused WP Apex Professional suspension duties.
Though KTM’s launch schedule is barely delayed, the European approval paperwork checklist this as a 2026 mannequin, suggesting a debut inside the subsequent few months. Dangle tight and we are going to remember to hold you up to date!
For an in depth evaluation of the type-approval filings for the brand new 1390 Tremendous Duke RR, remember to try the total 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 deliver 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 12 months lineup; in accordance with their current 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.
Should you’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 singular two-tone Viper Black and Inexperienced Venom iridescent paint scheme; riders seeking to embrace the luxurious package deal can even sit up for 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, site visitors overlays, and automobile diagnostics. Per earlier articles, we do need to specify right here that this program does include a subscription – that means that you just can’t entry all of the options except you pay further – however Polaris has come a step additional to the shopper with a suggestion for the rider’s first 12 months free!
Past the Grand Touring, Polaris has additionally amplified type throughout the complete 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 similar wheels are debuted in a black gloss end (all the higher to indicate off these fairly Brembo® brakes, we predict).
Naturally, Polaris President is as a lot behind the debut as the remainder of the crew:
– 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 launch on Polaris’s web site.
America’s 2025 High Promoting Bike Model is…
…Inexperienced!
A view of Kawasaki’s huge vendor: The Vulcan S Cruiser! Media sourced from Kawasaki.The shifting sands of the American bike market have formally revealed a brand new champion for 2025: Kawasaki!
Based on year-to-date figures by September (by way of a report from Powersports Enterprise), Group Inexperienced has surged to turn into the top-selling bike producer within the U.S., overtaking each Honda and Harley-Davidson in a single fell swoop (Honda was #1 final 12 months). At present, Kawasaki is first, with Honda coming in second and Harley-Davidson coming in third.
Maybe one of many the explanation why Kawi’s outcomes are so spectacular is because of the unlucky incontrovertible fact that this 12 months has been horrible for bike gross sales; actually, we’re informed that this 12 months has carried one of many hardest gross sales climates prior to now decade. You possibly can think about, then, the exceptional mountain of challenges each bike model has confronted to maintain numbers within the black (or much less within the purple) as we barrel towards 2026 – and whereas the general U.S. bike market stays beneath strain, down 6.5% YTD (together with the worst first half in 10 years), Kawasaki continues to indicate off appreciable momentum.
Right here’s the official checklist of America’s 2025 top-selling bike manufacturers:
- Kawasaki: +14.2%
- Honda: -8%
- Harley-Davidson: +15.9%
- Indian: +4.9%
All informed, Kawi’s gross sales are up an enormous +14.2%; the comparability is sort of stark after 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 inner turmoil and income challenges.
Apparently, a part of the gross sales successes Kawasaki celebrates are as a result of robust demand for the reasonably priced and dependable Ninja lineup and the Vulcan S cruiser, which continues to offer beautiful worth (the brand new key phrase of 2026, we predict) in lists across the web, for newbie and skilled riders alike.
Additional down the checklist, American icon Indian Bike stays a vivid spot, posting a +4.9% progress.
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.
Based mostly on the above, we might be curious to see how manufacturers like Royal Enfield do in America’s markets within the coming months.
For an in depth take a look at the 2025 gross sales figures and the shifting market tendencies that put Kawasaki on high, try the total report on Powersports Enterprise.
FIM’s JuniorGP Cup is Now Open for Purposes!
Moto2, Moto3, Moto4 and Extra
Are you that grid-happy hoonigan on the lookout for your subsequent repair of asphalt, dreaming of twisties and beating that one unbearable BMW that treats monitor day straightaways like his personal private runway? Nicely then, future champions, collect round the 2026 FIM MotoJunior World Championship functions, which are actually formally open!
Based on a current 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 full software payment have to be paid (besides Momoven Moto4 European Cup candidates) and when all functions shut, after which affirmation of chosen riders might be despatched by way of e-mail by February 16. Should you’re new to this entire course of, all good – simply keep in mind that each the crew and the rider are thought of for being accepted, and when you make adjustments after registering, it’ll seemingly value you an additional payment or so.
This open software interval is step one towards the 2026 international racing season! The ultimate registration deadline is March sixteenth of subsequent 12 months, so remember to discover somebody to enroll!
For additional details about the 2026 software situations, entry charges, and to use, remember to try the main points on MotoGP’s press launch, printed to RoadRacing World.
