That magazine is dead to me.

[arai_speed]

They are a private magazine that has a right to print what they feel is the best bike of the year.  Same thing with Maxim printing their top 100 sexiest girls of all time, do I agree with their pics? Maybe on some but not on others....but I definitely don't get worked up over it!

To a regular Joe, the following statement might seem odd:

Magazine: "Hey Joe, the Ducati Monster is the best bike, the first major service will cost you $1100, but it's the best bike out there"

[factorPlayer]

Sure they can print whatever they want but there are ramifications for ill-considered pieces.

In this case it's pretty solidly demsontrated that they have utterly lost touch with their core readership, if not reality.  You can go declare a 60hp jap commuter bike of the year all you want, I'm just going to hold everything you say afterward with the same regard as a turd falling into my drink 

They aren't even consistent with their own prior history; consider their past MOTY's

2005 BMW K1200R
2006 Triumph Daytona 675
2007 KTM SuperDuke

Then add the Versys.  Which one does not belong? 

[m0t0g0th]

Sure they can print whatever they want but there are ramifications for ill-considered pieces.

In this case it's pretty solidly demsontrated that they have utterly lost touch with their core readership, if not reality.  You can go declare a 60hp jap commuter bike of the year all you want, I'm just going to hold everything you say afterward with the same regard as a turd falling into my drink 

They aren't even consistent with their own prior history; consider their past MOTY's

2005 BMW K1200R
2006 Triumph Daytona 675
2007 KTM SuperDuke

Then add the Versys.  Which one does not belong? 

maybe it's the year that's different: gas prices through the roof.
maybe a putt that does something practical is the Motorcycle the masses need this year?

[Pancake81]

I agree with the fella who mentioned the brit mags.  always a welcomed change when I find em

[DoubleEagle]

I get alot of Motorcycle Mags including Motorcyclist and I had to just scratch my head and say WTF as far as the Motorcycle of the year was concerned.

I do believe they named the 1098 R a winner and the 848 a runner up in another category.  Dolph

[long haired lout]

Would I buy a Versys? No but I can see their reasoning behind choosing it.

"Compared to righteously awesome bikes like the beemer HP2, KTM Super Enduro and Adventure, and of course just about any Ducati"

HP2 hideously expensive and so so narrow in it's focus (my boss owns one). KTM Super Enduro and Adventure slow selling with bad resale values. Which Ducati and under which criteria?

Personally dislike the UK mags, juvenile and superficial.

A friend has a very rapidly ridden 1098S as his toy but his daily rider come rain or shine is guess what?

[Jobu]

Would I buy a Versys? No but I can see their reasoning behind choosing it.

"Compared to righteously awesome bikes like the beemer HP2, KTM Super Enduro and Adventure, and of course just about any Ducati"

HP2 hideously expensive and so so narrow in it's focus (my boss owns one). KTM Super Enduro and Adventure slow selling with bad resale values. Which Ducati and under which criteria?

Personally dislike the UK mags, juvenile and superficial.

A friend has a very rapidly ridden 1098S as his toy but his daily rider come rain or shine is guess what?

Your mom? 

[Statler]

Bike of the year seems artificial to me, because it's just bikes released this year.   I don't know anyone who cross shops only new models.   If something is innovative then do write-up on it, but comparing brand new models to only each other is strange.

But at least the comparison explained the winner pretty well.    And of course it was all about practicality.

I'm curious, what new model should have won (and why) according to people in the thread who hated the choice by the magazine?

I could make a good argumen for the 1098r if the traction control were steet legal (cuts spark but not injectors so spits unburned fuel out).

[bulldogs2k]

maybe it's the year that's different: gas prices through the roof.
maybe a putt that does something practical is the Motorcycle the masses need this year?

What this guy said  ! 

Also, this bike is POPULAR in europe because it is a good commuter, it is narrow (great for lane splitting in London traffic, trust me, I know!), tall and economical.  Also, I read a review from a european test rider saying this bike has always been on his short list because it was great all-around bike! 

.....He also said the bike may not catch on in the U.S. because the American public was not used to this type of bike....And he is right! 

Lastly, the bike is CHEAP!!!!  And that is a huge factor considering this bike is competing with other ADV bikes and "dual sports" such as the BMW GS 650 (800 twin). 
 

[long haired lout]

Your mom? 

I guess your mom is proud she raised a make the beast with two backswit.

[Statler]

Jobu and long haired lout, knock it off.

[Jobu]

Jobu and long haired lout, knock it off.

[factorPlayer]

yeah guys, don't come in here and crap in my jap bike-bashing thread.

[Monstermash]

I'm curious, what new model should have won (and why) according to people in the thread who hated the choice by the magazine?

Well according to the Magizine, (and I'm not sure they mentioned it this year) the MOTY is all about significance in the industry. Huh? What is so significant about an underpowered ugly bike with crappy suspension?

I'm not sure I know what I would choose for MOTY if it were my decision. It is difficult because I haven't ridden all of the current models. Although I may not agree with the past years selections I can at least understand why they were chosen. This years bike offers nothing new in the way of technology or anything that even sets it apart from any other run of the mill standard. Not to mention it's just a warmed over Ninja 650 with different body work and seating position.

If they had chosen something like the new BMW SP2 I may not have agreed but I would have respected the choice a lot more.

[krolik]

BFD, its not like I ever bought a bike because it was MOTY.

It's a subjective choice by the editorial staff.  What was funny were the comments by Catterson about how he sent the MOTY email to everyone at Motorcyclist, and some of the replies he got.

Did you ever noice how the reviews of motorcycles never go below 3 stars?