Best of 2009 - Standard Motorcycles of the Year

Ducati Monster 1100

The new M1100 is the best-ever example of Ducati's popular Monster series, combining sexy Italian design with an excellent chassis and lusty, torquey V-Twin grunt that helped make Ducati famous the world over.

The Italians followed up the lively new Monster 696 with this 1100cc version of its revered air-cooled Desmo V-Twin, and it knocked our socks off with its all'-round versatility, rich character and a huge grin factor.

The big Monster has cozy ergos that welcome urbane commuter duties, as a proper standard should, but it also has the capable chassis and grunty power to terrorize repli-racer sportbikes on a twisty road. Low-rev neck-snapping performance combines with neck-snapping Italian good looks. Ducati's mondo Streetfighter model is much more powerful, but the M1100 is at least as much fun and is thousands cheaper.



Honorable Mention – Harley-Davidson XR1200

The XR1200 will rearrange your perception of Harley-Davidson performance. Here Pete imagines himself taking the checkered flag at the Springfield Mile.

When Harley-Davidson announced in summer 2007 it had created a new model called the XR1200, but that it was a Euro-only unit, everyone here in the States asked why we were left out. Then, after listening to the loyal masses, the Motor Company conceded and made it available for the U.S. as an '09.

Ergonomically the XR1200 strikes a good compromise between aggressive canyon attacker and sensible, upright everyday ride. And the potent Nissin brake calipers are crazy powerful. The flat-tracker look-alike styling is a head-turner, and the reliable 1200cc Sporty Twin has been massaged to yield the most horsepower of any air-cooled mill ever to emerge from H-D. Our only criticism is limited lean angle on the exhaust side impeding super-aggressive cornering, but you have to be the fast guy in your crowd for that to be a concern.

source : http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/triumph/best-of-2009-motorcycles-of-the-year-88656.html