October 18, 2005 featured an article wherein Dirck asked our readers which of the 2006 model year bikes introduced impressed them the most, and why they considered that particular model to be the most significant new bike for 2006. Part One of the many responses we received was published October 25, 2005; Part Two was published November 7, 2005. Here, in their unedited form, is Part Three, the final installment of our multi-part series of reader responses. Many thanks to all who took the time to respond.
- I am inpressed w/ the Yamaha bikes, especially the FZ1 and FJR. I like how Yamaha seemed to listen the their customers concerns and made improvements. The auto clutch FJR should be interesting also.
- The bike that most impressed me was the Triumph Scrambler. I recently mentioned to a friend how it would be cool if someone came out with a “Steve McQueen bike”, and one that had the high mounted pipes like they did in the 1960’s. While they weren’t dirt bikes, they were the type of bikes they actually rode in the dirt, or at least on dirt roads.
For a while now, I have been talking about getting a bike that can be ridden like the bike in the movie “The Great Escape”. One that can go across fields and onto dirt roads, but is still a street bike. I have recently narrowed my choices to the V-Strom 650, but the new Scrambler has given me second thoughts. I also love the Scrambler’s tires; what a bike!
- Being the current owner of a Bandit 1200 and a Ducati 900ss, I feel the Triumph may incorporate the favorable qualities of both my bikes in a single package. I wish my Suzuki were lighter and my Ducati had more top end . Looks like the Triumph has this covered . As well as being somewhat offbeat as a Brit triple! It will offer a bit of uniqueness (much like my 95 Duc). It should stand out easily among the sea of Suzuki and Yamaha’s.
More importantly Triumphs stated goal is to provide a cutting edge “Street bike”. All my time is spent on real world roads, not raceways. No other current bike (for my money) offered anything to convince me to give up my Bandit. I believe they may have sold me on this one…(but the Duc stays!)
- Definitely the FJR 1300. Yamaha has really listened to it’s customers and moved quickly to correct all of the bike’s faults while adding improvements that weren’t even identified as faults. They even seem to have trumped BMW on the technology front with the semiauto transmission and adjustable fairing. With adjustable ergos, new brake system, far greater power and small changes like the power plug and gear indicator it’s hard to justify the extra money for the beemer, especially when you add in the lower purchase price, cheaper parts and service rates and greater dealer availability. This coming from a long time beemer owner. I can’t wait for the test reports on this bike.
- The second I read the title of MD’s latest prodding into the collective mind of its readers, I had four bikes in mind and what some might call a sh*t-eating grin on my face. For me personally something is impressive when it deviates from the norm so incredibly that it speaks for Creationism rather than Darwin’s small steps of evolution. In the global motorycle industry this requires a sort of eccentricity and genius only found in the tradition of people like Massimo Tamburini, Richard Britten, or even Michael Czysz as of late, which we will get to.
These four consist of a Jap, an Italian, a Brit, and oh yes, an American. The most impressive of all the Japanese bikes has to be the new R6 with it’s tiny and smooth shape, Suzuki-like GP exhaust, astonishing HP for a 600, and redline that’s higher than Bob Marley could ever dream of being. 20,000 RPMs is getting to be a real possibility as Yamaha has shown. How hard the bikes will be to ride with the HP so high and peaky is another question.
The next is what I consider the first time a company has ever truly re-evaluated what a supermoto is and should be from the ground up. Aprilia’s SXV is stunning, sounds great, and puts down power in a big way with a non-traditional chassis and motor. Big ups Aprilia, if I didn’t have a new Husqvarna 450 SMR in my garage that I love you would be my choice for hooliganism.
The fact that the food is crap hasn’t kept the Brits from making great machines over the years. Triumph’s new 675 represents the eccentricity and practical application we are used to from the Brits of old. Entering a narrow 3 cylinder with more cc’s than a supersport is pure genius. Putting the emphasis on power delivery in the world of hugely powerful sportbikes, such as Triumph has done, should be applauded by all street riders and trackistas alike. It doesn’t look half bad either. Impressiveness aside, if I was buying a new sportbike this would be it for me. Triumph has found itself once again in the industry with this model and so of all the mass produced bikes, this is my BIG WINNER.
