EICMA 2026: the most viral new motorcycles and radar safety

I couldn’t make it to Milan this year. As I write this, EICMA 2026 is opening its doors to the public at Fiera Milano Rho, and I’m following it from here, coffee in hand, through brand press releases, videos from the stands and the photos people post the moment the cover comes off each bike. I won’t lie to you: I’m jealous. It’s the most important motorcycle show in the world, and the organizers say it has never been this big.

Why follow it so closely if I wasn’t there? Because EICMA is where you first see what the industry is bringing to market: the technology, the safety aids and the bikes you’ll find at dealerships in a few months. What gets unveiled in Milan today ends up, sooner or later, in the motorcycle you and I are going to buy. So here’s the most viral stuff from EICMA 2026, what the motorcycle press is talking about most, and my take on what really matters for people who ride every day. Since I wasn’t there, the photos come from 802xr, a Wikimedia Commons contributor who took them at the show on November 4 and shared them under a free license.

In short: EICMA 2026 is the 83rd edition and runs November 3 to 8 in Milan, with press days on the 3rd and 4th · The most talked-about bikes: the new Honda Africa Twin, whose Adventure Sports is the first Honda with front and rear radar, and the V3R 900 with an electronically controlled compressor · Beyond the bikes, the most shared item on social media is the ROOF Djagger, the helmet that opens from the back with no chin strap · Radar is no longer just for luxury bikes: it’s coming to the Triumph Tiger 1200 and the Kawasaki Versys 900 · Automated gearboxes and electronic clutches keep gaining ground · Of the bikes covered here, only the Versys 900 SE LT has a U.S. price and arrival date

EICMA 2026 by the numbers: what it is and when it is

EICMA is the international motorcycle show in Milan, Italy, and the event where many brands unveil their next model year. The 83rd edition takes place at Fiera Milano Rho: the press days were November 3 and 4, and it’s open to the public from November 5 to 8. According to the organizers, it fills 10 halls with 754 exhibitors and 2,120 brands from 52 countries, under the slogan “Always the first time.”

The most viral bikes and gear at EICMA 2026

2027 Honda Africa Twin with radar: the star of the show

If I had to pick a single bike as the most talked-about, it would be this one. Honda presented the “fully redesigned” CRF1150L Africa Twin family as a world premiere, in three versions: the Africa Twin, the Adventure Sports and the new Enduro Sports, which is the one on the cover. The engine grows to 1,131 cc with 119 hp, and the bike gets a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) and Showa EERA semi-active suspension. The Enduro Sports, the most off-road-minded of the three, rolls on 21- and 18-inch wheels and weighs 228 kg (about 503 lb); the Adventure Sports carries a 24.2-liter tank (about 6.4 gallons) for roughly 480 km (about 300 miles) of range, according to Honda.

But what really made noise was something else: the Adventure Sports with the DCT transmission is the first Honda with Honda SENSING RIDE, a package of rider aids with front and rear radar. Honda counts ten functions. They include adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, which keeps your distance from the vehicle ahead even in slow traffic, Group Ride Assist for riding in a group, emergency brake assist and blind spot information.

One detail I liked: the brake assist doesn’t brake for you. According to Honda, it applies braking assistance “under the rider’s braking input” when there’s a risk of hitting the vehicle ahead. In other words, you’re still in charge and the bike lends you a hand. Honda has a history of debuting safety features on its big bikes: according to the brand, the Gold Wing was the first production motorcycle with an airbag, as I told you in the history of the Honda Gold Wing.

Honda V3R 900 E-Compressor: the engine everyone’s talking about

The other Honda that stole the conversation doesn’t bring radar: it brings pressurized air. The V3R 900 E-Compressor was presented as a “planned production model,” and Honda says it carries the world’s first electronically controlled compressor for a motorcycle. The engine is a 900 cc V3 that, according to the brand, performs like a 1,200 cc engine. It adds a titanium tank, exhaust and muffler, plus RoadSync connectivity with AI-powered voice controls.

So what’s the compressor about? In plain terms, it forces pressurized air into the engine so it can burn more fuel on each cycle and make more power from less displacement. It’s the same idea as a turbo or a supercharger, but here the electronics control the compressor. What Honda still isn’t saying: price, date, power or weight. For now it’s the most viral bike at the show and also the most mysterious.

CFMOTO V4SR-RR: the Chinese superbike that got people talking

A few years ago, nobody would have put a Chinese brand on the list of the most talked-about bikes in Milan. Today CFMOTO has its first superbike there, the V4SR-RR: a 997 cc V4 with more than 210 hp claimed and movable winglets, in other words, active aerodynamics. The brand had already shown those winglets at EICMA 2025. What’s not clear is when it reaches production or which markets it will go to, so take it as a statement of intent: Chinese manufacturers are now playing in the superbike league.

