Cycle World Ten Best Bikes 2020

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Just about the time manufacturers figured out basic electronic ignitions and how to keep oil inside engine and transmission cases, there’s been an ongoing chorus of “bikes are so good these days, you can just pick your favorite color.” Not true, never has been. Motorcycles are amazingly good, but product differentiation, improved technology, tightened regulations, and the ever-moving line of excellence mean there are always discernible differences and meaningful “bests.”

<em>Cycle World</em>’s Ten Best Motorcycles of 2020. (Robert Martin/)

These 10 bikes are just the latest examples of how far we’ve come, and when you compare them to where we were even five years ago, it’s clear there is no end to improvements in performance, safety, and fun.

2020 BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT STREETBIKE: KTM 890 Duke R

The KTM 890 Duke R is <em>Cycle World</em>’s Best Middleweight Streetbike for 2020. (Jeff Allen/)

Leave it to KTM to continuously “evolutionize” its platforms in search of perfection. Case in point: the KTM 890 Duke R. Only a short year after introducing the 790 Duke, the Austrians upgraded the middleweight Duke, making it lighter, faster, and more adjustable. The result is a well-balanced motorcycle with a fun factor of 11.

KTM’s 890 Duke R turned up the performance and fun from the 790 Duke with top-shelf parts and more power. (Jeff Allen/)

And despite taking Best Middleweight Streetbike honors, the KTM 890 Duke R is so much more than just a streetbike. The Duke blends the lines of everyday, civilized rideability with the Austrian’s unruly motard heritage and a punch of performance that will turn heads at the racetrack. Seriously. The torquey nature and immediate acceleration of its 889cc parallel twin, excellent-feeling WP Apex suspension components, Brembo brakes, state-of-the-art electronics package, and nimble chassis add a flavor that’s unfamiliar to its competitors.

Road or racetrack, the KTM 890 Duke R guarantees a helluva good time.

2020 BEST OPEN-CLASS STREETBIKE: Triumph Speed Twin

The Triumph Speed Twin is <em>Cycle World</em>’s Best Open-class Streetbike for 2020. (Jeff Allen/)

It could have been that moment late on a spring day when a staffer left the office to see the Speed Twin backlit by the setting sun, the great fiery ball actually framed by the motorcycle, that this bike cemented itself in our hearts and minds. “What?” you ask. Yes, the sun was shining right through the Triumph Speed Twin, framed by induction systems, cylinders, the transmission, and side covers because there is a beautiful airy hole there. It was an overwhelmingly perfect way to experience the classic British twin’s lines and stance.

Combining the look of a classic British twin with a sporty, Thruxton-derived chassis and torquey 1,200cc parallel twin brought new magic to Triumph’s Classic line. (Jeff Allen/)

But as much as we like looking at the Speed Twin, riding it is substantially more satisfying. Triumph’s 270-degree, 1,200cc parallel twin gives the bike a moving sound, which is backed up by 91 hp and 80 pound-feet of torque delivered through a slick six-speed gearbox. It doesn’t hurt that this is essentially a Thruxton chassis, which gives handling a sweet edge that livens up the bike in an enticing way. OK, so the thin seat does bum out the backside a bit, but the overall ergonomics are super comfortable. The Speed Twin is so much more than just a retro-inspired nostalgia trip; it is an exceptional big-bore motorcycle you’ll want to ride every day.

2020 BEST SUPERBIKE: Ducati Superleggera V4

The Ducati Superleggera V4 is <em>Cycle World</em>’s Best Superbike for 2020. (Jeff Allen/)

There are a lot of things to be impressed about with production open-class superbikes, and even more so with homologation-special racing models, but the Ducati Superleggera V4 is something extra special. It’s an Italian purebred built with a focus strictly on outright performance, completely unfettered by anything so arbitrary as racing regulations. Its focus on pure excellence extends to all the titanium and carbon fiber you can stand.

“Superleggera” translates to “super light.” And there’s not much else you need to know. Ducati claims that the Superleggera V4 is a featherweight 335.5 pounds—that’s with an empty fuel tank, drained of necessary oil, and also a missing battery. Still, that’s quite an impressive number. Pair that with the claimed 234 hp in racing-kit form, and you’ll know Ducati means business.

The Superleggera V4 is the ultimate example of Ducati’s V-4-powered superbike—a street-legal, production motorcycle designed to expand the boundaries of performance. (Jeff Allen/)

But performance numbers only mean so much, and what makes the Superleggera so impressive is its rideability. The Superleggera is dripping in top-shelf components, MotoGP-derived electronics, and usable performance. Oh, and biplane aerodynamic wings off of Ducati’s Desmosedici GP16 MotoGP racer. But premium products come at a premium price tag. Each bike costs $100,000, and only 500 were made.

Just as we have the dream of owning one to shoot for, so can other manufacturers dream of one day competing with the Superleggera.

