Riding into 2026 with Total Motorcycle + Top 10 Trends in 2025!

Jan 5, 2026 Michael Le Pard News, What’s New

Published Jan 5, 2026 by Michael Le Pard

Riding into 2026 with Total Motorcycle + Top 10 Trends in 2025!

Welcome to 2026 and welcome back t0 Total Motorcycle, North America’s largest motorcycle website with over 435 million readers! This year we have some excellent content to look forward to. New 2027 motorcycle models are ALREADY arriving (thanks Suzuki) and our 2026 models guides are in full throttle mode. Plus our amazing guides are being beautifully updated. We’ve reduced ads. We’ve increased our website speeds and improved user experience too so you can quickly view even more pages faster.

Over on our TMW Social Media X account, we have increased our followers by 12x in 2025, making it the most successful year ever for Total Motorcycle. We are now in the top 0.1% of accounts on X!

We have a lot of new guide reviews, motorcycle news and in case you miss it, my weekly quirky fun views! With the world currently thrown into Chaos, isn’t it great to know motorcycling will always be there for you, just you with two wheels on the road and a lifetime of discovery and fun.

And now the Top 10 Motorcycle Trends in 2025 you have been waiting for… Did you guess them?

 

2026 Triumph Thruxton 400

 

STYLES

1. The biggest motorcycle‑style trend of 2025 was the explosive rise of adventure and off‑road versatility, with riders gravitating toward lightweight dual‑sports, middleweight ADV machines, and do‑everything bikes that balance real‑world usability with long‑distance comfort. Industry trend reports highlighted how models like the Kawasaki KLX230 Sherpa S and a wave of new ADV releases from BMW, Honda, KTM, and Triumph captured the spotlight, reflecting a shift toward bikes that handle commuting, gravel, touring, and weekend exploration with equal confidence. This aligns closely with what Total Motorcycle has been tracking across its model guides and community discussions, where adventure and dual‑sport categories consistently show some of the strongest interest and engagement among riders looking for capability, comfort, and freedom beyond the pavement. A second strong trend was the small engine (300-400cc) category with fun and affordability!

 

 

BRANDS

2. In 2025, the motorcycle market was dominated by a familiar but fiercely competitive lineup, with Honda, Yamaha, Harley‑Davidson, Kawasaki, and BMW leading global popularity thanks to their mix of reliability, innovation, and broad rider appeal. Honda continued to rule with its unmatched versatility, Yamaha surged with strong sport and middleweight offerings, Harley‑Davidson held its ground through heritage and touring dominance, Kawasaki captured riders with performance‑focused value, BMW’s premium adventure lineup kept it firmly in the spotlight and Triumph leap forward to offer engaging smaller 400cc motorcycle line. Across Total Motorcycle’s massive model guides and community engagement, these brands consistently drew the highest interest from riders researching new bikes, comparing segments, and exploring what’s next. Whether it was adventure machines, sportbikes, cruisers, or electrics, 2025 proved that the industry’s biggest names stayed on top by evolving fast and delivering exactly what riders wanted.

 

2026 Triumph Tiger 900 Alpine Edition

TRAVEL

3. In 2025, riders were stretching their horizons more than ever, with most motorcyclists clocking 150–400 miles on a solid day ride, while long‑haul tourers regularly pushed into the 400–800‑mile range as part of multi‑day adventures. The truly dedicated endurance crowd kept the legend alive with 800‑mile‑plus days and Iron Butt‑style challenges that continued to fascinate the riding community. Destination trends followed the same spirit of exploration: scenic national parks, coastal highways, mountain passes, and iconic bucket‑list routes dominated rider wishlists. From the Pacific Coast Highway and Blue Ridge Parkway to the Canadian Rockies and Europe’s Alpine passes, 2025 was all about immersive, experience‑driven travel. Across Total Motorcycle’s massive community and model‑guide traffic, these long‑distance touring and adventure‑focused destinations consistently ranked among the most researched and discussed, proving that riders in 2025 weren’t just going farther, they were choosing routes that made every mile unforgettable.

 

COMMUNITY

4. In 2025, the classic rider wave made a noticeable comeback, with more motorcyclists embracing the tradition as a symbol of camaraderie on the road. While some regions reported a dip during the early 2020s due to traffic density, rider distraction, and the rise of new riders unfamiliar with the gesture, 2025 saw a renewed enthusiasm for the simple two‑finger salute. Adventure and touring riders led the charge, but even sportbike and cruiser communities showed a stronger commitment to keeping the wave alive. Across Total Motorcycle’s community discussions and social engagement, riders consistently shared that they were waving more often, and getting more waves back, reflecting a broader shift toward connection, courtesy, and shared identity among motorcyclists. It wasn’t just a wave; it was a reminder that no matter what you ride, you’re part of something bigger.