ROOF Djagger: the helmet that opens from the back, with no chin strap

Speaking of viral, it wasn’t all motorcycles. On motorcycle social media, everyone is talking about the helmet that opens from the back: the Djagger, a rear-entry helmet from the French brand ROOF. It was first shown as a prototype at EICMA 2025, and this year the final, homologated version came to Milan.

How does it work? Instead of pulling the helmet down over your head, you open the back of the shell, slide your head in from behind and close it in a single motion. As you close the sides, a lever mechanism closes the rear shell and settles your head into place. It doesn’t have the classic chin strap either: instead, it uses a patented collar that you adjust once and that then stays locked. According to ROOF, that lets you put it on and take it off without removing your gloves or your glasses.

Here’s what ROOF publishes:

• Certification: ECE 22.06, as a full-face helmet.
• Visor: photochromic as standard, also approved, with a Pinlock 120 MaxVision lens included.
• Shell: a glass and carbon fiber composite, with 9 air intakes and 3 rear extractors.
• Price in Europe: from 849 euros (metallic white or red) to 999 euros (glossy or matte finish), according to its online store.
• On sale: starting in March 2027, through ROOF dealers. It hasn’t published the weight yet.

What’s been debated most is what happens after a crash. According to ROOF, removing two screws on the sides lets the front of the helmet flip up, so first responders can reach your face and airway without moving your neck, because your head stays resting in the rear shell. When the prototype came out, RideApart was harsh about it: removing screws takes time, and in a crash every second counts. And as the Spanish site Carwow points out, no third party has verified the system yet. I love the idea, but before I trust it with my head, I want to see independent tests.

At its stand, ROOF also showed the Djagger Venture, its first adventure helmet, with the same rear opening, a carbon shell, a bamboo-fiber liner and a peak that, according to the brand, breaks away in a crash to reduce the risk of rotation. For now it’s a prototype, with no price or date.

Heads up if you ride in the U.S.: in what ROOF and the press have published, I found no DOT certification, dollar price or U.S. date. Under federal law, a street helmet must meet FMVSS 218, the DOT standard, and a helmet with only ECE may not satisfy your state’s rules. I explain it in detail in DOT, ECE and Snell helmet certifications.

Safety: radar isn’t just for luxury bikes anymore

If I had to sum up EICMA 2026 in one word, it would be radar. Just a few years ago it was limited to a handful of very expensive bikes; this year it shows up on adventure bikes, touring bikes and mid-priced models.

2027 Triumph Tiger 1200: front and rear Bosch radar

Triumph updated the Tiger 1200 for 2027 in four versions (GT Pro, Rally Pro, GT Explorer and Rally Explorer), with a 1,160 cc engine making 158 hp, Showa semi-active suspension and, as part of its safety equipment, two Bosch radars. In Europe it costs between 22,795 and 25,395 euros.

The radars feed Bosch’s ARAS package. According to Bosch’s press release, these are its functions:

• Adaptive cruise control (ACC): keeps your speed and your distance from the vehicle ahead, with a Stop & Go function.
• Group Ride Assist: designed for using adaptive cruise when you ride in a group.
• Riding Distance Assist: helps you keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW): alerts you when there’s a risk of hitting the vehicle ahead.
• Blind Spot Detection (BSD): warns you when there’s a vehicle where you can’t see it in your mirrors.

Bosch also started production of its 7-inch TFT Connect display with the Tiger 1200. And in Milan it showed a Central Gateway, a kind of digital doorman that protects a connected motorcycle against cyberattacks, plus a 6 kW electric drive.

Kawasaki Versys 900 SE LT: radar at a mid-range price

For me, this is the most important safety news of the show, because it brings the price of radar down. The Versys 900 uses a 948 cc inline-four, with 122 hp in Europe; Cycle News, in the U.S., lists about 120 hp claimed. On the SE LT version, the front radar handles two functions: ACC Lite, an adaptive cruise that doesn’t use the brakes, only engine braking, and a forward collision warning that only warns. The rear radar watches your blind spot and flags it with LED lights in the mirrors. It also has an emergency stop signal, which flashes the lights when you brake hard.

In Italy it starts at 12,890 euros and arrives in April 2027. On our side of the Atlantic, Cycle News lists a starting MSRP of $13,599 and an arrival in March 2027.

Notice the fine print: ACC Lite doesn’t brake for you. If the vehicle ahead stops suddenly, you’re the one who brakes. That’s why it’s worth reading the manual of any radar-equipped bike before you start trusting it.

