In light of the incumbent MotoGP Champion Marc Marquez’s shoulder injury suffered in Indonesia, the Spanish seven-time MotoGP World Champion will be replaced for the rest of the season by MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship runner up Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati). The #11’s replacement ride will come as his first time back in the MotoGP paddock since 2021 when he steps on the Ducati Desmosedici GP machine at Portimao and Valencia.
‘Bulegas’ first appeared in the paddock in Moto3 back in 2015 when he featured in a single round at Valencia after he was crowned Moto3 European Champion that same season. That appearance preceded a three-season stint in Moto3 from 2016 to 2018, where he collected two poles, two podiums, and two fastest laps. Making the move up to the intermediate category in 2019, he featured for another three years among the Moto2 field until the conclusion of the 2021 season, when he then joined WorldSSP for 2022, before winning the title in 2023 and finishing as WorldSBK runner-up in both 2024 and 2025.
Marquez’s 2025 Championship celebrations were cut short at Mandalika after he clinched the title the round prior, in Japan. He was competing in the Grand Prix when he and Aprilia Racing rider Marco Bezzecchi collided on the opening lap. After a trip to the medical centre, Marquez was diagnosed with a fracture and ligament damage in his right shoulder, and opted to have surgery; forcing him out of the final part of the season. He was initially replaced by Michelle Pirro at the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix, but for Portimao and Valencia, it will be Bulega on the Ducati Desmosedici GP25 that helped the #93 to this year’s title. It comes after he tested the bike at Jerez following the conclusion of the WorldSBK campaign.
Looking ahead to his MotoGP debut, Bulega said: “I’m very happy to be able to end a season like this one with a last-minute surprise. Making the MotoGP debut is the dream of any kid who aspires to become a rider. Plus, being able to ride the World Champion bike for the final two race of the 2025 makes everything even more exciting. It’ll be a big gamble; I have no expectations. I’ll take this experience calmly, especially because, so far, I’ve only been able to test the Desmosedici GP at Jerez. That said, I’m certainly motivated to do well and give my all. Thanks to Ducati and Ducati Corse for their trust, to Claudio, Gigi, Mauro, Davide, Stefano, and Serafino for making me feel their full support and to Team Aruba.it Racing, with whom we finished a season as protagonists”.
Ducati Corse General Manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, added: “I’m very happy to see Nicolò working on the Desmosedici GP. Nicolò has been part of the Ducati Corse family since 2022, when we wanted him to ride the Supersport bike. We believed in him, and he repaid us with two seasons as an absolute protagonist in Superbike, where he came close to the title and became our reference point as a rider. Furthermore, for next year we announced his commitment, together with Michele Pirro, in the developing the Desmosedici GP with new tires, and the opportunity to race in the final two GPs is the best way to begin working in this new role as a test rider. It will certainly be demanding, but I hope he’ll be able to enjoy this experience: for a young rider, making the debut in the top category of our sport is a great satisfaction”.
Check out some of Bulega’s best moments from his last two seasons in WorldSBK with the WorldSBK VideoPass!
Successful surgery this morning on my knee. Huge thanks to Dr Pooler Archbald and his team @kingsbridgeprivatehospital for taking such good care of me! #grateful
Nine countries, 12 rounds and 36 races later, 2025’s four MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship rookies have earned their stripes after a hard-fought season of determined work on and off track and laying it all on the line, corner after corner. The new faces each took steps throughout the season, riding out of Jerez much more complete competitors than when they first debuted down under at Phillip Island. Here’s how each of them fared!
