Ducati’s V2 Monster Readies for February, Stark Cooks Up New Battery Tech within the Lab


It’s at all times enjoyable to see what the moto business is cooking up for the shut of the driving months; on this case, we have now a brief however candy record of goodies to accompany the Thanksgiving prep and basic wet-weather hoonery: 

  • Indian Bikes is considering critically about their dedication to MotoAmerica’s King of the Baggers Racing collection, they usually’ve partnered up with Vance & Hines to make sure their Challenger is in prime form for the grid!
  • Ducati’s V2 Monster will probably be out as of February; within the meantime, we’ve received a listing of the brand new stuff Bologna’s accomplished to the factor. 
  • BMW’s given us their 2026 mannequin 12 months – and that features tech updates and value hacks for all concerned.
  • Stark Future is engaged on some cool new battery cell codecs to extend effectivity – and we’re instructed the format has already been breaking information. 

Let’s begin with Indian’s grid prep with Vance & Hines, we could? 🙂

Indian Companions Up with Vance & Hines for New MotoAmerica King of the Baggers Seasons

…and Past!

A view of Indian's Wrecking crew Challenger. Media sourced from Indian Motorcycles. A view of Indian's Wrecking crew Challenger. Media sourced from Indian Motorcycles.
A view of Indian's Wrecking crew Challenger. Media sourced from Indian Motorcycles.
A view of Indian’s Wrecking Crew Challenger. Media sourced from Indian Bikes.

A monumental alliance has struck the American V-twin racing scene, and the multi-year partnership will serve MotoAmerica’s King of the Baggers Racing Collection for years to come back. 

In accordance with a current press launch from Indian, America’s First Bike Firm is embarking on a multi-year settlement with Vance & Hines Motorsports that represents almost 150 years of mixed racing historical past and success. Indian’s Challenger and Vance & Hines have already come collectively for 4 of the six King of the Baggers championships for the reason that collection’ inception in 2020 – however this new period will see Indian serving a formidable manufacturing unit racing program for the 2026 season. 

Due to the entire above, Indian’s Wrecking Crew riders will probably be piloting Vance & Hines-built Indian Challenger race bikes, guaranteeing each high quality and efficiency whereas on the monitor.

This upcoming season’s value of grid pleasure will embody riders 2024 Champion Troy Herfoss, 2023 Champion Hayden Gillim, and rising star Rocco Landers, sponsors together with J&P Cycles and Progressive Insurance coverage.  Terry Vance, Co-Founder & Proprietor of Vance & Hines Motorsports, is thrilled about this dedication to future successes on the grid, and his sentiments are echoed by Indian’s new CEO: 

“Indian Bike is known. A model constructed by means of racing, and over the previous decade it’s been a fierce competitor that has pushed us to innovate each on and off the monitor. 

Proper out of the field, the Indian Challenger, and its liquid-cooled PowerPlus engine deliver a high-performance, dependable machine that’s able to successful each time it traces up on the grid.”

Terry Vance, Co-Founder & Proprietor, Vance & Hines Motorsports (Indian Bikes)

“Indian Bike is getting into a brand new period in its historic journey in 2026, and the primary place we plan to show it’s on the racetrack. This partnership is a reminder of what American efficiency seems like while you refuse to again down.”

– Mike Kennedy, CEO, Indian Bikes (Indian Bikes)

Count on the subsequent chapter in American racing historical past to begin at Daytona Worldwide Speedway, operating from the fifth to the seventh of March subsequent 12 months (2026).

For an in depth have a look at the brand new manufacturing unit crew lineup and Indian’s new multi-year partnership, make sure to try the official press launch from Indian Bike.

Ducati’s V2 Monster Begins Hitting Markets

Accessible from February 2026

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The season ticks towards colder winter months as manufacturing formally begins on the Borgo Panigale plant for the fifth technology of the Ducati Monster. This utterly redesigned bike guarantees to be the lightest ever amongst Ducati’s four-valve fashions, with the 2026 mannequin 12 months’s iteration constructed across the long-anticipated V2 with IVT (Consumption Variable Timing) distribution and the minimalist philosophy of “All the pieces you want, nothing extra.” 

