Cycle World's Top 12 Naked Bikes

[andrewsh71]

If any of you get Cycle World they just tested the top 12 naked bikes and of course left out the Bandit. WTF. They even put a Buell in there. Now theres a pig.

[Desolation Angel]

I don't take that rag.  But I'm curious, what did they pick?  Give us the list.

[jbrough7]

Yeah, I'd like to see the list.

Did they leave off the Bandit cuz it's not availabe in the States?  Something weird is going on up here as a local stealership is big into 1200 Bandits but absolutely no mention of the 650, even though it is still on the Suzuki Canada website.  These things are dying off one by one.

jim

[andrewsh71]

The Honda 919, Kawi Z1000, Suzi SV1000, BMWk1200r, Buell xb12x, KTM 950, Ducati s4rs, and an MV and a Aprilla.

Overall they handed it to the Kawi for price, versatility and fun. And the SV1000 as best sport V-twin, they said its as good as the Italians and half the price.

[curiousmike]

The way I read it, they handed it to the Triumph.
 

[PitterB4]

Not wanting to bite the hand that feeds them, they gave major props to everyone.  I read that the Speed Trip was the choice, too.

I'm sure they didn't review the B since it's not available here in the US.

[speedytriple]

well ya know the triple is a hell of a bike LOL!  

mike

[Red01]

On a different twist -

One of my co-workers here (a contract employee that works at several Boeing vendor site in Europe) lives in Scotland, so I had him bring me some UK bike mags. In one of them, they rate their top street bikes in several categories... in the naked bike category, they gave the Z1000 top honors. The B12 was a ways down the list, getting negative marks for a dated design and being too heavy, but kudos as a great all-arounder with a huge aftermarket support network.

[ttewejnodnarb]

They gave best of show to the Aprillia Tuano but the other 11 bikes got awards tailored to thier strengths.

Also part of the group of 12, including the bikes Andrew already listed:

Triumph Speed Triple
Moto Guzzi Griso
Yamaha FZ1

So now the Aprillia Mille won Masterbike and the Tuano wins this comparo...or takes best of show...with the other 11 bikes that won awards.

It's like Pre-K..."Everyones a winner, here's your gold star little johnny"

[fritobandito]

Who cares what "they" think. It's what you (we, us) think that matters......am I right?

[stormi]

I don't suppose that anyone would be willing to scan this article?  I'd love to see the write ups on it.  Or alternatively, what Month's issue was it?  I don't know if we have that one here, but it would be worth looking. (since for a change one of my bikes made the list)  

[land_shark]

T.W.O. Just had a bandit on the front cover, named it Best Bang for the Buck.  The article was riddled with comments along the lines of "...it's old, but how can one complain about such a competent package for x-pounds"

[Farre]

pshaw! when they don't give credits to a good bike, then i say screw it!. Dated, schmated!  

[Swamp Rat]

I have the same issue. No...the bandit isn't listed but I'm sure it's due to it not being sold here in the states any longer. Concidering how old it is it probably wouldn't have made the list anyways. It was the Buel Ulyses that they tested in amongst the 12 and they gave it honors as being the best do it all bike.
  The FZ1 got top honors in the naked category for good reason....it hauls butt and is still relatively comfortable. Good handling and decent brakes also helped put on the top of the heap.

Personally, I do love my Bandit but, if I were to buy another sport standard and had the extra money on hand, I'd either get the FZ1 or the Buel Ulyses.

[andrewsh71]

this is from the editor of Cycle World -
Andrew, time to update. There is no such thing as a Bandit 1200 in the U.S. anymore. Been discontinued. Maybe we’ll see a follow-on for 2007? If so, then we’ll test one.

 

David Edwards

Editor-in-Chief