This past weekend, we caught up on major releases from companies that jumped the queue ahead of EICMA—the annual motorcycle trade show that’s long served as the launchpad for each year’s new crop of bikes. We’re sure this year’s running will pack a few surprises of its own, but until then, here’s more news from Yamaha, Triumph, and LiveWire—plus a look at the all-new Cardo Beyond integrated helmet.
Yamaha XSR900 GP Legend Yellow
The XSR900 GP is one of Yamaha’s greatest hits from the past few years. Perfectly encapsulating the style of Yamaha’s 80s and 90s race bikes, and built on the bones of the incredible MT-09, it’s one of the best modern classics currently on the market—in both looks and performance.
Now Yamaha has upped the ante by adding the one ingredient the XSR900 GP has been missing—Yamaha’s iconic yellow ‘speed block’ livery.
Yamaha never intended for yellow to become one of its signature colors. In the early 70s, its Japanese and European race bikes were all dressed in the marque’s traditional red and white, featuring their signature block motif. But Yamaha USA wanted their bikes to stand out—so they called on designer and painter Rollin ‘Molly’ Sanders to create something fresh.
Molly created a yellow paint scheme with the blocks done in black and arranged in a stripe. The livery was pasted onto the legendary ‘King’ Kenny Roberts’ YZR500, who went on to etch his name—and the yellow speedblock design—into the annals of motorcycling history.
Aptly named ‘Legend Yellow,’ the new livery will soon be offered alongside the existing red colorway in Europe. All that’s changed is the paint job—Yamaha has announced no other major updates for the XSR900 GP for 2026.
We’re not mad. It’s a phenomenal motorcycle already, and the way that Yamaha has dressed it does justice to the beloved speed block motif. [Yamaha Motor Europe]
2026 Triumph Trident 800
As Triumph’s budget roadster, the Triumph Trident 660 is often overlooked—which is a shame. It might not be as bonkers as its stablemate, the Street Triple 765, but it’s still a good-looking street bike with nimble handling and all the pep you’d expect from a Triumph triple.
There’s a sizable gap between the Trident 660 and the Street Triple 765; the latter has a 47-horsepower advantage and a smorgasbord of top-spec components. Now the Hinckley factory has split the difference with the new Triumph Trident 800.
The Triumph Trident 800 is pitched at riders who want more from the Trident, but don’t need the supersport-like performance of the Street Triple 765. Its all-new 798 cc triple-cylinder powerplant is tuned for maximum usability across the rev range, with 113 hp at 10,750 rpm, 84 Nm of torque at 8,500 rpm, and an 11,500 rpm redline. Thanks to its triple throttle bodies and redesigned intake, it feels and sounds like a Triumph triple should, too.
Inside the engine, you’ll find a twist-forged crankshaft, a new camshaft and balancer, forged conrods, and high compression pistons. The Trident also gets a six-speed transmission with a quick-shifter, and three-into-one stainless steel exhaust headers with a burlier muffler than the 660’s. Triumph threw a full suite of electronic aids at it too, from cornering ABS and traction control to switchable rider modes and cruise control.
While the new Trident carries over the 660’s general aesthetic, each part is more sculpted. It also gets a headlight cowl and belly pan, LED lighting, and a round LCD and TFT combination speedo. The chassis uses a tubular steel perimeter design, with adjustable Showa suspension at both ends and wheels that match those on the Street Triple.
Available in grey, red, or black, all with gold rims, pricing for the new Triumph Trident 800 starts at £9,195 in the UK and $9,995 in the US. That’s £1,300 [UK] or $1,400 [US] more than the Trident 660 and £2,800 [UK] or $3,000 [US] less than the chart-topping Street Triple 765 RS, which makes it a very tempting proposition. [Triumph]
2026 LiveWire S4 Honcho
Although LiveWire hasn’t yet revealed full details of its next crop of electric motorcycles, they have given us a taste of what we can expect from its showing at EICMA next week. Among them is the LiveWire S4 Honcho—an adorable electric mini-bike that promises versatility in a pint-sized package.
