Rider Magazine's Top 10 Motorcycle Stories of 2012

We’re taking a look back at 2012 by reviewing our ridermag.wpengine.com page views. Naturally, our homepage (ridermag.wpengine.com) drew the most page views in 2012. It was also popular for users of our website to seek out information on motorcycle helmets (ridermag.wpengine.com/browse-by-type/helmets) and read our Dual Sport + Adventure Motorcycle Reviews (ridermag.wpengine.com/style/dual-sport-adventure). At ridermag.wpengine.com, users can also search for motorcycle reviews by manufacturer. In 2012, Triumph (ridermag.wpengine.com/manufacturer/triumph) was the most-visited brand, followed by Suzuki (ridermag.wpengine.com/manufacturer/Suzuki).

As for actual articles, we have complied a list of the Top 10 from 2012 based on page views. You’ll find the countdown below:

10. 2012 BMW K 1600 GTL vs. Honda Gold Wing GL 1800 ABS Comparison
Our comparison of these two motorcycles in the May 2012 issue showed that while you can rack up the miles smoothly, swiftly and comfortably on both, you’ll come away with very different impressions. One will thrill you; the other will pamper you.

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9. 2012 BMW G 650 GS Sertão vs. 2012 Kawasaki KLR650 Comparison
Those looking for a new 650cc dual-sport single might consider one of these two motorcycles. Our comparison will help you decide if the BMW’s additional $2,351 price tag would be money well spent.

8. BMW C 600 Sport/C 650 ST Scooters—First Ride
We took a test ride on these “maxis” scooters in Spain and found them to be larger than many motorcycles while still being smaller and more nimble than a car. BMW’s new line offers the comforts of a scooter while maintaining the power, handling and exhilaration of a motorcycle.

7. Flip Up Modular Motorcycle Helmets Buyers Guide
Our opinion of ten different modular helmets currently on the market was a hit with readers, who clicked on this article (hopefully) to find the best model to keep themselves safe in case they took an actual hit on the head.

6. 2012 Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS Road Test
A common thread in our Top 6 is that they are all road tests or first looks at new motorcycles. Our road test of the re-styled 2012 V-Strom was a hit with online readers. The bike had seen only minor changes in the past eight years, but Suzuki gave it a refresh in 2012 with tougher styling, more torque, less weight, revised suspension and better instrumentation.

5. 2012 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob vs. 2013 Victory Judge Review
Our comparison of these aggressive, big-inch, V-twin cruisers came in at number five on the list in 2012 despite the fact that it was published in the June issue, giving it an online lifespan of only six months. We preferred the Harley Fat Bob for its comfort, while it gave up very little in terms of power or handling to the Judge.

4. 2011 BMW R1200GS Adventure vs. 2012 Yamaha Super Ténéré Road Test
This article was posted online for a full year after appearing in our January 2012 issue. These two adventure-touring bikes are similar in many ways, and of all the comparison tests we’ve worked on, none was a tougher call to make than this one.

3. 2013 BMW F 700 GS and BMW F 800 GS—First Look
Coming in at number three is Rider magazine’s first look at the 2013 F-series GS models from BMW. Two of the four motorcycles were updated for 2013, and the company also looked to clear up some confusion over the model names. BMW’s street-oriented enduro is now the F 700 GS and its more offroad-oriented enduro is called the F 800 GS. The story first appeared online in July, and was published in the Kickstarts section of our October issue.

2. 2012 Triumph Tiger Explorer—First Ride Review
This year’s runner up is a review of the all-new 2012 Triumph Tiger Explorer, a competitively priced adventure tourer aimed directly at the BMW R 1200 GS that offers more for less. The article was published in our May issue.

1. 2012 Honda NC700X—First Look
Our top story from 2012 is on Honda’s answer to the struggling economy—a motorcycle with performance that excites the rider, low fuel costs with features adequate for sport touring, adventure riding, cruising and commuting. An all for a buck under $7,000. It seems our readers were looking for the answer, and Honda just may have given it to them. This “First Look” was not published in the magazine but was a web-exclusive article posted in January 2012 that was our most-viewed article in the 2012 calendar year, topping the runner up by more than 7,000 views. (A full Rider Test of the same motorcycle was published in the November 2012 issue. Click here to read it.)

 

1 COMMENT

  1. Hello, from a subscriber of 20 years.
    Looks like the best publicity bet for my million mile adventure would be the Tiger Explorer or the new BMW 1200 GS. Any chance Rider is up for a real world shoot out, two models, head to head, 50 days, 50,000 miles? April 1,2013 I will be attempting to break the world record.
    All as a fundraiser for National MS Society.
    See here;
    http://www.longhaulpaul.com/wordpress/category/mileposts/

    A Story is brewing, could use a little help!
    Thanks,
    PP

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