What radar does and what it doesn’t

I’m excited to see so much radar, but I want to be clear: none of these aids rides the bike for you. They warn you, adjust your following distance or help you brake, and each brand decides how far they go. The rest is still up to you:

• Technique. Looking far ahead, braking well and knowing how to swerve don’t come in any radar package. If you’re still finding your rhythm, go over how to build confidence on a motorcycle.
• Gear. The best safety system is still the one on your head: a DOT, ECE or Snell certified helmet.
• Attention. Adaptive cruise shines on the highway, and that’s exactly where it’s easiest to relax too much. Before your first long ride, check out how to handle your first highway ride.

And if you ride alone, a blind spot warning is a welcome extra pair of eyes. The rest is in our guide to the solo motorcycle road trip.

Technology: automated gearboxes, electronic clutches and self-adjusting suspension

The other big trend at EICMA 2026 is that more and more bikes take work away from your left hand:

• Honda E-Clutch: Honda showed the CBR500R FOUR, a 502 cc four-cylinder, in Europe for the first time with E-Clutch, the electronic clutch that lets you pull away and stop without touching the clutch lever, though you still shift with your foot. It also brought the Rebel 500 with E-Clutch.
• Yamaha Y-AMT: Yamaha’s automated gearbox, with no clutch lever and no shift pedal, comes to the RW700, which I cover below.
• KTM AMT: KTM presented the 1390 Super Duke GT EVO with an AMT gearbox, expected in early 2027.
• Honda DCT: the dual-clutch transmission is still the base for Honda’s radar aids, because SENSING RIDE is DCT-only.

On suspension, semi-active setups aren’t exclusive to the most expensive bikes anymore: the Africa Twin (Showa EERA), the Tiger 1200 (Showa) and the Fireblade SP (Öhlins Smart EC 3.0) all have one. And on connectivity, besides the Bosch display, Honda gives the V3R AI-powered voice controls.

Electric bikes were there too, though they didn’t steal the show: Honda brought the RN0, its first electric mountain bike, developed with ROTWILD, and the EV OUTLIER Concept, a preview of its thinking for 2030 and beyond, with in-wheel motors. Royal Enfield, for its part, showed the Flying Flea S6.

Superbikes: a new Fireblade and Ducati goes back to the dry clutch

2027 Honda Fireblade

Honda refreshed the Fireblade family with the Fireblade, the SP and the new HRC Works Edition. According to the brand, about 75% of the parts are new, including the aluminum twin-spar frame and the swingarm. It debuts two-stage variable-length intake funnels, a first on a mass-produced Honda. The SP adds a titanium tank, Öhlins Smart EC 3.0 suspension and Brembo Hypure brakes.

Ducati Panigale V4 SP and Streetfighter V4 SP

Ducati went against the automated-gearbox trend: its new Panigale V4 SP and Streetfighter V4 SP use a dry clutch, the racing kind, with that rattle the brand’s fans recognize from a block away.

Mid-size and entry-level bikes: what interests me most

This is where my eyes wander, because these are the bikes the most people can actually buy.

Royal Enfield Himalayan 750

Royal Enfield presented the Himalayan 750 with a 743 cc air- and oil-cooled twin making 54 hp at 7,000 rpm and 63 Nm (about 46 lb-ft) at 5,000 rpm; according to ADV Pulse, 90% of the torque is available from 3,500 rpm. The interesting part is the equipment: a six-axis IMU, cornering ABS (the rear can be switched off), lean-sensitive traction control, five riding modes, cruise control and tire pressure monitoring. It weighs 223 kg wet (about 492 lb), holds 17.8 liters of fuel (about 4.7 gallons), rolls on 19- and 17-inch wheels and uses Showa suspension with 190 mm of travel up front and 175 mm at the rear.

In Italy it costs 7,390 euros and in the United Kingdom £6,999, with European bookings open since November 3. There’s no U.S. price yet. Royal Enfield also showed the Continental GT 750.

BMW F 450 RR

BMW revealed it on October 15 and showed it in public for the first time in Milan. It’s a sportbike with a 420 cc parallel twin and 48 hp (35 kW), right at the limit of the European A2 license, the one that restricts power for newer riders. It arrives in June 2027. Sources don’t agree on the price, so it’s best to wait for the official one.

For people just starting out, bikes like this are great news. If you’re looking for your first one, take a look at our best beginner motorcycles. And if you like the idea of a mid-size twin, in Honda CB500X vs NX500 we compare two of the most popular ones.

Yamaha RW700 and RW700 Explore: the adventure scooter

The strangest surprise, in a good way: an adventure scooter with the 689 cc CP2 twin, the same one used in the Ténéré 700 and the MT-07, the Y-AMT automated gearbox and chain drive. The Explore version adds heated grips and seat, a center stand and an adjustable fork. Yamaha also showed the RW350, its little brother.

