Fresh from its central role in the Tour de France as official motorcycle of the event, the new colourways for the Versys 1100 in the 2026 motorcycle range have been announced.
A fleet of Versys 1100 machines were supplied to ASO – the organisers of the world famous cycling event – to assist in road closures and allied safety aspects plus use as fast response medical bikes and to aid and assist the peloton as it covered twenty one demanding stages and over 3300kms of French roads.
Kawasaki fans will not have to travel quite that far to see the models available in showrooms in 2026 with the Versys 1100 retaining its current livery while the S and SE each enjoy two updated colour schemes.
Equipped as standard with Showa electronically damped suspension front and rear, the range leading Versys 1100 SE will appear in showrooms in the two options of Metallic Deep Blue/Metallic Diablo Black or Emerald Blazed Green/ Metallic Diablo Black.
For the S model which offers many of the advanced features as the SE such as an up/down quick shifter, electronic cruise control and Smartphone connectivity with a voice command feature, there are also two new liveries comprising the same Metallic Deep Blue/Metallic Diablo Black or Emerald Blazed Green/Metallic Diablo Black approach.
Riding to the local café or supporting the worlds most famous cycling event over thousands of kilometers, the Versys 1100 is ready to go the distance. Now, with new colour options for 2026, the views are set to remain fresh and spectacular.
As a core brand family in the Kawasaki motorcycle portfolio, the announcement of new colourways for Ninja range models is always a sign that the new season is coming closer… and for 2026 across the five models just announced there are set to be an impressive ten new colour options.
As the base model for Kawasaki’s WorldSSP racing team in the hands of rider, Jeremy Alcoba, the 636cc Ninja ZX-6R gains two nine colours for a fresh sales season comprising Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray / Metallic Spark Black/Lime Green as a new livery plus an updated variation on the fan favourite Lime Green livery.
Sharing a similar engine capacity but configured as a parallel twin engine rather than the four cylinder ZX machine, the highly praised Ninja 650 will be offered in three new colour options in the upcoming range. Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray/Metallic Flat Spark Black and a Lime Green version will be available for the European A2 licence friendly machine that is also a “go to” for experienced riders looking for performance, maneuverability and compact dimensions.
Proudly featuring Kawasaki’s recently developed mid-capacity, water-cooled, twin-cylinder engine, the Ninja 500 and its special edition, SE sibling have been essential parts of the Kawasaki range of late (along with their Z equivalents) offering an easy plus fun-to-ride package that are just as simple to precisely place in the cut and thrust of city traffic as it they are when weekend riding on twisty roads. The Ninja 500 has one new colour in Metallic Flat Spark Black/Metallic Spark Black, while the SE model will be available in Lime Green and Metallic Matte Twilight Blue/Candy Persimmon Red.
In this pre-release of livery options for 2026 that leaves the high-revving and visceral Ninja ZX-4RR as the final part of the initial pack. The diminutive ZX-4RR will be in dealer showrooms in two brand new colorways for the 2026 model year, these being Lime Green and Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray/Metallic Spark Black.
For such evocative machines as Ninja models are, the release of information relating to some fresh colour ways will be welcomed by fans eager to be part of Kawasaki’s constantly evolving Ninja story.
Availability as below:
A stand out machine in the Kawasaki range, the latest iteration of the ever-popular Versys 650 is ready to take the 2026 sales season head on. Fully Euro-5 compliant, the agile Versys boasts a maximum of 67 PS in terms of peak power plus a useful 61Nm of peak torque.
Equipped with 17 inch wheels for manoeuvrability and agility, the highly durable and equally highly praised, twin-cylinder, water-cooled 649cm3 engine remains in place while the styling echoes that of the Versys 1100 (which is the official motorcycle of the Tour de France) offering a similar level of rider aids plus distinctive contemporary looks.
From a riding perspective, the easy to read 4.3” TFT meter relays all essential information while offering the possibility to link to the riders’ Smartphone using Kawasaki’s unique Rideology App that also includes a voice command function.
