Top 5 Bikes of 2016

For the past few years, motorcycle manufacturers have plateaued with their updates to current line of motorcycles and releases of new ones. But luckily, the tides seem to be changing the past two years after we have seen the revisions and releases of sportbikes we have been waiting for.

It wasn’t easy, but we decided to pick our top 5 favorite motorcycles of 2016. A few surprises may be thrown into our choices as sophistication and horsepower don’t always do it for us. Read on to find out what bikes made the cut.

Here’s to hoping we continue to be impressed with the motorcycles manufacturers produce, like the ones we have here:

2016 Yamaha YZ-F R1

Though the R1 remains the unchanged from last year (other than the 60th anniversary paint scheme that we can’t stop drooling over), it continues to stay on our go-to list for 2016. In the same fashion that the R1 shocked us at its initial release, the Yamaha continues to have us scratching our heads as to figure out how it’s so good. The refinement of the R1's MotoGP-inspired electronics package is still a common topic in our office and has yet to find competition that truly challenge its superiority, just one of the reasons it stays in the top five for 2016.

Yamaha YZF-R1 First Ride

2017 Suzuki SV650

For 2017, Suzuki reintroduced the SV650 and reminded us why we loved the bike so much in the past. The new-generation SV is the same no frills, motorcycle with a few extra details making it that much better. The motorcycle features a Low RPM Assist that adjusts engine speed during take-off to prevent stalling, an attractive aid for novice riders. Not to mention, the 645cc V-Twin has superb gas mileage making it easy on the wallet. We’re happy to have the SV650 back in the same fun platform that it once was.

Suzuki SV650 First Look

2016 Kawasaki ZX-10R

Our hopes were high when we had heard the ZX-10R would be updated for 2016, but what the Kawasaki engineers produced was above and beyond the day dreams we have in the office. The Ninja has been developed with feedback from Team Green’s WSBK efforts making it downright ruthless on the racetrack. Aside from updated electronic and engine packages, the ZX-10R boasts an incredible sense of stability and feel through the motorcycle’s chassis. Showa’s Balance Free Fork and shock contribute to this quality and is arguably the best suspension package direct from the showroom floor we have ever ridden. Kawasaki have certainly done their homework on this one.

Kawasaki ZX-10R Ride Review

2017 Kawasaki Z125 Pro

Who said bigger is better? Kawasaki’s new Z125 Pro proves that good things can come in small packages. And by good, we mean fun. The Z125 is Team Green’s answer to the increasingly-popular Honda Grom. The Kawasaki is built with a very similar platform and appearance to the Grom (I mean… just look at it), and the potential for fun is no different. But there’s one problem: with the release of their Z125 Pro, Kawasaki has only given our neighbors more of a chance to bust us for the occasional burnout or sliding in and out of the parking lot. But that’s a problem we are happy to have!

Kawasaki Z125 Pro First Look

2016 Yamaha XSR900

Yamaha addressed the growing café racer market with its new XSR900. The first words about the XSR made us skeptical that it was just an FZ-09 with a twist to grab the attention of a new crowd (which was a reasonable guess as it has the same 847cc powerplant as the FZ and close to the same chassis setup). But how Yamaha has built the XSR’s ergonomics and refined suspension makes it simply fun to ride. Add that to a sporty yet classic look, and the XSR is well into our top five.

Yamaha XSR900 First Look