10 Powerful Motorcycles Coming In 2026


Believe it or not, we’re into the final stretch of 2025. And with 2026 breathing down our necks, it is time to look ahead to the upcoming model year. Doing just that, several of your favorite bikemakers have started firing up their engines, giving us new-for-2026 motorcycles left, right, and center.

At the same time, some brands are keeping things close to their chests, even though type-approval documents are giving their secrets. What does it mean for us consumers? Simply put: there are several powerful motorcycles we’re going to get in 2026. Here are 10 such examples.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as Ducati USA, Aprilia USA, and Suzuki Cycles, among others.

Aprilia RSV4 X-GP

Power: 238 HP

If you’re an Aprilia fan, you know suffixes like ‘X’ and ‘GP’ almost always guarantee an insane machine. The X-GP is everything you can expect, and then even crazier. This is arguably the most MotoGP-inspired motorcycle you can buy right now, evident not just from the insane aerodynamic package but also the 238-horsepower 1,099cc V4 engine. Other than that, you get Jetprime racing switchgear, Spider adjustable rearsets, race-spec Ohlins suspension, magnesium wheels, and GP4 MS calipers with Z04 racing pads. There’s a lot of nitty-gritty detail we’ve skipped, though, since there’s so much of it that we can do a separate article on it altogether.

Engine

1,099cc, V4

Power

238 HP

Torque

96 LB-FT

Transmission

Six-speed

Ducati Panigale V4 R

Power: 208.4 HP

2026 Ducati Panigale V4 R Sliding Ducati

We recently dubbed the new Panigale V4 R the most exciting sports bike of 2026. And post the reveal, the title has only cemented further. You get an unmatched package here, be it in terms of aerodynamics, electronics, or performance. Speaking of the latter, the updated 998cc Desmosedici Stradale R engine produces 218 horsepower (reduced to 208 in the US).

But it can rise to as much as 239 horsepower with the Akrapovic exhaust and Shell race oil. That figure also enables a top speed of over 200 miles per hour (V-BOX tested). A special shoutout also goes to the MotoGP-derived aero. In particular, the side pods help maintain a tighter line while cornering at speed.

Engine

998cc, V4

Power

208 HP

Torque

84 LB-FT

Transmission

Six-speed

Suzuki GSX-R1000R

Power: 193 HP

2026 Suzuki GSX-R1000R Wheelie Suzuki

We were quite bummed when Suzuki unapologetically discontinued the GSX-R1000R a few years ago. Yes, it was still selling in the US, but it was still a dated machine through and through. For model year 2026, that has changed…well almost. We say almost because the updated GSX-R is more or less the same as the previous bike. It’s a nip and tuck rather than an overhaul. Some of the highlights include a retuned engine (with several internal changes for EU5 compliance), updated electronic rider aids, and a set of aerodynamic wings up top.

Engine

999cc, V4

Power

193 HP

Torque

81 LB-FT

Transmission

Six-speed

Buell SuperTouring

Power: 185 HP

2025 Buell SuperTouring With Pillion Buell

If you want the most powerful American touring bike, Buell is bringing the SuperTouring for you. It’s based on the beloved 1,190cc V-twin powerhouse seen on the Hammerhead 1190, and it even has the same innovative chassis. Yes, the same one that doubles as a fuel storage compartment. Other than this, you get high-quality suspension from FOX, a chunky saddle, and a head-turning design. The price is also quite accessible (by US tourer standards), set at $23,995. This doesn’t include the saddlebags, though.

Engine

1,190cc, V-twin

Power

185 HP

Torque

101 LB-FT

Transmission

Six-speed

Ducati Diavel V4 RS

Power: 182 HP

2026 Ducati Diavel V4 RS popping wheelie cinematic shot
2026 Ducati Diavel V4 RS popping wheelie
Ducati

There’s a new king in the performance cruiser segment: the Diavel V4 RS. In Ducati fashion, the ‘RS’ treatment brings a hefty dose of performance-oriented bits here, chief among which is a Panigale-sourced V4 engine. Yes, the Granturismo goes out, and the Stradale takes over. The result is a healthy bump in peak power from 168 horsepower to 182 ponies. That is superbike territory right there, but in a package that seats you comfortably upright. This is also the fastest accelerating Ducati from zero to 62 miles per hour. A certain Marc Marquez recorded a time of 2.5 seconds, even though there was wheelspin. Just imagine.

