Honorable Mentions
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Six that come very close
HONDA GOLD WING
YOU'RE A HAUL-EVERYTHING, GO-everywhere kind of guy? Well, so are we, sometimes. And that's why the Honda Gold Wing, in its various forms, has remained firmly under our skin. Clearly, the zillion-pound-billion-option-full-boat-luxo-tourer concept doesn't suit the widest spectrum of touring riders the way a slightly lighter, more nimble bike might. But if that concept is what defines motorcycling for you, if you're after a horizon chaser par excellence, there is no better bike than the Gold Wing.
BMW K1100LT
IN THE MINDS OF MANY ENTHUSIASTS, when it comes to touring, more is better. To some extent, we'd agree, and that's why we're so fond of the BMW K1100LT. it is more BMW than we've seen in a long time. Its engine, punched out to 1086cc, packs a wonderful wallop, its integrated luggage packs lots of traveling essentials, and its thoughtfully designed seat packs pilot and passenger in comfort. if you've a weakness for luxo-touring, yet want something a little different, this is a bike you should be looking at.
YAMAHA SECA II
WE'RE NOT TERRIBLY SURE just which category the Yamaha Seca II falls into, but we are sure of this: It's a lot of bike for the money. It's list price is $3799, and while that isn't exactly dirt cheap, what you get for your loot is a nimble, comfortable motorcycle that looks good, will rocket from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, and sip fuel at a miserly rate. There are faster, more exotic 600s to be had, but there aren't many that offer as much versatility or as much value.
YAMAHA FJ1200
WHAT'S OUR FAVORITE MOTORCYCLE? TOUGH question, but we do note this: When there's a Yamaha FJ1200 in our test fleet, it never, ever, gathers dust sitting in the garage. People ride the wheels off these things, and with good reason. They're fun, comfortable and have terrific engines. The addition of ABS as an option for 1992 has made a good bike even better. With us since 1984. the big FJ may be getting a little long of tooth, but it's still one of the most enjoyable motorcycles on the market.
DUCATI 851
HERE IS A BIKE THAT'S AS RARE AS A LOTTERY win and as exotic as a Parisian mistress. The Ducati 851 is a close and direct descendant of the Italian firm's hand-built World Superbike-winning racers, differing from them only in details of engine specification and in its use of street-legal exhaust, lights and components that are machine-made from non-exotic metals. Who cares? It's fast, red, race-bred and beautiful, If you get the chance to ride one, don't pass it up.
SUZUKI RMX250
OUR VOTE FOR LEAST changed, most improved would go to the Suzuki RMX250, which up until this year was an enduro bike that felt as through it had taken a wrong turn from a stadium motocross event. It was super-quick to change directions, and, at speed, spooky in its feel and ride. But no longer. With slower steering and revised suspension, it has evolved into a competitive enduro mount. We like it a lot.