Offered as standard with KTRC traction control, plus the convenience of all LED lighting, the best way to truly understand the Versys 650 is to ride one and appreciate the all-day comfort seat, ergonomic riding position and generous weather-beating adjustable screen. Add such accessories as “one-key system” panniers and a voluminous top case and the Versys is ready to satisfy any riders dreams of distance.
Available for 2026 in three colourways, or as part of Kawasaki’s highly appreciated “Editions” range – which encompasses Tourer and Grand-Tourer editions built using only Kawasaki Genuine Accessories – the latest Versys 650 is ready to go the distance. Priced at £8049 for the standard model.
Available from middle of August 2026 Versys 650 Colour Options:
METALLIC SPARK BLACK/METALLIC MATTE CARBON GRAY
METALLIC DEEP BLUE/METALLIC SPARK BLACK
METALLIC GRAPHITE GRAY/METALLIC SPARK BLACK
Forming part of the very essence of Kawasaki’s naked segment motorcycle heritage, the Z family of machines is as popular as ever, achieving a global following thanks to its adherence to a fun to ride ethos coupled with Kawasaki’s landmark engineering and unique contemporary Sugomi styling.
Stretching an enviable lineage way back to the Z1 Super Four of the early 1970’s, Z speaks to riders on many levels and Kawasaki’s Z offering for 2026 is as impressive as ever. Five machines with new liveries are now ready to be unveiled and among these are refreshed liveries on entry level A2 compliant models, a mid-capacity stalwart plus hard edged yet rider friendly models in the upper capacity classes.
From launch, the A2 licence friendly Z500 quickly garnered a reputation for lively and controllable performance thanks to an all new twin-cylinder, water-cooled engine platform combined with an assist and slipper clutch and Smartphone connectivity mated to a forgiving chassis well suited to newbies and experienced riders alike. Infused with Kawasaki’s unique Sugomi spirit, the Z500 and sibling Z500 SE will be available in the 2026 motorcycle range in a combined total of five new colour ways; Ebony/Metallic Carbon Gray, Candy Lime Green/Metallic Carbon Gray and Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray/Metallic Spark Black for the Z500 and Ebony/Metallic Carbon Gray plus Pearl blizzard White/Ebony for the SE version.
The Z500’s larger stable mate, the Z650 enjoys a new colour option for 2026 while keeping to its tried and trusted combination of 649cc engine, full LED lighting, KTRC traction control and colour TFT plus trellis type chassis sporting a distinctive headlight cowl evoking the 2003 rebirth of the Z family. With a well-earned reputation for performance and durability, the compact twin cylinder engine – complete with cassette type gearbox – is equally at home on city streets as mountain passes and comes in Pearl Blizzard White.
For many the ideal combination of engine size, willing performance and classic Sugomi style, two Z900 machines for 2026 share four new colour options between them. The Z900 which boasts electronic cruise control, an inertia measurement unit (IMU) and Rideology voice command functionality will appear in Kawasaki dealerships in three colour options, those being Ebony/Metallic Carbon Gray, Candy Lime Green/Metallic Carbon Gray and Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray/Metallic Spark Black for the Z900.
The Special Edition or SE model of Z900 boasts upgraded brakes and suspension plus a headlamp cowl USB-C socket. It now comes in a new colour option for the coming season of Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray / Metallic Matte Carbon Gray.
Coming into stock at Kawasaki dealers across Europe soon – along with other incoming 2026 model year machines – the vast array of Z options shows just how seriously Kawasaki takes the category and how determined the company is to offer the widest possible choice to keep the Good Times rolling.
Pricing and availability as follows:
“The Panigale V2 S is so much easier to ride. So much softer, plusher, everything as a road bike it's better.”
In the video below, Adam 'Child' Chad pits the brand new Ducati Panigale V2 S against the 955 Panigale in the heart of Italy, right outside the Ducati HQ in Bologna. It’s old versus new in a real-world test, far from the racetrack and deep in Italian city chaos.
