Common Tread

Motorcycles are beautiful in their simplicity. An engine, two wheels, a handlebar, and a place to sit. That’s all we really need. Alright, fine, maybe brakes to slow down in case there’s a child in the road or something. And yes, OK, a headlight in case it gets dark, and a taillight so people know if I use those lame brakes you made me put on. But that’s it, dammit, that’s all I need. Then again, this seat isn’t very comfortable, so maybe a wider saddle of some kind.

A number of years ago, CTXP hosts Zack Courts and Ari Henning made an episode on a now-defunct platform, building apocalypse bikes out of literal junk. If you haven’t seen it, I'll sum it up: hilarious, resourceful, and it seems extremely hard to hit a moving target while on a Yamaha YZ80. A few years prior to that, Common Tread staff writer Lemmy, a very funny guy, put together a rad, off-the shelf minibike, which to me was highly entertaining.

There’s nothing better than going for a ride. Well, almost nothing. The only thing better is riding for a good cause. Every ride you take this summer can do just that — as long as you log your miles along the way. Trips recorded in REVER from July 1 through September 13 will automatically count toward REVER’s Million Mile Challenge, a fundraiser that helps support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s research efforts and family assistance programs. How so, you ask?

Anyone familiar with the Fat Boy S and Softail Slim S from H-D’s Twin-Cam era can’t help but recognize the same blacked-out treatment applied to the 2026 Deadwood. Harley-Davidson photo. Paint it black The Milwaukee marque points to “post-World War II riders” as the inspiration behind its latest Softail entry.

Whether your taste leans toward cutting-edge tech, old-school craftsmanship, or something that blurs the line between the two, this month's roundup has something for everyone. We kick things off with a strikingly modern BMW R nineT inspired by a water drop and finish off with a period-style chopper powered by a time-warping V-twin. And wedged between them is a modern Royal Enfield parallel twin hiding beneath a studiously hand-sculpted retro facade.

Lots of Common Tread readers have commented here that Harley-Davidson should build some smaller and less expensive motorcycles to attract new riders to the brand. S&P Global, the credit rating agency, is basically saying, "Yes, but..." Adding new and less expensive models to the lineup is exactly what Harley-Davidson plans to do as part of its new strategic plan, called "Back to the Bricks," under new CEO Artie Starrs.

First comes thesis. It’s the established order. The accepted idea. The status quo, if you will. Next is antithesis. It challenges convention. It’s the dissenting voice. The counterargument. Then there’s synthesis. It’s part thesis and part antithesis. It’s both, and it’s neither — because it’s something new. That about sums up my experience with the CFMOTO Ibex 450. Let me explain. Somewhere in between Six thousand, four hundred and ninety-nine dollars.

The future of titles that were once some of the biggest and most successful motorcycle magazines in U.S. history, such as Cycle World and Motorcyclist, is in doubt as owner Octane Media has laid off staff, multiple sources have told Common Tread. While Octane has not issued any statement, employees have been told that operations are winding down on the web sites that are all that remain of what were once huge, monthly print magazines.

While middleweight adventure bikes are having their moment, middleweight sport-touring motorcycles in the U.S. market continue to be rare. Suzuki is addressing that and has just confirmed that its SV-7GX is coming to the United States and at a price that, to be honest, is a little better than I expected. To be accurate, Suzuki doesn't call the SV-7GX a sport-tourer, but instead labels it a "crossover," joining the lineup below its big brother the GSX-S1000GX+, which it clearly imitates.

2027 will bring radical reforms to the MotoGP paddock. Engines will drop from 1,000 cc to 850 cc. Aerodynamic bodywork will be heavily regulated. Holeshot and ride-height devices: banned. The new technical regulations aren’t the only changes to come. Far from it, actually. If the 2026 season is any indication, change is the only constant in MotoGP. Anyone’s race Going into the season opener, Marc Márquez was the decided title favorite — and rightfully so.