The motorcycle industry has seen a flurry of activity recently, with major developments involving Energica, a massive superbike collection, and KTM. Here's a breakdown of the key events, according to a report by WebBikeWorld.
Energica Saved from Liquidation
Italian electric motorcycle manufacturer Energica has been rescued from liquidation thanks to a group of Singapore-based investors under the banner of Future Mobility. According to Energica, the investors made a formal offer and a significant deposit in July, preventing the company's assets from being auctioned off. This follows an announcement in October 2024 that parent company Ideanomics would shut down Energica, despite strong sales of the Experia model. Ideanomics was reportedly struggling due to legal issues stemming from a mid-2025 SEC settlement related to fraud and revenue overstatement between 2017 and 2019, which starved Energica of capital.
With the new ownership structure, Stefano Benatti will take over as CEO, while the original management team in Italy remains in place. Energica's initial focus will be on supporting existing riders, with distributors like Future Mobility in Belgium and the Netherlands assisting in providing parts and service. Production of models like the Ego+, Eva Ribelle, and Experia is expected to resume.
$40 Million Superbike Collection Seized
A collection of ultra-rare motorcycles, estimated to be worth $40 million, has been seized by the FBI and Mexican law enforcement. WebBikeWorld reports that the collection is believed to belong to Ryan Wedding, a Canadian national and former Olympic snowboarder who is now accused of being an international drug kingpin.
The collection primarily consists of high-end GP bikes, including those with the liveries of Valentino Rossi, Loris Capirossi, and Jorge Lorenzo. While the exact number of authentic factory race machines is not confirmed, the estimated value suggests that many are genuine. Photos indicate that the collection includes a 1980 Ducati NCR860 and the original Marc Márquez Moto2 bike. Wedding is currently on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list, with a $15 million bounty on his head.
KTM RC450 to be Released
KTM is preparing to launch the RC450, a new sportbike based on the CFMoto 450SS (also known as the 450SR-S), according to WebBikeWorld. Recent type-approval documents indicate the RC450 will use CFMoto's 449cc parallel-twin engine, but with a slight power increase of approximately 5 horsepower.
The RC450 will feature WP suspension, a single-sided swingarm, and a belly-mounted exhaust. It will have a shorter wheelbase (53.5 inches) and a lighter curb weight of 370 lbs. The filings mention "KTMR2R" branding for the Chinese market, and test mules have been spotted in Austria, suggesting a global release. While KTM and CFMoto have partnered for nearly a decade, the RC450 represents a significant step towards shared platforms in the entry-level sportbike segment. It's speculated that the bike may be released as the RC490 in North America.