The last will not likely be in production at all for 06. You know it as the MotoCzysz C1, and having seen it up close and in person and knowing where it came from, it’s the most impressive bike for 2006 bar none. I don’t even know where to start, the thing is so revolutionary rather than evolutionary. Take the motor, the chassis, the flex fork, the bodywork, nothing about this bike is anything less than amazing. The fact that rumors are now circulating that Ducati’s Terblanche has been greatly inspired by the Czysz flex forks and has copied the basic idea only reinforces how amazing this bike is that emerged from a home shop in Portland, Oregon. Czysz has come a long way since his RS250 cup races. His C1 is my BIG WINNER of the year for all of motorcycling.
- The 2006 CRF250 looks impressive with its twin exhaust – it looks trick
- Good question Dirck – The several bikes I thought were innovative or a step forward were the Yamaha R6 (functional? styling and that redline), the Daytona 675 (250 sized middleweight? – the holy grail), or the Suzuki M109R (pushes the maximum bore with shorter stroke – torque yes, but power too- this will be the new tuners special)
Of these, I am hoping Triumph has a winner with the Daytona. My dream bike would be an Aprilia 550 twin brought in at under 300 lbs, but in lieu of that, I am very curious to see if this bike moves the light, nimble, and responsive bar up a few notches. If this bike is as nimble as the specs indicate, and as torquey as one might hope, then it might turn out to be a great real world performer. Plenty fast for track days (maybe very fast), yet with plenty of pick up around town. I sort of wish they’d made a a 750, but it would be the first bike that would convince me to go down the displacement ladder.
- In my mind, the Yamaha R6 with Moto GP inspired Frame/Swingarm geometry and pipe, F1 inspired air management incorporated into the “Killer” new bodywork, and record high (for a production internal combustion engine) 17,500 r.p.m. redline, make it the most impressive new bike for 06.
If Yamaha were to incorporate those technological and style advancements (less the 17,500 redline) into the 07 R1LE, and lose the retro paint scheme which cause the Marchesini wheels and other gold colored parts to get lost in the shuffle, I would probably lose control of my check writing hand.
- Kawasaki’s ZX-14 is the one.
The other 2006’s have their place, but the new ZX grabs my attention with the most power ever from a production bike.
Some people say you can never use all the power…. HOGWASH! Don’t confuse acceleration with top speed (which is foolhardy to use very often).
The biggest ZX should be a jack of all trades; touring, track days, commuting, drag racing, cruising to the local Starbuck’s for some joe.
- The bike that impressed my appetite the most for 2006 is the MotoGuzziMGS-01 Corsa. It’s pour , timeless, practical maintenance design , fairly simple, sound awesome and will turn even your grandmother’s head.
- 1. The bike Kawasaki didn’t introduce! A replacement for my 1993 KLR 650 one with modern suspension, brakes and 20 Hp more!
2. The Yamaha R1LE, love the old school paint. My lower back is the only thing keeping one out of the garage.
3. MV Agusta Brutale 910, sex on 2 wheels!
Current bikes – 1993 Kawasaki KLR 650, 2005 Yamaha FZ1
- Kawasaki ER6/650 Ninja – I still have my ’87 EX500 that I bought new in February ’87. I love it but it has serious shortcomings.
Triumph Daytona 675 – looks and sounds like it would be the ideal 600 class sportbike
BMW F800s – I have always loved BMWs and I have owned several and currently own a ’92 R100rs. This is the first new BMW that really catches my attention – IF the performance and the handling are there.
- Triumph 675 Baby! An all new design that’s lightweight, damn good looking, narrow, with fat midrange torque. That Triumph Scrambler looks awfully cool too, but it looks more like a candidate for second bike, when you’re just in the mood for beboppin’ around. Nah, I’ll probably ride my VStrom 650 for a few more years and then move up to a Multistrada 1000.