2020 BEST ENDURO/DUAL SPORT: Beta 500 RR-S

The Beta 500RR-S is <em>Cycle World</em>’s Best Enduro/Dual Sport for 2020. (Jeff Allen/)

The dual-sport spectrum is wide these days. Over there on the mellow side, you can get yourself a soft-suspension, air-cooled couch that will reliably soldier on through most terrain, if you’re into that sort of thing. And then waaaaaay over there on the other end is this red-and-white flamethrower of pure, explosive racebike—and, oh, here are some lights hung on it. Leave it to the Italians to deliver a bike like this Beta 500 RR-S with so much corsa and just casually throw some street gear at the bike to see if it will stick like so much spaghetti. It’s this Italian manufacturer’s first appearance on Cycle World’s Ten Best list, and it comes thanks to a major overhaul that included a new engine, a redesigned frame, and updated suspension.

Its 478cc DOHC single produces 47 hp on Cycle World’s in-house dyno, which is a remarkable 6.7 more horsepower than its nearest competitor. Having a more aggressive engine character than its opponents contributes to the Beta’s racebike feel. Additionally, the engine’s abundance of usable torque makes the Italian machine more controllable and easy to ride a gear high when the situation calls for it. If there was ever a friendly flamethrower, this is it.

The 2020 Beta 500 RR-S puts a serious edge on dual sport fun with its exciting engine character and a superb-handling chassis. (Jeff Allen/)

ZF Sachs suspension provides a somewhat firm yet progressive feel throughout the stroke. Both ends are supple enough for technical terrain, but maintain a sufficient amount of holdup when speeds increase. The bike is narrow, the seat is hard, and the ergonomics are aggressive, and even though the 500 RR-S weighs as much as 10 pounds more than its hardcore competition, you’d never know by how easy it is to maneuver.

The Beta 500 RR-S takes the prize for its single-minded desire to shred. If Ducati ever built a race-focused dual sport bike inspired by MotoGP, it would be a lot like this.

2020 BEST STANDARD: Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC

The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC is <em>Cycle World</em>’s Best Standard for 2020. (Jeff Allen/)

The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC has us feeling all nostalgic. No, not for some vague idea about riding a parallel-twin sled in the desert with Bud Ekins and Steve McQueen in the ’60s, but for the time in early spring 2020 when we were exploring beautiful California back roads on five of the finest, most stylish standard bikes ever made. In fact, it was during that comparison test when the ultra-fine balance of the Triumph Scrambler proved itself, topping a very tough field over many, many inspirational miles of testing.

Its do-it-all personality helps the Triumph Scrambler 1200 XC do unstandard things, which helped make it Best Standard. (Jeff Allen/)

It turns out the Scrambler ethic perfectly expresses itself as a standard motorcycle, bringing huge flexibility and a sense of fun to a comfortable motorcycle of great utility. The XC’s suspension travel, slightly shorter than its off-roadier brother, the XE, makes for a lower seat height and easier overall “engagement,” if you will. But you still get awesome dirt-road chops so you can do the unstandard thing of throwing up a dust cloud in mountains, desert, or forest. Or across that dirt lot you see on your daily commute. So willing, so fun, so comfortable—so Best Standard.

2020 BEST ADVENTURE BIKE: KTM 790 Adventure R

The KTM 790 Adventure R is <em>Cycle World</em>’s Best Adventure Bike for 2020. (Jeff Allen/)

In the year following its introduction and being named to the Ten Best list with zero argument, the 2020 KTM 790 Adventure R has retained the title of Best Adventure Bike. Despite several new middleweight adventure models being introduced this year, the KTM 790 Adventure R tops the competition again.

The KTM 790 Adventure R continues to be the most extreme and capable adventure motorcycle you can buy. (Jeff Allen/)

Excellent handling and comfortable ergonomics work together in any situation—on or off road, sitting or standing. The low center of gravity and mass centralization achieved by the low-slung fuel tank and compact 799cc parallel twin give the 790 Adventure R lightning-quick response to rider inputs while remaining stable in rough terrain. The 9.5-inch-travel Xplor suspension eats big and small terrain unlike any other adventure motorcycle on the market, allowing for more control in all conditions and for higher speeds off road. Through all this, and the rally DNA you feel in every riding situation, the 790 Adventure R continues to dominate the middleweight class with more of nearly everything, though it does come at a premium price of $13,699. But if you want to play, this is the best way to pay—by rolling out of the dealer fully equipped. And we’d open our wallets every time for this midsize KTM ADV.

2020 BEST CRUISER: Indian Challenger

The Indian Challenger is <em>Cycle World</em>’s Best Cruiser for 2020. (Jeff Allen/)

Style and tradition drive desire in the cruiser market. Yes, we want more power, higher technology, and innovative gadgets, or even touchscreens and rider aids, but it better be dressed up in fringe and conchos, and delivered with a distinctly American twang. OK, so we don’t need fringe or conchos specifically, but you get the idea; it’s got to make us think red, white, and blue, even if it’s flat black. So, as the market asks for more performance from what amounts to a 1940s silhouette, what do manufacturers do? Well, if the manufacturer is Indian, it stuffs near-Gold Wing-level performance and technology in a classic bagger silhouette and calls it the 2020 Indian Challenger.

