The Weekly Dispatch: EICMA 2026 Unleashed, 231mm Thumpers, and 14,500 RPM Screamers

The Week in the Garage

If your boots still smell like wet autumn leaf mulch and stale espresso from the Fiera Milano halls, you aren’t alone. EICMA 2026 just closed its doors, and walking the floor this year felt like watching two entirely different motorcycle industries fight for the soul of two wheels. On one side, corporate bean counters and spreadsheet optimizers tried to sell us heavier, screen-laden soft-roaders that would cry if they saw gravel. On the other side, an insurgent rebellion of real engineers delivered what high-mileage riders have spent years begging for: genuine lightweight trail weapons with real suspension travel, screaming sub-500cc inline-fours revving to the stratosphere, and mechanical integrity that doesn’t crumble 200 kilometers away from mobile reception.

The clearest proof that sanity is returning to the drawing boards is the long-awaited arrival of the 2027 KTM 390 Enduro R. Stripping away the bloated fairings and tourist lard that make modern “adventure” bikes a nightmare to drag out of a muddy rut, Mattighofen answered the Suzuki DR-Z4S challenge with proper 231 mm WP legs and a sub-160 kg wet footprint. At the opposite end of the engineering spectrum, Rimini reminded us why Italy remains the beating heart of two-wheeled art by dropping the Bimota KB399, an unhinged 14,500 rpm inline-four masterpiece wrapped in hand-milled billet aluminum and Öhlins jewelry.

Yet underneath the polished alloy and glossy press kits, the tectonic plates of the motorcycle business are shifting violently. In the paddock, 19 premier-class racers took an unprecedented stand against schedule insanity, triggering the MotoGP grid crisis over Qatar and forcing Dorna to confront the human cost of 350 km/h spectacle. Simultaneously, corporate boardrooms in Wolfsburg are reconsidering their crown jewels: Volkswagen Group is reviewing a potential sale of Ducati, despite Borgo Panigale enjoying absolute sporting and commercial dominance. Grab a fresh mug of dark roast and pull up a shop stool. Here is everything that mattered from an unforgettable week in motorcycling.

Trail Weapons, Enduros & Dakar Heavyweights

2027 KTM 390 Enduro R Debuts at EICMA: 45 HP LC4c Single and 231mm WP Legs

For years, middleweight dual-sport enthusiasts have been forced to choose between thirty-year-old Japanese carburetors or 220 kg “adventure” rigs disguised as dirt bikes. The 2027 KTM 390 Enduro R finally blows that compromise wide open. Powered by the Euro 5+ compliant 399cc LC4c single-cylinder thumper pumping out 45 hp at 8,500 rpm and 39 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm, this machine arrives in an agile 159 kg package built around a full-size 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheel setup.

What separates this from soft-roader pretenders is underneath: fully adjustable 43mm WP APEX open-cartridge upside-down forks delivering 231 mm of plush, progressive wheel travel, matched to a linkless WP APEX monoshock with an identical 231 mm of rear stroke. By cutting out touring plastics, heavy subframes, and needless cockpit fluff, KTM has delivered a genuine dual-sport thumper engineered to conquer TET singletrack on Saturday and commute to work on Monday.

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FB Mondial MUD 452 Debuts at EICMA: 48 HP Twin and Lucky Explorer Livery

Historic Italian marque FB Mondial made substantial waves in Milan by pulling the sheet off the production-ready MUD 452, aimed squarely at the CFMoto 450MT and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. Dressed in evocative Lucky Explorer Dakar livery, the MUD 452 packs a modern 449.5cc liquid-cooled DOHC parallel-twin featuring a 270-degree crankshaft configuration that produces 47.6 hp at 9,500 rpm and 45 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm.

The chassis numbers demonstrate serious trail intent: proper 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wire-spoked wheels, generous 240 mm ground clearance, and an uncompromised rally stance. For European A2 license holders who want genuine dirt capability alongside smooth twin-cylinder highway transits without spending €12,000 on a middleweight parallel twin, FB Mondial’s newcomer is one of the most compelling machines of the autumn cycle.

