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7 Awesome New Motorcycles Rolling Out Right Now

Great things come in small packages — as the latest bikes from BSA, Kawasaki, Triumph and other brands make abundantly clear.

triumph thruxton 400 moto macroTriumph Motorcycles
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By Steve Mazzucchi

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Unless you’ve been living under a (wifi-free) rock, you’ve likely noticed a significant uptick in the quantity of smaller motorcycles popping up all over the world.

Heck, even big bike stalwarts like Harley-Davidson are recognizing the demand for more affordable and approachable bikes; the legendary American manufacturer recently announced plans for a sub-$6,000 bike that should land in the 400cc to 500cc range.

Meanwhile, brands such as BSA, Kawasaki and Triumph continue tapping into the trend with a number of small wonders, including several we are crossing our fingers make their way to US shores soon.

Catch up on the latest notable moto releases — including just one bike with an engine bigger than 652cc — below.

kawasaki versys 650 motorcycleKawasaki

2026 Kawasaki Versys 650

Along with stunning paint schemes, this bike boasts a 649cc parallel-twin engine that makes 66.1 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 44.9 Ib-ft of torque at 7,000 rpm, more than enough power to zip through gridlock and rip through twisties. Keeping things safe and comfortable are responsive disc brakes, Kawasaki’s own traction control system and solid suspension: a 41mm inverted telescopic fork, with adjustable rebound damping and adjustable preload, plus a single rear shock with remote spring preload adjustability.
morbidelli f125 motorcycleMorbidelli

Morbidelli F125

This small wonder packs a liquid-cooled, DOHC 125cc single-cylinder engine making 14.48 horsepower at 9,500 rpm and 8.51 pound-feet of torque at 8,000 rpm. The seat height of 31.3 inches is not low, but together with a curb weight of 315 pounds, it should be manageable for many beginners. Adding to the approachability is a slipper clutch, a 33mm upside-down fork with 130mm (5.1 inches) of travel, an adjustable multilink rear shock and dual discs with ABS.
2025 bsa bantam 350 motorcycleBSA Motorcycles

2025 BSA Bantam 350

Deriving its name from a bike that debuted 77 years ago, this attractively retro-styled 6-speed features a liquid-cooled, four-stroke 334cc single-cylinder making 29 horsepower at 7,750 rpm. For comfortable handling, the Bantam 350 has telescopic forks offering 4.3 inches of front travel and two pre-tensionable rear shock absorbers providing 3.9 inches in back, plus Bybre disc brakes and ABS. With a 399-pound curb weight and 31.4-inch seat height, it should be approachable for beginners, too.
2026 suzuki gixxer 1000Suzuki Cycles

2026 Suzuki GSX-R1000R

Just in time for the 40th anniversary of the original Gixxer, a number of GSX-Rs are getting meaningful updates, headlined by this one. In compliance with Euro 5+ emission and noise regulations, the new R1000R features a 998cc inline-four engine making 192.4 horsepower at 13,200 rpm and 81.1 lb-ft of torque at 11,000 rpm. It also boasts modern Suzuki tech, including a 3-axis, 6-direction IMU, tracking pitch, roll and yaw movement, Suzuki’s Clutch Assist System and a bi-directional quickshifter. 
2025 bsa scrambler 650BSA Motorcycles

2025 BSA Scrambler 650

Inspired by old-school BSA bikes like 1970 B25, this multi-surface marauder boasts the same scrappy engine as BSA’s recently reintroduced Gold Star: a liquid-cooled 652cc single cylinder making 45bhp at 6,500rpm and 40.5 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. While it’s probably best to keep the off-roading “light,” the Scrambler 650 does have a number of dirt-ready features, including knobby Pirelli Scorpion STR tires (19-inch front, 17-inch rear), a bash plate, 41mm telescopic forks and dual shocks with a 5-setting preload.
triumph thruxton 400 motorcycleTriumph Motorcycles

Triumph Thruxton 400

This new sized-down Thruxton boasts classic café racer styling — clip-on bars, round bar-end mirrors, color-matched fairing, tank and bullet-seat cowl — and the same 398cc single cylinder engine as Triumph’s other popular small-displacement bikes, including the Speed 400 and the Scrambler 400 XC. However, Triumph has notably tuned this one’s beating heart to stand out with what it calls an “even more addictive top end” — its 41.4bhp bests the Scrambler 400 X’s 39.5bhp while maintaining the same peak torque. 
2026 kawasaki ninja 500Kawasaki

2026 Kawasaki Ninja 500

This new sized-down Thruxton boasts classic café racer styling — clip-on bars, round bar-end mirrors, color-matched fairing, tank and bullet-seat cowl — and the same 398cc single cylinder engine as Triumph’s other popular small-displacement bikes, including the Speed 400 and the Scrambler 400 XC. However, Triumph has notably tuned this one’s beating heart to stand out with what it calls an “even more addictive top end” — its 41.4bhp bests the Scrambler 400 X’s 39.5bhp while maintaining the same peak torque. 
About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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