Ten Best Bikes 2013 Our annual list continues to honor those who build the best.
Deep in our hearts, most of us know that we’d ride just about anything as long as we got to ride. It’s just part of being an enthusiast. But we also know that in the great competition of motorcycling, we all strive for the best, whether it’s how we ride or what we ride. The same goes for the passionate people who build motorcycles for us. This year has been fantastic, offering everything from technology-pushing superbikes and touring machines to the coolest cruisers and low-cost fun bikes. And all that rolls in between.
While there may be fewer models than were offered in some of the peak years before the Great Economic Highside of 2008-09, we have a more diverse market than ever. Inexpensive bikes to get new riders into riding have blossomed in a way we haven’t seen in decades. And at the high end, well, never has there been a time when electronics, technical improvements and overall design progress have brought more to the people, allowing us to ride faster, safer and farther.
Which is what we’ve spent the last year doing to help us determine the Ten Best Bikes of 2013. Final thought? Life on two wheels is better than ever.
Monday, August 5th
Tuesday, August 6th
Wednesday, August 7th
Thursday, August 8th
Friday, August 9th
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Advgrrl Motorcycle Adventures & More 
ummm…yeah!!..but I might be biased as I have a 2013 R1200GS LC. Absolutely brilliant bike! Plus I love seeing Guzzi get some love:)
The 1200 is a cracking bike, put in an order to Berlin yesterday for a red 2014 R1200GS TE with spoked wheels. I didn’t care for the previous generation, it was a bit of a heavy, slow pig, but the new one is so well engineered it feels almost lighter than the 800. That new engine is amazing burbling away underneath like a tractor but pulls so smoothly with the torque of a freight train. And the cruise control is magic, no perception of surging as it maintains the speed, just smooth as glass.
It’s worth mentioning that the F800GS is also a fantastic machine, so much so I’m keeping mine as I didn’t have the heart to part exchange it on the 1200! My trip though the Alps last month 2-up with and fully loaded highlighted the need for slightly more spacious and adjustable seats, and a few more beans at the throttle wouldn’t have gone amiss. Comparing the two back to back makes the F800GS feel like such a civilised and soft machine!
Of course my pick is the bike in my garage, a 2013 KTM 690 Duke!
I’m not interested in touring anymore, and with the mountain roads in Arizona, a light single-cylinder bike is perfect (for me).
I thought about dual-sport bikes, but it’s difficult to find at least one buddy to ride with (days off during the week) and off-road solo ain’t happenin’.