Motorcycles that make us stop and look twice this new year
Every January, the motorcycle brands start debuting their new year models, with previews and “sneak peeks“ for the motorcycle media. Year after year, it kind of gets monotonous and boring- different colors, new paint schemes and patterns, some new tech in the electronics package, maybe a little tweak in the brakes, suspension or powerplant, and/or more farkles in the OEM accessory parts bin. So many of the motorcycle media outlets feel the need to kiss up to the brands, running glowing previews of every detail of a “new” bike, even if the specs were the same as last year, just wearing a new colorway.
Same pablum and blather, different year.
Every so often, however, a new motorcycle grabs our attention. Some are high-end limited edition runs that are mostly “unobtainium” to the vast majority of us proletariat. Others are commemorative or throwback models that capture the spirit or legacy of some special bike from the brand’s past. Sometimes they are bikes long absent from their lineup, and now returning. Case in point- last year’s Honda CB750 Hornet. These all pique our interest.
So here are a few that we’ve been able to preview so far, and think they look pretty cool. Some we might never get a chance to ride and review, others we look forward to checking out for ourselves this year. Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic Liberty
As the United States celebrates 250 years as a nation this year, Harley-Davidson has debuted a line of motorcycles called the “Enthusiast Collection.“ These special edition models are derived from their iconic Heritage Classic, Street Glide, and Street Glide 3 Limited models. The one that grabbed our attention was the Heritage Classic Liberty Edition. With throwback Eagle tank graphics, blue-tinted lower windshield, red/white/blue accents, and hand stitched leather, this Heritage is beautiful, and the perfect bike to celebrate 250 years of America. We dig it.
Triumph Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer Edition
The vaunted Brit brand is only building 800 of these worldwide, so the chances of us getting to ride one or somewhere between slim and none. But if you’ve got the quid, you can make your reservations and own your own slice of Triumph history. We rode the 2025 Speed Twin 1200 RS last year, and it’s a fantastic motorcycle. Get your name on the list if you want one of these 800.
Indian Chief Vintage
This year marks Indian Motorcycle’s 125th anniversary, and one of the ways they are celebrating is with this very throwback-looking Chief model. Styled after the Indian Chief bikes of the 1940s, this new iteration sports the same classic lines with those long flowing fenders, Indian head front fender emblem, and floating solo seat. Paired with their modern Thunderstroke 116 c.i. v-twin mill with blacked out engine casings and pipes, we must admit, this bike is a looker. And we want a ride.
Suzuki GSX-8TT
Editor Rob first laid eyes on this retro-cool motorcycle at last year’s Barber Vintage Fest, and was knocked out by its gorgeous late 1970s-early 80s vibe. From the squared headlight nacelle, the old school looking tank stripes, its bar-end mirrors, to those killer gold rims, this GSX-8TT is a long-overdue “Modern Retro” in Suzuki’s lineup. Running on a 776cc parallel twin engine with a 270-degree crank, it sounds as good as it looks. As Rob quipped, we’re all “jonesing for a ride.”
Royal Enfield Classic 650 125th Anniversary Edition
This one we are particularly excited about, as one of our guys has been invited to join Royal Enfield for a 3-day debut & demo of this bike in beautiful historic St. Augustine, Florida next month. First unveiled at EICMA last year, the 125th Anniversary Classic 650 is truly a stunner. Sporting a unique “Hypershift” red-to-gold paint job, this should really pop in sunlight, with blacked out bits all showcasing the paint. The 648cc parallel twin machine also wears anniversary-specific tank badges and 125 years commemorative crests on the side covers. We don’t know how many Royal Enfield is producing of this model, just that it will be a limited run. Here’s hoping we get a look at one at least, here in the states. Maybe a ride??
*RE Classic 650 125th Anniversary Edition isn’t showcased on their website yet.
So there they are- a few of the motorbikes that have caught our eye so far for 2026. While so many new bike reveals are merely “slapping new lipstick on the same ole pig”, these ones stopped us in our tracks. Some we might get to ride; others, probably not a chance. It is pretty fun to look, however. Which of these strike your fancy, if any? Let’s hear from you in the comments below!
Road Dirt crew
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