Available in Trail [above] and Street [below] models, the S4 Honcho is described as a 125 cc-equivalent mini-moto for everyone from beginners to seasoned riders who want something small, capable, and fun. The S4 Honco Street’s TFT dash and LED lighting make it road-legal, while the off-road-only Trail opts for a barebones scrambler look. Both appear to be highly configurable, so we expect to see more variants and accessories emerge in time.
LiveWire hasn’t released any numbers yet, but we do know that the S4 Honcho has removable batteries. Also noteworthy is the fact that the Street model qualifies for an A1 license in Europe and the UK, and an M-endorsement in the USA.
Expected to go into production early next year, the LiveWire S4 Honcho looks like the perfect short-range urban runabout or campsite cruiser. It should sell like hotcakes, as long as LiveWire gets the pricing right. [LiveWire]
2026 LiveWire S2 Alpina Corsa
LiveWire also teased new models from their subsidiary, STACYC, which turns ten this year, plus a maxi-scooter that they’ve developed in partnership with Kymco. But it’s the LiveWire S2 Alpinista Corsa that caught our eye.
Based on LiveWire’s S2 Alpinista platform, the Corsa edition adds Öhlins suspension, carbon fiber wheels from BST, clip-on bars, billet aluminum yokes and rear-sets, and a handful of carbon fiber shrouds and covers. It also features DC Fast Charging technology, which LiveWire claims can recharge a 10kWh battery pack from 20 to 80 percent in less than 10 minutes.
The S2 Alpinista Corsa is shown here as digital renders, wrapped in eye-popping colors. We’ll presumably have to wait until EICMA to see it in the flesh, but we’re cautiously optimistic.
Cardo Beyond Helmet
The motorcycle industry has a sordid history of helmets with integrated tech, filled with stories of vaporware and clunky designs. But when a major player enters the ring, we take notice.
Enter the new Cardo Beyond—an all-new helmet with a built-in comms system, from a company that makes arguably the best comms systems on the market.
Whenever a tech company launches an all-in-one helmet, the usual concern is whether the helmet itself is any good—or if it’s just an off-the-shelf shell packed with gadgetry. Another question is how future-proof it is. Cardo seems to have addressed both.
The entry-level Cardo Beyond GT and flagship Cardo Beyond GTS were designed from the ground up, with a particular focus on airflow, stability, and ventilation. The wind-tunnel-tested shell is offered with a carbon fiber construction on the GTS model, and a lightweight fiberglass shell on the GT. Both versions feature a multi-density EPS liner, a drop-down sun visor, a Pinlock lens, and both DOT and ECE22.06 certification.
On the tech front, Cardo has packed the Beyond with several new parts developed specifically for this system. Since the helmet and comms system were designed together, the company was able to cram in massive 53 mm speakers. The setup also includes active noise canceling, which is not only a boon for audiophiles who want to mitigate wind noise, but should also help reduce fatigue and hearing damage.
The Bluetooth communication system is baked into the helmet seamlessly, with its various push buttons and control wheel laid out neatly and logically. The battery (which sits at the back) is removable for easy charging, and there’s an additional button on the helmet that can be custom-matched to a variety of functions.
A number of features from Cardo’s top-level comms systems have been added to the Beyond helmet too, including an auto on-and-off function, crash detection, and voice commands. As an extra safety feature, the GTS gets an LED taillight, while the GT replaces it with a reflector strip. There’s also a helmet health indicator—but Cardo hasn’t said too much about how it works, practically.
Although the Beyond’s internal components were designed to match the helmet, Cardo says that the battery is replaceable and the overall tech package is upgradeable. That means that your shiny new helmet won’t become obsolete as soon as Cardo releases new components.
Available from summer next year, the Cardo Beyond GTS is expected to retail for $1,199 in the US and €1,199 in Europe, with the GT clocking in at $949 and €949, respectively. For comparison, a Shoei GT-Air III with a Cardo Packtalk Pro system will set you back about $1,240. [Cardo Beyond]