- Hands down, the preview of the 2006 Yamaha YZF-R6. I have a soft spot in my heart for Kawasaki’s (I own a 2005 ZX-6R) even though I did own a 1999 YZF-R6 in the midst of Kawasaki’s coming and going. This is what Kawasaki should do with the ZX-6RR; build a screw-the-cost 600cc SuperSport motorcycle to screw the competition in SuperSport racing. They would still have the 636 to sell to the average Joe (like me). The ZX-6R and the ZX-6RR use mostly the same parts, so the tooling and design (expensive initial coast) can be amortized across two different models. I still think that this can be done while making the ZX-6RR a “exotic and expensive” motorcycle with upgraded suspension, wheels, exotic engine, etc (look at the new YZF-R1 LE). I understand that the current 2005 Yamaha YZF-R6 will still be sold alongside the new 2006 model as the YZF-R6S. I believe that this points to the fact that the new R6 will be the most expensive middleweight sportbike ever sold; I am guessing around $9500 list, but I belive that they will still be “sold-out” nation wide before the first one is delivered just like it was in its inaugural year (1999). Well done Yamaha!
- I like the new Ninja 650R just because I like modern 650cc twins. They seem to involve the perfect convergence of several factors: Power for the modern superhighway, light weight (nimble handling), great worry-free middleweight touring, low cost, easy maintainablity, good for beginners, great for experienced riders, European unobtainium.
- ZX-14……ZX-14……ZX-14……ZX-14.
NINJA 650.
FZ-1.- Not leaning to the norm, I would pick the Moto Guzzzi Grisso.
1. Not conventional
2. Only road test I’ve read, handles well and has adequate power.
3. The looks are for a gear head superb. Large engine with wheels and gas tank attached.
4. Appears to be a stock design, that you could take in a cruiser, tourer or cafe racer direction with out any problem.
5. Dependable and shaft drive.
- My pick for 06 is the new Kawasaki ZX14. Looks like an awesome machine with excessive power. I currently ride an 05 Honda ST1300, which I bought after reading your reviews on the 04 ST. The bike I owned before this was a Kawasaki ZRX1200 which your review, I must say, also swayed me. Both bikes have impressed me. Now that the ZRX is discontinued for 06, I wish I would have kept mine. Anyway, I’ve been thinking about purchasing a ZX10R as a second bike but saw that it is now redesigned. So, I have to wait. With the news of the ZX14, that is what will go in the garage as my second bike. My only concern about the ZX14 is the George Foreman looking grills that it has on the side of it. Keep up the great work. You guys ROCK!
- Moto Morini corsaro 1200
- 2006 Yamaha FJR1300 Details, Including Optional Clutch less Electric-Shift
Being active motorcycles for 38 years and a Yamaha fan all through out. I’m presently riding a 2000 XJR1300 Yamaha.
The FJR has everything, low down grunt, stability, handling, protection, speed, shaft drive, reliable and wont take two hours to remove the rear wheel. And now electric-shift, 5-speed transmission that eliminates the clutch lever entirely. Better aerodynamics, adjustable ergonomics for the rider, taller gearing and a larger windscreen.
This particular model bike made the biggest impression on me as I’m into touring. And touring has to have a very large following.
Thank you for a very interesting web site and honest and frank articles.
- To my mind, the Yamaha Roadliner is the most impressive new bike for
2006 because its Art Deco styling elements are a great new, fresh attempt to offer a legitimate alternative to Milwaukee’s styling. I hope we see many more Art Deco styling elements in the future, since Art Deco is truly an attractive, appealing, and unique art form.
- NONE I’n looking for someone like Honda to make a nice, simple 2 cylinder, true dual purpose bike of 600 to 800 cc. I just don’t have any use for sportbikes or cruisers.
- Triumph Daytona 675
- The FJR1300 impressed me the most because Yamaha is taking an already great bike and continually refining it in all the right ways. Then there is the Buell Ulysses, which is the best use of the HD-type engine I’ve seen to date and shows the manufacturers are really starting to offer interesting alternatives for the rest of the market that isn’t into cruisers or crotch rockets. On the other hand, the Triumph Scrambler would make great garage (or living room) candy. Everything else is interesting but nothing that I would start saving my pennies for.
