With spring just around the corner, and with it the start of the new biking season, thoughts naturally turn to new bikes. And while most of us are probably interested most in proven mainstream models or types, such as Honda’s best-selling Hornets (including the 1000, 750 and upcoming, retro-styled CB1000F), BMW’s ever-expanding GS family (there’s the new F450GS this year) or Triumph’s refreshed-for-2026 modern classics, it’s also a good time to remind ourselves for some of the more ‘left-field’ or ‘quirky’ offerings – and there’s more for 2026 than you might think.
Nor are they from the most familiar mainstream brands. While Honda has unveiled not one but two imminent, ground-breaking machines – the all-electric (Honda’s first) WN7 and its (still concept) V3 ‘Compressor’ – less obvious brands such as Royal Enfield, Italjet and, increasingly, those from China, all unveiled, both at Milan’s EICMA in November and at the UK’s Motorcycle Live shortly afterwards, novel and intriguing machines which in most cases are coming our way soon.
US brand Indian, for example, unveiled at EICMA a girder forked cruiser concept, while Italian legends Aprilia also came up with a very Honda ADV350-alike adventure scooter.
But which are the best? What novel tech’ or features do they offer and how likely are they to be available to buy in 2026? Here’s our pick of five of the best…
QJMotor Equus 600
£TBA • 561cc • 68bhp • 39 lb-ft
One of the most surprising unveilings at Milan was from ambitious Chinese brand QJMotor. The motorcycling arm of the huge QuiangJiang Motor, which as part of the Geely group which also owns Volvo cars, QJ’ is the biggest Chinese motorcycle manufacturer of all, producing well over a million machines a year. It entered the UK market for the first time in 2025 with a 16-bike range imported by MotoGB and, on the strength of some of its designs, often by former Brit former MV Agusta designer Adrian Morton, isn’t afraid of being bold.
It’s latest, unveiled at EICMA, is this, the Equus (sometimes called Eqvvs) 600 V4. It’s a retro-influenced roadster/café racer with a novel ‘bridge’ type frame, cycle parts including Marzocchi inverted forks (QJMotor owns Marzocchi in China), monoshock and radial brakes plus fat sports rubber on wire wheels, LED lights all-round and, displayed with indicators and even number plate hanger, looked just about production ready.
Most interestingly of all, however, it’s powered by a 561cc V4 producing a revvy yet rorty 61bhp and already features in QJ Motor’s SRV600V cruiser, which is already on sale so don’t be surprised if it becomes a reality very soon and probably for under £7500…
LiveWire S2 Maxi-Scooter concept
£TBA • electric • 83bhp • 194ft.lbs
LiveWire, the US electric motorcycle brand launched by Harley-Davidson with its impressive (but expensive) full size S1 in 2019 but then split off into a separate brand in 2022 may not have so far been the success hoped for, but its continued string of new models, including the latest, cheaper S2 family, prove it’s not going anywhere soon.
This was further underlined at EICMA when it unveiled not one, but two new models – the S4 Honcho fun bike and, even more intriguingly (and probably more mainstream and popular) the S2 Maxi-Scooter Concept.
Co-developed with Taiwan scooter specialists Kymco, the so-far unnamed scoot is targeted for a 2026 release. It is based on the existing, proven S2 electric platform whose 10.5kw/h Lithium Ion battery powers a liquid-cooled internal permanent magnet synchronous motor capable of up to 83bhp and a monster 194ft.lbs, and boasts credible scooter market features such as under-seat storage, USB-C ports and even heated grips, which should give it significant appeal to urban scooter types. You just have to wonder if it would have had even more if it had retained the Harley-Davidson name…
Royal Enfield Flying Flea C6
£TBA • electric • 15bhp (est) • N/a
Another undoubtedly ‘quirky’ new motorcycle but also one that’s definitely coming in 2026 and backed by an established, proven and ambitious manufacturer is the Royal Enfield Flying Flea electric bike, as first unveiled at EICMA last November and also attracting a lot of interest at Motorcycle Live in Birmingham.
Named after the lightweight 125cc motorcycle used by British airborne troops in WWII, Royal Enfield has revived the brand as a new electric range with retro-inspired styling, the first being the C6 to be launched to coincide with Royal Enfield’s 125th anniversary this year.
It’s not short on quirky features, either. Although full specifications have yet to be released, we expect 125cc ICE equivalent performance with a top speed of around 60mph while there is also an aluminium frame, ‘girder-style’ forks with equipment including a 3.5” TFT display, five riding modes, and connectivity via the Flying Flea app. A second model, the scrambler style S6, is expected soon after – watch out Maeving!
Honda WN7 (and V3 Compressor)
£12,999 • electric • 67bhp • 73.8ft.lb
Honda unveiled not one but two pioneeringly ‘quirky’ bikes at EICMA in Milan, both of which were also at MCL and while one isn’t likely to be production ready until 2027, the other is definitely coming this year.
The ‘deffo’ is the WN7 electric bike which is significant not only for being the first full-size electric bikes from the world’s biggest motorcycle manufacturer, but also for being credible in terms of performance and price. Although largely conventional in layout, the WN7 boasts peak power of 50kw (around 67bhp), a claimed range of 140km (87 miles), a recharging time (from 20-80%) of just 30 minutes and, most appealingly of all, a price of just £12,999, all enough to wonder if electric bikes may finally now hit the mainstream.
Even more intriguingly (and quirky) is Honda’s V3R 900 E-Compressor Prototype which was also displayed in its latest near production-ready state at EICMA and the NEC.
Conceived to be a 900 with the performance of a 1200, it’s a novel 75-degree V3 displacing ‘around’ 900cc which, crucially, also features, not a conventional engine-driven supercharger but an electronically-controlled compressor. As its spun by an electric motor there’s freedom of layout and no requirement for an intercooler, further aiding the compactness of the design. Honda says its aiming to introduce a production version during 2027.
Italjet Roadster 400
£6600 (est) • 394cc • 41.5bhp • 30.3ft.lb
While, finally in this selection of ‘quirky’ bikes, how about this for a significant change in direction for one of the quirkiest motorcycle manufacturers of all?
Italian legends Italjet should need no introduction for its recent history of bold, high-tech Dragsters, but with its new Roadster 400, as unveiled at EICMA, its consciously shifting away from the radical Dragster platform, which currently comes in four guises, 125cc, 200cc, 300cc and 700 twin, to embrace a more classic, retro vibe, or, as they put it: “with the Roadster, we believe we’ve created more than just a scooter, it’s truly Art in Motion. Its design pays homage to the classic silhouettes of the past, while drawing inspiration from fighter jets.”
Tech hasn’t been forgotten, though. The Roadster also debuts the new DLAS (Dynamic Linkage Articulated Steering) system, which is “an evolution of Italjet’s iconic single-arm design that delivers both precision and unmistakable visual identity”. It’s powered by a 394cc liquid-cooled single while styling touches include sculpted side panels which “reference turbine intakes”. It goes on sale in September 2026 at an estimated retail price of €7,500 (approx £6,600). Quirky enough for you?
Photos: EICMA
