Motorcyclist strives to be a highly responsive motorcycle news organization. We keep close tabs on your comments, feedback, and unsolicited correspondence. Among the hot-button topics that generate lots of pixelated opinions are which new motorcycles we should review. As most readers know, Motorcyclist already covers a wide assortment of model releases over the course of the year. But a First Look/Preview isn’t an actual butt-in-seat, white-knuckled motorcycle review.
In the spirit of full disclosure, some reader suggestions didn’t make the cut. We won’t be reviewing a hoverbike (yes, they exist) or any streetbike featured in past or present Batman movies. Also, we cannot review ex-racebikes used in competition. Specifically, we can’t review Valentino Rossi’s ill-fated 2012 Ducati GP11 racebike. We do appreciate the equally imaginative and odd request, though.
We loved your suggestions, one and (mostly) all. Turns out you’re all quite the practical sorts. While Motorcyclist is blessed with a sizable team of seasoned journalists and a palatial headquarters (and garage), we can’t review them all. But here are the top five motorcycles you want us to throw a leg over and ride and write about. Keep reading, we’ll start making calls.
2023 Yamaha TW200
Fact: Smaller bikes are more fun. Or maybe it’s the same amount of fun in a smaller package? Whatever. The Yamaha TW200 has been a staple of retro-scrambling since it was introduced 36 years ago. Arguably, simple carburetion and square instrumentation was already a bit retro in 1987. But those 180/80 front and rear gumballs (on 18- and 14-inch wheels, respectively) just beg for a long-term review on trails and semi-legal urban environs. Generous 6.3- and 5.9-inch front and rear suspension travel combined with a 278-pound curb weight make the TW200 perfect for any number of review scenarios. Ideally, our review will feature an informal Black Friday Hare Scramble in a Walmart parking lot. Story to be updated.
2023 Honda Rebel 1100T DCT Bagger
Readers seem to enjoy arguing about anything with a DCT transmission. This interest extends to a full ride review of the Honda Rebel 1100 DCT Bagger. Game on, peanut gallery. Motorcyclist has made no secret of its love for the Rebel family. The new Rebel’s 1100 bagger variant looks to spread the gospel of trouble-free touring and democratized transmissions. A batwing fairing and windscreen plus 9.2 gallons of storage via hard saddlebags equals a win-win in our books. Obviously, our review would feature rigorous, objective testing and evaluation of the bagger’s strengths and weaknesses. Think amateur hill climbing at Sturgis.
2023 Kawasaki KLR650
Why should we review a motorcycle largely unchanged since the Mesozoic era? Sometimes it’s the rider, not the ride. The Kawasaki KLR650 S tweaks a classic formula with new dimensions for smaller riders, while the Kawasaki KLR650/ABS and Adventure/ABS and Traveler/ABS variants are worth a first look for newer riders drawn to the red-hot middleweight ADV category. Does the tractorlike reliability of the KLR650 stack up to newer entrants like the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, Yamaha Ténéré 700, or even the BMW F 850 GS? A proper review will help liven up the debate. While readers didn’t specify a review based on dirt or asphalt, Motorcyclist would split the difference. Maybe we’ll throw some light stunting in too.
2023 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST
Depending on who you believe, Motorcyclist is either beholden to Milwaukee deep-state interests or inherently biased against America. Neither is true. We love all motorcycles, regardless of race, creed, or color. Readers were quite taken by the limited-edition Low Rider El Diablo, what with the fancy paint and devil motif. But so were the 1,500 buyers who bought them all up in short order. But don’t despair, there’s still the Low Rider ST, which likewise pays tribute to the classic 1983 FXRT and “Tallboy” culture. The upright riding ergonomics and tall front end complement the capable liquid-cooled 117ci Milwaukee-Eight mill. We’re grabbing our yellow vests and modular helmets and cruising Long Beach for a week. Stay tuned.
2023 Suzuki V-Strom 650 and XT Adventure
It would seem readers want a last hurrah before everything goes sideways. The Suzuki V-Strom 650 and XT Adventure models (plus the 1050 models) are holdouts in an increasingly parallel-twin world. How much budget-tastic joy has this liquid-cooled 645cc 90-degree V-twin mill given riders over the years? Might as well count pixels in the rainbow. Behemoth 1,000cc ADV rigs will always collect souvenir stickers and grace Whole Foods parking lots, but it makes sense folks want Suzuki’s middleweight 650 in action, pics, and words. Seeing as how we might be singing a classic swan song, Motorcyclist will put real thought into a proper review concept. Got any suggestions for a challenging trip? You started all this so don’t hold back. Let those comments fly.
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com