“Think of it as a superbike crossed with a cruiser… The engine is just glorious, it's got loads of mid-range punch and plenty of power up top. Brakes work exceptionally well, the gearbox is lovely, and the quick shifter works seamlessly. I'm really, really impressed by this bike.”
Watch Joe Achilles 2025 Ducati XDiavel V4 first ride review below.
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 9 July 2025 – Multistrada V4 Voyagers 2025, the first edition of the international contest dedicated to all enthusiasts who love to travel on their Ducati Multistrada V4, has come to an end.
The initiative saw the participation of over 200 Multistradisti from more than 45 countries, from the American continent to the Asian one, who shared stories, photos and videos of their travels on the Borgo Panigale tourers.
An internal Ducati jury selected six winners from all the participants based on the same number of categories defined to identify each different type of trip.
The winner of the category dedicated to the “most adventurous trip” was the Thai Rolf Pontus Hagen who, with his Multistrada V4 Rally , undertook an epic journey starting from Thailand and crossing the territories of Laos and China. Facing extreme weather conditions, between biting cold and sudden storms, he reached the impressive altitude of 5,200 meters above sea level, at the foot of Mount Everest. “With a 30-litre tank capacity, the Multistrada V4 Rally is an excellent companion for the longest and most difficult adventures.”
Werner Klaus Philipp (Germany) won for his extraordinary “group trip”. Starting from Germany together with 15 other motorcyclists, he crossed the eastern territories along the historic Silk Road, until reaching China and concluding his journey in Thailand. Werner has no doubts about the choice of bike: “Reliability, tank capacity and suspension, for me there was no other option than the Multistrada V4 Rally”.
The most exciting “Ducati Official Club trip” award was won by Sandra Frutos Espinosa from Spain. Together with the D.O.C. from Murcia, Sandra covered around 3,600 km on her Multistrada V4 S, travelling all over Morocco, from Casablanca to Rachidia-Fez-Chauen: “We got to know another culture and had fun among the desert dunes. There’s no better way to enjoy a trip!”.
The Frenchman Antoine Frédéric Hutter and his Multistrada V4 Rally covered a total of 22,000 kilometres, taking home the win in the “longest journey in kilometres” category. Starting in Spain, Antoine rode down the dirt roads of Portugal to the West Cape, continuing to Tarifa (South Cape) and crossing the Baltic countries to the North Cape. From there he embarked on a return journey, descending through the welcoming landscapes of Scandinavia, passing through the European countries until reaching the final stop in Belgium. “The bike can take us anywhere, handling both asphalt and dirt and gravel roads very well.”
The winner of the “solo trip” award was Oscar Ivan Garcia Medina from the United States, who rode the entire journey with a set of spare tyres: “In the summer of 2024, I set off on a solo expedition from the American Midwest to the Atlantic Ocean, covering more than 12,000 km on my Multistrada V4 S.” Having reached his destination: “I stopped next to the ocean, welcomed by the Inuvialuit people and admired the beluga whales. The vastness and the landscape made this journey unforgettable”.
Finally, another category was reserved for the journey whose story was most inspired by the values ??of the Ducati brand. This prestigious award was won by the Brazillian Lúcio Prado Wander who, together with his son, shared a journey from Brazil to the Atacama Desert in Chile, each on their own Multistrada V4 S. Two generations linked by a single passion: “Trust your Multistrada, it will take care of you. And above all, travel light-heartedly. The roads will shape your soul”.
All winners will receive an exclusive and personalised trophy, in addition to a set of official Ducati accessories consisting of a Redline T5 Trolley, Beauty Case, Thermos Black 24B Water Bottle, Ducati Corse Travel Plate, Skyline Neck Warmer and Ducati Key Ring.
The stories of the participants will become part of the Ducati archive and those selected will be shared and published in the dedicated section of the website and on the official Ducati social media channels, becoming a source of inspiration for a global community that shares the same passion for travel and Ducati.