Indian’s Challenger offers more in nearly every way: Power, handling, and user features are all a step ahead of its bagger competition. (Jeff Allen/)

At the Challenger’s core is Indian’s new PowerPlus 108 engine that cranks 103.1 hp and 113.1 pound-feet of torque on the Cycle World dyno. The inverted fork, Fox monoshock, and Brembo braking system all work together to deliver an excellent balance of smooth riding, connected feel, and remarkable stability, whether you’re on the highway or carving through canyons. The sound system is loud and clear, the TFT touchscreen is bright and easily navigated, storage is ample, and ergonomics are well-tuned. For roughly the same price as the competition, the Challenger has more to offer in nearly every category.

2020 BEST LIGHTWEIGHT STREETBIKE: Kawasaki Z400

The Kawasaki Z400 is <em>Cycle World</em>’s Best Lightweight Streetbike for 2020. (Jeff Allen/)

It’s no fluke that Kawasaki has taken the class crown two years in a row with the same platform—scratch that, three years, if you include the full-faired Ninja 400. But the Z400 rightfully owns the title. This naked(ish) streetbike is easily approachable for less-experienced riders, but also packs an entertainment value that few other under-500cc bikes possess, and will cause an ear-to-ear grin no matter how many miles you have under your belt.

Kawasaki’s Z400 packs an unmatched entertainment punch for every level of rider, new or pro. (Jeff Allen/)

The compact 399cc parallel-twin engine produces 44 peak horsepower on our in-house dyno, but output is highlighted by a broad, flat torque curve. Meaning? Power delivery is extra-smooth and rider-friendly. To make it better, the Z400 comes equipped with ABS, a comfortable upright riding position, relatively low 30.9-inch seat height, and nimble chassis, not to mention the $4,999 suggested retail price. Did we mention it’s approachable?

2020 BEST TOURING BIKE: Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT Automatic

The Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT Automatic is <em>Cycle World</em>’s Best Touring Bike for 2020. (Jeff Allen/)

Freedom to roam is right at the heart of why we ride motorcycles. That makes it pretty easy to pick the Honda Gold Wing as the Best Touring Bike of 2020. Of course, touring bikes in general, from adventure to sport to luxury, fit the roaming bill. But what makes this Gold Wing different is the absolute ease of use and movement it provides in nearly every setting. The Tour model (with top trunk) and DCT (fully automatic or push-button seven-speed transmission) put this winning Gold Wing firmly in no-competition territory.

Its combination of sportiness, comfort, capability, and ease of use make the Honda Gold Wing one of the greatest touring motorcycles ever made. (Jeff Allen/)

If you have a religious affiliation with manual gearboxes, shift on, brothers and sisters, but we are here to tell you DCT is amazing, and it works with the Wing’s remarkable fingertip steering, compliant, controlled ride, and smooth-yet-growly 1,833cc flat-six that is happy ripping through the Rockies or traversing Texas in a single whack. The eagerness of this full-rig luxury touring bike to do exactly what you want is the real appeal here. Its overall high function entices you to ride all the time, everywhere, and the pure joy in efficient motion offers a kind of freedom that very few motorcycles ever made have done.

2020 BEST MOTOCROSS BIKE: Kawasaki KX450

The Kawasaki KX450 is <em>Cycle World</em>’s Best Motocross Bike for 2020. (Jeff Allen/)

Defending a title is said to be more difficult than winning it in the first place, but that’s exactly what the Kawasaki KX450 accomplished this year by taking its second consecutive Best Motocrosser award.

What helped it maintain its glorious victory? Start with an engine that provides a plentitude (yes, we said plentitude) of power combined with quick throttle response and phenomenal hydraulic clutch. This makes it easy to ride in any part of the powerband. Add in the KX450′s Showa 49mm coil-spring fork and Showa shock, which lean slightly more toward plushness rather than outright berm-slamming performance, and you have a chassis that is comfortable and easy to ride hard.

In claiming its second consecutive Best Motocrosser honor, the Kawasaki KX450 now has made the Ten Best Bikes list five times. (Jeff Allen/)

That excellent, beautifully damped suspension is holding up Kawasaki’s latest-generation aluminum chassis, which is designed to provide torsional rigidity to keep the bike tracking true, allied with just enough longitudinal flex to act as a kind of additional bump absorption when the track gets rough. Narrowness in the radiator shrouds, midsection, and number-plate area, and a flat seat help facilitate rider movement. In the most extreme and powerful class of motocrossers, the KX’s super-strong all-around performance outshines the competition.

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