Engine

1,103cc, V4

Power

182 HP

Torque

89 LB-FT

Transmission

Six-speed

Ducati Multistrada V4 RS

Power: 180 HP

2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 RS Wheelie Ducati

Since Ducati loves giving us options, you can get the ‘RS’ treatment in an ADV-touring package, too. The Multistrada V4 RS gets the same Stradale engine as the Diavel V4 RS, albeit with 180 horsepower and 87 pound-feet. We’re not sure why the power is lower here, but it’s still enough to make this one of the most powerful production ADVs on the market today. With this oomph, you also get 17-inch wheels, an under-500-pound wet weight (without fuel), and almost all the electronic wizardry from the Panigale. Knee down or cross-country tours, this will do everything you throw at it.

Engine

1,103cc, V4

Power

180 HP

Torque

87 LB-FT

Transmission

Six-speed

KTM 1390 Super Adventure R

Power: 170 HP

2026 KTM 1390 Super Adventure R Sliding KTM/Rudi Schedl

What has sports bike levels of performance with hardcore off-road abilities and a raspy V-twin engine? The upcoming 1390 Super Adventure R. Unlike the S shown last year, the R taps into the off-road side of things, evident from its long-travel suspension and the 21-inch front wheel. That makes this the most powerful ADV with a 21-inch front wheel setup. In addition, KTM has also thrown in a near-9-inch TFT, radar, keyless ignition, and all your necessary rider aids. We just hope KTM doesn’t delay the American launch of its flagship ADV yet again.

Engine

1,350cc, V-twin

Power

170 HP

Torque

106 LB-FT

Transmission

Six-speed

Triumph Street Triple 765 RX

Power: ~130 HP

2026 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RX Cornering 3 Triumph

*Speed Triple RX shown

Okay, so unlike all others, this is an unconfirmed model by Triumph. What we do know is that the British giant has certified the Street Triple 765 ‘RX’ with the California Air Resources Board. What can you expect? Well, just look at the Speed Triple RX from earlier this year. So cutting-edge Ohlins, a special colorway, and an Akrapovic exhaust could all be there. Bonus points if Triumph throws in a set of clip-on bars and rear-set pegs. That’d make it the closest thing to a Daytona 765 today. Not much should change on the Street Triple’s performance front, though.

Engine

765cc, triple-cylinder

Power

~130 HP

Torque

~60 LB-FT

Transmission

Six-speed

KTM 990 RC R

Power: 126 HP

2025 KTM 990 RC R sports bike cornering on the racetrack
2025 KTM 990 RC R sports bike
KTM

Yes, we know we included the 990 RC R in the “upcoming motorcycles in 2025” list, too. But we have to include it here again since the top folks at KTM have delayed its arrival. It’s a serious bummer considering the 990 RC R could be the next big thing in the populated middleweight sports bike segment. It has more power than both its arch-rivals–the Yamaha YZF-R9 and Ducati Panigale V2–while also outdoing OG names like the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. It also flexes MotoGP-derived wings, top-drawer electronics, and proven WP Apex underpinnings.

Engine

990cc, V-twin

Power

126 HP

Torque

TBA

Transmission

Six-speed

KTM 690 Enduro R

Power: 78 HP

2026 KTM 690 Enduro R 3 KTM via Dobler T

Yes, 78 horsepower might not sound like a lot. But what you’re looking at is the most powerful single-cylinder dual-sport money can buy. Not by a lot, though, since Ducati’s Hypermotard 698 is in a close second with its 77.5 horsepower output. Nevertheless, the 690 Enduro R is a seriously capable machine, armed with top-shelf components all around and some juicy upgrades for 2026. These include a six-axis IMU, a TFT instrument cluster, and new rider aids. No other dual-sport comes close to this package at the moment.

Engine

693cc, single-cylinder

Power

78 HP

Torque

58 LB-FT

Transmission

Six-speed