MONTELLA MAKES IT COUNT: The Italian takes top rookie honours
Yari Montella made his WorldSBK debut riding with the Barni Spark Racing Team, the team he rode for in WorldSSP when he mounted a title challenge, and showed real growth over the course of his rookie season while sharing the paddock with MotoGP and WorldSBK race winner Danilo Petrucci. He landed the most top tens of all the rookies with nine, seven more than any other. The strongest stretch of his season came from May to June, where he landed two P8s at Most, then followed it up with a further P8 to open Misano. DNFs, however, were an issue for #5, as his 12 races not finished were the most of any rider on the grid. In fact, while he enjoyed arguably his best form of the season from Most into Misano, he suffered three consecutive DNFs to close Misano and to open at Donington. Provided he can control the bike, his speed has been no issue for him, and he is sure to benefit from the experience of his new 2026 teammate, Alvaro Bautista to work to improve on his P18 Championship placement.
ON THE BUBBLE: Ryan Vickers showed real speed in his first season
Ryan Vickers made the jump from the British Superbike paddock in 2025 after six years of experience in that championship to ride with the Ducati independent Motocorsa Racing. He jumped into the paddock with no holds barred, moving to Italy to be closer to the team and facilitate his getting up to speed in the World Championship. That commitment was reflected in his second-place finish among all rookies and finishing the season tied with Montella for the best result among all rookies on the season with his P7 in Hungary. While Vickers was only able to crack the top ten on two occasions – at Assen and at Balaton – by the season’s midpoint onwards he only missed the points on four occasions, all due to DNFs. Vickers will rejoin BSB in 2026, but he showed his talent on the world stage in 2025.
SOFUOGLU SETTLES IN: Landed his season-high P10 at Magny-Cours
Already decently familiar with the WorldSBK paddock after his two full seasons in WorldSSP300 and three seasons in WorldSSP, Bahattin Sofuoglu (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) rode his Yamaha R1 well throughout the campaign. He finished in P21 directly behind Vickers in the Championship standings. His season’s highlight came in Magny-Cours’ Race 1. He began the race in P21, benefitting from a five-rider pileup in Lap 1 but otherwise rode well to take tenth for his sole top ten of the season. He will gain a new teammate in the form of Mattia Rato in 2026, whom the Turk will look to grow alongside in his sophomore season.
ZAIDI FINDING HIS FOOTING: The Malaysian rookie progressed to land in the points at Magny-Cours
Having competed in a single WorldSSP race at Sepang back in 2014, Zaqhwan Zaidi (PETRONAS MIE Honda Racing Team) arrived to the WorldSBK paddock as a newer face than some of his fellow rookies. He and his Honda independent teammate both had a tricky season before Tarran Mackenzie left the team to ride with the MGM BONOVO Racing squad. Zaidi continued to struggle to find form until Magny-Cours, where he earned his first WorldSBK point when he took P15 from Race 1. MIE Honda haven’t confirmed their 2026 lineup, but if Zaidi is on one of their bikes next season, he will have that baseline to improve from.
Look back through the expansive catalogue of these riders’ rookie season with the WorldSBK VideoPass!
After 2025’s edge-of-your-seat FIM Supersport World Championship campaign, the table is already being set for the coming 2026 season. Despite the high bar set in 2025 and the departure of defending Champion Stefano Manzi to race with the GYTR GRT Yamaha Racing Team next season, many big-ticket riders have been linked with a move to the Championship. So far, the following names have been confirmed!
FAMILIAR FACES AT THE FRONT: 2025 top ten finishers confirmed to be sticking around in the paddock
Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) will return to ride atop his native British manufacturer in 2026, where he will be joined across the garage by his Australian teammate Oli Bayliss. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) is returning to his Ducati V2 after earning a pair of podiums and a fastest lap in his debut season with the team. The German will hope to build on his P6 finish from last season and return to his top-five form from his first stint in WorldSSP in 2020 and 2021. Having finished one position behind Oettl, French veteran Lucas Mahias will ride alongside Spanish rider Roberto Garcia at GMT94-YAMAHA. The 19-year-old impressed after joining midway through the 2025 season and will look to continue to grow in 2026.
