Winter marks the end of the biking season for most people in Utah. Some still choose to brave the harsh wind and snow, but most people park their bikes in garages and begin to dream of warmer weather. Whether you are the person dreaming or the person roaring through the cold, this article has something for everyone.
Here is a a compilation of some of the best and most exciting motorcycles of 2014. Bikes 10-6 were rated and reviewed by PopularMechanics.com and RoadandTrack.com and the top five bikes were rated and reviewed by UltimateMotorCycling.com.
10. Indian Chief Classic
When Polaris decided to relaunch Indian, America’s very first motorcycle brand, they tackled the job properly. The bike has a huge 111-cubic-inch V-twin and produces 119 lb-ft of torque. The new Indian bikes are available in three models: the Classic, Vintage, and Chieftain. full leather seats and saddlebags come standard on the Vintage model, and a power windshield comes standard on the Chieftain. All bikes come with keyless starting.
9. Yamaha FZ-09
The new Yamaha undercuts the competition by more than a grand, making the FZ-09 one of the best deals of the year. Beyond the money, this is one fun-to-ride and tough-looking machine. The new 850-cc triple belts out 115 hp and enough torque to have you squirting through traffic. As fun as the FZ-09 is in the canyons, it doesn’t beat the rider up on city streets. The suspension is on the soft side, which many riders appreciate.
8. 2014 Ducati 899 Panigale
The new 899 Panigale brings a taste of that performance down to where many more wallets can enjoy the fun.The 898-cc twin still cranks out nearly 150 hp‚ plenty on any back road. The smaller Panigale borrows from the chassis of the larger bike and packs many of the advanced technical features as well, including: traction control, switchable engine tuning maps, a ride-by-wire throttle, and more. When you consider the engineering, the tech, and the Ducati racing pedigree, fifteen grand for a top-flight Italian sport bike is a decent value.
7. Harley-Davidson Sportster Superflow
For many bikers, the only ride worth owning has the name Harley-Davidson stamped on the side of the fuel tank. There’s an authenticity to the brand that can’t be duplicated. The Sportster Superlow is an entry-level cruiser that still delivers the Harley experience without hurting your wallet. The Superlow, as the name suggests, has the lowest seat height (27.4 inches) in the Sportster range. It’s about a half-inch closer to the ground than other Sportsters. That makes it a great bike for new or shorter riders. The Superlow might be the least expensive Harley, but it still benefits from a host of improvements for the brand’s 2014 model year, including a larger and more powerful braking system with optional ABS. And the best part about owning a Harley is that there are plenty of custom parts available to make the bike your own.
6. 2014 Honda CTX700N
The CTX700N is an entry-level quasi-sport cruiser aimed at people who may never have considered a motorcycle before. It’s a great commuter because it has a low 28.3-inch seat height, a smooth ride, and a relaxed riding position. And Honda claims the CTX700N with its 670-cc twin will deliver 64 mpg. The CTX700N might not be a dream bike for experienced riders, but its affordability and easy-riding ergonomics make it a solid deal for those new to motorcycling.
5. MV Augusta Rivale
The new 800′s engine is basically a bored-out version of the 675. The 800 pushes 125 horsepower at 11,600 rpm, which is 12 ponies more than the 675, and 60 ft. lb. of torque at 8600 rpm. The engine features the counter-rotating crankshaft, something once only used in MotoGP. The design reduces inertia while changing direction, helping the bike’s overall balance. At 375 lbs., this bike will impress the hooligan in all of us.
4. 2014 BMW R1200RT
At EICMA, BMW unveiled the 2014 R 1200 RT, which features the new 125-horsepower, semi-water cooled boxer twin. The R 1200 RT, which enters its 35th year in 2014, is also loaded with the latest in technology, including ASC traction control, two riding modes, ABS, and something new to the world of touring motorcycles – an optional BMW Gear Shift Assistant Pro.
3. 2014 Harley-Davidson Street 750/500
In 2014, Harley-Davidson will release two entry-level motorcycles – the Street 750 and the Street 500. These two motorcycles were originally set for foreign markets such as those in India and China, but Harley is now going to sell them in the United States. The machines are built on the new “Revolution X” platform, which is the first all-new platform of Harley-Davidson motorcycles since the introduction of VRSC (V-Twin Racing Street Custom) lineup 2001 (V-Rod, Night-Rod, Street-Rod).
The Street 750 and Street 500 feature the liquid-cooled, fuel-injected “Revolution X” powertrains. The Street 750 features a 60-degree, four-valve-per cylinder 749cc engine, and the Street 500 a 494cc engine; both versions arrive with a six-speed transmission.
2. Suzuki V-Strom 1000
The 2014 V-Strom 1000 (DL was dropped from the name in 2012) was completely redesigned from bottom up from previous models, receiving a larger 1037cc engine, ABS, fully-adjustable 43mm KYB inverted forks, and Traction Control – a first for any Suzuki motorcycle. To offer increased torque at a lower rpm, and amp up the horsepower of the liquid-cooled, DOHC 90-degree V-twin, Suzuki increased the piston bore from 98mm to 100mm, which increased the displacement from 996 to 1037cc. This helped increase horsepower to 99.2 at 8000 rpm, and torque to 76 ft. lb. at 4000 rpm.
1. EBR 1190 RX
This brings us down to the number-one most anticipated bike of 2014 – the EBR 1190 RX. This bike was without a doubt one of the highlights of the inaugural American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) held in Orlando this past October. The EBR 1190 RX is driven by basic philosophies of high-performance – less weight and more power.
How much power? The EV-V2 1190cc V-Twin produces 185 horsepower at 10,600 rpm, and, more importantly, 102 ft. lbs. of torque at 8200 rpm. This torque is spread out on a long and linear curve, which allows the 2014 EBR 1190 RX to produce optimal power in every gear.
Regardless of high horsepower, EBR, which will enter World Superbike in 2014, reports that the 1190 RX gets 52 mpg; with the 4.5-gallon tank, the new sportbike can get 234 miles per tank.
EBR has offered many desirable superbikes in the past, but none that were truly affordable to real-world riders. This all changes with the 1190 RX, and this is why it’s the number-one motorcycle we’re looking forward to experiencing in 2014.
All of us at Christensen & Hymas hope that this review will get you excited for the 2014 season. We wish you all the best and hope to see you on the road.