Top five road bike reviews of 2022
As Australia emerged blinking from the pandemic, there was no shortage of new hardware to tempt us back onto the road…If 2021 saw many bikes still stuck under their dust covers and tucked away in locked garages, 2022 was the year when normality returned (even if partially).
And the flow of new road models picked up, giving us something to spend COVID-enforced savings on, and get out there once more.
Here are the five road bike reviews that caught riders’ eyes through the year that was…
1. Suzuki GSX-S1000GT
Stick a proven in-line four-cylinder donk in a competent chassis, add comfy ergonomics, an effective fairing and screen, decent pillion accommodation, and what have you got? Suzuki's new budget-busting sportstourer, that's what – and a good thing it is, too.
2. Harley-Davidson Sportster S
Harley-Davidson recently gave its historic Sportster line a major twist, with the new Sportster S boasting the brand's Revolution Max 1250 60-degree V-twin which debuted not that long ago in the Motor Co's first adventure bike, the Pan America. The result is striking, with brash hot-rod looks and the go to match.
3. Yamaha YZF-R7HO
Sportsbikes must be light and agile first and foremost, and if you can forego bulk horsepower then you'll love Yamaha's compact new middleweight, the YZF-R7HO. Powered by the CP2 parallel-twin found in the brand's MT-07 naked bike, the R7 is a corner-carver's delight, while it also packs a surprising turn of speed and all at a palatable price. And there's even a LAMS version too, so newcomers can also embrace this svelte, sublime platform.
4. Honda CMX1100
For those who love their rides long, low, but maybe not so slow, Honda's new CMX1100 is a smart cruiser for those who think outside the box. Loaded with tech by cruiser standards, and even available in a dual-clutch transmission format for those so inclined, the Honda CMX1100 is also supremely easy to ride and a whole heap of fun, with a price tag that laughs in the face of most American and European rivals.
5. Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR
A half-fairing, sports ergonomics and a whole heap of performance have taken Triumph's iconic triple-cylinder streetfighter and honed it into a scalpel-sharp track weapon, yet the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR is as much a work of art to be admired at a standstill, as it is a laser-guided missile of a motorcycle. If a squirt on this beast doesn't elicit a deranged howl, we don't know what will...
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