Off Duty, Automotive - Army Times

Best bikes

So far, the economic collapse hasn’t crippled the motorcycle market — probably because even top-tier bikes are cheap compared with cars. And most of them — even the highest-performance sport bikes — still get better gas mileage than the best econoboxes.

For 2009, the trend toward ever-more-specialized bikes continues. Like microbrew beers, there are now machines to suit just about any taste — and just about any budget, too.

Here are some of the standouts:

Dual sports & trail bikes

MW F800GS

Dual sports are too often too big and too heavy for anything more than light trail work, or too small and too underpowered for extended highway riding. Thus was born the concept of “adventure-touring” bikes like the BMW F800GS, which can be used for just about anything when the pavement ends but can also be used for long-distance and everyday rides, too.

For trail work, the F800GS features a 21-inch front rim, 17-inch rear rim and long-travel (9 inches front, 8.5 inches rear) suspension. The setup consists of cartridge-style 45mm forks up front rather than the usual Telelever system used on other BMW street bikes. There’s a rugged and simple chain drive, too, instead of the usual BMW Paralever driveshaft. Riders can choose from two seat heights — 34.6 and 33.5 inches — which is a nice touch that makes this bike less of a one-size-fits-all deal than most competitors.

The 798cc fuel-injected parallel twin engine has been scrunched to 8.3 degrees (from 30) in order to make room for the long-travel suspension and has been fitted with a unique radiator designed to provide maximum low-speed cooling — essential for off-road durability. With 85 horsepower on tap, this bike’s power output is actually higher than the peak output of the fastest liter-class sport bikes of the 1970s, such as the legendary Kawasaki Z1900.

YAMAHA WR250R

On the other end of the spectrum is the new WR250R. It’s still Transportation Department street legal, so you can ride to your favorite trail, but it gives up almost nothing as a full-on dirt bike.

The WR is also one of the first bikes in its class to switch from a carburetor to electronic fuel injection, which was done to improve throttle response and optimize efficiency. The water-cooled, high-compression (11.8:1) single features superlightweight titanium intake valves (vs. steel) for less reciprocating mass and better revving. It produces class-leading power (25.2 hp) and torque (17.7 pounds to feet at 8,500 rpm) and is capable of 71 miles per gallon — better mileage than a Prius hybrid. Electric start (with automatic decompression) is standard, too.

Off-road equipment includes adjustable 46mm inverted Kayaba front forks (with protectors for the lowers), a fully adjustable Monocross rear spring with 10.6 inches of total travel at each end, an HD O-ring chain (about an inch more travel than the carbureted Honda CRF230L) and DOT-legal off-road knobbies on 17-inch (front) and 18-inch (rear) rims. Seat height is adjustable, too.

This bike is a bit more expensive than some competitors but offers capability, power and sophistication that’s at the top of its class.

MSRP $5,899

SUZUKI RMZ450

This is the world’s first mass-produced, full-on motocross bike to be fitted with factory-electronic fuel injection.

The Keihin throttle-body EFI does not require a battery for power (as on injected street-legal bikes like the WR250R above). The onboard magneto supplies the juice to operate the in-tank fuel pump and drive the engine control unit, which runs the TBI.

The 4-stroke, 450cc engine is also all new and features 12.2:1 compression, a revised combustion chamber and an interesting semidry sump oiling system with the gearbox, serving as the oil sump for both transmission and engine. This allows for a compact engine and a lower center of gravity.

In addition to the running gear, the RMZ450 also gets fresh bodywork, including “slim design” radiator shrouds as well as upgraded brakes and recalibrated suspension built around the bike’s light-alloy twin-spar frame.

The only downside is the bike’s price. But as they say, speed is just a question of money. How fast do you want to go?

MSRP $7,499

Sport bikes

DCATI 1098 STREET FIGHTER

“Brain Smasher” would have worked, too. Unlike so many “naked” sport bikes, this one didn’t lose its testosterone along with its plastic.

It’s the same basic bike as the fully faired (and ferocious) 1098, just stripped of its body cladding to reveal the underlying musculature.

Features include Showa suspension (with Ohlins forks and superlightweight Marchisini-forged rims optional), top-of-the-line Brembo monobloc calipers and Ducati’s first production bike application of electronic traction control, considered a necessary item given the 155 horsepower on tap.

The power plant is the same 1098cc water-cooled, fuel-injected V-twin used in the 1098, detuned from that bike’s 160-rated horsepower.

Twin “shotgun” exhaust and a single-sided swingarm round out this impressive package. The Street Fighter will be available this spring.

Estimated MSRP $14,999

WASAKI ZX-6R

Heavily revised for 2009, the ZX-6R weighs in 22 pounds lighter and 8 horsepower stronger (132 hp total) with major changes to the chassis and front suspension, including a standard Ohlins steering damper (as on the ZX-10) and new-design 37mm Showa “Big Piston” front forks designed to give the rider the same damping force during corners/transitions as before, but with more controllability, especially at max compression.