- Triumph Daytona 675. It’s about time someone did something different for a change. It just gives me hope for a Mini Speed Triple.
The was a long period of time where I though that the only bikes you would ever be able to buy would be 4 cylinder racers, cruisers and Gold Wings.
Thankfully the SV650 showed up, along with a nice selection of sport-tourers (no, the Intercepter didn’t count until they made hard luggage available).
I’m also interested in the new Kawasaki Ninja 650FR inline twin. It’d make a nice commuter bike.
- Cannodale was very different. To bad they couldn’t keep things together. This kind of innovation is what impresses me. I guess the BMW HP2 would be my pick. The styling is so very different for a BMW. I don’t consider BMW’s Adventure series offroad bikes. The F650GS weighs about the same as the HP2 with half the engine. The est 430lb wet weight of the HP2 is heavy but considering it has an 1170cc engine, that’s not bad for a dual-sport/offroad bike. Suzuki’s DR650 weighs almost that much and doesn’t look half as cool. Love to have an HP2 to buzz the fireroads and then be able to drive the road home.
Runner up would have to be Kawasaki’s ER-6. Although the exhaust design was borrowed from Buell.
Still waiting for something radical in the Enduro class of bikes. (430lb HP2 is just not what I want to ride at the local harescramble). The 4-strokes are getting lighter and more powerful but they still are all basically the same.
- —-Mornin!——-The Star Liner series caught my eye right off. They are different than all the rest and they have the power to boot.—————-Keep up the good work——-
- The best impressed machine for me is HONDA DN-01.
This bike is very functional for long distance tour, comfortable seat,shaft drive,GPS,Audio. The middle size V twin engine is suitable for my riding style.Especially the design is very beautiful!I’m much impressed it’s all new cruiser and (also) racer style.
- The Buell Ulysses XB12X Adventure Sportbike is most impressive to me. I was never a fan of the old buell styling, but when this current frame style came out with the firebolt, I was an instant fan. The Ulysses appears to me as the ultimate “swiss army knife” bike. It does it all, and it looks great too. And the price is reasonable. With the release of the Firebolt, Buell is a mfg. who has really impressed me. I’d be happy with any bike in there lineup, not just one or two models like all other bike mfg’s.
- The big one for me was the Daytona 675. What a great technical design, and the styling is awesome. This is the sports bike that has been a long time coming from Triumph.
- Although I was most impressed by the styling of the new Yamaha cruisers, it was the Suzuki M109 that I found most interesting. With a high compression, oversquare, four valve, DOHC design and 54 mm throttle bodies, it is sure to be a powerful engine. It should be much more powerful, for it’s displacement, than the various Twin Cams, Victory, Vulcans and Road Star variants. I expect it to be the quickest cruiser yet, including the V-Rods. You heard it here first.
The Kawasaki EN6R is an unusual bike, too. I like the styling and the nifty powerplant.
- Of all the bikes that were introduced this last year I find the Triumph
675 the most impressive. I have owned and ridden dozens and dozens of bikes for the last 30 years so I feel I am somewhat qualified to offer an opinion. This new Triumph is a fresh look at the real needs of the enthusiast and offers, what looks like, an innovative, unique, attractive, high quality alternative to the usual inline 4 offerings. I especially like the aspects of the triple cylinder engine and it’s torque profile. It should be more applicable to the everyday rider and still be competitive on track days. The thin waist and light weight, with more juice than a conventional 600, look like a combination most people should find very enjoyable. It also appears to be priced right.
We need more alternatives like this from reliable manufacturers like Triumph. I look forward to riding and possibly buying one…
- The bike that caught my eye the most this year was the Buell Ulysses.
It’s great to see wonderful all purpose bikes. I’m still waiting for a major update to the KLR650. I keep hoping for either an ER6 based KLR or something based on the Shaft Drive V-Twin 700 from the KFX 700 ATV.