RIDERS ON THE BUBBLE: 2026 riders looking to improve from their performance last season and break into the top 15
Simon Jespersen brought with him one of the great surprise moments in 2025 in the form of his second-place podium finish in Race 2 at Balaton. For 2026, Jespersen will be changing teams, riding with EAB Racing. Mattia Casadei finished 2025 riding with Motozoo ME Air Racing; however, in 2026, the 2023 MotoE World Champion will change to D34G WorldSSP Racing Team and ride atop their Ducati Panigale V2. Leonardo Taccini (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) will remain with his team, where it has been confirmed that another rider will join him. The rider’s identity, however, has not yet been announced by the team.
Look back through 2025’s plethora of jaw-dropping WorldSSP moments with the WorldSBK VideoPass!
Between now and the next Mecum motorcycle auction in Las Vegas, which takes place Jan. 28-31, 2026, at the South Point Hotel & Casino, we’ll be previewing some of the collectible machines that will cross the block.
In our previous post, we previewed American motorcycles. This post focuses on racing motorcycles. Many highly desirable motorcycles are already listed on Mecum’s website, and new lots and collections are being added daily.
Let’s kick it off with a truly special racebike, a super rare 1978 Ducati NCR900 Factory Racer (lot R461). This Italian stallion was only ever ridden for parade laps in 2011 in New Zealand by legendary Grand Prix racer Paul Smart, and Mecum says it gets Ian Falloon’s stamp of approval as the real deal. This original NCR factory racebike has a 905cc air-cooled squarecase L-twin engine with bevel-driven camshafts, desmodromic valves, and race-modified Dell’Orto PHM 40 carbs. Wrapped around the engine is a Daspa frame, and the chassis includes Marzocchi suspension and magnesium Campagnolo wheels with original Michelin S41 front and rear TV4 race tires. The whole thing is housed within a hand-laid fiberglass fairing with red and silver livery. Molto bello!
Another drool-worthy bike from Bologna coming up for auction is a 1972 Ducati 750 Imola Race Replica (lot R479) that was also ridden by Paul Smart for demonstration laps during the New Zealand Classic in 2011. This tribute to the legendary 1972 Ducati Imola 200 racebikes has an air-cooled 748cc roundcase L-twin engine with bevel driven camshafts, desmodromic valves, and twin 40mm Dell’Orto carbs. Its fiberglass bodywork and race petrol tank with clear fuel level stripe are painted silver, and the frame is painted blue. This bike is a runner, and it was displayed in the Museo Ducati on the grounds of the Ducati factory in Italy prior to its current ownership.
2026 Mecum Auction Preview: 1994 BMW R1100RS Battle of the Legends (lot N319)
For you Beemerphiles, the 1994 BMW R1100RS that Gary Nixon campaigned in the Battle of the Legends series is up for sale (lot N319). Nixon certainly qualifies as a legend: He was AMA Grand National Champion in 1967 and 1968, winner of 19 AMA Grand National Races, and winner of the 1967 Daytona 200. Nixon came in 1st at Daytona in the BMW Legends Series in 1995 on this bike, and he placed 2nd in overall points for the entire series, 1992-1996. This 1,085cc air-cooled Boxer still has its safety wiring, tech inspection sticker, and Nixon’s number plates, and the bike comes with Nixon’s BMW Legends windbreaker, BMW series race videos, Legends book, and Legends baseball cap.
If you like early 20th century European iron, you can bid on a 1926 Moto Guzzi C2V Race Bike (lot R575) that was the 2nd Place winner at the 2024 Quail Motorcycle Gathering, or a 1934 Rudge JAP Speedway racer (lot N297) that comes with a steel hot shoe custom-made by Ken Maely in 1967.
2026 Mecum Auction Preview
Like classic Honda GP bikes? How about a 0-mile 2004 Honda CB50R (lot N20), one of only 440 limited-production, race-only replicas of the 1962 RC110, Honda’s first 50cc Grand Prix racer. This silver bullet has a high-performance 49cc single-cylinder DOHC engine rated at 7 hp. It’s bump-start only but has never been fueled, started, or ridden. This featherweight machine has a fuel tank, fenders, and other components made of aluminum, and it even retains factory torque marks on bolts. This CB50R has been part of an indoor static display in a private collection since 2017, so it might look sweet in your office or living room.
