Man, I really like this time of 12 months.
On high of the canine days cooling all the way down to entertain a nippy morning or three, we now have the next residuals accompanying the continued ramp-up to EICMA:
- Polaris has launched its majority stake in Indian Bikes to Carolwood LP; Indian Bikes is now working independently as we barrel by way of the remainder of This fall!
- KTM has given us its most technologically superior manufacturing supersport but: The 990 RC R.
- Honda’s generosity continues into the discharge of their ultra-anticipated CB 1000 F Hornet.
- Triumph is having a bit an excessive amount of enjoyable as of late, and the profitable antics embody a latest press launch stating that the corporate is working to disclose 29 bikes over the following six months.
Let’s begin with particulars surrounding Indian’s new proprietor and transfer on from there, yeah?
Business Insider: Polaris Sells Indian Bikes
Carolwood LP to Purchase Majority Stake
Due to latest motion on Polaris’s finish of issues, a giant shift has hit the American V-twin panorama: Polaris Inc. has introduced it can separate from Indian Motorbike right into a standalone firm, promoting its majority stake in Indian Bikes to Carolwood LP, a Los Angeles-based personal fairness agency.
Although the deal is anticipated to shut within the first quarter of 2026, ending Polaris’s 14-year historical past with Indian Bikes, the corporate’s transfer away from Indian Bikes isn’t a transparent cut-off; somewhat, we’re informed by the press launch that Polaris will preserve a small fairness place. Indian Bikes will, on its finish, function independently below Carolwood LP.
Polaris CEO Mike Speetzen was lately quoted on sharing particulars of the deal set to learn each events:
– Mike Speetzen, Chief Govt Officer, Polaris (Polaris Inc.) |
Naturally, Carolwood is greater than somewhat excited to get this new period up and operating, as famous by Carolwood’s Principal:
– Andrew Shanfeld, Principal, Carolwood LP (Polaris Inc.) |
The most effective elements about this transition, to us, is the data contained in somewhat paragraph midway down the press launch. Regardless of the intricacies of Indian Bikes altering possession, we’re informed that round 900 of Indian’s workers – together with engineers, designers, and manufacturing workers – will transition to the brand new Indian Motorbike Firm, minimizing worker fallout and prioritizing worker assist throughout admittedly risky instances. We’re additionally informed that the manufacturing amenities in Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Minnesota will stay with Indian, together with the design heart in Switzerland -all nice information!
On to the opposite a part of this press launch that we love: Carolwood LP has revealed who they’ve chosen to be Indian Bikes’ new CEO…and the rider chosen to hold ahead Indian’s legacy is none apart from {industry} veteran Mike Kennedy!
For transparency, this dude has greater than 30 years’ value of confirmed observe document, having been a CEO of CEO of RumbleOn, the nation’s largest powersports dealership group, in addition to the CEO of Vance & Hines. Kennedy has even had a 26-year interval with Harley-Davidson in varied management roles!
In brief, we really feel there’s no higher particular person fitted to the function of Indian Bikes’ CEO – and Adam Rubin, Principal at Carolwood, agrees:
– Adam Rubin, Principal at Carolwood (Polaris Inc.) |
Indian, a giant mazel tov from the wBW household! We’re so excited to see what this subsequent period means in your workforce, and we’re excited to see how Carolwood will be capable of encourage additional development and success. 🙂
For an in depth take a look at the strategic separation and the way forward for the Indian Motorbike model, try the official press launch from Polaris.
KTM Drops A New Grid Monster
Meet the 2026 KTM 990 RC R, KTM’s Highest-Tech Supersport Pace Demon
KTM is setting each squinters on the Supersport section with a brand new providing that’s set to trigger greater than a bit of harm on our native race tracks.
Meet the 2026 KTM 990 RC R, a brand-spanking-new platform from Staff Orange that’s designed to offer new ranges of efficiency, model, and enjoyable for the corporate’s subsequent technology of supersport riders. Wind-tunneled aerodynamics, sharp bodywork, and a strong, EURO5+ prepared LC8c engine is simply the beginning of this factor’s options; superior {hardware} contains highly effective stoppage within the type of Brembo 4-piston caliper HyPure brakes and top-tier WP APEX suspension duties, all mounted to a purpose-built metal chassis for added stability and agility.
Past the {hardware}, the bike is full of some fairly good expertise; KTM has been so sort as to bless this specific bike with an enormous, 8.8-inch TFT sprint; translated by way of sprint perks just like the 990 RC R’s 4 normal Experience Modes (RAIN, STREET, SPORT, and CUSTOM) and the superior 4 normal ABS Modes (STREET, SPORT, SUPERMOTO+, and SUPERMOTO ABS). We’re additionally informed that optionally available modes and telemetry, akin to lean angle and throttle opening charges, will likely be made obtainable.
For these questioning: Sure, KTM’s work on the 2026 990 RC R comes straight from the wealth of knowledge and data spiraling off of the corporate’s RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING MotoGP venture.
