BEST CRUISER: INDIAN CHIEF CLASSIC
It might have been enough if Polaris simply got the paint, chrome, and styling right with its first effort from the reborn Indian marque. But it did so much more with the Chief, designing a fantastic mechanical package too. The resulting motorcycle would be a winner even without its gorgeous finish. Power from the Thunder Stroke 111 V-twin is abundant and sweet, and its sound is pure music. That classic-looking mill is hung in a great-handling aluminum chassis that delivers a stable, relaxing ride. Think of it as beautiful engineering, down to the dipstick
BEST DUAL-SPORT/ENDURO: KTM 500 EXC
By winning this award for the third year running, KTM is taunting its competitors to build a dual-sport machine as amazing as its 500 EXC. So far, almost nobody’s even tried. This street-legal enduro, essentially a racebike, can be ridden almost anywhere a motor vehicle is legal, from highways to the gnarliest of off-road terrain, sucking it up with ease then blowing roost a mile high with that big, 510cc thumper. It ain’t cheap, but as the saying goes, freedom isn’t free.
The “big” middleweight revolution is in full swing. We’re happy we kicked up the displacement limit in this category for 2012 voting and have only watched more and more bikes enter the class. But nobody did it better in 2014 than Yamaha with its stellar FZ-09. Killer power from its “CP3” 847cc inline triple and a low dry weight of 396 pounds make it an exceptionally exciting bike to ride. That the sit-up riding position is “most-day” comfortable and the suspension transitions well from commuting to sporty fun on back roads is just a bonus. The most amazing thing about the FZ-09, though, is the incredible value. This is so much motorcycle for $7,990 that the big middleweight revolution can only get bigger.
It takes a pretty special machine to unseat the BMW K1600GT as Cycle World’s best sport-touring bike, but that’s exactly what the new wasserboxer-powered BMW R1200RT is. It’s not just the fact that the RT uses a flat-twin, BMW’s spiritual core, but also that this swift and comfortable machine is about 130 pounds lighter than its six-cylinder sibling, which makes it easier to maneuver in your garage or on Mulholland. Yet the R1200RT, with its saddlebags, optional top case, and excellent fairing, is still very much a great long-distance pack mule, boasting electronic ride modes and Dynamic ESA semi-active suspension that adapt the bike to any condition. Score one for the purists.
The offerings in the once niche sport naked category have grown so vast it appears to have become the new standard. Why settle for only comfort and practicality when you can have that and more? BMW currently offers a superior answer. The S1000R delivers superbike acceleration and track-sharp handling when you want it yet possesses a civil side that is just a few button presses away. Adrenaline or relaxation, the S1000R’s HP4-derived electronics suite administers both and sets a higher standard.
How good is this bike? Just look at the amazing results posted by Ryan Villopoto and his Monster Energy Kawasaki team in the 2014 AMA Supercross series: Seven wins and 12 podiums earned RV2 his fourth-straight title. Okay, Villopoto is pretty damn good, but a great machine made his job a whole lot easier. The KX’s hard-hitting power and class-leading suspension make it a great tool for us mortals too. Staying at the top is hard work, but Kawi has earned it.
A tough category, but the cream that is the BMW K1600GTL has remained at the top of this CW class for an impressive four years. The secret to the GTL’s success? The sophisticated sportiness that emanates from an outstanding chassis and a silky smooth inline-six engine that wails like a banshee above 6,000 rpm. With its superb luggage, large fairing, electronically adjustable suspension, and excellent overall dynamics, the $23,950 BMW K1600GTL has no rivals. Or take it to the top with the $29,950 Exclusive shown. No other machine has such a broad capability, transitioning from luxury superslab cushiness to taut, wicked-fast composure on a back road with the flick of a few modes. For the touring rider who wants everything and then some, there is no better choice.
