If shootouts are MO’s bread and butter, single bike reviews and first rides are the main course. Motorcyclists crave information on the newest machinery, and we try our best to give you what you want. While you may not always agree with our opinions – and occasionally even accuse us of being on the take when our impressions don’t mesh with your desires – we try our level best to let you know what we think about every bike we have the good fortune to throw a leg over. For 2022, we have a resounding winner that left the rest of the reviews and first rides in the dust, and when you get to that entry, we figure that you won’t be very surprised.
3. 2021 Honda PCX Review: Alternative Transportation
So, the third most read review on MO in 2022 wasn’t even published this year. Go figure. If nothing else, this popularity points to the importance of the scooter market and why we keep publishing reviews of them. The writing is on the wall. We need to do even more.
2021 Honda PCX Review: Alternative Transportation
John Burns has been carrying the scooter flag here at MO and is constantly saying how much he loves their versatility. The Honda PCX features just enough power to get the job done in an urban environment with its 157cc liquid-cooled single. It has more storage than the previous generation. It looks good, and according to Mr. Burns: “Honda says its ultimate tool for tackling urban environments in style has also evolved to a new level of comfort. It’s hard to disagree. It’s faster and smoother, too.”
2. 2021 Yamaha MT-09 SP Review – Street And Track
It’s easy to say that this article ranks as high as it does because it was published way back in January, but there’s more to the story than that. For example, seven of the top 10 articles for the year were new model previews published long after this review and ranked even higher in our analytics. So, we can only surmise that there is something about the MT-09 SP.
2021 Yamaha MT-09 SP Review – Street And Track
Starting with the bike that won the 2021 Six-Way, 900(Ish)Cc Naked Bike Shootout , Yamaha laid on some select upgrades, in the form of an upgraded KYB fork, an Öhlins shock, and cruise control, to make the bike even better. To give you the full story on the SP, Troy then rode it on both the street and the track, all of which led him to say: “As a street bike meant to do a little bit of everything, this thing is a gem. Comfortable, compliant, balanced, and fun are the four words you really need to know to sum up this whole thing. Should you really spend the extra money on cruise control and nicer suspension? Tough call. If you do, know you won’t be disappointed.”
1. 2022 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ Review – First Ride
How excited were MO readers when it came to the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+? The first ride review of it was the 13th most read article on the whole site in 2022. When you take away the eight permanent pages on the site (homepage, specs page, search page, etc.), the importance of the GT+ with you is clear.
2022 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ Review – First Ride
And we were excited, too. After some extended wrestling, Troy landed the opportunity to attend Suzuki’s introduction, and he came back impressed. The formula was enticing in just the spec sheet: the known quantity of the K5 engine, updated with modern electronics (like a quickshifter), and included hard luggage. After two long days in the saddle, Troy summed up the bike thusly: “Suzuki completely revamped the GSX-S1000GT to make it the complete sport-touring package. Anchored by a massaged version of the legendary K5 GSX-R1000 engine, not only can it take you from Point A to Point B quickly, but comfortably, too.”
So, that’s a look back at 2022, a year that the MO staff won’t likely forget. However, New Years is just a few days away, and as always, motorcycle enthusiasts are constantly looking forward to what the manufacturers have up their sleeves for the upcoming model year. Hang on!
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