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Macbor Montana XR6 Debuts: 66 HP Twin, Adaptive Suspension, and ARAS Radar

Spanish marque Macbor is pushing middleweight adventure boundaries with the Montana XR6, demonstrating that advanced electronic chassis control doesn’t need to be locked behind a €20,000 flagship paywall. Nestled inside a steel tubular chassis is an all-new 625cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine delivering 66 hp at 8,500 rpm and 59 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm, governed via Bosch electronic fuel injection and a full ride-by-wire system.

The headlining technology here is the electronic adaptive suspension setup paired with active ARAS front and rear radar. Crucially for shorter riders tackling fully loaded touring duties, the suspension incorporates an automatic ride-height lowering function that lowers the seat height from 835 mm down to 810 mm as you roll to a halt at intersections. Add blind-spot detection and forward collision warnings, and the Montana XR6 makes a fiercely modern case for itself in the sub-700cc touring space.

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Moto Morini X-Cape 1200 Anniversary Debuts: 125 HP V2 and Factory Touring Kit

Celebrating its 90th anniversary, Moto Morini unveiled the heavyweight touring flagship adventure riders have anticipated for two years: the X-Cape 1200 Anniversary. At its beating heart is the iconic Euro 5+ compliant V2 Corsa Corta EVO. Displacing 1,187cc with an ultra-oversquare 107 mm bore and 66 mm stroke, the 87-degree V-twin pushes out 125 hp at 8,250 rpm and a stump-pulling 105 Nm of torque at 6,750 rpm through a hybrid chain-and-gear camshaft drive.

The Anniversary edition comes ready for round-the-world exploration straight from the factory crate, fitted with rugged aluminum hard panniers and top case, high-spec Brembo Stylema calipers, comprehensive electronic rider aids, and a wind-tunnel-sculpted cockpit. It brings genuine Italian big-bore V-twin character into a segment dominated by sanitized parallel twins.

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KTM Locks in 2027 Dakar Trio: Benavides, Sanders, and Canet for Africa

With the Dakar Rally staging its historic return to African soil for 2027 over a grueling 7,824 km course, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing locked down its three-man factory assault: two-time champion Kevin Benavides, Aussie ripper Daniel Sanders, and Spanish rising star Edgar Canet. Their factory 450 Rally weapons remain the benchmark of desert racing, packing 34.5 liters of fuel split across dual forward pannier tanks and a load-bearing rear subframe cell to manage center-of-gravity shifts over 450 km liaison stages.

Beneath the carbon-Kevlar navigation towers sit 48mm WP XACT PRO Cone Valve forks providing 305 mm of travel, counterbalanced by a WP XACT PRO Trax rear shock with 300 mm of stroke. Stopping power comes courtesy of oversized 300mm Moto-Master floating discs and Brembo billet calipers, engineered to rein in a 142 kg dry missile running flat out at 165 km/h across boulder-strewn oueds. It’s an uncompromising factory line-up primed for the toughest desert marathon on Earth.

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[FIM Hard Enduro Unveils 2027 Calendar: 9-Round Global Tour Announced](https://throttle-times.com/fim-hard-enduro-unveils-2027-calendar-9-round-global-tour-announced/

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The FIM Hard Enduro World Championship revealed an expanded 9-round global calendar traversing eight nations for 2027, striking a delicate balance between classic European pain lockers and overseas expansion. The championship kicks off in the brutal limestone quarry mud of Tong in the UK before tackling iconic torture tests like Red Bull Erzbergrodeo in Austria, Romaniacs in the Carpathian mountains, and concluding at Germany’s infamous GetzenRodeo.

Crucially, the organizers overhauled international freight logistics to support privateer racers traveling to North American rounds like Red Bull Outliers and the TKO in Tennessee. For competitors who measure races by shattered clutch plates and bent bark-busters rather than lap times, the 2027 roadmap guarantees another grueling season of pure off-road suffering.

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All-Japan Champion Taiga Yanase Promoted to FIM MX2 With Honda HRC for 2027

Honda Racing Corporation announced a major talent leap, graduating 21-year-old All-Japan IA2 Champion Taiga Yanase directly to the brutal FIM MX2 World Championship for 2027 under Honda’s “From Asia to the World” development program. Yanase will pilot a full factory works CRF250R developed within HRC’s race shop in Kumamoto.

