Over the past 32 years, Rider selected Motorcycle of the Year. Except for two years when we made the People’s Choice by popular vote of our readers ( Honda F6B 2013 and 2014 BMW R 1200 RT), it was Rider editorial team to select winners based on our overall experience with the qualified candidates of the year.
We ride as many new or significantly updated motorcycles released in the past year as possible, and we evaluate them in the context of their intended use.
Since we announced last year’s winner. electric bike for kids.
Advertisement
Narrowing down such a wide range of motorcycles to a single “best” motorcycle is no easy feat. Our goal is to identify the vehicle that best meets the intended purpose and elevate the state of motorcycle design, performance and function.
We do not always achieve success. The BMW K1 that we chose as our first MOTY in 1990 proved to be a flop, and the forkless Yamaha GTS1000 we chose in 1993 was the answer to the question no one asked.
Even if some of the choices we’ve made have not stood the test of time, we’re on their side because they are impressive motorcycles in the context of their era. Others are easier to protect, like the Honda GL1800 Gold Wing 2001, the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 2002, the 2005 BMW R 1200 GS and the 2017 Harley-Davidson Milwaukee-Eight Touring.
For 2022, there were over 60 qualified candidates. We narrowed them down to 10 finalists and one eventual winner.
2022 Finalist Motorcycle of the Year
Winner Rider‘S MOTY Award 2012BMW’s flagship luxury sedan has had its most important update for 2022. Its ultra-smooth 1,649cc makes 160 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque, a driver assist kit. Its full electronics have been upgraded, and it has a large 10.25-inch TFT display, an air-conditioned smartphone holder, and other new comfort and convenience features.
Compete head-to-head with Kawasaki Versys 650LTThe all-new 650 ADVentura is powered by a 649cc tandem engine that produces 60 hp and 41 lb-ft of torque. It has an adjustable windshield, TFT display, LED lights, assist/anti-slip clutch, standard ABS, Pirelli Angel GT sport tires and a hard shell saddlebag. At $6,799, it’s $3,200 less than the Kawasaki.
3. Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak’s 1,158cc Grandturismo V4 delivers 170 hp and 92 lb-ft of torque, and its top game will be raised with a new Racing mode and revised quickshifter. Revision. Vehicles equipped with full electronics package (including adaptive cruise control and blind spot detection), Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 suspension, Brembo Stylema brake calipers, etc.
The spiritual successor to the air-cooled Sportster Evo, the all-new Nightster is a performance cruiser built on Harley’s modular liquid-cooled Revolution Max engine platform, in this case the 975cc V-Twin with variable valve timing produces 90 hp. Classic styling cues include a peanut-shaped “fuel tank” (actually an airbox cover), a round air intake cover and exposed rear shock absorbers.
Setting the line between a scooter and a luxury motorcycle, the all-new Honda Navi uses a single transmission and a fan-cooled 109cc CVT from the Activa 6G scooter and a universal design language. Grom’s variable. The 8-hp Navi weighs just 236 lb, has a seat height of 30 inches and costs just $1,807, making it an ideal gateway to the world of motorcycling.
The Indian Challenger bagger, powered by a liquid-cooled PowerPlus 108 V-Twin that produces 108 hp and 113 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels, is Rider‘S 2020 USA. Accessibility is enhanced on the Pursuit Limited (or Dark Horse), which adds a lowering kit, a height-adjustable windshield, Touring Comfort seats, heated handles and a trunk with integrated backrest for the passengers. guest.
Known as “The Beast,” the 1290 Super Duke R added “Evo” to its name and was updated with a WP Semi-Active Technology (SAT) suspension available with six modes and load adjustment. automatic front, a revised throttle system, and more. Its 1,301cc V-Twin produces 180 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque, and its electronics allow riders to tame or unleash The Beast as they see fit.
