Honorable Mentions:

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Aprilia RSV4 R

We felt a tad guilty forsaking our Best Superbike of 2009 for the new BMW bombshell, but then the Aprilia was an upstart itself just last year. So it goes. Objectively, our hands were tied by the BMW's detente-shattering performance. Subjectively, we reverted to the more soulful Aprilia just a month later in our "Alternative Energy" shootout (CW, July).

Honda CRF250R

Fierce competition on the MX track drives equally aggressive tactics on the showroom floor. The weapon of choice is technology, which the 2010 Honda CRF250R has in abundance. A new frame, fuel-injected engine and updated suspension put the CRF atop CW's 2010 250cc MX Shootout and almost allowed it to steal a Ten Best, if it weren't for a certain 450.

Honda VFR1200F DCT

The VFR1200F didn't quite make the Ten Best this year, but the Dual Clutch Transmission version deserves recognition for its technology. Like today's paddle-shift high-performance cars, the DCT executes seamless upshifts and perfect, rpm-matched downshifts that even allow full-lean mid-corner gearchanges that don't upset the chassis. Look for more of this technology in the future.

BMW R1200GS

For 2010, BMW's best-selling R1200GS gets an updated engine featuring double overhead cams in place of the cam-in-head design that served it so well so long. A 5-hp, 4-ft.-lb. bump and an extra 500 revs have made this excellent engine even more flexible, and it's fitted to one of the most versatile machines ever.

Harley-Davidson Street Glide

Once upon a time, everyone thought of Harley-Davidson Big Twins as, well, really big motorcycles. But among today’s V-Twin baggers, the H-D Street Glide stands out as the little bike, a sensibly sized, easy-to-maneuver long-ride machine that offers all the comfort, convenience and entertainment of its peers without being so massive and unwieldy.