2010 moty
 

I'm not surprised... BMW S1000rr is Motorcyclist Magazine's Motorcycle of the Year.

Best sportbike: Aprilia RSV4
Best naked: Kawasaki Z1000
Best touring: Ducati multistrada 1200s
Best adventure: BMW 1200gs
Best dreambike: Ducati 1198r corse
Best bang for the Buck: HD forty-eight
Best cruiser: triumph Thunderbird
Best dirtbike: Yamaha yz450f

I can't put much credit in these especially after the whole helmet debacle.

but seriously the best ADVENTURE bike is the 1200gs?! come on... great bike to be sure... but that's like saying the best off road vehicle is a Hummer. there are MUCH more capable bikes for Adventure Riding... shit My DRZ for one! KLR for two!

I'm not trying to take anything away from the S1000rr... but these "awards" are a joke... just like the J.D. Power and Associates, Car and Driver... ect

Gotta agree with you on this...

I think this is where the varying definition of "adventure riding" comes into play.

My definition, for example, is simply riding some distance to someplace to which I've never been. It can be totally on-road the whole way. *shrug*

This debate, however, has been going on for some time. ;)

(by the way, someday there WILL be a GS in my garage :lol:)

Ebbs, I don't disagree with the overall sentiment, many surveys are just worth their weight in paper.

As far as your take on adventure riding, that 1200gs is the bomb diggity mack daddy of adventure riding. It is much more than a "big dirt bike" as it not only handles off pavement maneuvers, but can take a distance ride without too much wear on bike AND rider.

FWIW, KLR was the runner up.

yeah I wasn't trying to discount your post or stir up an argument (glad you didn't take it that way)

Like I said... the GS is a great bike... but not the best off road... yes... a great rider can take it places I can't go with my DRZ... but that's all rider skill.

shit look at trip... I'm sure he'd be able to do just about anything I can do on my DRZ on his GS... but he's got skill in loads beyond mine.


I guess it's like PM said... varying definitions of Adventure. for me, Adventure needs to throw in some off road. otherwise... it's just touring. now depending on what kind of off road your talking about... the GS could be king... but I think it's just too big to be truly at home off road. JMO

but I may be bias... as I'm starting to dislike big bikes... more and more with the DRZ I'm loving how small and nimble they are... and wonder why you'd ever want to have 500+lbs of bike (not including gear) to maneuver around.

I heard a good quote about adventure riding
"at the end of the day... you'll never wish your bike was bigger or heavier... you'll only ever wish it was smaller and lighter" Austin Vince

An adventure doesn't have to be hardcore dirt, it can be even on road... The GS is one of the best all around bikes and thus great for an adventure bike. It's amazing for touring, it's a shitty dirt bike, it's an awesome primitive road bike, it's a fuckin amazing road bike, it can carry a ton. It's got a lot of positives.

A DRZ is not even a one trick pony. It's mediocre at every thing it does. It's a shitty dirt bike, it's a shitty touring bike, it's very hindered by it's 5 gears.

Hell, I really want a WR250X to replace my DRZ because it's like a DRZ on crack. It's so much lighter and better for true dirt, it's got EFI, it's got a 6th gear for road fun. It's got the same power.

Too many people associate adventure riding with dirt, that's not everything adventure is about. They already have a name for that, it's called dirt riding. They already got a name for on and off road, it's dual sport. Adventure is just getting out there and having a blast and having an ADVENTURE, it can be any type of riding. Don't be a dumbass Jo Momma bitch and try to make it sound elitist.

I'm not knocking the GS... just saying I don't think it's the top ADVENTURE bike... IMO. too heavy. and carrying a lot IMO isn't a positive... just adds more weight... and useless items.

The DRZ sucks in the states for touring... because of the long distances and our (american's) need to get everywhere fast. but I've got no complaints other than the seat. which, I've yet to find a bike that had a stock seat that was great (I'm sure there are a couple out there... just not the majority) but get out of the US... the speeds slow down and the DRZ is fine. shit I can still do 75 all day and get 45mpg... did that with Gas for 750+miles.

I wasn't trying to turn this into a my bike is better than that one argument. Just trying to state that these awards are fucking bullshit and there are far better bikes out there.

and Trip... they already have a name for what you described Adventure riding as too... it's called TOURING. I'm all about people getting out and riding... regardless of where you go or how you do it... it'll be an adventure (some more so than others). but I think if you take your definition of Dual sport riding... and Touring... you'll have what I in-vision as Adventure riding.