Unlike showroom machinery, HRC’s factory 250 thumper revs past 14,500 rpm and uses custom titanium subframes, magnesium engine cases, and bespoke Showa factory suspension to hit the razor-thin FIM minimum weight limit of 95 kg. Taking on the deep sands of Lommel and the rutted hardpack of Trentino will be a ferocious baptism of fire, but Yanase’s relentless corner speed and technical precision make him an exciting wild card in European motocross.

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Purebred Roadsters, Screaming Fours & Homologation Specials

Bimota Debuts KB399 at EICMA: 79 HP Inline-Four Screamer and Billet Öhlins Kit

In an era where middleweight bikes have largely succumbed to sensible, cost-cut parallel-twin layouts, Bimota dropped an absolute bombshell in Milan with the KB399 and lightweight KB399 ES (Edizione Speciale). Wrapping Kawasaki’s howling 399cc DOHC inline-four inside a hand-finished steel trellis frame joined to CNC-milled billet aluminum pivot plates, Rimini created an uncompromising lightweight supersport weapon.

The four-cylinder mill spins all the way to 14,500 rpm, delivering 77 PS (56.6 kW) naturally aspirated and climbing to 79 PS (58.2 kW) under full ram-air induction. With an ultra-tight 1,380 mm wheelbase, fully adjustable Öhlins front and rear hardware, and Brembo radial calipers, the KB399 proves that exotic pedigree and spine-tingling acoustic theatre don’t require a 1,000cc footprint or a mortgage-sized price tag. An A2-compliant 47 PS map is also available for tiered-license riders with exceptional taste.

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2027 BMW M 1000 RR Debuts at EICMA: WorldSBK Sand-Cast Flex Frame

Fresh off Toprak Razgatlıoğlu’s WorldSBK title, BMW Motorrad unveiled the 2027 M 1000 RR, closing the homologation loophole between racing prototypes and showroom machinery. The headlining engineering breakthrough is a third-generation M Motorsport sand-cast aluminum bridge frame that shaves 1.3 kg while cutting internal wall thicknesses by up to 30% to introduce deliberate lateral chassis flex at maximum lean angles.

Every millimeter of this machine is shaped for the circuit: redesigned M Carbon aero winglets generate massive downforce without penalizing top speed, while the thinly padded 832 mm closed-cell foam seat and aggressive clip-on drop angle lock the rider tight behind the tall racing windscreen at 300 km/h. It is a merciless, uncompromising race bike built solely to satisfy FIM rulebooks and collect trophies.

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Benelli Tornado Naked Twin 700 Debuts: 73.4 HP Parallel-Twin and Brembo Radial Clamps

Benelli is taking direct aim at Yamaha’s MT-07 and Suzuki’s GSX-8S with the all-new Tornado Naked Twin 700. Designed at Benelli’s Centro Stile in Pesaro and engineered under Qianjiang, this aggressive middleweight streetfighter is powered by a 698cc liquid-cooled DOHC parallel-twin featuring a 180-degree crank layout. Derived from the proven TRK 702 adventure engine, it develops 73.4 hp (54 kW) at 8,000 rpm and 67 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm.

Tipping the scales at 195 kg wet, the chassis features an inverted Marzocchi fork, a tubular steel trellis frame, Bosch electronic fuel injection via 42mm dual throttle bodies, and serious stopping hardware: twin Brembo radial-mount four-piston calipers clamping 320mm discs. Scheduled for mid-2027 dealership arrival with an estimated base price around €6,890 (alongside an A2-compliant 35 kW variant), Benelli is delivering genuine Italian braking spec at entry-level pricing.

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FB Mondial Piega 452 Debuts at EICMA: 47 HP Twin and Single-Sided Swingarm

Sharing its engine architecture with the MUD 452 dual-sport, FB Mondial’s Piega 452 brings radical hypernaked styling and exotic chassis hardware down into the budget-conscious A2 sector. The 449.5cc 270-degree parallel-twin engine produces 47 hp at 9,500 rpm and 40.1 Nm of torque at 7,600 rpm, revving out smoothly to a 10,000 rpm redline.

