The colder weather might signal the end of the riding season in many parts of the country, but that's no reason to stop hunting for your next bike. Many of the 2014 motorcycles have already hit dealer lots - and there are plenty of bargains no matter what genre of motorcycling you enjoy. Here are 10 of our favourites for every budget.
1. Honda Grom
Base Price: US$2999
Honda's tiny new Grom is already gaining a cult following. It's just so darn cute. The 125-cc minibike may look like a downsized sportbike, but, though it can hit 55 mph, it really isn't fast enough for the freeway. This bike is best as a beachside cruiser. That's even where this featherweight got its name (a Grom is a young surfer kid). And that speaks to who Honda expects to be pining for the bike.
But beyond the beach, the Grom is cool for anyone. We could see this bike as a very smart alternative to a traditional scooter because it's roomy enough for a six-footer and packs way more fun. Best of all, the Grom is so compact it makes hauling the bike around relatively easy compared to, say, carrying Honda's larger CBR250.
2. Star Bolt
Base Price: US$7990
The Japanese bike makers are never shy about emulating American cruisers, but this time Star (Yamaha's cruiser division) has not only cloned the legendary Harley-Davidson Sportster but in many ways made it better. The new Bolt is an entry-level cruiser bike that targets the Harley Iron 883. But the Bolt's 942-cc twin delivers more torque, so it's probably slightly quicker than the Harley. There's more suspension travel, as well, so there's a definitive ride quality advantage too. And at just under eight grand, the Bolt costs about US$400 less than the Iron 883. It's one of the best deals out there for an affordable, classically styled cruiser.
3. Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS
Base Price: US$8499
Two years ago we put the V-Strom 650 on our best-buy shopping list, because in the world of adventure bikes, the smallest V-Strom was one of the most rewarding and beloved machines in Suzuki's stable. This year it makes the cut again because it remains a great bike at a nice price. And over the past couple of years, the price has gone up by only US$200.
The V-Strom is in many ways a poor man's BMW adventure bike. And this is one bike that can easily double as your daily ride as well as your weekend get-out-of-town toy. You sit tall on the V-Strom, in a riding position that's comfortable for long hauls but also lets you gaze far out in front, scanning for traffic. There's around 6 inches of wheel travel at each end of the V-Strom, so pothole pounding on the way to the office will be much smoother here than on any sportbike. Best of all, the V-Strom comes packing ABS, so a journey that finds you caught out in wet weather will be a lot safer.
4. Indian Chief Classic
Base Price: US$18,999
Remaking an icon is a risky business. Plenty can go wrong if the new product doesn't hold up to the standard. But when Polaris, makers of Victory motorcycles, decided to relaunch Indian, America's very first motorcycle brand, they tackled the job properly.
First on the agenda was the development of a new and properly massive 111-cubic-inch V-twin. It had to have a sound all its own, and it does. Plus it throws down a respectable 119 lb-ft of torque. The engineers wrapped the lump in a new frame and stunning retro bodywork.
The new Indian bikes are available in three models: the Classic, Vintage, and Chieftain. And while it might be hard to look at a nearly US$20,000 motorcycle as a good value, in the world of cruisers, the Indians offer a lot of standard equipment for the price. For instance, full leather seats and saddlebags come standard on the Vintage model, and a power windshield comes standard on the Chieftain‚ though those two cost more than the Classic. All bikes come with keyless starting.
5. Yamaha FZ-09
Base Price: US$7990
It's usually the bikes that have been on the market for a while that tend to be the best values. Not in this case. The new FZ-09 costs around US$800 less than the outgoing model, and it gets better. The new Yamaha also 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 we appreciate.
6. Victory Cross Roads 8-Ball
Base Price: US$15,999
When looking for a good deal at the Victory store, the 8-Ball models are always a good place to start. These blacked-out models look sinister because there's nearly no chrome on them at all. We like the look, and, in the case of the new Cross Roads 8-Ball, it saves two full grand over the standard model. And the riding experience is no different than any other Cross Roads, because under the tank is the same torquey 106-cubic-inch V-Twin paired to a six-speed.
The Cross Roads is one the purest bagger-style cruisers around; there is no windshield or extra bodywork, just a couple of hard, lockable saddlebags. If you've got a few extra dollars in your wallet, there are plenty of Victory accessories that can help the 8-Ball stand out at the local Sunday biker spot.
7. Kawasaki Ninja 1000
Base Price: US$11,999
The new Ninja 1000 could be called a crossover sportbike. Yes, it's an aggressively styled, hyper-quick sportbike, but it's also mellow enough in temperament to appeal to the everyday rider or weekend tourer. The Ninja 1000's 125-hp motor is an animal‚ built to provide serious back-road thrills. Good thing, then, that this bike comes standard with the same three-mode traction control system as Kawasaki's top-level ZX-14R, as well as ABS. Getting that level of technology on a bike under twelve grand is bargain. Best of all, the Ninja 1000 can be optioned with hard saddlebags, so this sportbike can handle many long miles just like a real sport tourer.
8. 2014 Ducati 899 Panigale
Base Price: US$14,995
Ducati's heroic and hard-edged 1199 Panigale superbike is a monster that delivers nearly 200 hp of nearly racing bike performance on a track. It also costs just shy of US$20,000. Opt for the even more focused R model and that price tag moves up to nearly US$30,000. But 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 belts 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 too, 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 descent value.
9. Harley-Davidson Sportster Superlow
Base Price: US$8249
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. Unfortunately, many of the more elaborate bikes in Harley's stable are quite expensive. But way down at the bottom of the range is the Sportster Superlow, an entry-level cruiser that still delivers the Harley experience.
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.
10. 2014 Honda CTX700N
Base Price: US$6999
For the first time Honda makes our best-buy list twice in the same year. And this one is just as deserving as the Grom. 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 comfy ride, and a relaxed riding position. And Honda claims the CTX700N with its 670-cc twin will deliver 64 mpg.
There's a storage compartment above the gas tank and even an optional automatic transmission plus ABS braking system for an additional US$1000. Options include saddlebags, a passenger backrest, and heated grips, turning this bike into a low-cost tourer. 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.
Related Links:
10. 2010 Victory Cross Country and Cross Roads First Look: Two Cruisers Ready to Take on Harley-Davidson
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