Modern Classic Motorcycle News Market Watch | 13th October 2028
Watch it on 1. New Triumph Bonneville T40 and T40 Black Bring Classic British Style to the 400cc Market
Triumph has announced the Bonneville T40 and T40 Black, two A2-compatible modern classics powered by a specially tuned version of its liquid-cooled 400cc TR-Series single. The revised cylinder head and Bonneville-specific calibration produce 32PS at 7,000rpm and 36Nm at 5,000rpm, prioritising accessible low- and mid-range performance.
Both models receive an unusually extensive equipment package for this class:
- Five riding modes: Road, Rain, Eco and two customisable modes
- Lean-sensitive cornering ABS and traction control
- Cruise control
- Four-inch circular colour TFT with Heritage display mode
- Full-map navigation, telephone and music connectivity
- LED lighting and self-cancelling indicators
- 18-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheels
- Twin rear shocks and centre stand
- 790mm seat, reducible to 770mm with the accessory low seat
- 191kg ready-to-ride weight
- 10,000-mile service intervals
The standard T40 receives chrome, brushed-aluminium and brushed-steel detailing with three heritage two-tone colour options. The T40 Black adds Matt Pewter Grey/Matt Phantom Black paint, black engine casings, rims and exhaust.
UK position: Confirmed for UK dealerships from spring 2027. Triumph says UK pricing will be announced in early 2027, so any prices circulating before then should be treated as speculation.
Why it matters: This is Triumph’s most direct challenge yet to the Royal Enfield Classic 350, Honda GB350S and other accessible heritage roadsters. It also provides a substantially more traditional alternative to the Speed 400 while bringing equipment normally associated with larger, more expensive motorcycles into the 400cc class.
Learn More here: New Triumph Bonneville T40 & T40 Black | First Look
2. 2027 Honda CMX500 Rebel Gains E‑Clutch, TFT Display and Smartphone Connectivity
Summary: Honda’s A2 cruiser now features E‑Clutch as standard, allowing starts, stops and gear changes without using the clutch lever while retaining conventional manual control. It also gains a four-inch circular TFT display, Honda RoadSync navigation and connectivity, plus USB-C charging. The 471cc parallel twin remains rated at 34kW and 43.3Nm; kerb weight rises from 191kg to 193kg.
UK position: The CMX500 Rebel E‑Clutch 2027 is now listed on Honda UK’s product and specification pages. A UK price and dealer-arrival date are not yet displayed, so the existing £5,799 manual-model price must not be attributed to the new version.
Why it matters: This is one of Honda’s most significant updates to an MCM News-relevant model. E‑Clutch should make the low-seat cruiser especially accessible to newer, shorter and urban riders without turning it into an automatic.
Learn More here: 2027 Honda CMX500 Rebel – In depth
2. Suzuki adds Candy Daring Red to the 2027 GSX‑8TT
Publication-ready headline: Suzuki GSX‑8TT Goes Red for 2027 — £8,999 UK Price Confirmed
Summary: Suzuki’s retro roadster receives a new Candy Daring Red treatment across its GS1000S-inspired nose cone, tank and seat unit, finished with black-and-gold graphics, gold wheels and black lower bodywork. Mechanical specification is unchanged: the 776cc parallel twin retains selectable power modes, traction control, TFT instrumentation and a bidirectional quickshifter.
UK position: Confirmed at £8,999, with Suzuki stating that the 2027 red version is available through authorised UK dealers now.
Why it matters: This is a colour-only change, but the GSX‑8TT is a core M.C.M. News machine and the red-and-gold treatment strengthens its period superbike character. It merits visual coverage without being oversold as a mechanical update.
Recommended treatment: Website image-led news item + YouTube weekly round-up; review/watchlist remains worthwhile.
Learn More here: Retro Suzuki 8TT revealed in red for 2027
3. Zero DSR/X Falls to £16,650 as 2027 Electric Range Becomes More Competitive
Summary: Zero’s UK model page now lists the 2027 DSR/X at £16,650, including VAT and transport to the dealer. The equivalent 2025 page listed £19,790, making the currently published figure £3,140 lower.
Zero has also created a black-and-gold 20th Anniversary SR/F. Production is restricted to 40 motorcycles worldwide—20 for North America and 20 through selected European dealers—with 83kW and 190Nm unchanged from the regular SR/F. Zero Motorcycles
UK position: The DSR/X price is confirmed on Zero’s UK site. A specific UK allocation or sterling price for the anniversary SR/F has not been confirmed; report it as European availability only.
Why it matters: Lower permanent pricing is more consequential for electric-motorcycle adoption than the anniversary paint scheme. The DSR/X is still expensive, but it now sits closer to premium petrol adventure machinery.
Learn More here: Zero reveals 20th year anniversary limited edition model and major price reduction for 2027 Model Range
(original post on modernclassicbikes.co.uk/)
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