The show-stopper on this machine is its stunning cast aluminum single-sided swingarm—a component normally reserved for €20,000 Italian exotics—paired with an inverted front fork, Brembo radial front caliper, and an ultra-light dry weight of just 159 kg. Priced at an aggressive €5,990 across European markets, the Piega 452 brings real Milanese design flair and punchy V-twin-like exhaust pulses to daily street riding.

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Kawasaki Debuts 2027 Z650 S: Sharpened Sugomi Styling and Relaxed Cockpit

Kawasaki has refreshed its stalwart middleweight roadster with the 2027 Z650 S, directly addressing rider feedback about the cramped cockpit ergonomics of previous generations. The saddle height is raised by 15 mm to a much more humane 805 mm, paired with a wider, taller fat-bar handlebar that eases knee bend and opens up the rider triangle for long-distance commuter comfort.

The proven 649cc parallel-twin remains the mechanical anchor, offered with a full-power tune or a 35 kW European A2 restrictor map alongside Kawasaki’s light-action Assist & Slipper clutch. A modern 4.3-inch TFT display brings full smartphone connectivity to the dash. While keeping conventional 41mm front forks preserves the bike’s budget price point, the relaxed posture transforms the Z650 S into a much more capable all-day commuter.

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KTM 200 Duke Overhauled for 2027: Ride-by-Wire, Quickshifter+, and 5-Inch TFT

Mattighofen has treated its pocket-sized hooligan to a full electronic evolution. The 2027 KTM 200 Duke retains its high-revving Euro 5+ compliant 199.5cc DOHC four-valve single—producing 25 PS (18.4 kW) at 10,000 rpm and 19.3 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm—but gains sophisticated electronic hardware normally found on middleweight nakeds.

A full ride-by-wire electronic throttle replaces traditional mechanical cables, unlocking configurable throttle maps, KTM’s Quickshifter+ clutchless shifting, and a premium 5-inch bonded glass TFT display. With a wet weight of just 159 kg, the 200 Duke remains a razor-sharp scalpel for dense European urban grids and twisty backroads, giving newer riders big-bike electronic sophistication without the insurance penalty.

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Retros, Cruisers & Long-Distance Peace of Mind

BSA Bantam Scrambler 350 and Bobber 350 Debut at EICMA: 29 HP Retro Duo

Classic British motorcycling history came alive in Hall 4 as BSA unveiled the Bantam Scrambler 350 and Bantam Bobber 350, modern reincarnations of the beloved post-war single. Unlike lazily engineered air-cooled competitors, BSA equipped both Bantams with a thoroughly modern 334cc liquid-cooled DOHC four-valve single-cylinder engine managed by Marelli fuel injection, pushing out 28.6 hp (21 kW) and 30 Nm of torque.

The Scrambler captures classic Bushman proportions with a 19-inch wire-spoked front wheel, rubber gaiters protecting a 41mm fork, 165 mm of ground clearance, and an accessible 812 mm seat height. Tipping the scales at 184 kg, it provides charming retro aesthetics backed by modern thermal management and four-valve breathing that can comfortably cruise at highway speeds.

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[Benelli Leoncino Bobber 400 Debuts at EICMA: 385cc V-Twin and Belt Drive](https://throttle-times.com/benelli-leoncino-bobber-400-debuts-at-eicma-385cc-v-twin-and-belt-drive/

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Benelli expanded its popular Leoncino family into low-slung cruiser territory with the Leoncino Bobber 400. Breaking away from generic parallel-twin mills, the Bobber is powered by an all-new 384.5cc liquid-cooled 60-degree V-twin generating 34 hp (25 kW) at 8,000 rpm and 36 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm, breathing through 29mm throttle bodies into a six-speed transmission with an assist-and-slipper clutch.

Cruiser purists will appreciate the toothed carbon-reinforced belt final drive, fat 16-inch balloon tires, low 730 mm seat height, and twin side-mounted rear shocks offering 65 mm of stroke. With an inverted 35mm fork up front and a 300mm front rotor with an axial four-piston caliper, Benelli delivers authentic V-twin cruiser rumble and clean belt-drive manners at an A2-friendly price point.

