2015 Cycle World Ten Best Bikes
2015 CYCLE WORLD TEN BEST BIKES
BEST SUPERBIKE
KAWASAKI NINJA H2R
It was a bitter disappointment that Kawasaki didn’t bring the track-only H2R to the Party of Speed we threw for it at NAS Lemoore (see page 28), but we must nonetheless honor this force-fed 326-claimed-hp monster for the sheer audacity it represents and the very real performance we experienced at the bike’s introduction in Qatar (June). This is “Superbike” with a capital “S” and the most intense motorcycle we’ve ever ridden. And while this blown batbike might not come with a cape, it does have wings. If it doesn’t blow your socks off, your boots are too damn tight.
BEST STANDARD
YAMAHA FZ-09
This was last year’s Best Middle-weight, but after hammering our long-termer for a year and trying the 2015 with its refinements, we couldn’t think of a better candidate for Best Standard. It epitomizes sporting all-rounder, serving as a fine commuter, back-road scratcher, or even a trackday mount. Price this year has crept past the $8,000 mark, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a greater performance-per-dollar value on two wheels. And its three-cylinder powerplant might be the most spirited and fun street engine we have ever sampled, a great helping of its 108 horses and 62 pound-feet delivered right now any time you twist the throttle. It’s a bike that does it all and will make you smile every time you ride.
BEST MOTOCROSSER
YAMAHA YZ250F
It was a vicious debate down to the last minute in 2014 as to whether the YZ250F or Kawasaki KX450F would take the prize. We went KX for all-out speed coupled with surprising rideability from a 450-class machine. But with that green 450 taking a step backward this year and detail refinements improving Yamaha’s YZ250F, the tuning-fork bike gets a boost to the top spot. It doesn’t hurt that the YZ is totally rideable by just about anybody, while also becoming a mega-successful championship winner in just two years. With Pro Motorcross and Supercross West titles to its credit, the YZ250F is the comeback kid of the decade.
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT STREETBIKE
KTM 390 DUKE
If the battle for the loyalty of motorcycling’s next generation is happening anywhere, it’s in the lightweight Streetbike class. The great offerings under 500cc fight not only for new riders but also for enthusiasts with decades of experience. The fast and fun Yamaha YZF-R 3 won our recent light sportier shootout for good reason, but when we sat down to hash out the best all-rounder in the class, we kept coming back to the standard-style 390 Duke. Its 373cc single offers lots of tractable torque and a 40-horse peak in a practical, affordable package. Pure flexible fun for all kinds of riders.
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT STREETBIKE
DUCATI SCRAMBLER
What are motorcycles if not the triggers of dreams? And what are they if not also the fulfillers of these dreams? This is a nearly universal quality of a two-wheeler. But sometimes a bike like the Ducati Scrambler comes along, and it triggers a resonation deep in your primal riding soul that makes you dream even bigger. Yes, the styling here is genius, but this air-cooled V-twin also has a wonderfully low price and just-right operational qualities. It all adds up to an almost universally irresistible invitation to ride.
BEST OPEN-CLASS STREETBIKE
YAMAHA YZF-R1M
In a world of $50,000 supercharged track-only Kawasakis and a MotoCP replica from Honda that costs $184,000 (and makes 101 hpl), the Yamaha YZF-R1M just keeps looking better and better. Stellar power, amazing electronics, and an unflappable chassis-all based directly on the company’s MotoCP M1 racer. And you don’t need to be an investment banker to afford one. We chose the M for its sublime Ohlins electronic suspension and carbon-fiber fairing, but if you save yourself a few bucks and buy the base model-you won’t be disappointed. This is the art and science of MotoCP brought to the people.
BEST CRUISER
INDIAN CHIEF CLASSIC
You might think we’re taken by the style of the Indian Chief Classic, what with its classic lines, abundant chrome, and beautifully valanced fenders. Cuilty as charged. But the Chief is also a mechanical gem, based on a rigid aluminum chassis and an air-cooled Thunder Stroke 111 V-twin that’s always relaxed, whatever the situation. Instrumentation is simple, and the riding experience is excellent, with more cornering clearance than you’d expect of a cruiser with floorboards. This Iowa-built Indian oozes refinement and style, and all it takes is one ride to understand the warm reception the marketplace has given this bike.
BEST ADVENTURE BIKE
KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE
Bigger isn’t necessarily better. But when the topic is KTM’s 1,3Q1cc V-twin-powered Super ADV, we have to agree with that old catch phrase. In little more than a decade, KTM has evolved its Adventure from the big, blunt, dirt-tool 950 into the doit-all Earth explorer 1290—the latter of which has some of the most sophisticated electronic rider aids in motorcycling. More impressive, in just a few short years the Austrian company has shed its reputation as a dirt bike company with a few weird streetbikes. It’s now a well-balanced manufacturer of all things wickedly fast, fun, and proficient.
BEST TOURING BIKE
DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1200S
In the past, if you wanted a jack-of-all-trades motorcycle, you grabbed a sporty standard. But now, a bike like Ducati’s Multistrada, with the help of its sophisticated electronics and variable cam timing, can be anything you want it to be. Strafing apexes with sportbikes? No problem. Want electronic suspension that snacks on potholes? It does that too. But most surprising is what a great touring bike the Multistrada is. Yes, it leans heavily toward the sporty side of the spectrum, but if you want your two-up touring to be a bit more athletic, it’s hard to find a more enjoyable bike for the journey.
BEST DUAL-SPORT/ENDURO
HUSQVARNA FE 501 S
KTM never should have given Husky the keys to the R&D closet. In any household, siblings have to get used to sharing, but having access to KTM’s resources has completely transformed Husqvarna’s dual-sport machines. The thumping single-cam heart of the 501 S comes straight out of the knobby-shredding 500 EXC. Although these two brothers are very similar, the different chassis and suspension components, including the 4CS WP fork and linked shock, allowed Husky to outperform the competition in our April 500cc dual-sport comparison. Combine the powerhouse engine with incredible handling and trail compliance, and you have the best dual-sport machine we’ve ridden.
There are about 450 different motorcycle models at your pleasure in dealerships right now, in a variety of styles and at a level of excellence that makes it pretty easy to be a new-bike owner if you can afford the price of a couple fancy cups of coffee a day. In 2015, we witnessed the continuation of the trend that sees a splitting of the market between high-end, high-featured machines that dazzle us with amazing performance and those of very low cost and ease of use. While we have always strived to recognize the great motorcycles regardless of capacity or price, we took it a step furtherthis year with a new category: Best Lightweight Streetbike. Forthe past several years, we found ourselves looking for ways to honor the great bikes of less than 500cc. And now we have it. To make room, since there can be only Ten, we consolidated Sport and Touring into one category to take all bikes with hard bags standard. Our results, after polling the staff, might surprise you. But one thing is for certain: Each of our 2015 Ten Best Bikes is a worthy substitute for caffeine.