When the Super Duke R prototype was shown at EICMA two years ago, we laughed at its outrageousness—and fantasized about riding it—but didn’t think a traditionally dirt-oriented company would fire up the production line on such an ass-kicking, over-the-top powerhouse streetbike. But here it is and holy s—t is it! A lot of technical elements conspired to make the 1290 R a success—not just its bored-and-stroked 1,301cc LC8 V-twin. Class-leading, lean-sensing ABS and Traction Control tame the savage 152 hp and 93 freakin’ pound-feet of peak torque. It’s raw and raucous and a scream at the racetrack yet refined enough for commuting. Look who’s laughing now!
When KTM came crashing into the ADV class with its Dakar Rally-inspired 950 Adventure back in 2003, it showed the world how good a near-1,000cc beast could really be off road. With the 1190 Adventure, KTM has managed to not only build its best all-around streetbike ever, but it did it without losing sight of what got it here: dirt capability. Awesome electronics give the 1190 the ability to deliver sportbike-like performance on the asphalt while efficiently managing traction—both go and whoa—on the dirt. The 1190 ADV really can do it all, and that is what adventure is all about.
There has never been a production superbike like the Ducati Superleggera. The bike’s specs read like a flashback to Chemistry 101 and trying to memorize the periodic table of elements: Mg, Ti, W, Al, and C. With its magnesium monocoque chassis and forged wheels, countless titanium fasteners, exhaust, con-rods, plus a carbon-fiber tailsection and bodywork, Ducati has delivered a liter-class sportbike that weighs a scant 390 pounds (claimed) fully fueled. But the Superquadro engine is equally exotic and tuned to produce just shy of 190 rear-wheel horsepower. The combined result delivered 150-mph, fifth-gear wheelies on our exclusive ride at Italy’s Mugello Circuit. This isn’t the finest production superbike of the year. It’s the most incredibly trick superbike ever made.
It might have been enough if Polaris simply got the paint, chrome, and styling right with its first effort from the reborn Indian marque. But it did so much more with the Chief, designing a fantastic mechanical package too. The resulting motorcycle would be a winner even without its gorgeous finish. Power from the Thunder Stroke 111 V-twin is abundant and sweet, and its sound is pure music. That classic-looking mill is hung in a great-handling aluminum chassis that delivers a stable, relaxing ride. Think of it as beautiful engineering, down to the dipstick
BEST DUAL-SPORT/ENDURO: KTM 500 EXC
By winning this award for the third year running, KTM is taunting its competitors to build a dual-sport machine as amazing as its 500 EXC. So far, almost nobody’s even tried. This street-legal enduro, essentially a racebike, can be ridden almost anywhere a motor vehicle is legal, from highways to the gnarliest of off-road terrain, sucking it up with ease then blowing roost a mile high with that big, 510cc thumper. It ain’t cheap, but as the saying goes, freedom isn’t free.
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT STREETBIKE: YAMAHA FZ-09
The “big” middleweight revolution is in full swing. We’re happy we kicked up the displacement limit in this category for 2012 voting and have only watched more and more bikes enter the class. But nobody did it better in 2014 than Yamaha with its stellar FZ-09. Killer power from its “CP3” 847cc inline triple and a low dry weight of 396 pounds make it an exceptionally exciting bike to ride. That the sit-up riding position is “most-day” comfortable and the suspension transitions well from commuting to sporty fun on back roads is just a bonus. The most amazing thing about the FZ-09, though, is the incredible value. This is so much motorcycle for $7,990 that the big middleweight revolution can only get bigger.
BEST SPORT-TOURING BIKE: BMW R1200RT
It takes a pretty special machine to unseat the BMW K1600GT as Cycle World’s best sport-touring bike, but that’s exactly what the new wasserboxer-powered BMW R1200RT is. It’s not just the fact that the RT uses a flat-twin, BMW’s spiritual core, but also that this swift and comfortable machine is about 130 pounds lighter than its six-cylinder sibling, which makes it easier to maneuver in your garage or on Mulholland. Yet the R1200RT, with its saddlebags, optional top case, and excellent fairing, is still very much a great long-distance pack mule, boasting electronic ride modes and Dynamic ESA semi-active suspension that adapt the bike to any condition. Score one for the purists.
