Karel Kramer
Senior Editor
Preferred riding mix: 65% trail riding/35% moto-track play ridingBOTY vote: Honda CRF150R. The Bike of the Year title has always gone to bikes that stand out from the crowd and usually to those that redefine the sport or create a new class. There is no question that the Honda CRF150R is redefining mini riding. Whether you hate the idea of the bike or love it, only an ostrich could claim the Honda hasn't made a major impact. Even the fact that it isn't legal to race in some organizations hasn't slowed its acceptance. Emotionally, I wanted to vote for the KTM 450/525 EXC models, since I am much more interested in riding them than hopping on a mini, but I had to go with the CRF.
Favorite bike ever: My long-term 2005 KTM 525 MXC. That bike was set up for me better than any machine I have ever ridden. Of course, it was mine to modify for more than a year, or 200 hours of riding. No matter what kind of riding was planned, I was happy on that KTM.
Favorite bike this year: After the 450cc shootout ended, Jimmy asked which one I wanted for the year, and I didn't hesitate to pick the Yamaha YZ450F. It has been the only bike I've had to ride for both motocross and off-road. I was stressed that the suspension would be too stiff for the high desert, but no way! This bike makes me look good, and that isn't so easy these days.
Chris Denison
Associate Editor
Preferred riding mix: 60% motocross/30% off-road/10% ramp nuttinessBOTY vote: Honda CRF150R. It may not be a big bike, but there is no denying that the CRF150R has sent an excited red rumble throughout the industry. From timid beginners to amateur motocross champions, the Honda fits a wide variety of pilots, all of whom have fondly accepted the little red bike as a permanent fixture. With its minisize technology and irresistible fun factor, this Honda four-stroke heralds a bright hope to the future of thumpers while simultaneously serving a crushing blow to the skull of the two-stroke motocross class. C'est la vie.
The bike Karel wanted to vote for
Favorite bike ever: Honda CR250R (2003 and newer). I've been privileged enough to ride some pretty sweet stock machines, but the CR250R will always hold a special place in my heart. The Honda is fast, nimble and utterly bulletproof. I have oddly always been able to ride a 250 two-stroke better than I've been able to ride any other stock bike, whether it be on trails, ramps or the track. It might have something to do with the fact that I have enough frequent-flier miles on CR250Rs to send the entire DR staff to Madagascar and back, but who knows?
Favorite bike of this year: Suzuki RM-Z250. Since 2006, Suzuki has managed to transform its 250F effort from a mild disappointment to an outright shocker. The '07 RM-Z250 has better power, poise and performance than anything else in its class, and the overall yellow package never failed to leave a trail of dropping jaws among our test riders. The CRF150R may be the magazine's BOTY, but the Suzuki 250 four-stroke is hands down my bike of this year.