Please Please Kawasaki — Give us a modern KLR!! Real suspension, Real Frame, Real Motor, Same all purpose duty.
- I am really impressed by the Kawasaki 650R and the Suzuki GSXR600/750. The Kawasaki’s under-chassis exhaust takes Eric Buells concept and turns the sows ear into a silk purse. What looked like a shade tree mechanic’s after thought now looks like the elegant engineering solution it always was. Who would have thought that Suzuki could take the controversial triangler design of the Gixxer 1000 exhaust and just by cutting it in half and tucking it in closer to the chassis could invoke the functionality of the short stubby MotoGP exhaust and add style points! I hope both systems sound as good as they look.
- Suzuki GSXR-750
- My favorite first impresssion for06 will have to be the ZX-14 mainly because I own a 03 Busa and cannot wait to try this new bike out.Hoping it will be as or more comfortable then my Busa with of course more power.If it has this I will be trading in for this new 06 model.I keep checking your site for more ZX-14 updates,keep up the good work.
- I would say the new FJR with automatic shifter. The reason for that is that Yamaha was thinking outside the Box and doing something that is completely innovative and will allow a different bread of riders on bikes again. If you have problems with the left arm or the left leg you can ride again since there is no clutch and to possible ways to shift.
- KTM 950 SM – The pinnacle of the SM generation making its way to the streets
- The Kawasaki ZX-14 is the bike that impressed me the most. This looks like the replacement for my ageing Honda CBR1100-XX. Before I commit to a purchase, I want to see some actual road tests, and go for a test ride myself. I cannot commit to a purchase based on data supplied by the Kawasaki marketing group alone.
Next in line for me is the Daytona 675. This bike showcases the advanced “out of the box” thinking that Triumph is bringing to the motorcycle market. This bike could be a real winner.
- The roadliner has it all now except a 5 gal. tank. They finnaly got fuel injection and the alluminum frame saves the weight.
- >I am most impressed with the Yamaha FJR1300 Electronic Shift. This bike
has been a major winner in the showrooms and it is wonderful to see Yamaha
continuously improving the product. Second would have to be the Triumph
Daytona 675. This bike represents a major advancement in technoilogy and
possibly middle wait performance. I currently own a 2000 Triumph Sprint, 1995 VFR and Goldwing 1500.
- Without a doubt the new R6 totally knocked me on my ear and I’m not even really a sportbike guy. I’m old enuff to remember the yellow and black Yamahas and this combo of the old colours with the modern technology is just killer.
- I consider the fractionalization of motorcycle types to be an anathema.
I switch between sportbikes and cruisers every few years and can’t get
happy with either category. Cruisers, like my current ride an ’02 Road
Star look great, sound good are comfy and uniformly handle like trucks.
Then came your ride impression of the new Roadliner. A bike with a
unique sense of style, a great mix of hi-and lo tech and good braking and
handling. The relaxed feet forward position I find I prefer for distance
riding and all the bling in the world to dress it up in. I can’t wait
till next bike week to test ride one.
But, I don’t only like cruisers and you guys have to go and show me
‘Guzzi,s Griso. It’s almost enough to make me violate my “no more Ital
bikes” rule, hard learrned from trying to get parts for previous
Benelli’s, Ducatis and an MV, and add one to my garage.
No one who grew up watching KR work magic on the TZs could resist the
looks of the new R1/R6 in the retro yellow and black…
Then there’s the Triumph 675 and Scrambler…Oh and the 650 Ninja would
look good sitting next to my retired EX-623 roadracer…
I guess I’ll just have to sell the house and buy a trailer with a barn
somwhere because this year has a bumper crop of bikes for everyone!
- Really like the new Buell Ulysses – rode it, liked it, needs better switchgear. May be the best all around bike I ever rode. Like it better than the BMW GS.
The entire Triumph line looks great. Rode the rocket III – great bike, needs better rear suspension and heat management. Like the Scrambler. I want one!