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Benda Dark Flag 600 Ultra EC Debuts at EICMA: V4 Cruiser With Electronic Clutch

Chinese manufacturer Benda continues to thumb its nose at conventional industry conservatism by introducing the Dark Flag 600 Ultra EC. At the heart of this muscular machine sits a complex 598.5cc 16-valve liquid-cooled V4 engine producing 70.7 hp, mated to an innovative electronic auto-clutch actuator and an on-board pneumatic air suspension system that can raise or lower the rear ride height on demand.

Power transfers to the 16-inch rear wheel via a low-maintenance carbon belt drive, and a 35 kW restriction kit ensures A2 compliance across Europe. While packing four camshafts, sixteen valves, and pneumatic air compressors into a 254 kg wet cruiser makes home garage maintenance daunting, Benda proves that alternative engineering and multi-cylinder complexity are no longer the exclusive domain of established Japanese and European giants.

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Kawasaki Rolls Out 6-Year Manufacturer Warranty Across Europe for Road Bikes

In what may be the most significant consumer development of the entire autumn salon, Kawasaki dropped a massive commercial bombshell: a fully transferable 6-year manufacturer warranty across its entire European road bike lineup, from entry-level 125s all the way to the supercharged Ninja H2—with zero euro surcharge or sneaky hidden financing clauses.

By replacing restrictive two-year dealer plans with six years of genuine factory backing that transfers automatically to subsequent owners, Kawasaki has thrown down the gauntlet to BMW, KTM, and Honda. In an era where complex electronic dashes, radar units, and Euro 5+ emissions sensors make out-of-warranty repairs terrifyingly expensive, this move provides unprecedented peace of mind for high-mileage riders and dramatically strengthens long-term residual values.

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Paddock Revolts, Grid Politics & 280 kg Baggers

MotoGP Grid in Crisis Over Qatar: 19 Riders Demand Safety Guarantees

Under the desert floodlights of Doha, MotoGP reached a historic boiling point as 19 premier-class riders joined forces in an unprecedented safety revolt. Expressing unified outrage over extreme scheduling, hazardous track temperatures, and dangerous wind-blown sand deposits along Lusail International Circuit, riders coordinated a four-hour travel boycott that forced Dorna and race direction into emergency negotiations.

The riders’ message was unequivocal: professional athletes willing to risk life and limb at 350 km/h will no longer accept scheduling compromises that jeopardize basic safety protocols. The resulting timetable overhaul represents a monumental victory for rider solidarity, proving that the modern grid is finally finding its collective voice against commercial overreach.

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Ducati CEO Confirms Investor Interest as Volkswagen Group Reviews Potential Sale

Despite unprecedented sporting dominance in both MotoGP and WorldSBK, Ducati finds itself at a corporate crossroads. CEO Claudio Domenicali confirmed significant external investor interest as parent company Volkswagen Group conducts a comprehensive portfolio review of non-core industrial assets in an effort to shore up cash reserves for its automotive electrification programs.

With Ducati carrying an estimated market valuation of €1.2 billion and delivering solid 5.6% operating margins, private equity suitors and sovereign wealth funds are circling Borgo Panigale. For enthusiasts who remember the chaotic days before Audi’s stabilizing ownership in 2012, any corporate divestment raises critical questions about long-term R&D budgets and racing program continuity.

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FIM and Dorna Expand Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup to 8 Rounds for 2027

What began as an outlandish American sideshow has officially become a full-blown international sensation. The FIM and Dorna announced the expansion of the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup to eight rounds and sixteen races for 2027, running directly alongside MotoGP weekends at legendary circuits including Le Mans and Assen.

Seeing 280 kg Road Glides powered by 205-horsepower Milwaukee-Eight 131R engines dragging floorboards at 55 degrees of lean angle through Assen’s Ramshoek at 260 km/h has completely demolished the skeptics. Wrestling a 200-plus-horsepower touring bagger at Grand Prix speeds demands extraordinary physical strength and rewritten survival instincts, delivering thunderous, titanium-sparking entertainment to European race crowds.