When the Indian FTR750 was raced in American Flat Track, it dominated the series, winning seven consecutive SuperTwins championships from 2017-2023. It would probably have won an eighth championship in 2024 if not for a rule change that banned the FTR750 from competition. You can bid on one of these legendary factory racebikes, a 2017 Indian Scout FTR750 Flat Track Racer, serial No. 11 (lot N409). It has a 748cc four-stroke V-Twin, a 4-speed gearbox, an ultra-light steel frame, carbon fiber bodywork, Öhlins suspension, and forged Roland Sands Design wheels.
Speaking of Indians, in our American motorcycles post, we highlighted a 1912 Hedstrom 8-Valve Board Track Racer (lot N358), two 1916 Harley-Davidson 8-Valve Board Track Racers (lot N360 and lot R706), and a 1922 Harley 8-Valve Board Track Racer (shown above, lot N361) that will all cross the block in January. Antique bikes like these often command the highest bids at auction, so these will be bikes to watch.
If knobby tires are your thing, check out a 1976 Penton 250 MC5 (lot W143) built to commemorate the life of John Penton, who passed away in September at the age of 100. Though this MC5 has never been raced, it’s primed and ready for vintage motocross. It has an air-cooled 250cc 2-stroke single-cylinder engine rated at 47 hp, a 6-speed transmission, a chromoly frame, and Works Performance air shocks.
Stay tuned for future posts where we’ll highlight more cool motorcycles that could be yours – all you need to do is be the highest bidder!
To see the full listing of motorcycles up for auction in January, go to the Mecum website, click on the Buy tab, and select Motorcycles. You can also register to bid at the auction, either in-person, online, or by phone.
Riding out from the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, Andalucia, the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship riders are already beginning their preparations for next season’s campaign. However, while the teams and their riders are already plotting their next steps in 2026, there’s still a veritable buffet of food for thought regarding the 2025 campaign.
A RACE OF THEIR OWN: #1 and #11 were largely the only riders who could keep the other off the top step of the podium
The Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) vs. Toprak Razgatlioglu rivalry picked up from 2024 with the same intensity and even more speed. After a sputtering start from Razgatlioglu with two non-scoring races to close Phillip Island, Razgatlioglu’s title defense with the BMW factory team looked like a very shaky prospect. He responded well with a hat trick at Portimao, and his first win in the wet at Assen despite struggles for both him and Bulega that round. After Assen, it was only either ‘Bulegas’ or ‘El Turco’ atop the rostrum for the rest of the season. That dominant pace led to many stunning battles between the pair as they fought for P1 with a considerable margin ahead of the pack. In the end, it was Toprak’s dominant run of midseason form that saw him undefeated from Misano in June to Aragon in September which proved decisive in the title battle, exacerbated by an unfortunate Tissot Superpole Race DNF for Bulega at Misano, then missing the points in P13 at Balaton. Their rivalry pushed each other to become better riders but Razgatlioglu emerged victorious to claim his second consecutive title, and third WorldSBK Riders’ Championship overall. Now, despite the pair fighting for the spotlight for just two years, their WorldSBK rivalry ends with 31 races having finished first and second in whichever order, tying the historic Jonathan Rea-Chaz Davies rivalry, which ended with the same number of times occupying the top two steps of the podium.
SAM LOWES STEPS IT UP: The Englishman found another gear in 2025
Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) showed his speed on many occasions during his 2024 rookie season in WorldSBK after making the jump from Moto2; however, struggles for consistent results amid injuries and crashes mitigated his successes and left him with an 18th-place finish in the Riders’ Championship. 2025, on the other hand, was a year of massive growth for the Lincolnshire rider. He landed his first podium and pole position at Assen and would go on to increase his rostrum result tally to five over the rest of his sophomore season. Despite Razgatlioglu and Bulega’s mercurial pace making up for the dominant majority, the #14 led the fifth most laps this season; one of only seven riders to see daylight from the front of the pack this season.
