OK, so a while back I gave a little spiel about how there seems to be an awful lot of contradictory MOTY awards given by various motorcycling publications. Well if you want to call this adding fuel to the fire, so be it, but we at BrenandSven.com are trying to bring some solidarity to what seems to be an unsure world of moto-journalism. So here it is folks, the 2010 BS Motorcycle of the Year awards (and this MOTY is void bull $*!%).
So this is how the BS-MOTY works. 6 categories: Superbike, Sportbike, Standard/Naked, Touring, Adventure, and Cruiser. Each category has one and only one winner and runner up. Wow, could it be any simpler? Cut and dry categories, and no one off categories to make sure all the newest and most expensive bikes get recognition (don’t think we aren’t aware of the game you magazines are playing).
2010 BS-MOTY Superbike: BMW S1200RR
The Superbike category is the creme de la creme of any competition. These big 1000cc monstrosities push the limits of performance and speed. So lets face it, this is BMW’s year to shine. The BMW S1200RR takes the top spot not only for its almost unnecessary power but also for its uncanny finesse. How can a bike that only weighs 455 lbs crank out 193HP and 83 ft/lbs? Hell if we know. The Bavarian Behemoth also sports DTC- traction control with 4 modes and can be outfitted with optional Race ABS to coincide with its powerful radial mounted Brembo brakes. All this German precision starts at $13,800, but add all the race gizmos and gadgets and you are well in excess of $15,000.
BMW simply put together the ultimate speed machine. Affixed with all the state of the art technology and performance components, the BMW S1000RR has literally and figuratively run circles around all the other 1000cc competitors and that is why it is the 2010 BS-MOTY Superbike.
Well our hands were tied with the big bad BMW. We physically could not give the top title to any other superbike. Personally, aside from the ridiculous performance specs, the Bren and Sven team felt that the BMW lacked personality. It is too perfect to be perfect. No doubt that we wouldn’t turn one down, but the lack of flaws and it’s playboy price tag have us slightly turned off.
2010 BS-MOTY Superbike Runner-up: Yamaha YZF-R1
Naming a runner up to the big bad Beemer is going to be a hard sale. How about the super nimble Aprilia RSV4? Sorry Charlie, we at Bren and Sven felt that honorable mentions should go to a more versatile, user friendly, and well… simpler superbike designed for the rider who wants the feel and thrill of a superbike, but doesn’t want to break the bank.
With the R1 you get all that. Sure it doesn’t break the sound barrier at the twist of the wrist, and it sure as hell won’t win any beauty contests anytime soon, but it is a great entry bike to familiarize ones self in the world of 1000cc superbikes. The Yamaha YZF-R1 won some top bike awards last year, and understandably so. The biggest and most distinguishing feature that puts the Yamaha R1 above the rest is the use of the crossplane crankshaft. The idea of the crossplane crankshaft is that by offsetting the four pistons at 90° intervals allows for a more smoother and linear build up of torque. This seamless progression of power means that you can easily maintain power in the turns and know that it will be there as you leave the apex.
The R1 features a D-MODE system which allows the rider to select between 3 throttle control maps. The standard default mode tunes the bike for optimum all around performance, and then there’s “A” and “B” mode. Select “A” mode and you unleash a whole new kind of R1 you never thought existed. The engine response quickens for even more low to mid range umph. “B” mode is there to work in wet and rain-like conditions.
All this and more for only $13,290.