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2027 AMA Supercross Rule Overhaul: 20-Rider Mains and 109 dB Sound Limits

Across the Atlantic, the AMA announced a sweeping rule overhaul for the 2027 Supercross and Pro Motocross championships, tackling first-turn carnage and stadium acoustic limits in one stroke. Main event gates will be slimmed down to 20 riders, while maximum allowable exhaust sound levels will be slashed by 3 dB down to 109 dB, harmonizing AMA regulations with global FIM MXGP acoustic standards.

Silencing high-compression 450cc singles revving beyond 11,500 rpm requires exhaust manufacturers to engineer longer silencer canisters, denser ceramic wool packing, and complex internal baffling. While mechanics will fight to maintain peak bottom-end snap, reducing sound footprints is vital to protecting suburban stadium venues and preserving grassroots motocross tracks worldwide.

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Armor, Lids, Tyres & Crash Defense

[Alpinestars Debuts Tech-Air 5 PLASMA at EICMA: 1.53 kg Airbag and DIY Canisters](https://throttle-times.com/alpinestars-tech-air-5-plasma-airbag-vest-revealed/

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Autonomous airbag systems took a massive technological leap forward with the unveiling of the Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 PLASMA vest. By integrating ultra-pliable Nucleon PLASMA back armor, Alpinestars slashed total system weight by 25% down to just 1,530 grams while maintaining full CE Level 1 impact certification.

Crucially for adventure riders and world travelers, the Tech-Air 5 PLASMA eliminates the dreaded factory service return following an inflation: it features a DIY user-swappable single argon canister that can be replaced trackside or trailside in two minutes. With a refined tri-mode algorithmic brain covering street, track, and off-road riding, this is the airbag system that finally removes the weight and hassle barriers for daily wear.

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REV’IT! Debuts Defender 4 GTX at EICMA: 2-in-1 Shell and PrimaLoft Armor

For overland riders facing torrential Alpine rainstorms followed by scorching Mediterranean valleys, REV’IT! has redesigned its flagship four-season adventure suit: the Defender 4 GTX. The suit earns a rugged CE Class AA abrasion rating backed by SEEFLEX Level 2 limb armor, but its core innovation lies in the adaptable 2-in-1 GORE-TEX membrane.

The waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX liner can be worn either zipped inside the rugged outer chassis during cold highway slogs or slipped over the shell as an external rain layer to keep the primary fabric from wetting out in downpours. Paired with lightweight PrimaLoft thermal insulation, the Defender 4 GTX sets the benchmark for genuine all-season durability.

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KLIM Debuts X1 Gamma Adventure Helmet at EICMA: 4-in-1 Modularity and Optical 1 Visor

Adventure helmets have notoriously struggled to balance highway aerodynamics with off-road ventilation. KLIM tackled this head-on with the X1 Gamma Adventure helmet, introducing a 4-in-1 modular configuration that converts effortlessly between peaked ADV, full-face street, and goggle-ready off-road modes.

The highlight of the aerodynamic shell is its sun peak, which features three tuned pass-through velocity channels engineered to bleed off high-pressure air at 130 km/h and eliminate neck-snapping turbulence. Paired with an distortion-free Optical Class 1 visor, the X1 Gamma solves the dreaded highway buffet puzzle for high-mileage ADV explorers.

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KLIM Debuts 2027 Roughkut Gear at EICMA: Waxed Nylon and CE AA Rogue Armor

Proving that real slide protection doesn’t have to look like space armor, KLIM’s 2027 Roughkut collection combines 350g dry-waxed nylon tailoring with bleeding-edge CE Class AA certification. The secret to its clean, unbulky profile is KLIM’s proprietary Rogue impact compound.

Utilizing a shear-thinning dilatant matrix that remains paper-thin (8.5 mm in jackets and an ultra-thin 5.2 mm Rogue Phantom armor in K Fifty jeans), the material is soft and pliable at body temperature but hardens instantly upon kinetic impact to absorb energy. It delivers genuine slide and impact security wrapped in understated heritage style.

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Scorpion Debuts EXO-Race Air at EICMA: FIM Racing #2 Carbon Lid With Vortex Aero

Scorpion shook up the premium circuit helmet category with the EXO-Race Air, delivering top-tier FIM Racing #2 homologation in an ultra-light 1,320-gram Carbon Matrix Fiber shell for a sensible €549.

