[Cpt. Joe]

The Kawasaki Ninja 1000 makes Road & Track's "10 Best Buys of 2014 Motorcycles"

The Kawasaki was featured as one of Road & Track's "10 Best Buys of 2014 Motorcycles." R&T talks about the bike's versatility -- it is aggressively styled and quick, yet "mellow enough in temperament to appeal to the everyday rider or weekend tourer." The 125-hp engine is quite pwoerful, and the the bike comes with the same three-mode traction control system as Kawasaki's top-level ZX-14R, as well as ABS. All that for under $12k! Sounds good to me.

Here's the full list:
10. Honda Grom
9. Star Bolt
8. Suzuki V-Strom 650 Abs
7. Indian Chief Classic
6. Yamaha FZ-09
5. Victory Cross Roads 8-Ball
4. Kawwasaki Ninja 1000
3. Ducati 899 Panigale
2. Harley Davidson Sportster Superlow
1. Honda CTX700N

Read up on the whole list here --> The 10 Best Buys in 2014 Motorcycles - Road & Track

 

[KawiRider]

not surprised at all, do you know if the 2013 Ninja 1000 made it to a list like this?
2014 brought some good changes, might be one of the reasons why it's here.

 

[stayup]

nice.

a few sweet motorcycles on there. also been looking at the 899 panigale, FZ09 and even the Honda GROM.

 

[KawiRider]

nice.

a few sweet motorcycles on there. also been looking at the 899 panigale, FZ09 and even the Honda GROM.

I heard people complain about the 899, saying how if you can easily afford it, you might be better off spending a bit extra and get the higher 1199 model. Might be something for you to consider.

 

[-VOID-]

How much more is the nicer Panigale? I think its about $2500 more. This list is pretty diverse though. many of these bikes don't really compete with each other or anything. Hmmm, a Panigale, or a Grom? This is not something that people say or think.

I do think that the Ninja 1000 is one of the best value bikes you can buy these days though. The FZ-09 is also quite a good deal.

 

[KawiRider]

its not a natural transition for a good number of people but there will be some that can afford an 899 that would buy a Ninja 1000.

 

[Cpt. Joe]

I think that this list is less of a ranking and more of a selection. It seems to me that the compilers wanted to have a diverse range of bikes that are the best of the year instead of just putting every high powered sport bike, or really high value bike on the list.

How do you guys think they should evaluate which bikes should make a list like this?

 

[KawiRider]

Bikes that offer the best bang for buck and value in it's segment. A good amount of these bikes do that. The FZ-09 is another one of them aside from the Ninja 1000