This week brings news from Triumph, Ducati, Stark Future, and Buell. Triumph is releasing a limited-edition cafe racer, Ducati is planning an update to the Diavel V4, Stark Future is developing fast-charging EV batteries, and Buell has secured funding to increase production.
Triumph Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer Edition
Triumph has unveiled a limited-edition Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer Edition for 2026. This model sits atop the Speed Twin range, combining a sporty riding position with the existing Speed Twin 1200 RS chassis. According to Triumph, only 800 units will be produced.
Cafe Racer Styling and Features
- Clip-on handlebars for an aggressive riding posture
- Removed passenger pegs (included with the bike)
- Brown bullet seat with removable cowl
- "Competition Green and Aluminium Silver" paint scheme with hand-painted gold coachlines
Performance and Components
- 1200cc Bonneville twin engine
- 103.5 horsepower at 7,750 rpm
- 83 foot-pounds (112 Nm) of torque
- Fully adjustable Marzocchi forks
- Öhlins rear shocks
- Brembo Stylema calipers
According to Triumph, each Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer Edition will come with a Certificate of Authenticity. Paul Stroud, Chief Commercial Officer at Triumph Motorcycles, believes the new model will appeal to both collectors and regular riders.
Ducati Diavel V4 Update Anticipated
Ducati is reportedly planning an update to the Diavel V4, based on recent IP filings. According to webbikeworld.com, the update may include component upgrades, though specific details are not confirmed.
Stark Future Aims for 10-Minute EV Charge Times
Stark Future, an electric vehicle company based in Barcelona, has partnered with Wanxiang A123 to develop more efficient batteries. The collaboration focuses on mass-producing 26120 cylindrical cells.
Current EV Battery Limitations
Current electric motorcycles, such as those from LiveWire and Zero Motorcycles, use 21700 or 18650 cells with energy densities between 200 and 260 Wh/kg. To achieve a 100-mile highway range, these bikes require heavy battery packs, sometimes weighing as much as 200 pounds.
Stark Future's Solution
Stark Future aims to address these limitations with 26120 cylindrical cells, designed specifically for motorcycles. These cells offer improved heat transfer for more aggressive riding, and according to Stark Future, they could provide 30% more energy with less weight compared to existing batteries.
Stark Future and Wanxiang A123 are targeting an energy density of approximately 330 Wh/kg and ultra-fast charging times of 10 to 15 minutes. With Wanxiang A123 and Stark's partner EVE Energy, production is expected to scale quickly.
Anton Wass, CEO & Founder of Stark Future, emphasizes the need for motorcycle-specific battery architecture, stating that the 26120 cells unlock capacity, reduce weight, and improve charging times.
Buell Secures Funding for Production Increase
Buell Motorcycle Co. has secured a $10 million federal loan to increase production of its motorcycles, including the Super Cruiser. The company plans to increase production by 25x due to record backlog demand, according to webbikeworld.com.