Multistrada V4 Voyagers will return in 2026 with a new edition that will bring with it new categories, new roads and new emotions.
The Multistrada V4 is the Ducati family designed for those who love to travel in great comfort on any type of road, while enjoying the sportiness that has always characterized the Borgo Panigale motorcycles.
The Ducati website offers the new configurator to choose the right accessories to customize the Multistrada V4 based on personal taste or needs. Motorcyclists looking to know better the new Multistrada V4 can book a test ride.
“I spent two glorious weeks with the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S and let me tell you it did not dissapoint. After that mind-blowing track launch expectations were sky high but this bike delivered. The performance is not just mind-bending, it's somehow both savage and approachable… If I had to sum it up in two words, it'd be complete control.”
Following his International track launch review video, Lamb Chop Rides is back on the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S as he tests out the 2025 model bike on UK roads.
It was 4 July 1926 when, in the heart of a Bologna which was experiencing the scientific ferment of Guglielmo Marconi's discoveries and technological progress, Antonio Cavalieri Ducati, together with his sons Adriano, Bruno and Marcello, founded the “Società Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati”. A company initially specialized in radio communication technologies, destined to evolve over time into what it is today: a global icon of two wheels, capable of combining technological innovation, passion and a taste for beauty in a unique way.
The turning point for Ducati came in the post-war period, with the production in 1946 of the Cucciolo, a small auxiliary engine applicable to bicycles, marking the entry of the brand into the world of two wheels. From that moment on, the Company began a journey of research, evolution and continuous innovation that has led it to establish itself as one of the most prestigious companies of Made in Italy today, capable of creating motorcycles that are a magical combination of sophisticated technology and sensual beauty, on the road and on the track.
From the Ducati 60, the first motorcycle entirely produced by the Borgo Panigale company in 1949, to the popular Scrambler of 1962, passing through the birth of the Monster in 1992 up to the stylistic and technical “revolution” of motorcycles such as the 916 of 1994 and the multifaceted Multistrada of 2003, Ducati’s history is made up not only of iconic models but also of leading protagonists and memorable sporting achievements.
These include Fabio Taglioni, the engineer who adapted desmodromic distribution to the first racing bikes, leaving a distinctive technical solution as a legacy that still characterizes the racing DNA and the sportiest proposals of the brand. This is intertwined with historic victories, from the first successes in long distance races of the mid-1950s, to the triumphs of Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari at the 200 Miles of Imola in 1972, passing through the many successes in Superbike in the 1990s with legendary riders such as Carl Fogarty and Troy Bayliss, up to the first MotoGP title won by Casey Stoner in 2007: the history of Ducati is studded with momentous events that have made it one of the most beloved and successful brands on the international motorcycling scene. A sporting tradition of excellence confirmed even in more recent years, with Ducati crowned MotoGP World Champion for three consecutive years (2022, 2023 and 2024) and consolidating its supremacy in World Superbike with 20 Manufacturers' World Titles.
Almost one century after that historic date, Ducati now wants to tell its story on Instagram too, with the birth of the official profile of the Ducati Museum (@museoducati). A digital space designed to preserve and share the historical, engineering and sporting heritage of the Borgo Panigale brand with the global community of enthusiasts and with new generations.
In addition to Instagram, the Ducati Museum is also present on Facebook, where it has long been sharing anecdotes, archive images and stories related to the past and present of the brand. A story that can also be experienced in person: the Ducati Museum and Factory in Borgo Panigale are open to visits and welcome thousands of enthusiasts from all over the world every year. A unique opportunity to discover almost a hundred years of innovation and passion and observe up close how the bikes, that make Ducatisti of every generation dream, are created.
The playful nature of the engine and the fact that Ducati Multistrada V2 S feels lightweight has impressed me. I genuinely enjoyed this bike, it feels practical yet fun, substantial but still lively, and it's a bike I'd gladly put some more miles on.
MOTOBOB was “seriously impressed” when he rode the new Ducati Multistrada V2 S. Watch his video review below.
