Motorcycles of the year 2012
By: Dodsfall
December 28th, 2012
8:50 am
Motorcycle USA has released the yearly list of motorcycles in several categories for Motorcycle of the year. A couple models are returning to the list from previous years.
Best Motocross Motorcycle
The Kawasaki KX450F won the best motocross motorcycle. An all-new machine for 2012, the KX450F packs a lot of performance into a mid-sized motocross motorcycle. At nearly 30 foot pounds of torque and 45 horsepower, the green machine pulled off higher performance than the competition.
Best Enduro Motorcycle
The Beta 450RR was praised for both it's styling and performance. Beta came in second to KTM in the Endurocross this year, but the riders at Motorcycle USA gave it the win after riding both models.
Best Dual Sport Motorcycle
The Kawasaki KLR650 may not be the best looking or have the highest horsepower in the dual sport class, but for dependability, versatility, and adaptability it won top honors this year. If there is a road on the map, this motorcycle can ride it.
Best Sport Motorcycle
For the third year in a row, the BMW S1000RR takes top honors. Extremely powerful and having an advanced electronics package, the BMW has won the award again.
Best Street Motorcycle
The Triumph Speed Triple R is an upscale Speed Triple with an Ohlins suspension, Brembo brakes, and light PVM wheels. The R model uses the same trusty 1050 cc engine as the base model does.
Best Touring Motorcycle
BMW wins again with the K1600 GTL. The decked-out touring machine is powered by an inline six-cylinder engine that provides sportbike-like performance. A sophisticated electronics package for engine and suspension and a huge 7-gallon tank make the K1600 GTL the ultimate touring machine.
Best Cruiser Motorcycle
The winner from last year and still champion is the Ducati Diavel. The power cruiser has the heart of a sport bike. The 1198 cc V-twin and exotic styling coupled with traction control and multiple riding modes left the competition behind.
[Motorcycle USA]
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9 comments on "Motorcycles of the year 2012"
December 28, 2012 at 9:27 am
Why do all the on-road bikes look like sport bikes? Who came up
with this list? i know I'm a cranky old SOB, but IMO bikes keep
getting uglier all the time.
Dirt bikes all look like dirt bikes because they are designed for a
specific purpose, why can't cruisers look like cruisers.
S'cuse me, I hafta throw some kids off my lawn!
December 28, 2012 at 9:35 am
Amen brother. Looks like someone stuck gargage can on the Diavel for exhaust.
December 28, 2012 at 5:35 pm
I don't see what I consider to be a touring bike in the lot. My opinion of a touring bike is Victory Vision or Cross Country, Harley Ultra Classic, and a Honda Goldwing. I know there are others, but, those are the ones we see most frequently when we are on vacation.
December 28, 2012 at 10:45 pm
Ditto. All these bikes seem to have "sportbike-like" performance. Just my opinion, but a cruiser shouldn't have "the heart of a sport bike."
EDIT: Performance on a sport bike should be measured in miles per hour, but performance on a cruiser should be miles per day.
December 31, 2012 at 9:51 am
They ought to have a 'sport tourer' (which in my opinion the bmw is), and a 'touring bike' class.
January 11, 2013 at 1:49 am
Just curious but what do you all think the BMW is lacking to make it a "touring" motorcycle?
January 11, 2013 at 10:20 am
I think it's a touring motorcycle, but, just going off the DMV manual, in that category there are two subcategories of touring bikes and sport tourers. Based on appearances and the description, the BMW seems to fit the sport tourer category. I would consider a traditional touring bike to be something more along the lines of a Harley Road King or a Victory Cross Country.
January 11, 2013 at 11:41 am
A good list of bikes, but I am not at all sure about the Ducati being in the same category as my Softail. I just do not see it as a cruiser bike.
January 11, 2013 at 1:17 pm
Why do all the STREET bikes have the exhaust routed up high
on the side where it gets in the way of luggage, or even up
under the seat? There is NO REASON for the exhaust to be up
there unless it's a dirt bike! It should be down low on the side
to keep the center of gravity low and so luggage can also be
mounted low and close to the bike.
And all the sport and street bikes are styled to look like they
are in a nose dive even when standing still. They all look like
someone is standing on the brakes.
Uglier 'n' hell, the whole bunch of 'em.