TOUGH SLEDDING FOR OTHERS: Several riders didn’t quite match their 2024 marks
Some riders didn’t quite have Sam Lowes’ or the title rivals’ same soaring season. Michael van der Mark’s 2025 season didn’t quite reach the two-podium, one-win heights of his 2024 campaign, and stepping away from the full-time paddock, he is set to stay with the BMW team but in a test rider capacity. Andrea Iannone who was riding with Team Pata Go Eleven also didn’t quite reach his high-water mark from last season; while he started with a podium double in Australia, and closed the campaign on the rostrum at Jerez, he struggled with injuries and inconsistent form throughout the meat of the season. Before the announcement of his blockbuster move to Aruba.it Ducati for 2026, Iker Lecuona was another rider who, while he was expected to continue his encouraging trajectory with his Honda HRC team, unfortunately found himself plagued by injuries again and finished P13 after his 2024 P12. A major factor was that he competed in only 25 of the 36 races, four fewer than last season; however, Aruba.it Racing – Ducati has given the #7 their vote of confidence, signing him for next season to race alongside Bulega.
BIMOTA BACK WITH A VENGEANCE: The returning manufacturer showed their platform’s potential
Guim Roda and most of the people involved with the bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team were very measured during the season regarding their expectations for 2025’s return to WorldSBK competition, but as the season continued, there were more and more encouraging signs from the Rimini-based factory team. Alex Lowes brought glory to his team at Misano, where he landed the manufacturer’s first podium in 25 years, before landing a podium triple at Magny-Cours. The KB998 Rimini looks to be in good hands with its Bimota team, and early indications for 2026, based on testing times at Jerez, suggest the other riders at the front may need to keep their heads on a swivel.
RIDING OFF INTO THE SUNSET: Jonathan Rea hangs up the leathers after 18 seasons
Six-time World Champion Jonathan Rea was unable to finish his star-studded career from a podium position where we have so often seen him throughout his 18 years of WorldSBK greatness after suffering a sprained right knee in Race 1 of the final round. His collision with Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) meant he couldn’t close out his career from the tarmac, but his tear-jerking press conference preceding the round on Thursday instead came as the six-time World Champion’s swan song.
2026’S FIRST TEST EVENT: Jerez saw Ducati riders lead the way, encouraging signs from Yamaha’s new faces
Just two days after the end of the 2025 season, several of the field’s teams hung around the paddock at Jerez, to participate in the offseason’s first pair of testing days. On both days of the test, Bulega and his new teammate for next season Lecuona rode the 2026 Ducati Panigale V4 R, the first time on the bike for Lecuona. They and the bike both impressed, coming up to speed quickly to sit P1 and P2 on the combined timesheets. Bimota riders Alex Lowes and teammate Axel Bassani both looked fast as they continue the work on developing their platform ahead of the KB998’s sophomore 2026 season. Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) and Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) both donned their blue leathers for the first time as WorldSBK riders, impressing in their sole Day 1 of testing, joined by returning rider Bahattin Sofuoglu (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team), who took P8 on the combined timesheets despite not participating on Day 2. In 2026, the grid’s only Turkish rider will be joined by Mattia Rato, who made his debut on track with the team at the test.
Watch all of 2025’s best moments, full and uncut or streamlined into highlight cuts with the WorldSBK VideoPass!
The 2026 Aprilia Tuono 457 is a new naked bike based on the RS 457 sportbike and powered by a 457cc parallel-Twin. (Photos by Joe Jackson)
For riders who want Aprilia’s famous Tuono (Italian for “thunder”) but have a limited budget, the Tuono 457 has arrived. Built on the 457cc parallel-Twin platform that debuted last year with the fully faired RS 457, the built-in-India Tuono 457 has a peppy engine, modern tech, plenty of character, and an affordable price ($6,599) – qualities that are likely to draw new customers to the Italian brand.