BEST STANDARD: BMW S1000R
The offerings in the once niche sport naked category have grown so vast it appears to have become the new standard. Why settle for only comfort and practicality when you can have that and more? BMW currently offers a superior answer. The S1000R delivers superbike acceleration and track-sharp handling when you want it yet possesses a civil side that is just a few button presses away. Adrenaline or relaxation, the S1000R’s HP4-derived electronics suite administers both and sets a higher standard.
BEST MOTOCROSSER: KAWASAKI KX450F
How good is this bike? Just look at the amazing results posted by Ryan Villopoto and his Monster Energy Kawasaki team in the 2014 AMA Supercross series: Seven wins and 12 podiums earned RV2 his fourth-straight title. Okay, Villopoto is pretty damn good, but a great machine made his job a whole lot easier. The KX’s hard-hitting power and class-leading suspension make it a great tool for us mortals too. Staying at the top is hard work, but Kawi has earned it.
BEST TOURING BIKE: BMW K1600GTL
A tough category, but the cream that is the BMW K1600GTL has remained at the top of this CW class for an impressive four years. The secret to the GTL’s success? The sophisticated sportiness that emanates from an outstanding chassis and a silky smooth inline-six engine that wails like a banshee above 6,000 rpm. With its superb luggage, large fairing, electronically adjustable suspension, and excellent overall dynamics, the $23,950 BMW K1600GTL has no rivals. Or take it to the top with the $29,950 Exclusive shown. No other machine has such a broad capability, transitioning from luxury superslab cushiness to taut, wicked-fast composure on a back road with the flick of a few modes. For the touring rider who wants everything and then some, there is no better choice.
BEST OPEN-CLASS STREETBIKE: KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R
When the Super Duke R prototype was shown at EICMA two years ago, we laughed at its outrageousness—and fantasized about riding it—but didn’t think a traditionally dirt-oriented company would fire up the production line on such an ass-kicking, over-the-top powerhouse streetbike. But here it is and holy s—t is it! A lot of technical elements conspired to make the 1290 R a success—not just its bored-and-stroked 1,301cc LC8 V-twin. Class-leading, lean-sensing ABS and Traction Control tame the savage 152 hp and 93 freakin’ pound-feet of peak torque. It’s raw and raucous and a scream at the racetrack yet refined enough for commuting. Look who’s laughing now!
BEST ADVENTURE BIKE: KTM 1190 ADVENTURE
When KTM came crashing into the ADV class with its Dakar Rally-inspired 950 Adventure back in 2003, it showed the world how good a near-1,000cc beast could really be off road. With the 1190 Adventure, KTM has managed to not only build its best all-around streetbike ever, but it did it without losing sight of what got it here: dirt capability. Awesome electronics give the 1190 the ability to deliver sportbike-like performance on the asphalt while efficiently managing traction—both go and whoa—on the dirt. The 1190 ADV really can do it all, and that is what adventure is all about.
BEST SUPERBIKE: DUCATI 1199 SUPERLEGGERA
There has never been a production superbike like the Ducati Superleggera. The bike’s specs read like a flashback to Chemistry 101 and trying to memorize the periodic table of elements: Mg, Ti, W, Al, and C. With its magnesium monocoque chassis and forged wheels, countless titanium fasteners, exhaust, con-rods, plus a carbon-fiber tailsection and bodywork, Ducati has delivered a liter-class sportbike that weighs a scant 390 pounds (claimed) fully fueled. But the Superquadro engine is equally exotic and tuned to produce just shy of 190 rear-wheel horsepower. The combined result delivered 150-mph, fifth-gear wheelies on our exclusive ride at Italy’s Mugello Circuit. This isn’t the finest production superbike of the year. It’s the most incredibly trick superbike ever made.
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