I wasn't trying to make anything sound elitist... wtf did that come from?

I am not saying touring. I didn't say long distances at all or even having to go anywhere. I said just getting out there. You don't even need to go very far from your house to have an adventure.

Carrying a lot is a positive, you don't have to carry a ton, but having the ability is a positive for someone who wants to pack a lot if they are going on a very long trip.

This thread is just taking a turn that every adventure riding definition takes on adv rider. That's why I say elitist. Hell a harley can be a great adventure riding bike. I don't think there is a #1 adv bike. I think the #1 adv bike is the bike any person owns, because that's the bike you are going to have an adventure on.

then what's the point of the category then if every bike can be an adventure bike?

I agree the best bike, is the bike your sitting on... but to stir the pot a bit using your definition... I think you'll have more of an adventure on a moped than a GS... after all... getting into things way over your head is an adventure! just like the Top Gear episode with the $1000 bikes! :lol:

It's a stupid category. I agree.

That episode was awesome, but I don't think it was the bikes. It was the people that made it fun.

fun yes... adventure no.

remember an adventure isn't always fun nor enjoyable. had they done the same thing on GS1200's or DRZ's or any larger bike... it wouldn't have been much of an adventure... and they'd have a lot more work on their hands to make it worth while to air. (but I'm sure it would have still been a blast)

There you go adding elitist stipulations to it again. You don't have to have a hard time or it be difficult to be an adventure. I am sure they could of made it entertaining because Jeremy couldn't even ride before the show. And the pranks would of still been just as funny. They maybe wouldn't of had the threat to run the American bike though.

Being entertaining for a forum or television show isn't a requirement for an adventure.

The F800GS dusts its ass both on-road and off-road. Not to mention the real adventure motorcycle from Austria.

But, it sucks ass for distance. It's a brilliant motorcycle, in fact my favorite off the entire fleet. But, between the thin seat [both meaning narrow and lack of padding] and small tank it just won't go any amount of distance reasonably.

The MOTY competition at motorcyclist is just the latest and greatest sportbike.

Every time.

I would bet dollars to donuts that Sport Rider will have the same result.

Yup. doubt they even have anyone on staff who can push them properly. Rag only gets read cause its free. Once

There's a thing called "gas station".

Not in the mountains. And, if they are there - most are not open 24-hours. Ask me how I know :lol:

Do tell..I don't remember any "Zoomie pushing a bike" pics in your Oregon/Washington trip photo spread. :lol:

:lol: I coasted in... with a few miles left on the ticker. THAT station was open. All the others, were not. Including each station we stopped at before.

Oh yeah......I DO remember that pic. :lol:

I want an S1000RR but I probably cant fit on one :(

I fit on one, I just can't fit one in(to my budget).
:lol:

Come on... the 800 will go 250! that's more than long enough for 90% of the trips most would take. and an extra 2 gal or shit even 1 gal take will put you over the 300 mark.

as far as the seat... even the 1200 needs work there...

200 per tank real riding

1200s seat is much better but neither are great. Replacing them is preferred.

What the fuck is this thread about anymore? It's a silly magazine ranking, it doesn't change a damn thing except makes people pissy for some reason.

200??!!?! :lol: I didn't get 200. But then, you're right... real riding does change the definition a bit.

I was just reading the magazine on my way home from Boston and thought I would type up the "winners." The article was a good read. :idk:

what did you get then?

from most of the people I've heard from (only two in person... the rest on forums) they're getting between 50-70mpg (yeah not sure I believe the 70mpg either)

I'd guess closer to 150. A rider could probably get a lot better out of a tank if on a slab and not ON IT... But, we were playing and hauling ass - didn't really pay attention until I looked down and saw the gas gauge at less than a quarter of a tank. :panic:

FWIW, it is my favorite bike on the fleet for yay-happy-fun-days off. I just have to be more aware of where the gas stations are when we are in bum-fuck-nowhere. Well, maybe it's just my love for it as it is the bike that got me this job...

I will agree I was disappointed in the fact that the tank is so small... and damn the TT tank is 1. but fucking ugly... and 2. ungodly expensive.

to be honest... throw the Verseys motor in the current KLR with some upgraded suspension and you have a PERFECT bike. 6 gal of gas, a Twin that gets 45-60mpg (again varied reports) throw in a 400W stator... and boom..

if Kawi could do it with out making it hideous... I'd buy it! FWIW I think the current KLR is a good looking bike. (just wished both headlights came on for Hi and low... isn't that a weight saving thing from sport bikes anyways?)