Top 5 New Bikes for 2025 by McGregor

In pretty much every bike segment, 2025 is shaping up to be huge. As an off-road nut, I'm obviously thrilled about the wealth of new enduros, be it the Yamaha Tenere 700, Suzuki's resurrected DRZ, or the gigantic 1390 Super Adventure iron from KTM. But things are cooking away from the loose stuff too. The Honda CB1000 Hornet, a new Kawasaki Z900, or the thoroughly reworked Ducati Streetfighter V2 are shaking up the naked bike scene, and supersports get a boost too with the new Yamaha R9, the revised Aprilia RSV4, or the new KTM RC 990. Only cruisers and big tourers have come up rather empty-handed so far. Harley-Davidson isn't presenting its new models until January, though, so those segments could still get exciting too. But the following five bike models for 2025 are the ones that have my anticipation for next season boiling over.

Even though the Mattighofen-based company is currently in serious crisis, the announced models are still supposed to arrive. Thankfully so, because at EICMA I took a real liking to the 390 Adventure R. Ever since the launch of the new Royal Enfield Himalayan, I've come to appreciate these modern A2 adventure bikes. They're light enough for off-road adventures, capable enough on tour thanks to their modern single-cylinder engines, and they don't cost a fortune like the bigger adventure bikes.

But the 390 Adventure always felt too watered-down, too wishy-washy to me. With its 19-inch front wheel and relatively short suspension travel, it seemed as if it couldn't decide between being a well-behaved daily tourer and an adventurous off-road machine. The 390 Adventure R presented at EICMA 2024 is the opposite. It looks properly grown-up, its headlight mask recalls KTM's Dakar rally machines, and the 21-inch front wheel and long suspension travel show it means business. We don't have concrete data yet, but I'm already convinced this 390 Adventure could be seriously dangerous for my wallet.

The next threat to my bank account: Suzuki's revived DRZ lineup. This year, while searching for a travel-capable off-road machine, I repeatedly trawled the used bike listings for affordable, well-kept Suzuki DRZ 400 bikes. Sadly without success. But as if my prayers had been heard in Japan, Suzuki is bringing the single-cylinder legend back next year as a dual sport enduro and supermoto. Maybe I should just snap up the new one right away? A few small reservations still keep me from filling out the purchase form. For instance, I'm a bit skeptical about sticking with 5 gears instead of 6, since that could hurt highway/touring performance. All the more excitement for the first tests...

This year I rode Triumph's old, sorely missed sport touring bike, the Tiger Sport 1050, for the first time. So my joy was that much greater when the Brits presented the Tiger Sport 800, a sporty Tiger rolling on pure 17-inch wheels again after many years. Since it's a new 800cc triple from Triumph, the first tests and comparisons with the direct competition, above all the also-new Yamaha Tracer 9, will be extremely exciting. The Triumph Tiger Sport 800 is a highlight for all fans of sporty touring.

Speaking of sporty touring: this theme is pushed to the extreme by the new KTM 1390 Super Duke GT. Earlier in the season we had the 1390 Super Duke EVO on test multiple times, but I have to admit, I'm too soft for such a hardcore hyper-naked. The Super Duke GT, on the other hand, offers somewhat softened ergonomics, wind protection, and for the first time in 2025, the same power as its naked sibling. Sounds like an intense, unique riding experience, which is why a ride on KTM's grand tourer counts among my highlights for next year.

At the other end of the bike enjoyment spectrum, far away from massive power and wild cornering, sits a highly charming bike from India. A few new retro bikes also caught my eye at EICMA, like the new Triumph Speed Twin 1200 models. Those are great too, but with retro bikes it's not about sportiness for me. Instead, the focus is on enjoying the bike in the most original sense. Classic, good-looking shapes, the vibration of the engine, plenty of love in the details, and a wonderfully deep pops from the exhaust. All these criteria were met two years ago by the Royal Enfield Classic 350, which is why I have high hopes for the new Classic 650. Its looks are drop-dead gorgeous, and its engine is a well-known, well-loved unit with exactly the kind of power bump over the 350 that should deliver more riding pleasure and everyday usability. A promising overall package!