Top 10 Most-Viewed Motorcycle Reviews On MO

Evans Brasfield
by Evans Brasfield

If you’ve ever been a fan of a popular, long-running TV show, you’ll probably remember at least one instance of the characters pausing and looking back at previous episodes. While this technique is mostly used in sitcoms and is probably put together by the writers for the show when they couldn’t get a new episode written in time to meet the production schedule, the episodes usually are a great tool for reminding ourselves about why we are so attached to particular shows. These retrospectives drive discussions among fans about why certain clips were or weren’t used for the episode.

For our little foray into self-congratulation in this, our 20th anniversary year, we thought we’d let you, the readers, decide which motorcycle road tests we should include in our retrospective. So, we consulted our website statistics to discover the 10 single motorcycle evaluations that received the most clicks. While this obviously favors models that have been around for a few years, gathering those eyeballs, the results are still interesting.

Let’s fire up the MO Wayback Machine, do a little navel gazing, and see what we learn. Tell us what you think about your choices for the most popular road tests in the comments.

10. 2008 Kawasaki Versys Road Test

The Kawasaki Versys was originally available only in the European market, but after a pronounced email campaign from the American riding public, Team Green decided to give the US market a shot. Judging by the number of you who read our test, you were as intrigued by the 650cc vertical-Twin as we were. While the Versys is closely related to the Ninja 650R, our test revealed the two bikes to be quite different.

As the name implies, the bike is quite versatile, a quality we noted in the review: “In many ways this motorcycle defies strict categories. Heck, even Kawasaki has it listed under both Dual Purpose and Sport on its website.” A fact that readers won’t be aware of is Editorial Director Sean Alexander’s unabashed love of the Versys, his personal bike. He is fond of pointing out to us – as we debate various bikes – that the Versys is the only bike a rider will ever need.

Read the full review: 2008 Kawasaki Versys Road Test

9. 2009 Yamaha V-Star 950 Review

Five model years ago, Yamaha’s Star Motorcycles released the V-Star 950, filling a gap in the manufacturer’s well appointed model line. Splitting the difference between its older siblings, the V-Star 650 and the V-Star 1100, the 950 hoped to provide the ideal combination of ease of use and big-bike comfort.

Editor-in-Chief, Kevin Duke, found the newest Star to be “a comfy, classy and attractive cruiser that can satisfy relative newbs and budget-conscious veterans.” Given the V-Star’s lineage and history, readers probably weren’t surprised that the $7,890 MSRP bought a lot of cruiser. Our chief criticisms of the bike were limited to ground clearance and ergonomics that might cramp taller riders.

Read the full review: 2009 Yamaha V-Star 950 Review

8. 2010 Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide Review

Harley-Davidson’s 2010 model year returned the Dyna Wide Glide to its lineup. Showcasing a 34-degree raked-out, 49mm fork with widely spaced stanchions, the Wide Glide represented the upper end of the Dyna line. The 25.5 in. seat height added to the bike’s appeal – though it also reduced the WG’s cornering clearance.

Editor Duke found the Wide Glide’s looks seductive and stated that “For many, the gracefully sweeping lines of the attractive Wide Glide will be enough to sway them into joining the family of Harley faithful.” Even with the short suspension travel, Duke was still pleasantly surprised with how the WG handled. On the negative side, he also found there to be excessive engine heat from the rear cylinder and rated the single disc front brake as only adequate.

Read the full review: 2010 Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide Review

7. 2010 Honda Fury Review

In a road test, again penned by E-i-C Duke, the 2010 Honda Fury cuts a fine figure in our road test. Yes, a chopper-styled motorcycle does seem to go against Honda’s staid image, but the Fury’s sharp styling intrigued many of you.

Honda clearly did its homework while delivering a chopper with just enough space below the steering head. Additionally, the color-matched frame and the stylized gas tank forged an image-enhancing look that is pretty risky for a conservative manufacturer like Honda. The 32.0-degree fork suits the chopper style, as does the close-fitting front fender. The Fury looked like no other factory cruiser on the road and was a bargain at $12,999.

Read the full review: 2010 Honda Fury Review

6. 2005 Suzuki DR-Z400 SM

Hey, we just featured the updated version of the DR-Z400 and even ran it against an electric bike. However, back in 2005, we decided to go all urban commando on the street-legal Suzuki supermoto. In a road test that reads like a hooligan how-to, then-editor, Sean Alexander, put the DR-Z through its paces.

He battled soccer mom-driven SUVs, rabid St. Bernards and a close encounter with an ocean cliff. Otherwise, it was all in a day’s work for the Suzook. In the end, Alexander declares that “the DRZ-SM is just about perfect for its intended usage.” What more could we ask for from a motorcycle?

Read the full review: 2005 Suzuki DR-Z400 SM

5. 2008 Honda CBR1000RR Review

For the midpoint in our Top 10 Motorcycle.com Road Tests listing, Duke regales us with his ride of the 2008 Honda CBR1000RR at the worl- famous Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Featuring technologies like a slipper clutch, the throttle input smoothing Idle Air Control Valve, and Ignition Interrupt Control, the CBR1000RR compared favorably with the previous year’s model. The description of a typical lap through Laguna’s turns 10 and 11 offer insight into the practical effect of Honda’s changes.

After the last lap was turned, Duke declared the “2008 CBR1000RR is the best liter-sized Honda ever.” Of course, time and technology have marched on, but the big CBR still rates well in our eyes.

