~ Auto Buzz ~: HONORABLE MENTIONS: Cycle World Ten Best Bikes of 2015 Five more that very nearly made it.

Monday, 3 August 2015

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Cycle World Ten Best Bikes of 2015 Five more that very nearly made it.

KTM Freeride Why should kids have all the fun? For years, manufacturers have built youth-oriented and base-model dirt bikes that have been labeled “playbikes.” But what if you want a high-performance grown-up version, a collision of sorts between an enduro and a trials bike, a lightweight machine that makes an average rider feel like an EnduroCross hero who can conquer any trail? That is KTM’s Freeride. Well, that and pure fun.

Yamaha FZ-07 If there is one thing holding the FZ-07 back from snatching a Ten Best Bikes award, it is Big Brother. No, not the Orwellian version but literally its also-budget-minded and performance-oriented FZ-09 stablemate. The 07 packs a surprising amount of fun and performance into a value-priced, $6,990 package. Power delivery from its 689cc parallel-twin defies the displacement number, while fit, finish, and quality of components exceed expectation at this price.

2015 Triumph Tiger 800 XCx off-road action

Triumph Tiger 800 XCx As adventure bikes get bigger and more powerful, they lose some of the off-road maneuverability and power-manageability that makes them easier to handle off-highway. If this is an important factor for you, consider the Tiger 800 XCx. Output from the 799cc inline-triple is unchanged in 2015, but Triumph has made huge strides in equipping the 800 with a comprehensive suite of electronic rider aids and features, including cruise control, that puts this bike into the same league as the big luxury adventure-tourers but with less bulk.

BMW R1200RT The spiritual core of BMW is its flat-twin, and despite the deviant engine platforms the Germans have adopted over the decades, nothing says “travel” more than the boxer, particularly in the fantastic R1200RT. Rock-solid handling, high-level comfort, electronic semi-active suspension, and the most responsive and flexible version of that engine make for one of the finest traveling bikes ever to turn a wheel.

Indian Scout “What will Indian do next?” That’s what we all wondered when the Chief hit the market in 2014. The surprise of this year was the liquid-cooled, 60-degree V-twin Scout, a sporty 1,133cc cruiser that combined approachable size, great power, and sweet handling in a stylish package. With a wide handlebar and a low seat, the Scout is one of the most accessible cruisers on the market.