​​Assuming that minimalism may even be correctly utilized to such a depraved little luxurious bike, we’ll be with Ducati in celebrating signature components like a “bison-back” tank (sure, they really name it that) a brief, light-weight tail, and a dry weight of simply 175 kg / 385.8 kilos. Coupled with the Panigale V4-inspired double-sided swingarm and the engine being housed as a structural aspect, this machine is formally the lightest four-valve Monster ever. Huzzah!

As for the IVT tech, Ducati’s V2 engine combines smoothness at low revs with punch at mid-range, making certain 80% of most torque is on the market throughout an enormous energy band and dropping the engine’s valve clearance verify intervals (Learn: Upkeep prices) to a staggering 45,000 km (28,000 miles).

A view of Ducati's new 2026 V2 Monster. Media sourced from Ducati.A view of Ducati's new 2026 V2 Monster. Media sourced from Ducati.
A view of Ducati's new 2026 V2 Monster. Media sourced from Ducati.
A view of Ducati’s new 2026 V2 Monster. Media sourced from Ducati.

The brand new V2 Monster is full of superior tech, too – and why ever would we not anticipate Ducati to come back by means of within the electronics division? For this explicit beastie, 4 Using Modes (Sport, Street, City, Moist) be part of Cornering ABS, DTC, and a 5-inch TFT show. Showa suspension can be added for premium floating duties, whereas a decrease handlebar makes consolation and efficiency all of the extra accessible. 

Ducati tells us that the 2026 V2 Monster will are available in Ducati Crimson and Iceberg White, and Ducatisti can additional customise their experience with high-end equipment (like these sensible, light-weight, homologated silencers developed in collaboration with Termignoni).

Mazel tov, Ducati!

Tell us for those who get one in all these machines, and for an in depth have a look at the brand new fifth-generation Monster and its V2 engine know-how, make sure to try the official press launch from Ducati Media Home.

BMW Updates 2026 Mannequin Strains with New Shade Schemes

… Plus Worth Cuts Right here and There

A view of BMW's R 1300R. Media sourced from BMW.A view of BMW's R 1300R. Media sourced from BMW.
A view of BMW's R 1300R. Media sourced from BMW.
A view of BMW’s R 1300R. Media sourced from BMW.

BMW Motorrad has launched an enormous replace for its 2026 mannequin traces, confirming new coloration schemes, essential element additions, and, pleasingly, some important value cuts on fashionable possibility packages. There’s lots to undergo, so we’ll hyperlink BMW’s press launch on the finish of the article, and, within the meantime, for those who’re down for a straightforward learn overlaying the primary little bit of that launch, you’re in the correct place. 

The most important information for BMW’s Motorrad prospects is the improved worth proposition: Apparently, BMW is now together with its Final Care Break-In Service (the 600 Mile Service) as customary throughout all 2026 fashions. So as to add to this, a number of Premium Packages – together with these for the F 800 GS, S 1000 XR, and Okay 1600 touring fashions – have seen costs slashed. 

On the flip facet, the F 900 R’s Premium Package deal, whereas growing in value barely, now contains useful additions like GPS Prep and TPM (Tire Stress Monitor).

On to updates inside the bikes of BMW’s 2026 mannequin 12 months: On the product facet, the high-performance S 1000 XR positive factors a much-needed USB Port added to its Premium Package deal, whereas the formidable R 1300 GS Journey now contains Hand Safety as a typical function throughout all coloration packages. 

New fashions just like the R 12 G/S and the highly effective R 1300 R and R 1300 RS are confirmed and all powered by the corporate’s sturdy 145 hp Boxer twin; in the meantime a number of fashionable fashions arrive refreshed for the brand new 12 months. The R 1300 GS swaps out Mild White for a sporty Racing Crimson as customary, whereas the F 900 GS Journey introduces a trendy Sage Inexperienced Metallic possibility and the F 800 GS positive factors a vibrant Fashion Sport Gravity Blue possibility, changing Racing Blue Metallic.

These updates, efficient from January 1, 2026, present BMW is targeted on including each know-how and worth to its lineup… and, if nothing else, they’re all the way down to hold as aggressive as is feasible in these unusual occasions.

For a breakdown of all the value adjustments, new coloration choices, and accent updates for the 2026 lineup, try the official press launch on the BMW Motorrad USA web site.

