The next few months bring a busy run of new bikes for Australian riders. Some already have local prices, others are still waiting on them. We’ve picked five that we think are worth waiting for, from a premium learner bike to a big adventure tourer. Prices and specs come from each brand’s official website; the verdicts are ours.
1. BMW F 450 R: a premium LAMS bike

Price: from $12,180 ride away (BMW Motorrad Australia, based on Sydney metro registration)
LAMS: yes
The F 450 R is a 420cc parallel twin roadster making 35 kW (48 hp) at 8750 rpm and 43 Nm at 6750 rpm, with 80 per cent of that torque available from 3000 rpm. It weighs 175 kg at the kerb and has a 790mm seat. Standard equipment is generous for a learner bike: a 43mm KYB upside-down fork, a radial Brembo four-piston front caliper, ABS Pro, Dynamic Traction Control, a 6.5-inch TFT dash with smartphone connectivity and heated grips. There are three versions: F 450 R, Exclusive and M Sport ERC, which can be fitted with BMW’s Easy Ride Clutch. BMW’s 5-year warranty applies.
Our take: this looks like the most grown-up LAMS bike on the way. It costs more than the Japanese and Chinese 300–500cc options, but you get rider aids and kit you’d normally only see on bigger bikes, plus a long warranty. The low seat and the torque spread should suit new riders, and it’s a bike you won’t feel the need to replace the day your restrictions come off. Delivery timing varies by dealer, so ask before you put a deposit down.
2. ZXMOTO 820RR: a triple-cylinder sportsbike for $14,490

Price: $14,490 introductory ride away (ZXMOTO Australia)
LAMS: no (LAMS versions of the 500RR and 500F are available)
Arrival: listed as January
The 820RR uses an 818.8cc inline three. ZXMOTO Australia’s spec sheet lists 133 hp (99 kW) at 12,000 rpm and 80 Nm at 9500 rpm, with a kerb weight of 193 kg, an 825mm seat and an 18-litre tank. It comes with a 3-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Pre-order deposits are fully refundable, and first-shipment bikes are allocated first come, first served.
Our take: on paper, this is the value story of the year. A full-faired triple with this much power at well under $15,000 ride away undercuts most established middleweight sportsbikes by thousands. The unknowns are the ones that come with any new brand: dealer coverage, parts supply and resale. If you’re keen, a refundable deposit costs you nothing, but we’d wait for the first ride reports before you commit.
3. Ducati Monster Dark: the cheapest way into a Monster

Price: suggested ride away from $19,525 (Ducati Australia)
LAMS: no
The Dark is an all-black version of the current Monster with the same 111 hp V2, 91.1 Nm of torque and 175 kg wet weight (without fuel). It keeps the six-axis IMU, cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control and four riding modes. The saving comes from equipment: the quickshifter, cruise control, connectivity and navigation are accessories rather than standard.
Our take: if you’d ride a Monster as an everyday road bike, the Dark makes a lot of sense. The safety electronics are all still there, and the items that moved to the options list are nice to have rather than essential. Before you buy, price up the accessories you’d actually add. If it’s the quickshifter and cruise control, the gap to the standard Monster narrows quickly.
4. Kawasaki KLE650: a bigger brother for the KLE500

Price: not yet announced for Australia
LAMS: not yet announced
Arrival: not yet announced for Australia (April in the UK)
Kawasaki’s new adventure bike uses an updated version of its 649cc liquid-cooled parallel twin, with electronic throttle valves, KTRC traction control and cruise control as standard. It has a trellis frame inspired by the KLE500, a 21-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheels, and long-travel suspension. The SE adds an up/down quickshifter, a TFT dash, tubeless tyres, a USB-C socket, handguards, an aluminium bash plate and a taller screen.
Our take: the 650 twin is one of the most proven engines in Australian riding, and putting it in a lighter, more off-road-focused chassis than the Versys 650 makes a lot of sense here. Cruise control as standard is a real plus for long highway stretches between dirt roads. The big question is price and whether Kawasaki offers a LAMS version, as it does with the KLE500. If it does, this could be one of the most popular bikes of 2027.
5. 2027 Triumph Tiger 1200: radar and a seat that lowers itself

Price: not yet announced for Australia
LAMS: no
The updated Tiger 1200 comes in four versions: GT Pro, GT Explorer, Rally Pro and Rally Explorer. Triumph Australia says its 1200 triple has more power, with front and rear radar for adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring. Showa semi-active suspension gives 200mm of wheel travel at each end and automatic ride height. The HEIGHTFLEX system drops the seat by 30mm when you stop in road modes; standard seat heights are 840/860mm, or 810/830mm with Active Ride Height, and as low as 790mm at a standstill with the accessory low seat.
Our take: big adventure bikes are a great fit for Australian touring, but their height puts a lot of riders off. A seat that drops when you stop tackles that directly, and radar cruise makes long days on the highway much less tiring. Expect this to compete head-on with BMW’s R 1300 GS. Australian pricing will decide how close that contest is.
Which one would we wait for?
- New riders: the BMW F 450 R, if the budget stretches.
- Best value: the ZXMOTO 820RR, if the dealer network delivers.
- Everyday naked bike: the Ducati Monster Dark.
- Weekend dirt and highway touring: the Kawasaki KLE650, pending price.
- Long-distance touring: the Triumph Tiger 1200.
We’ll update this list as Australian prices and arrival dates are confirmed, including after the EICMA show in Milan from 5–8 November.
Sources
Images: BMW F 450 R, BMW Motorrad; ZXMOTO 820RR, ZXMOTO Australia; Ducati Monster Dark, Ducati; Kawasaki KLE650 and KLE650 SE, Kawasaki; Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer (featured image), Triumph Motorcycles.
Details checked 1 November 2026. Confirm details with the dealer or organiser before you buy or ride.