Read the full review: 2008 Honda CBR1000RR Review

4. 2009 Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Review

In our review of the sixth member of Harley-Davidson’s dark-themed motorcycle, we put the Iron 883 through its paces. What is essentially a Sportster 883 Low in hip clothing for a night out on the town, the Iron 883 is designed to give newer and shorter riders a relatively affordable cruiser infused with attitude.

After sampling the Iron 883 during Daytona Bike Week, Editor Duke remarked, “Stylistically, the Iron is a great success. The matte finishes give it some rat-bike cool, and subtle touches like the fork gaiters give it a nice tinge of nostalgia. The Iron 883 truly delivers an authentic Harley experience for less than $8,000.”

Read the full review: 2009 Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Review

3. 2009 Ducati Monster 696 Review

Here we sample the Ducati Monster 696 at its introduction in Barcelona, Spain. In the 17th year since the introduction of the Monster line, we found this Duc to be more attractive than its progenitors while still being an affordable entry into the ranks of the Ducatisti.

Women and other shorter rides would find the Monster 696 to be a comfortable fit, although taller riders might feel cramped. Staffer Pete Brissette summed up his feelings for the smallest Monster, thusly: “If you’re an experienced rider looking for a multi-tool ball of fun with loads of character, or a new or shorter rider, or a long-time devotee of this line of minimalist Italian bikes, be sure to get your deposit in soon, as my guess is that they’ll be flyin’ out the door faster than free cheese.”

Read the full review: 2009 Ducati Monster 696 Review

2. 2008 Can-Am Spyder Test

What? You say a Can-Am Spyder isn’t really a motorcycle? Well, the Spyder shares enough similarities with motorcycles (and is classified as one in many states) and is just odd enough to attract the attention of the MO editorial staff as well as our loyal MOrons. While this 2008 model may have been the first Spyder we reviewed, it certainly wasn’t our last, and clearly, our readers were also curious enough to earn it runner-up status in the single-vehicle review click-counting contest.

The Spyder garnered compliments everywhere Editor Duke rode it: “Since we all didn’t get enough attention as children, we really enjoyed the rock-star levels of attention the Can-Am attracted.” The uniqueness of this fun-to-ride vehicle is likely responsible for this review’s high rankings. Or maybe it was the tire-smoking 150-foot burnout seen in the video.

Read the full review: 2008 Can-Am Spyder Test

1. 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Review

Yeah, when we first came up with the idea for this top-10 list, we figured some piece of moto-exotica would stand at the top of the heap, but clearly, you discerning readers have a discriminating eye and an active curiosity when you nudged the 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R into the winner’s circle.

The major overhaul of Kawasaki’s smallest Ninja sparked a lot of interest from riders looking for an inexpensive way into the sportbike market during the period following the Great Recession. Now blessed with attractive, contemporary styling, new 17-inch wheels and upgraded brakes, but priced nice at $3,499, the smallest Ninja performed well in the showroom and on these pages.

The surging popularity of the Ninja also created an influx of new riders. As stated in the article, “Kawasaki research indicates that 62% of Ninja 250 owners are new riders, and 33% of that group is women.” All of this is a good thing. We need more first-time riders to grow the sport and fuel the innovation of the manufacturers. Additionally, without the influx of women into our favorite sport, the motorcycling world would just consist of a bunch of sweaty guys hanging out in leather clothing – and how much fun could that be?

Read the full review: 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Review

Evans Brasfield
Evans Brasfield

Like most of the best happenings in his life, Evans stumbled into his motojournalism career. While on his way to a planned life in academia, he applied for a job at a motorcycle magazine, thinking he’d get the opportunity to write some freelance articles. Instead, he was offered a full-time job in which he discovered he could actually get paid to ride other people’s motorcycles – and he’s never looked back. Over the 25 years he’s been in the motorcycle industry, Evans has written two books, 101 Sportbike Performance Projects and How to Modify Your Metric Cruiser, and has ridden just about every production motorcycle manufactured. Evans has a deep love of motorcycles and believes they are a force for good in the world.

More by Evans Brasfield

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  • Old MOron Old MOron on Jul 05, 2014

    Four out of the top ten were (gulp) cruisers?!
    No wonder JB isn't allowed to call them StoooPid any more.

    • Shawn Poorman Shawn Poorman on Jul 07, 2014

      Haha given that Harley still controls more than half of the entire USA motorcycle market, I'm not at all surprised that their bikes and the cheaper alternatives made the list. The big surprise here to me was the popularity of the monster review. Interesting that everyone wanted to check it out but they're still not a huge seller.

      Maybe it's the relatively low (compared to Japanese alternatives) price/performance ratio and relatively high cost of ownership. Or maybe it just looks so good that people wanna check it out but they don't buy because Americans insist on fairings.

      For me, I'm in love with it. But if Yamaha decides to bring us ABS on the fz 07, I think I would buy it over the monster. The new Honda cbr650f is nice as well, but a bit porky for my taste. Decisions, decisions.

  • Garrett Gerard Garrett Gerard on Jul 07, 2014

    How many views did this article garner? That wasn't mentioned anywhere, and I'm just curious. I've been a fan since before the $11.94 subscription days, and was one of the few who actually paid the subscription. BTW, since that time you've really progressed nicely. The video production quality of late has been really outstanding (e.g. the Harley Livewire video). Keep up the good work.

    • Evans Brasfield Evans Brasfield on Jul 07, 2014

      I have the listing in order of ranking but not the raw numbers. What specific article were you asking about?

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