The Aprilia dealership Moto Bello Orange County was kind enough to allow me to borrow a Tuono 457 for a proper shakedown. Leaning into the aesthetics of its bigger siblings, the Tuono 660 and Tuono V4, with sharp, angular lines, a muscular tank design, and a minimalist tailsection, the 457 doesn’t look like a starter bike. It leans into the wind with fork-mounted headlight nacelle that houses a triple full-LED cluster and a red spoiler.
The Aprilia Tuono 457 is available in two colors: Piranha Red (above) and Puma Gray.
Beneath the tank sits a liquid-cooled 457cc parallel-Twin with a 270-degree crank that produces a claimed 47.6 hp at 9,400 rpm and 32.1 lb-ft of torque. These figures put it almost neck-and-neck with its closest competitor, the Kawasaki Z500, whose 451cc parallel-Twin makes a claimed 51.0 hp at 10,000 rpm and 31.7 lb-ft of torque at 7,500 rpm.
The Tuono 457’s liquid-cooled parallel-Twin has DOHC with 4 valves. Its 69 x 61.1mm bore/stroke yields 457cc. The engine is a stressed member of the twin-spar aluminum frame.
Though they share the same engine, the Tuono 457 feels a bit peppier than the RS 457 thanks to an extra tooth in the rear sprocket, giving it quicker acceleration. In city traffic, the torque delivery is smooth and linear, making for a stress-free ride, and it was an absolute blast to ride in the canyons. Twist the throttle in Sport mode, and the bike comes alive. The engine is eager to rev, with a decent pull in the low-to-midrange and a noticeable step up in urgency past 7,000 rpm, making highway on-ramps and twisty roads a blast. Higher revs also bring noticeable vibration, but rubber dampers in the handlebar mount and inserts in the footpegs help to keep the buzz at bay.
With its engine making 47.6 hp and weighing just 385 lb, the Aprilia Tuono 457 has a good power-to-weight ratio.
In addition to street riding, two days at California’s Buttonwillow Raceway Park allowed me to explore the Tuono 457’s capabilities. Initially, I wasn’t confident on the Eurogrip Protorque Extreme HR tires, so feeling the bike out was a struggle. Eventually, I found a sweet spot with the air pressure in the tires, but they never delivered the feedback one gets from higher-spec rubber.
The Tuono 457’s tires are a weak point – their grip is adequate but they feedback is vague. Brakes are single-disc front and rear, and ABS is standard.
Even with the blistering 105-degree heat, I loved riding the Tuono 457 on the track. With stock components and no performance mods, it was plenty of fun but started to flatten out after 9,000 rpm. While seasoned riders may wish for more outright power, the Tuono 457 finds a balance between fun and control, especially for newer riders who still want performance with intimidation.
Adding to the ride quality is a slip/assist clutch that makes downshifting smooth and drama-free. This certainly helped at the track when I started to ride more aggressively. And the light clutch pull and positive engagement of the 6-speed transmission make gear changes slick and precise. Aprilia offers an optional up/down quickshifter, which would be a great upgrade.
The Aprilia Tuono 457 is a playful bike on playful roads.
The Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) suite of electronic rider aids has been available on other Aprilia models for years. On the Tuono 457, however, APRC is limited to three ride modes (Sport, Eco, and Rain), traction control with three levels, and ABS. TC and ABS are not lean-sensitive, though ABS can be turned off at the rear; TC can be fully deactivated by holding the down arrow on the left switchgear.
Pertinent ride info and APRC settings are shown on a bright, full-color 5-inch TFT display that’s uncluttered and easy to read in both bright sun as well as low-light conditions. The Tuono 457 also has backlit switchgear, giving the bike an upscale feel and making night rides more convenient.