What’s coming to the U.S., and when?

This is always the question, and the honest answer is that almost nothing is confirmed yet. What gets unveiled in Milan usually reaches Europe first, and every market has its own emissions and noise rules (I explained them in motorcycle laws on emissions, noise and lane splitting). Here’s what I found as of today:

My advice: if one of them stole your heart, don’t put down a deposit on a bike that doesn’t have a U.S. price yet. Wait for the brand’s official announcement and the spec sheet for our market, because sometimes the equipment, the power or the colors change.

The same goes for the helmet: ROOF puts the Djagger on sale in March 2027 with ECE 22.06 certification, and I found no DOT certification or dollar price. If you want it for street riding here, the safest move is to wait until it has DOT and check what your state requires.

Frequently asked questions

When and where is EICMA 2026?

The 83rd edition of EICMA takes place at Fiera Milano Rho, in Milan, Italy. The press days were November 3 and 4, 2026, and it’s open to the public from November 5 to 8.

What was the most viral bike at EICMA 2026?

The most talked-about were the new Honda Africa Twin, whose Adventure Sports version is the first Honda with front and rear radar (Honda SENSING RIDE), and the Honda V3R 900 with its electronically controlled compressor. The CFMOTO V4SR-RR, with its movable winglets, also got people talking. And beyond the bikes, the most shared item on social media was the ROOF Djagger, the helmet that opens from the back.

What is the helmet that opens from the back at EICMA 2026?

It’s the ROOF Djagger, from the French brand ROOF. Instead of pulling it down over your head, you open the back, slide your head in and close it in one motion; it has no chin strap, just a collar you adjust once. It’s ECE 22.06 certified, starts at 849 euros in Europe and goes on sale in March 2027. I found no DOT certification or U.S. price.

Which EICMA 2026 motorcycles have radar?

Among the bikes covered here: the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports with DCT, the 2027 Triumph Tiger 1200 with two Bosch radars and the Kawasaki Versys 900 SE LT with front and rear radar. Each one has different functions, so check the spec sheet for the version you’re interested in.

What is the Honda V3R 900’s electric compressor?

Honda calls it the E-Compressor: a compressor that forces pressurized air into the engine and is controlled by the electronics. The brand says it’s the first of its kind on a motorcycle and that it lets the 900 cc V3 perform like a 1,200 cc engine. It still hasn’t published power, weight, price or a date.

When do the EICMA 2026 motorcycles arrive in the U.S.?

Of the bikes covered here, only the Kawasaki Versys 900 SE LT has a dollar price and a date: $13,599 and March 2027, according to Cycle News. For the rest, there’s no confirmed U.S. price or date yet.

Does radar on a motorcycle replace riding technique?

No. Radar aids warn you, adjust your following distance or help you brake, but they don’t ride for you, and some, like Kawasaki’s ACC Lite, don’t even use the brakes. Technique, gear and attention are still your best safety.

Wrapping up

I wasn’t in Milan, and I hope next year I get to walk those halls in person. But following it from afar makes one thing clear to me: the industry is moving toward bikes that look out for you more. Radar is getting cheaper, automated gearboxes are becoming normal, and even mid-size bikes now come with electronics that a few years ago were reserved for luxury motorcycles. Even the helmet, which seemed like a finished invention, dares to change shape with the ROOF Djagger. What we saw at EICMA 2026 is what we’ll be riding in the coming years. Until it gets here, the best technology is still the same as ever: a good helmet, good gear and plenty of practice miles. For now, I’m keeping an eye on U.S. prices.

Further reading: EICMA: the 2026 edition by the numbers · Honda: overview of its exhibits at EICMA 2026 · Honda: EICMA 2026 details · Bosch at EICMA 2026 · Cycle News: 2027 Kawasaki Versys 900 SE LT · ADV Pulse: Royal Enfield Himalayan 750 · MCN: Honda V3R 900 E-Compressor · Motorcycles.news: EICMA 2026 world premieres · Motorcycles.news: Yamaha RW700 and RW350 · ROOF: Djagger helmet · Carwow (in Spanish): ROOF Djagger, the rear-closing helmet · RideApart: the Djagger’s emergency access

Photos
Cover: 802xr, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 · cropped.
Photo 1: 802xr, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped.
Photo 2: illustration of the ROOF Djagger helmet created with artificial intelligence for Milla x Milla.
Photo 3: 802xr, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 · cropped.
Photo 4: 802xr, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 · cropped.
Photo 5: 802xr, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo 6: 802xr, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 · cropped.
Photo 7: 802xr, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 · cropped.