Electrical All the pieces: Stark Future Indicators Deal to Make Extra Environment friendly Batteries for the EV Market

“We’re Not Ready for Innovation to Trickle Down From Automobiles”

A view of the abttery Stark Future and Eve Energy are working on for the Motorcycling industry. Media sourced from Stark Future. A view of the abttery Stark Future and Eve Energy are working on for the Motorcycling industry. Media sourced from Stark Future.
A view of the abttery Stark Future and Eve Energy are working on for the Motorcycling industry. Media sourced from Stark Future. A view of the abttery Stark Future and Eve Vitality are engaged on for the Motorcycling business. Media sourced from Stark Future.

It’s been some time since we’ve chatted about EV bikes; that is partially as a result of nearly all of you’re ICE-riders, however it’s additionally primarily as a result of the EV market has been a extra unstable place in current months. If we might pinpoint a specific second in time the place every little thing appeared to go downhill for the EV moto market, we might possible level proper in the meanwhile that Energica, MotoE bike provider and producer of the Experie – the EV bike with the world report for longest vary – was pushed out of business by their guardian firm, Ideanomics. 

Since that pivotal level out there, Ducati has taken over MotoE (and confirmed off their V21L prototype various occasions), Fuell has filed for chapter, and that’s not even mentioning the restructuring + buy-out that occurred at CAKE or Arc Car submitting for chapter safety in 2024….or, for what matter, the cash misplaced in tariff struggles or LiveWire combating bike gross sales and transferring their HQ again to Harley-Davidson in an effort to chop prices. 

That being mentioned and regardless of the ICE bikes being punted out nowadays, there’s nonetheless an apparent demand for bikes which are quiet, give huge torque for the displacement, assist huge perks in en-route sustainability (let’s not get into the darker facet of EV battery manufacturing for now) and current a cute bundle for city or super-urban attraction. 

Stark Future, whereas not essentially fluent within the super-urban facet of moto yank, has supported a portion of our good business with some of the highly effective electrical off-road bikes available on the market: The Stark Varg MX – and this week, they’ve accompanied their moto successes with a press launch aimed toward bettering battery effectivity. 

Apparently, the world’s fastest-growing motorbike firm (self-proclaimed, however we consider it) has introduced a vital strategic partnership with world battery chief EVE Vitality to industrialize a brand-new cell format referred to as the 26120 cylindrical cell. It is a battery format designed particularly for motorbike use whereas contemplating bike chassis width, house effectivity, thermal administration enhancement, and drastically lowering weight and value in comparison with standard 21700 cells (those made for vehicles).

Since this new format makes use of an aluminum enclosure moderately than conventional metal, thermal conductivity is healthier, and the mass of the entire thing is diminished – all perks when speaking a couple of bike that wishes to be as highly effective and as gentle as potential. 

In any case. 

Stark tells us that the reside prototypes of those battery cell codecs are already demonstrating record-breaking vitality density of 330 Wh/kg whereas sustaining 10-minute ultra-fast charging capabilities, and we’re excited to see what they give you subsequent.  We’ll depart you with some quotes from Stark Future’s CEO & Founder, in addition to EVE Vitality’s R&D Director:

“To construct the most effective bikes on the planet, we shouldn’t compromise the battery cell format by utilizing compromised know-how from the automobile business. With this new structure, we’re considerably growing capability and lowering weight, whereas considerably bettering charging time. This challenge sends a transparent message to the world’s largest cell producers: the motorbike business is able to remodel.

At Stark, we’re not ready for innovation to trickle down from vehicles; we’re main the way in which.”

Anton Wass, CEO & Founder, Stark Future

“This new cell format is pushing the boundaries of know-how, and ought to be one of many highest vitality density cylinder cell codecs on the planet right this moment. EVE is dedicated along with Stark to alter the attitude on EV efficiency within the motorbike business.”

Dr. Zoe Lu, R&D Director, EVE Vitality

For an in depth have a look at the brand new 26120 cell format and the way forward for Stark’s EV efficiency, make sure to try the complete press launch Stark’s launched to us (and to GlobeNewswire). 

*Media sourced from Ducati, Indian, BMW, and Stark Future*

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