 

2026 Indian Challenger Venum

RIDER AGE

5. In 2025, riders across the USA, Canada, and Europe shared a common dream: to still be throwing a leg over a motorcycle well into their 70s and beyond, with many saying they’d feel genuinely proud to still be riding at 75, 80, or even 85, not for bragging rights, but for the joy, freedom, and identity that motorcycling brings. At the same time, the average rider age continued its steady climb, landing around the mid‑50s in the USA, the early‑50s in Canada, and the late‑40s to early‑50s across Europe, reflecting a mature but passionate riding population that refuses to slow down. Across Total Motorcycle’s massive global community, riders consistently celebrated longevity in the saddle as a badge of honor, proving that motorcycling isn’t just a hobby, it’s a lifelong companion that riders hope to enjoy for as many decades as the road will allow. We are all getting older, but motorcycling will be there for the generations to come.

 

STARTING OUT

6. In 2025, the most common first motorcycles riders owned, whether bought new or used, reflected a mix of affordability, approachability, and pure beginner‑friendly fun. Bikes like the Honda Rebel 300/500, Kawasaki Ninja 250/300/400, Yamaha MT‑03, Suzuki SV650, Honda CBR500R, Royal Enfield Meteor/Classic 350, Yamaha R3, Kawasaki Z400, Honda Grom, and BMW G310 series dominated the top‑10 list thanks to their low running costs, manageable power, and strong resale value. Across Total Motorcycle’s massive model‑guide traffic and community conversations, these bikes consistently appeared as the machines riders trusted to start their journey, approachable enough for new riders, yet capable enough to keep them smiling long after the learning curve. Whether cruisers, sportbikes, nakeds, or small‑bore standards, 2025 proved that the best first bike is the one that builds confidence, invites adventure, and makes every new rider feel like they finally joined the family.

 

2026 Royal Enfield Flying Flea S6 Scrambler

ELECTRIC BIKES

7. In 2025, rider opinions on electric motorcycles were more divided than ever, but the conversation finally felt mature. Many riders appreciated the instant torque, low maintenance, and futuristic tech of EV bikes, especially for commuting and short‑range fun, while others remained hesitant due to high prices, limited charging infrastructure, and range anxiety on longer rides. Brands like Zero, LiveWire, and Energica continued pushing the segment forward, but adoption stayed strongest in urban areas where charging was easy and daily distances were short. Across Total Motorcycle’s community discussions and model‑guide traffic, interest in EVs grew steadily, yet most riders still viewed them as a “second bike” rather than a full replacement for gas‑powered machines. The overall trend in 2025 was curiosity mixed with caution, riders loved the idea of electric motorcycles, but many were waiting for better range, faster charging, and more affordable options before making the leap.

 

RIDING

8. In 2025, rider preferences showed a clear split between independence and camaraderie, with most motorcyclists favoring either solo rides or riding with one trusted partner, depending on the day and the destination. Solo riding remained the top choice for its freedom, focus, and stress‑free pace, while pairs were popular for their balance of companionship and flexibility. Small groups continued to attract riders who enjoy shared experiences without the complexity of big formations, and convoys or parade‑style rides remained the least common, typically reserved for charity events, rallies, or special occasions. Across Total Motorcycle’s community discussions and poll engagement, riders consistently emphasized that the best ride is the one that matches their mood, whether it’s the meditative quiet of a solo run or the shared energy of a tight, well‑coordinated group carving through the miles together.

 

 

2026 Moto Guzzi V7 Special

GEAR

9. In 2025, riders overwhelmingly gravitated toward full‑face helmets, which remained the most popular choice thanks to their blend of safety, aerodynamics, and modern styling, followed closely by modular helmets that appealed to touring and commuting riders who valued convenience without giving up protection. 3/4 helmets held steady among retro and cruiser fans who wanted more openness, while half helmets continued to attract traditional cruiser and custom riders despite offering less coverage. Bucket/puddin’ bowl/beanie helmets stayed niche but visible in vintage and custom scenes, and riding with no helmet remained extremely rare outside of the few regions where it’s legal. Across Total Motorcycle’s community discussions and gear‑guide traffic, full‑face and modular helmets dominated rider interest, reflecting a 2025 trend toward comfort, technology, and safety, without sacrificing personal style.

 

 

MOTORCYCLE SOURCES

10. I bet you knew this one was coming! Of course, my Total Motorcycle website going into 2026 is going to be a hot trend… and guess what? You are part of the family.

Welcome to TMW and motorcycling in 2026.

 

2026 Newest Bike Reviews

TMW 2026 Motorcycle Model Review Guides