The Tuono 457’s 5-inch TFT display is clear and easy to read.
True to Aprilia’s racing pedigree, the Tuono 457 has a twin-spar aluminum frame that uses the engine as a stressed member, giving it a solid, responsive feel. Weighing just 385 lb wet, with its 3.3-gallon tank full, the Tuono is nimble and easy to maneuver, both at low speeds and when leaning through corners. Compared to my track-focused KTM RC 390, the 457’s chassis feels similar but slightly more direct. Even going full throttle for most of my time at Buttonwillow, I managed an average of 45 mpg in Sport mode and 60 mpg in Eco mode.
The suspension setup includes a 41mm inverted fork and a rear monoshock, both adjustable for preload only. Despite the lack of adjustability, which is common at this price point, the suspension delivers a planted ride, and it handled well enough to make me want to keep riding all day. On the track and in the canyons, the bike handled the twisty and uneven pavement well. While riding on the highway, the bike bounced around over seams and imperfections.
The Aprilia Tuono 457 brings Italian style and performance to the small naked bike segment.
Braking duties are handled by ByBre (Brembo’s India-based subsidiary), with a single 320mm front disc with a radial-mount caliper and a 220mm rear disc. The brakes provided decent initial bite but never increased in stopping power no matter how hard I squeezed. This was surprising since the brakes use steel-braided lines, so the axial master cylinder is the likely culprit. The rear brake was adequate for everyday riding, but more importantly, it was perfect for balance-point wheelies!
The 31.5-inch seat height makes the Tuono 457 easily accessible for a wide range of riders, even those on the shorter side, like myself at 5-foot-5 with a 28-inch inseam. I was able to put both feet flat on the ground and easily move the bike forward and backward using only my legs. Compared to the fully faired RS 457, the Tuono’s handlebar is 5 inches higher and 1 inch closer to the rider, resulting in a much more upright seating position. The riding position feels natural, placing the rider in a slightly forward-leaning stance that suits both commuting and sporty rides.
Compared to the RS 457 its based on, the Tuono 457 has a much more upright seating position.
There’s enough room to move around on the bike, and the pegs are positioned to give just the right amount of cornering clearance without putting excessive bend in your knees. Commuting through stop-and-go traffic was easy and more comfortable than on my Tuono V4. For riders thinking long-term or about weekend trips, the optional touring accessories, like panniers, a tankbag, and a USB socket give the Tuono extra practicality points.
The 2026 Aprilia Tuono 457 joins a crowded class of small-displacement naked bikes that includes not only the Kawasaki Z500 ($5,699) but also the CFMOTO 450NK ($5,399), Honda CB300R ($5,149), KTM 390 Duke ($6,499), Triumph Speed 400 ($5,395), and Yamaha MT-03 ($4,999). At $6,599, the Aprilia carries the highest price in the class but isn’t the best-in-class in any particular area. Power, performance, components, and features are as good or better on some of its competition, which brings the Aprilia’s value proposition into question in a price-sensitive segment. The Tuono 457 is a fun, stylish bike that should keep both new and experienced riders entertained, but for the price it’s lacking some thunder.
2026 Triumph Trident 800 in Carnival Red with Graphite (left) and Ash Gray with Diablo Red (right). The Carnival Red model seen here includes optional bar-end mirrors and Akrapovič silencer.
As part of its 2026 model-year launch of 33 new and updated bikes, Triumph’s latest new model is the Triumph Trident 800 roadster. This 3-cylinder model is meant to fill a gap between the accessible Trident 660 and the performance-oriented Street Triple 765 RS. Triumph has also announced that the Street Triple 765 R will not return for 2026.
Powering the Trident 800 is a new 798cc Triple that makes a claimed 113 hp at 10,750 rpm and 61.9 lb-ft of torque at 8,500 rpm. Mated to the engine is a 6-speed transmission with a slip/assist clutch and Triumph Shift Assist (up/down quickshifter).