The Classic 350 takes the style that made the Royal Enfield Bullet – built 1931-2020 – an iconic bike and combines it with a SOHC, 2-valve, fuel-injected, air-cooled engine gas, capacity 349cc with 5. -speed gearbox. Available in nine color combinations and priced as low as $4,599, the Classic 350 embodies simple, fun, affordable motorcycling.
Triumph has completely revamped its Tiger 1200 adventure bike platform for the 2023 model year, removing the 55 lb weight, fitting a 147-horsepower trio from the Speed Triple, and also equipping it with a New chassis and upgraded electronics. Five variants are available: the street-focused GT, GT Pro and GT Explorer, and the off-road Rally Pro and Rally Explorer.
At the top of Yamaha’s Hyper Naked surgery order is the MT-10, the descendant of FZ1 used to be Rider2006 USA. This “Master of Torque” is powered by a 160 hp inline four engine from the YZF-R1. It is updated for 2022 with new R1-derived electronics, upgraded brakes, revised styling and ergonomics, new TFT display, etc.
And the Motorcycle of the Year 2022 Winner is…
SUZUKI GSX-S1000GT +
Here RiderWe are big fans of performance. It’s an often overused and generic term, but it encapsulates a lot of the things we love about motorcycles. Thrilling, powerful engine. The chassis is solid, responsive – everything from the frame to the suspension, brakes and tyres. And today, electronic driver aids allow responses to be tailored to different conditions or rider preferences.
We are street people. We may take part in a day or school race from time to time, but it’s usually to help us hone our skills so we can drive more confidently and safely on the streets. We wanted performance that was fun but still manageable on public roads.
At the same time, we love to go away. Rider was started in 1974 just as the travel segment was taking off, and motorcycling has been one of the magazine’s hallmarks. We’ve tested thousands of motorcycles over the years, and we aim for bikes that are comfortable, reliable and versatile, yet still get our performance.
Our 2021 motorcycle of the year is the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT, an adventure-style sport tourer that’s lighter and more affordable than traditional heavyweight sports bikes like the BMW R 1250 RT, Yamaha FJR1300 and Kawasaki Concours 14 – all worn RiderThe crown of the USA at some point. In fact, eight of our 32 previous MOTY winners have been active athletes.
And now let’s do those nine things. The Suzuki GSX-S1000GT + (the ‘+’ sign indicates the model has a standard saddlebag, while the base GT model does not) offer all the performance a street rider needs in a refined, comfortable, refined package. for a reasonable price of $13,799. It checks all the right performance boxes while also being practical and providing – as George Carlin would say – a place for our stuff.
The GSX-S’ 999cc inline four was adapted from the GSX-R1000 K5 engine, a championship-winning engine. Tuned for off-road duties, it produces 136 hp at 10,200 rpm and 73 lb-ft of torque at 9,300 rpm on a Jett Tuning rear-wheel dyno.
As we said in our July road test, “The GSX-S engine is a gem with no rough edges. From opening the throttle at idle to turning the clutch until it comes to a stop, power pops up in a clear and predictable manner.”
The GSX-S1000GT+ is equipped with the Suzuki Intelligent Driving System, which includes three driving modes that adjust throttle response, power distribution, traction control, cruise control and other systems. It’s the fastest up/down we’ve ever tested, and thanks to a street-tuned, sports car-specific chassis, the GT+ offers predictable handling, stability Impeccable and perfect smoothness.
Travel amenities include comfortable driver and passenger seats, a 25.7-liter side storage compartment that can hold most full-face helmets, and a 6.5-inch full-color TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity via Suzuki’s mySPIN smartphone app. With its angular sportbike styling, the GSX-S1000GT+ looks very nimble and the side cases are easily removable for a sportier look.
As we concluded in our road test, “The GSX-S1000GT+ strikes a great balance between performance, technology, weight, comfort and price. Life is good when the scenery is blurry.”
Congratulations Suzuki on the GSX-S1000GT+, RiderMotorcycle of the year 2022!
To find a Suzuki dealer near you, visit SuzukiCycles.com.
