Sportbike | Wind Burned Eyes

Could the Return of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R for 2027 Be Just the Bike You Need?

Kawasaki has officially announced the return of its iconic Ninja ZX-6R and Ninja ZX-6R ABS models for the 2027 model year.

Long considered a staple in the middleweight supersport segment, the platform retains its signature 636cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder engine paired with an Assist & Slipper clutch, offering strong street usability alongside track-focused high-rpm performance.

It Looks Like Yamaha Will Bring the Retro XSR900 GP to America

American sportbike enthusiasts can finally celebrate: Yamaha is officially bringing the highly anticipated XSR900 GP to the United States as a 2027 model.

Despite being available in European markets since 2024, the retro-inspired machine was long withheld from American shores, to the frustration of local riders. The official confirmation comes via newly published California Air Resources Board (CARB) executive order filings, which explicitly list the model alongside Yamaha’s updated U.S.-bound 890cc inline-triple lineup.

Video Analysis: 2027 Suzuki GSX-R1000R Review

In this track review from Motorcycle.com, the reviewer takes the updated 2027 Suzuki GSX-R1000R through a brutal “Six Hours of Suzuki” simulation at the Monte Blanco circuit in Spain [00:17], [09:14].

This update represents a critical “welcome back” party for the Jixer 1000 in Europe (where it was dropped in 2023 due to emissions), while acting as a tiny, incremental evolution for the US market where it never left [00:32], [22:37].

Custom Suzuki GSX-R1100 by KOS’THOR

The “Yoshimura” is a 1987 Suzuki GSX-R1100 “slabside” restomod built by Yohann Kostrzewa of the French workshop KOS’THOR. Inspired by the legendary 24-hour endurance racers that dominated the Suzuka circuit in the 1990s, the build is a tribute to the legacy of Hideo “Pops” Yoshimura.

The project began with a neglected donor bike that was completely stripped and rebuilt to recreate the look and feel of a factory-fresh racing machine.

Custom 40th Anniversary 1985 Suzuki GSX-R750 by NCC Bikes

Nigel Weber of Germany’s NCC Bikes (Nigel’s Creative Customs) has collaborated with Belgian artist and track enthusiast Philippe Madou of Woefie-Art to create the “Anniversary Artbike,” a custom 1985 Suzuki GSX-R750 celebrating the 40th anniversary of the legendary “Slabside.”

The project honors the bike’s status as the “mother of all modern superbikes” by maintaining much of its original 1985 character while adding unique, hand-painted cartoon-style motifs that blend motorcycle culture with fine art.

The Kawasaki Ninja 300 Could Be Coming Back

It’s not every day that a motorcycle makes a comeback, but it looks like Kawasaki is bringing back a fan favorite sportbike. According to recent reports, the Ninja 300 is set to return for the 2026 model year, re-entering the market as a formidable entry-level sportbike.

For years, the Ninja 300 was the go-to machine for new riders, praised for its approachable power, sharp handling, and aggressive sportbike styling. It was replaced by the Ninja 400 and, more recently, the Ninja 500 in many markets, but its legacy as a perfect stepping stone into the world of sportbikes has never faded. Now, it appears Kawasaki is carving out a space for the 300 once again.

Could a New Kawasaki ZRX Come Next Year or Is it Something Else?

The rumor mill, that tireless beast, has been grinding out tales of a new Kawasaki, perhaps a revival of the beloved ZRX. The Kawasaki ZRX was a beast, and it would be so cool to see it make it back into the lineup.

But hold your horses, for the tea leaves, as seen in patent filings and type approvals across the oceans, whisper a different truth. It seems the green machine is cooking up a Z1100 SE. That is still a welcome addition to Team Green’s lineup.

The Fully Faired CFMoto Papio XO-1 Brings Retro Min-Moto Cool

The road, my friends, is a tapestry woven with endless tales, and today’s yarn spins around a pint-sized marvel. Feast your eyes on the CFMOTO Papio XO-1, a machine that whispers sweet nothings of yesteryear’s speed and daring, all wrapped up in a package barely larger than a hound dog.

This is a defiant nod to the literbikes and the over-engineered speed demons you see on the road and track. The Papio XO-1 is motorcycling at its best. It looks small. It looks fun. And it won’t break the bank either.

A New CFMoto 500SR Voom Coming Soon. Will it Come to the US?

The CFMoto 500SR Voom. That’s a terrible name for what is potentially a super cool bike, a sportbike that is stirring up memories of those wild and wonderful 400cc rockets from the late ’80s and early ’90s.

The Voom’s got a look that’ll make your heart skip a beat, with a curved front and those “retro” round headlights that are actually ram-air intakes. Sneaky, right? And under the sleek bodywork, she packs a punch with a 78-hp, 499cc inline-four engine.

Feast Your Eyes on the MV Agusta Superveloce 1000 Ago

If you’re a connoisseur of two-wheeled majesty, listen up. Word on the wind is MV Agusta, those maestros of Italian thunder, have unleashed a machine that’ll make your soul hum. This comes fresh on the heels of MV Agusta’s recent announcement about a new direction for the company.

It’s the Superveloce 1000 Ago, a tribute to a legend named Agostini, and they’re only making 83 of ’em. Just 83! That’s rarer than a perfect alignment of stars on a summer night.