Bike of the Year
Bike of the Year
UP FRONT
David Edwards
IF IT’S WINTER, THEN IT MUST BE TIME to close out the 2003 model year with the “International Bike of the Year” balloting, an annual compendium of learned opinions from moto-mag editors around the world. Rules are simple enough for even the most deadline-addled scribbler to comprehend: Vote for your top three machines, first place getting 3 points, second place 2 and third place 1, bike with the highest total from the 11 magazines polled gets the big trophy.
While the top three finishers placed consistently on almost every magazine’s scorecard, there were some strongly dissenting opinions. Germany’s Motorrad MO, for instance, came away most impressed with America’s hooligan V-Twin, the new Buell XB12S. Even they sounded surprised at this: “Whoever expected a winning bike from the Buell factory? But the latest long-stroke hammering VTwin from Wisconsin is more than just a unique and oddball statement from a nonconformist manufacturer. This bike is really well done and amazingly good. It reminds us of what makes motorcycle riding worthy and inspiring.”
Another unexpected V-Twin was rated tops by Holland’s KicXstart magazine. “Suzuki’s SV650S is reliable, comfortable, good-handling, quick, sporty, smooth, well-styled and on top of all this, very affordable,” said the Nethereditors. “It’s a bike you fall in love with after riding it for the first time.”
Along those same lines, Aprilia’s Tuono (CWs number-one pick) and KTM’s 950 Adventure (our number three) ended up in an IBoY tie for fifth place overall. “We strongly believe in the friture of the new Hyper-Naked class,” said KicXstart. “One of the reasons we do is the Aprilia Tuono, a bike that combines streetfighter attitude with the ride quality of a thoroughbred Superbike. Although the styling could (should?) be more spectacular, it’s easy to handle in town, superior on twisty roads and very impressive on the track. Riding is believing.”
Of the LC8 Adventure, Greece’s Moto noted, “KTM’s first V-Twin redefined the Super Enduro category. Excellent suspension, the most powerful engine in the class, and the ability to travel offroad and on equally well. With the 950, KTM shows it has the ability to pull off great projects in the future.”
Slotting into an undisputed fourth overall is the Honda CBR600RR, typified by Italy’s SuperWheels as, “not the most powerful of its category, nor the fastest or the lightest, but it has an extraordinary chassis-compact, quickhandling, able to grab traction and never let loose. It may not be Valentino’s bike as some people would like us to believe, but when you ride it you definitely feel a certain thrill.”
Before moving on to the top three, time to dish some dirt. Editors were asked to nominate a “Dog of the Year,” too. For obvious reasons, CW went with the recently extinct Indian Chief. The Euroscribes, however, ganged up on BMW’s luxo touring-cruiser, the R1200CL. “Too big for our cities, too slow for our highways, this BMW was surely made for the United States,” said France’s Moto Revue. “Add to this its expense, significant size and handling far from ideal. This is how the German bike ends up last.” (Trust the Frenchies to insult two countries in a single short paragraph.)
On to the top vote-getters, then, two of which were all-new for 2003.
Finishing third overall, Kawasaki’s Z1000 impressed almost everyone, held back from an even higher placing only by its somewhat soft bottom-end. “Kawasaki’s comeback!” blurted SuperWheels. “At last, after a stale period when its models underwent only slight, negligible changes, comes an amazing sports-naked bike with different, clearcut styling. On the road, the Z has a nice, dynamic personality-quick and easy to handle.”
It spoke to the Greeks, as well. “With the Z1000, Kawasaki shows the way for the big naked class. Its unique styling gives other designers a good shove, strongly suggesting they detach themselves from the retro style,” said Moto.
IBoY ’03’s runner-up is also a rookie, Ducati’s controversial, class-crossing Multistrada. Said Moto Revue, “With the Multistrada, Ducati has played with motorcycle genetics. Neither trailbike nor roadster, almost a touring bike, but fitted with a sportbike V-Twin, this Ducati has a little bit of every bike family, a multipurpose tool with daring design and great build-quality. With its willing motor and great chassis, the ’Strada can easily transform you into a B-road addict. Okay, we admit the look is a bit too daring for some people, but such a unique bike deserved a unique look.”
“Probably the strongest bike ever conceived for twisty secondary roads,” agreed Belgium’s Motowereld, “A new bike for a new category, the Multistrada was a gamble, but we’re happy Ducati took the chance.”
Which brings us-drum roll, pleaseto the winner, International Bike of the Year for three years running, the omnipotent, all-conquering Suzuki GSXR1000. “The big Suzi won our hearts and number-one votes in 2001 and 2002-and it’s done it again for 2003!” cheered Australian Motorcycle News. “This latest incarnation is even better, raising the bar for big-bore sportbikes even higher. Any bike that can win 2003 championships in Australian Superbike, AMA Superbike, World Endurance and European Superstock, plus clean up at the annual ‘Master Bike’ shootout and set the Isle of Man outright lap record deserves to be noticed.”
Of course, at least three other bikemakers have been paying very close attention, which as Moto points out will make it that much more difficult for the King Gixxer to bag a fourth-consecutive crown: “It is a bike that made the competitors work hard just to catch up, definitely the reason for the Superbike explosion we’re about to experience in 2004.”
Shall we all meet again in, say, 12 issues’time? □
