Wind Burned Eyes

Is CFMoto’s V4SR-RR Superbike the Wakeup Call for Established Manufacturers?

Is CFMoto about to reshape the global superbike conversation?

The Chinese manufacturer’s V4SR-RR prototype just completed wind tunnel testing at Pininfarina’s facility in Turin, Italy. The results are sending a clear message: CFMoto is serious about claiming a place at the top table of performance motorcycling.

CFMoto V4SR-RR superbike prototype undergoing testing — Photo: CFMoto, via AMCN

Active Aerodynamics Enter the Mass Market

What makes the V4SR-RR testing noteworthy is not just the speed—though a top-speed run of over 315 km/h at Shangrao already confirmed this bike moves—but the integration of independent movable winglets on each side of the fairing. The video from the Pininfarina testing shows a dummy rider while the bike was evaluated both upright and banked, simulating real-world cornering loads on the aerodynamic package.

The active aero can operate independently, which theoretically helps with corner entry, increases downforce under acceleration, and diverts airflow to improve front-end grip. This is genuinely innovative for a mass-produced superbike from any manufacturer, let alone one from China.

When Launch Meets Racing Intent

CFMoto expects to reveal the final V4SR-RR later this year, likely at September’s CIMA show in Chongqing or November’s EICMA in Milan. Behind the scenes, the brand is actively pursuing World Superbike entry—possibly as soon as 2027—which means this bike is being engineered with both street and racetrack legitimacy from day one.

That’s a different playbook than previous Chinese superbike attempts. This is purpose-built performance with a racing program attached. The market will be watching closely. Check out our earlier coverage of CFMoto’s adventure tourer strategy to see how the brand has been building its international presence across segments.

Sources: Australian Motorcycle News, Motorcycles.News

Why Did Europe’s Largest Used Motorcycle Dealer Just Collapse?

SuperBike Factory, Britain’s self-proclaimed largest used motorcycle dealer, went into administration on July 20, 2026, ceasing all trading immediately. The company ran six showrooms across the UK and sold around 15,000 used bikes annually from its flagship Macclesfield location and branches in Donington Park, Bradford, Bristol, Milton Keynes, and Crawley.

Despite reporting £83 million in revenue for 2024, the company hemorrhaged cash behind the scenes. Operating losses ballooned from £3.9 million in 2023 to £16.1 million in 2024, a jump driven partly by a £14.5 million impairment charge on subsidiary investments.

Can Harley-Davidson’s Superglide and Deadwood Actually Save the Brand?

Harley just raised its 2026 sales forecast, citing stronger North American demand and positive dealer feedback on new models. The bigger question is whether affordable, customizable bikes can reverse years of market share losses.

The Milwaukee company increased its full-year guidance from 130,000-135,000 units to 133,500-138,500 units during its second-quarter earnings call. It’s a modest bump, but CEO Artie Starrs kept hammering one message: dealer health is improving.

Custom Triumph Bonneville Bobber by Tamarit

The Bonneville Bobber has always been a minimalist’s dream. Triumph’s modern take on the classic bobber aesthetic comes complete with a floating saddle, stripped-down bodywork, and an air of restraint. But what if you wanted to push it further? Spanish custom shop Tamarit took that question seriously with Miss Hyde, a build that transforms the Bobber into something far more aggressive.

The conversion starts with the bodywork. The factory’s floating saddle is replaced by a one-piece subframe that merges the seat and rear section into a single assembly. Below that, an airbox delete hides the wiring behind a chrome cover. The swingarm gets the full Tamarit treatment: heavily braced upper section, chrome plating, and speed holes to reduce weight.

Is Benelli’s New Tornado 550 the $5,999 Middleweight Sportbike to Beat?

Benelli has just shaken up the middleweight sportbike market with the all-new Tornado 550, priced at an introductory MSRP of $5,999. The Italian brand is attacking a fiercely competitive segment by loading the bike with features typically reserved for bikes costing several thousand dollars more.

At the heart of the Tornado sits a 554cc parallel-twin engine that delivers 56 horsepower at 8,250 rpm and 54 Nm (about 40 lb-ft) of torque at 5,500 rpm. The engine uses a 270-degree crank configuration and pairs with a six-speed gearbox, tuned for responsive acceleration without sacrificing daily rideability.

How Damon Motors’ Prototype EV Superbike Ended Up in a Storage Locker Auction

Damon Motors promised 200 horsepower, 200 miles of range, and a top speed over 200 mph from its electric superbike. Instead, the company folded, leaving behind prototypes, unfulfilled reservations from over 3,000 riders, and one very unusual story.

A half-assembled Damon HyperSport MK2 prototype recently sold at a storage locker auction in Vancouver, British Columbia, the company’s former headquarters. The locker changed hands when Damon failed to pay roughly $2,500 in accumulated rental fees. The buyer, a pair of siblings who didn’t initially know what they’d won, discovered multiple generations of fairing, charging equipment, a hollow motor display unit, and the incomplete prototype itself.

Best Motorcycle Jeans That Actually Look Like Regular Jeans (2026)

Looking for riding protection without the bulky tactical styling? Discover the best stealth motorcycle jeans of 2026 that look and feel just like your favorite everyday denim while offering certified road protection.

You want to stay safe on your motorcycle, but you also want to walk into a restaurant or office without looking like you are wearing heavy, bulky tactical gear.

Fortunately, motorcycle apparel technology has advanced dramatically, allowing manufacturers to weave high-strength protective fibers directly into standard cotton denim. This means you can now get certified slide resistance and impact protection in a pair of pants that looks indistinguishable from your favorite casual jeans.

Does Honda’s New Transalp E-Clutch Make Middleweight Adventure Riding Effortless?

Honda brought back the Transalp name in 2023 after a decade of absence, and now it’s getting a serious upgrade. The 2026 Transalp 750 adds the company’s E-Clutch system — no clutch lever required, but you can still shift gears manually if you want. It’s $10,199 and 755cc of liquid-cooled parallel twin action.

The E-Clutch tech sounds unnecessary on paper. You’re still choosing gears with your foot, just not squeezing a lever anymore. But ride it and it actually makes sense in an adventure context. Gear changes happen at any RPM without drama, the system blips the throttle on downshifts, and you can leave it off if you’d rather use a traditional clutch.

Allen Millyard’s Legendary 8.0-Litre Viper V10 Finally Sells at Auction for £130,000

One of the most iconic custom motorcycles ever built has found a new owner. Allen Millyard’s extraordinary Viper V10 sold at Bonhams’ Summer Stafford Sale today for £130,000, ending decades of speculation about what the legendary build might fetch if it ever came to market.

The hand-built machine never left Millyard’s hands until now. It appeared at shows and featured in videos over the years, but the hammer falling today marks the first time the bike was offered to the public.

Does Harley-Davidsons New Deadwood Actually Deliver on the Custom Stripped-Down Look?

Harley-Davidson’s new Deadwood arrives as a raw, unadorned take on the Heritage Classic. Named after the South Dakota community near Sturgis, this stripped-down cruiser launches mid-year with a starting price of $17,999, available only in the U.S. and Canada.

The philosophy here is simple: start with the Heritage Classic and remove everything unnecessary. Out goes the chrome trim, the luggage racks, and the ornamental details. In their place, Harley finished all the bodywork and controls in matte black, leaving just the lower rocker cover and pushrod tubes chrome-plated to highlight the V-Twin’s iconic shape.