While the dimensions and geometry of the Trident 800 are similar to the Trident 660’s, the 800 has an all-new chassis to fit its three throttle bodies (the 660 only has one) and redesigned airbox. It has a tubular-steel frame, a wheelbase of 55.2 inches, a seat height of 31.9 inches, a fuel capacity of 3.7 gallons, and a wet weight of 436.5 lb.
Fully adjustable Showa suspension includes a 41mm inverted SFF-BP fork (4.7 inches of travel) and a monoshock (5.1 inches of travel). Brakes include dual 4-piston radial front calipers pinching 310mm discs and braided steel lines. As with other new/updated models in Triumph’s 2026 lineup, the Trident 800 includes Optimized Cornering ABS and Traction Control.
Other standard tech features include cruise control and three ride modes (Road, Sport, and Rain) that alter throttle response and traction control. Through its round 3.5-inch TFT screen, riders can access the My Triumph Bluetooth system for calls, music, and navigation. All lighting is LED.
The bike also comes with cast-aluminum wheels in a gold color wrapped in Michelin tires. A belly pan and flyscreen are included, and the split seat features an embossed logo. Options include an Akrapovič silencer, bar-end mirrors, and scrolling turnsignals.
The 2026 Triumph Trident 800 will be available in Ash Gray with Diablo Red, Carnival Red with Graphite, or Jet Black starting at $9,995.
The latest development for the 2026 grid is that Italian rider Michael Rinaldi will not be continuing in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. The 29-year-old rider lit up the scene in his first years in the Championship; however, he has struggled to find a consistent footing to jump back into the title fight in the previous seasons.
Rinaldi first made the jump to the WorldSBK paddock in 2014, competing in STK600 and finishing 11th in the standings. A switch from Yamaha to Kawasaki machinery in 2015 saw him leap up the standings to second with four podiums including a win, and he moved to STK1000 in 2016. He took podiums in his maiden season on the Ducati Panigale R machine, before claiming the title in 2017; beating now three-time WorldSBK Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu to the crown by eight points.
In 2018, he got his first taste of WorldSBK action with the Aruba.it Racing – Junior Team, the same squad he won the STK1000 title with, and was immediately a top-ten contender as he finished 14th in the standings. In 2019, he stayed with Ducati machinery but switched to the Barni Racing Team, finishing 13th, before his breakout season in 2020 with Team GoEleven. He took three podiums, all at the Teruel Round at MotorLand Aragon, including a shock first win in Race 1. That success earned him a seat with the factory Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team in 2021, and he added to his win tally: three wins, including two at Misano, followed him as he finished fifth overall. In 2022, he was almost always in the top six before couldn’t get on the top step, before a further victory at Aragon in Race 1 in 2023 proved to be his last. He moved to Motocorsa Racing for 2024 but couldn’t hit the high notes he had with previous Independent teams, before starting 2025 in WorldSSP with GMT94 Yamaha before returning to WorldSBK with Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team for the second half of the year.
Announcing the end of his full-time WorldSBK career, Rinaldi posted on Instagram accompanying a clip of the celebrations after his win at Aragon’s Race 1 back in 2023. Rinaldi said: “Inside me, I knew this would be my last victory in WorldSBK. I wish I could find the words to express what I feel, but it’s hard. My time as a full-time WorldSBK rider has come to an end. Not because I’m ready to stop, but because I’ve learned that sometimes the best thing you can do is not force things in life and let them unfold naturally. The hunger, though, is still there—the fire to win burns just as strongly. Becoming World Champion remains my purpose, my unfinished story. I’ll keep chasing that dream, maybe on different tracks, maybe in different championships. And beyond racing, I’m working on something new, beyond motorcycles, yet driven by the same passion. So, thank you. It’s been a beautiful ride! And the road ahead is only just beginning! But this big part of my heart and career ends here…Thank you, from the bottom of my heart”
Look back on some of Rinaldi’s best moments over the years with the WorldSBK VideoPass!
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