Engineered for extreme track speeds, the lid features a retractable vortex aerodynamic rear spoiler that cleans up boundary air spilling over the rider’s neck roll, virtually eliminating buffeting and head oscillation at speeds above 280 km/h. Combined with Scorpion’s signature Airfit inflatable cheekpad system, it brings Grand Prix-grade aerodynamic stability within reach of everyday club racers.

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Forma Debuts Phantom Racing Boots at EICMA: FCS Pivot and Titanium Sliders

Track day enthusiasts who shred plastic toe sliders in two sessions will celebrate Forma’s new Phantom racing boots. Weighing in at 1,180 grams with full CE Level 2 certification, the Phantom pairs an FCS (Flex Control System) external skeletal ankle pivot with durable Grade-5 titanium replaceable toe and heel sliders.

The external skeleton allows natural forward ankle articulation for crisp gear shifts while locking out hyperextension and lateral torsion during a spill. Priced at €389, Forma proves that professional paddock-level ankle defense doesn’t require a four-figure budget.

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Caberg Debuts Roxter Full-Face Helmet at EICMA: ECE 22.06 and Pro Speak Comms

Bergamo-based Caberg launched an aggressive assault on the budget commuter sector with the Roxter full-face helmet. Certified to stringent ECE 22.06 impact standards, the 1,520-gram ABS lid features an integrated rear aerodynamic spoiler, multi-channel ventilation, and pre-molded speaker cutouts tailored for Caberg’s Pro Speak Evo Bluetooth comms system.

Starting at an entry price of just €109.99, the Roxter demonstrates that the latest European safety mandates and sharp Italian styling can be achieved without bankrupting urban riders or daily commuters.

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Avon Premieres Trailrider 2 at EICMA: 80/20 Dual-Compound Adventure Tyre

Recognizing that European adventure riders spend the bulk of their mileage eating up tarmac transits before hitting gravel trails, Avon premiered the Trailrider 2 across 20 popular rim sizes. The 80/20 dual-compound adventure tyre utilizes a zero-degree steel-belted carcass for straight-line high-speed touring stability.

A durable, wear-resistant center rubber formulation delivers high mileage on loaded motorways, while high-silica shoulder compounds ensure tenacious mechanical grip and confidence when tipping heavy ADV rigs into wet Alpine switchbacks. Enhanced lateral tread sipes provide the necessary bite when navigating fire roads and hard-packed gravel trails.

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SHAD Debuts Terra Crash Bars for BMW R 1300 GS: 25mm Stainless Modular Armor

Spanish luggage specialist SHAD expanded into structural protection with its Terra crash bar system for the BMW R 1300 GS. Fabricated from heavy-duty 25mm AISI 304 stainless steel tubing with a thick 2mm wall profile, the modular cage protects both the vulnerable lower boxer cylinder heads and the upper fuel tank and radiator shrouds.

Weighing 6.8 kg, the system incorporates replaceable sacrificial impact pucks that take the brunt of rock strikes and tarmac slides without bending the core tubular cage into the engine casings. For riders planning off-road excursions on BMW’s latest flagship boxer, it’s an indispensable layer of chassis insurance.

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This Week by the Numbers

Parting Throttle

Strolling through the darkened Milan halls after the lights shut down, listening to the cooling exhaust ticks of fifty brand-new engines, you realize that motorcycle design is in the middle of a genuine course correction. The market got tired of heavy, fragile machines built for spec sheets rather than mountain passes. Seeing genuine 231 mm travel on a 159 kg KTM dual-sport and watching Bimota remind the world how an inline-four ought to sing at 14,500 rpm feels like the industry taking a deep breath of fresh mountain air.

Out in the home workshop tonight, the air is cold and the smell of chain degreaser and hot tea is thick. The forecast for next weekend shows clearing skies across the passes—just before the high snows lock the gates until May. If your chain needs adjusting, your oil needs dropping, or your winter tyres need mounting, don’t put it off. The best riding weeks of late autumn are here. Get out into the garage, spin some wrenches, and point your front wheel toward the hills.

— Alex, Throttle Times