That is confirmed by Riaan Neveling, KTM’s International Advertising Supervisor, within the quote under:
| “We kick ass on the subject of Bare bikes, Journey bikes, and, after all, Offroad, amongst others, however [the 990 RC R] is the expression we’ve needed to ship for a while.
[The 990 RC R is] our hyperlink to all of the efforts to the RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING MotoGP venture and our outlet for the ocean of knowledge and knowledge that has come the best way of our Mattighofen R&D specialists.” – Riaan Neveling, MANAGER KTM GLOBAL MARKETING (KTM) |
Regardless of the bike’s race-ready pedigree, KTM stored in thoughts {that a} dual-purpose enchantment would go well with a wider demographic; as such, riders on the lookout for one thing enjoyable however accessible will discover adjustable footrests to accommodate all customers, in addition to a six-point ergonomics contact patch for added consolation throughout longer rides (which can also be supported by the hefty 16 L gasoline tank).
Count on this sensible piece of observe assault to be obtainable as of October 2025, with availability in two coloration schemes: Orange and Black. KTM can also be launching a track-only 990 RC R as early as February of subsequent 12 months (2026), with the KTM 990 RC R Cup being offered in Europe later that spring for the final word, accessible entry level into the racing {industry} correct.
To see the particular video sequence charting the KTM 990 RC R’s journey and for extra particulars, try KTM’s latest press launch.
Honda Releases the CB 1000 F to Markets
A New Large-Bore Bare for the Streets
Large Crimson determined that Staff Orange couldn’t get all the limelight, so right here we’re, lastly being launched to Honda’s long-awaited big-bore bare.
The brand new CB1000F is a machine that Honda has purportedly engineered for perfect dealing with traits with out loss in agility; that is highlighted of their commercial of the CB1000F as their “Finest Balanced Roadster,” and we’re informed that this specific Hornet does deal with like a middleweight whereas delivering a thoughtful – and appreciable – quantity of yankee.
Due to Honda’s efforts, the Hornet’s management is managed by a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that oversees all driving modes and the bike’s Throttle By Wire (TBW), offering three default modes and a user-customized choice within the curiosity of a number of dealing with equations affecting engine energy, engine brake, wheelie management, and HSTC settings.
Suspension is the accountability of a candy Showa SFF-BP USD entrance fork and Professional-Hyperlink rear shock with customizable settings, whereas braking is dealt with by four-piston radial-mount calipers gripping 310mm floating discs – all stored in verify, after all, by Cornering ABS. A five-inch TFT display screen with Honda RoadSync connectivity and operation by way of the Honda Good Key joins retro-cool styling drawn straight from the CB750F and CB900F of the early Eighties – an exquisite selection of aesthetics, if you happen to ask us, and one obtainable in two coloration schemes: Wolf Silver Metallic or Graphite Black.
On the coronary heart of the brand new 2026 CB1000F Hornet is Honda’s 1000cc inline-four coronary heart, derived from the Fireblade however retuned for peak output to the low and mid-range. This implies most energy is now rated to 122 hp @ 9,000rpm and 103 Nm of torque @ 8,000rpm, becoming a member of the bike’s torquey really feel and revised gearbox ratios to optimize low-speed acceleration and high-speed cruising.
For an in depth take a look at the brand new Honda CB1000F, together with full technical specs and obtainable equipment, make sure you try the press launch on Honda Europe’s web site.
Triumph is Releasing 29 Bikes Within the Subsequent Six Months
Unprecedented Launch Schedule Builds on File Gross sales Yr
Bear in mind again in 2024 when Royal Enfield promised 26 bikes by 2026 – and so they delivered? Nicely, we’re getting deja vu with Triumph, who has simply introduced one thing comparable: 29 new and up to date bikes over the following six months, seven of which have already been introduced, with 22 incubating bikes to go.
We’re informed the somewhat rigorous schedule will start with a sequence of world reveal occasions, beginning on October twenty first with the ‘True Originals By no means Settle’ marketing campaign, adopted by a ‘Made to Upstage’ announcement on October twenty eighth. Since 2019, Triumph has landed the title of the UK’s largest bike producer, having grown 136% in gross sales up to now; FY2025 , particularly, has been a loopy time for Triumph, with the producer delivering over 141,683 bikes worldwide.
The above beautiful quantity exhibits sturdy gross sales for the sub-500cc vary (just like the Pace 400 and Scrambler 400 X) throughout Asia, and aggressive off-road racing reactions and outcomes with related bikes just like the TF 250-X.
Clearly, Triumph’s CCO is greater than somewhat pleased in regards to the firm’s present state:
– Paul Stroud, Chief Industrial Officer, Triumph Bikes (Triumph) |
Riders throughout the pond will quickly be capable of customise and reserve their new bike because the fashions are revealed; service for these bikes may also be rolling out progressively as we transfer into the spring of 2026.
For extra info on the 29 new and up to date fashions coming from Triumph, try Triumph’s press launch on their web site.
