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Bike Of The Year – Dirt Rider Magazine

By: Editorial Staff

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

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<p><strong>2010 Yamaha YZ450F</strong><br />
Surprised that we were the only U.S. magazine to pick the revolutionary YZ450 to win our motocross shootout? You shouldn’t be. In fact, you really should have known. There are few bikes that come along and just transform some people into superior riders. This is one of those bikes and this YZ-F has worked its magic on more than just a few.Yamaha nailed it with this bike in so many ways it has taken a step forward in motocross bike design others will have to adjust to. It deserves to win BOTY honors just based on the performance, even before taking into account the unique way it went about doing it. All of the stuff the YZ-F is made of has been tried before, just never with success like this, reaping the benefits these technologies and designs are engineered to deliver: lighter handling feel, better turning, better power delivery, increased traction, easily tunable. About the only thing the YZ-F is missing is an electric starter and universal acceptance from other motojournalists. It’s tough to be different, with bikes or your magazine. And if you don’t like this bike, whether you’re writing for our competition or developing the 2013 machine of another color, you at least have to recognize the strong points of the Yamaha and know that this is the direction everyone is pushing, even if it all switches to something in the 350cc range starting next year.<strong>Off-Road<br/><br />
KTM 250/300 XC</strong><br/><br />
This was a hotly debated contest. Unlike the 2010 Yamaha YZ450, which stood out, we had no less than nine bikes vying for this wide-open title. It began with the KTM 150 XC (for all the same reasons its bigger brothers got the win here, less electric starting and some displacement) and included other KTMs in the 400 XC-W, 450 XC-W Six Days (all the aftermarket goodies stock!), 200 XC-W and 530 EXC because they’re all great bikes. Husaberg’s entire line got mentioned, specifically the new FE 390 and FX 450. And even the friendly and fast Beta 450RR made the discussion.We discussed the importance of fuel injection versus carbs. Linkage versus none. Two-strokes versus four. Power versus agility. Race versus trail. Cost. Durability. Sales numbers. Everything. What seemed to prevail was that the two-stroke KTM XCs, both 300 and 250 versions, with their electric starting, versatile suspension, light weight and high power could do anything all of the other bikes could do (besides ride on the streets legally in most states) and suffer the least when they were out of their element. After all, that is why bikes based off of these machines did so well in our Torture Test last year and still would. We also wanted to reward KTM for keeping the commitment to the two-stroke with continued improvements each year. Orange could just put bold new graphics on them and they’d still be great, but each year they get greater (and sometimes harder to find!).
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<p><strong>Editors’ Picks:</strong><br/><br />
We all joined in to pick the winners, but our runners-up are all different. Here’s what we would personally grab on our ideal ride (after the winners, of course).<strong>KTM 150 XC</strong><br/><br />
This bike fits into so many categories: Fun, light, educational, durable, stepping-stone, aggressive, spastic and just plain dialed-in, just like its bigger brothers. Being so multitalented it is also pigeonholed into being a rare small-bore two-stroke, and that is what I love about it.<br/><br />
<strong>-Jimmy Lewis, Editor,<br/><br />
Motos only when the trail riding isn’t good.<br />
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<p><strong>Honda CRF250R</strong><br/><br />
After riding every 2010 that’s come through our shop, my BOTY vote goes to the shootout-winning Honda CRF250R. From the strong, smooth powerband to the stable yet nimble handling, this bike just works for my style and preferences. Although it looks like Ziegler will be handling the Long Haul duties for this machine, I’m looking forward to snaking him and spending even more time on the oh-so-radical CRF.<br/><br />
<strong>-Chris Denison, Associate Editor,<br/><br />
Does the doubles.</strong><strong>Suzuki RM-Z250</strong><br/><br />
Some Suzukis have magic in them, and Big Yellow finally got that into its 250F. The little thumpers before have been good but not inspiring like the 250 smoker. The new FI 250 has great throttle response and a chassis that lets you get away with murder if you’re riding right. I still miss the yellow two-stroke, but not nearly as much now.<br/><br />
<strong>-Pete Peterson, Associate Editor,<br/><br />
Give me a loamy track over a technical trail any day.</strong><strong>KTM 450 XC-W ISDE</strong><br/><br />
For me, the 2010 KTM 450 XC-W ISDE is a magic carpet ride off-road. Silky smooth but with all the excitement I can stand in each of those six gears. With all the added-value parts the ISDE comes with, it is a great value as well. I don’t have to do a thing to this bike to make it great.<br/><br />
<strong>-Karel Kramer, Senior Editor,<br/><br />
Has always loved four-strokes, but this one borders on obsession.</strong><strong>KTM 450 SX-F</strong><br/><br />
Why have traditional KTM haters changed their tune so rapidly for 2010? It’s not because this year’s bike is that much better than 2009′s. No, the mindset of the vocal minority has just finally seen the light. Electric starting, high-end brake and clutch components, simple maintenance, incredible durability and the undisputed class leader in power output, character and delivery shine brightest. And when the fuel-injected 350 gets here you can say you were a KTM lover from way back. It’s just the easiest pick.<br/><br />
<strong>-Jesse Ziegler, Executive Editor,<br/><br />
Rides where it’s good.</strong></div>

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