The clip-ons are also canted downward a bit more and moved back slightly. This bike is much closer in its ergos to the previous ( and race-ready) 599RR than the slightly more street-oriented 636. But Kawi engineers worked hard to preserve the reasonably street-friendly torque/hp curve and part-throttle power delivery of the 636, making the new Ninja a track-day weapon you can think about riding to work on Monday.

MSRP $9,799

BUELL XB12SS LIGHTNING

The ’09 XB12Ss is the latest evolution of the bike that first appeared back in ’03, when Buell was working to convince buyers its bikes weren’t just hopped-up Harleys.

Several changes are designed to make the XB12Ss perform better. The 1203cc engine has been tuned to deliver high-RPM power, pulling strong to the 7,000-RPM redline without losing the muscle-car torque that makes riding a Buell in traffic and at low speeds so easy and comfortable, especially when compared with the often-peaky 15,000-RPM-plus inline fours from Japan.

Another update is the new, “long travel” suspension, first seen on the Super TT. It has 5.6 inches of travel (both ends). The big torque twin will do the rest, while a high-up 30.6-inch seat makes this bike more agreeable for taller riders.

Cruising/touring bikes

SUZUKI BOULEVARD M90

This is not a beginner’s bike, but it is a bike that newer riders will enjoy. It’s also one of the least expensive yet powerful middleweight cruisers available.

The M90 shares the drag-inspired styling of its bigger brother, the M109R: similar cowling, swept-back teardrop tank and down-low solo seat, but on a shorter (by 2.4 inches) wheelbase with a more upright riding position than the M109R.

The “90” in M90 refers to the bike’s water-cooled, 54-degree V-twin’s 1462cc displacement, which equals 90 cubic inches. Other bikes in this price range, like the Honda VTX1300 and Yamaha VStar 1300, can’t match the M90’s displacement or power output. Don’t let the under-$10K (OK, just barely, but still) sticker price fool you. This is a lot of bike for the money — and then some.

MSRP $9,999

HYOSUNG GV650 SE

Like Hyundai in the ’80s, Hyosung is trying to break into the U.S. market by offering bikes that undercut the existing players.

Yes, the styling blatantly rips off the Harley V-rod. But to quote legendary GM designer Bill Mitchell, who was accused of ripping off Ferrari ideas: “If you’re going to rob someone, don’t hold up a 7-Eleven. Rob a bank.” This is a pretty bike — no matter who originally came up with the styling. And it has unique touches, too, including a candy-red anodized, tubular alloy frame and matching rims with lots of offsetting black chrome, including the rear shocks.

For power, there’s an 80-hp, 650cc water-cooled V-twin with EFI connected to a 5-speed and belt drive. A full range of accessories is available, too.

Remember: People laughed at Hyundai back in the ’80s, too. But for the money, this bike is worth considering.

HONDA GL1800 GOLDWING AD

The Big Kahuna of long-distance road bikes gets an air bag for 2009 — the first motorcycle to offer them.

The ’09 Goldwing also features DVD-based GPS navigation with voice prompting through headsets as well as an XM-Sirius satellite navigation with real-time traffic and weather updates, heated seats and grips, foot warmers, motorized multireflector headlight aiming system, electric-assist reverse and more total cargo/storage capacity (almost 150 liters) than any other touring bike. Argument-ending power is the capstone of this long-hauler. A 1832cc (a car-sized 2.0 liters’ worth) 6 cylinder pumping 165 horsepower through a 5-speed gearbox and shaft drive. Can’t touch this!

Customs/street machines

HARLEY XR1200 STREET TRACKER

Finally, American riders will have a chance to buy one of the most interesting cycles Harley has ginned up.

It’s hard to classify this machine, inspired by AMA Grand National racing and the XR-750. It’s part sport, part muscle bike.

Gunfighter-style solo seat; fender eliminator; extra-fat 17-inch Dunlop Qualifier D209 back tire; twin shotgun-style exhaust snugged close to the frame; big, old-school analog tach perched on the bars; hopped-up, high-compression 1200cc Evolution V-twin — all you need, with zero B.S.

Best of all, the sticker price is slightly higher than the price of a basic 1200cc Sportster.

The XR1200 Street Tracker is built for action, with sporty rear-set pegs and a low-rise handlebar set up to let the rider take full advantage of this bike’s 39-degree lean-angle capability. And the muscled-up V-twin (unique to this bike) is not just pretty to look at. It has custom ground-performance cams and other internal upgrades.

Harley is clearly gunning for a younger crowd that likes its bikes lean and mean — and rides the snot out of them. If that’s you, the Street Tracker won’t disappoint.

MSRP $10,799