What's THE bike to be on in 2026?

[IccyV2]

I'm a bit out of touch and was talking to a guy the other night who is just getting into bikes, he's doing his test now, mid 30's, decent job and a reasonable amount of disposable to spend.

He was asking me, he didn't seem very clued up and said it looked to him like Adventure style bikes were probably the fashion these days.
The last time I had a serious conversation with someone in the know he was on a Multistrada RS and reckoned it was faster for any average rider than any race replica.

Anyway, I'll see him again next week and wondered what the fashion is these days, if you google "Top 10 bikes in the UK" you get a weird collection depending on what website it is.

[weeksy]

I'd expect it's a Royal Enfield. But the reality is, it's 'nothing' as such ... Motorbikes are an old mans sport and year on year the numbers fall.

For me personally, Triumph Scrambler.

[Taff]

Weeksy's close, triumph tiger of any engine flavour.
The old 800 is great, the 20-23 900 is better, and the brand new one is supposedly even better still.

[KungFooBob]

BSA Gold Star 650, obviously.

[Count Steer]

Wot? No Panigale!!?

Just the thing for a noob rider.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Obviously a white 2020 CB1000R

[v8-powered]

I'd say more the retro style bikes - R-E, BSA, Triumph's etc.
That's what I see most of these days - power ranger bikes seem out of fashion and seems to be a drop in the adventure bikes I see too.

[Taipan]

Retro or the ADV variants seemto be the most popular. Maybe a Ducati Scrambler would be good. Its a capable bike with urban cool if thast the correct phrasing?

[Dodgy69]

Tell him not to worry about fashion, just choose something you like and can insure.

[Mr Moofo]

I’m with the Triumph Scrambler vote

[IccyV2]

Funnily enough the guy mentioned the RE 650 and I told him I had one and I thought it was a great bike for any price, but for the £4k I paid it was a steal.
My son also rode it a lot and liked it, he then moved to a KTM390 which he liked but he got knocked off it twice by cars, once in front of me, and my wife had a fit and we sold up all bikes and switched to cars.

They're great bikes but I'm surprised to hear it's not the latest Ducati or similar, maybe we're all getting old.
I went to Devils Bridge when I was last in the UK to mingle with some bike riding folk, but I got some shocking looks because of the car I was in and no one talked to me

[mangocrazy]

What's 'in fashion' depends on who you talk to; everyone will have a different idea. If he's just starting out he wants something that's non-threatening, but still has decent performance and looks. Bikes like the Honda Hornet 750 or Aprilia RS660 or similar from other manufacturers are fast and good looking enough to appeal, but can also come in learner-friendly configurations.

[Mike1976]

Yamaha MT-07. Hooligan machine. The most stolen bike apparently...

[weeksy]

Yamaha MT-07. Hooligan machine. The most stolen bike apparently...

The most stolen motorcycle in the UK is consistently a small-capacity scooter or 125cc bike, with the Honda PCX 125 (WW 125) often topping recent lists for 2024/2025, followed by models like the Yamaha NMAX 125 and Honda CBF 125, due to their popularity as commuter vehicles and ease of stripping for parts. These smaller bikes are easier for thieves to handle, transport, and sell parts from, making them prime targets

[Wossname]

“Fashion” is a funny thing to use, or when recommending, to decide on a first bike. I’d suggest a discussion around how tall he is, which will rule out some bikes, how sensible he is, ditto, what he’ll use it for etc, and mention the fact that he’ll probably drop it before it’s very old, so lots of expensive bodywork would be an issue. You know - all the practical stuff that new riders tend to ignore. And lots of us older ones too, tbh…

You’ll end up with something naked and midrange like an MT07/SV8/Trident/CB650/RE etc.

[Mr Moofo]

I’m the basis off I am getting old, little of the really top end stuff really appeals to me - I do not need huge amounts to electronics and a 42” TFT screen - or a 28K processor tag.
If I didn’t have my 1200 Scrambler I would be tempted by the RE Himalayan as a plaything. I was highly impressed with it. It wouldn’t win a “pulling skin off a rice pudding” competition but that’s not really the point.
However those posting on here that they rot quickly maybe stymied the idea!
The RE Bear also appeals

[Mike1976]

Just to clarify then, the MT-07 is not the most stolen scooter in the UK.

[Supermofo]

Biking is a lot more diverse than it used to be. I'd tell him to have a look at some online bike sites/dealers and work out what type of bike he fancies, ie Adv, Retro, Naked etc and then one he has an idea of type of bikes start looking at models/reviews on youtube etc as there is so much info about bikes nowadays. To be fair I think it's hard to buy an actual shit bike now, it's just getting one to suit your purpose.

As a brand new rider, one of the middleweights might be a good shout. MT07, GSX8S, Triumph Trident, Ducati Monster/Scramber etc. All plenty fast enough and available at decent prices.

[Skub]

A funky munkey,if dodgy's to be believed.

[Yorick]

The modern adventure bikes are huge. A pal bought a Super Tenere and I couldn't even pull it up from the sidestand.
He's just bought a Ducati Scrambler and that's huge as well.

Both around 250 kgs