BMW K1200S – very cool. Pricey. Not good enough to replace my K1200RS though.
Harley is making great strides. 6 speed and EFI should be standard. 200mm tire too. Not enough to change from my Deuce.
New Kawasaki 650 twin is very cool.
How many Italian motorcycle names are there! Jeez, a new one pops up every week. Like ‘em all though! Will keep my 996 for now.
Yamaha – love the bumble bee look. Also like the art deco Star line. Aluminum frame on a cruiser – tell Harley to pay attention!
This is the best time to be a biker, so many to choose from, though prices are creeping up a bunch.
- The coolest motorcycle I’ve seen in at least 4 or 5 years is the new 675 Daytona.
Based on the initial specs and how rideable the Triumph Triples are, it should be a joy to ride.
Triumph has quietly produced some of the highest quality and most reliable motorcycles around.
The new R6 is the most GPesque motorcycle yet and is beautiful as well…better race bike may mean lesser street bike though.
- Thought I come from the other side of the Atlantic I take this opportunity to voice my opinion on which bike make biggest impression to a group of 50 riders.
We are based in Cyprus (a Greek island in a mediterranian sea) and we have the chance to ride almost any day of the year because of the good weather.
Our club is branded as Sunday Seven and we do ride all major models like Hayabusa, Suzuki GSXR K5, VStrom, R1, ZX10, BMW K1200S, GS1200, RT1200, FJR, Ducati 999 and many other.
We asked the same question to our members and most of them were impressed by the New Yamaha FJR as the best package, of course it was nothing formal but a general discussion on this matter.
So Yamaha FJR.
And a small tip I ride a Hayabusa and I favor Suzuki products, thought I do have an open mind on Japanese bikes, European bikes are expensive with no quality or reliability.
- Except for their relatively small fuel tanks and the Kaw’s chain drive instead of a belt
drive, – I would say the Star Roadliner and the Ninja 650R.
- It blew me away when Triumph built a 4 cylinder 600 to go head to head with the Japanese….so it’s with great relief they’ve finally pulled their heads out and created the 675. It’s gotta land bike of the year somewhere, eh?
- You hit the nail on the head, the Yamaha R6 and Triumph Daytona 675! Those are some sweet bikes!
- 2006 Yamaha R6
- The Kawasaki E6-n. When I went to Paris last week, I saw the real thing in a showroom. Up close, that is one beautiful bike. Too bad that only the fairing version is available here in the States…otherwise I would buy it.
- To me it looks to be the Triumph Daytona 675. The rest just seem to be the next version of the same thing.. Don’t get me wrong, I would absolutely love to own just about all of the new ones. However the one that really seems to catch my attention is the 675.
- fz1. beautiful, moderate price, performance
- The Boulevard M109R has my vote as the outstanding new model of 2006. This bike will start a trend of performance cruisers which a sportsbike enthusiast can live with.
- The 06 Triumph Daytona 675 impressed me the most. The GSX-R and R6 look great but they are just evolutions of other great bikes. Triumph did the right thing and dumped the 4 cylinders and got back to what they do best with twins and triples. It was a good effort but Japan can’t be beat at their own 4 cylinder 600 game.
- hands down the triunph scrambler.just have to love it! it definatly will find a spot in my garage.
- That bike would have to be the Buell XB12X.
Why,
Small company listening to their customers.
Have consistently stepped out to expand the sport of motorcycles
Continues to build simplicity into Technology
– Aircooled, push-rod, two valve, V-twin (that works)
Dripping w/ “in your face” technology (that works)
– oil in swing arm, ZTR front brake, belt drive, triple tail, fuel in frame, convertible sport tourer (bags)
Combo bike sport/tour/adventure
Two-up
Seat looks like one-up
Power to weight ratio
Power band
Designed by a bunch of “kids” in Wisconsin that are living the dream
Builds vision into the bikes are termed “exciters” (they give things we don’t know we need) like mass centralization
- 1.Best looking-SuzukiM109R
2.Best enginered Star Roadliner
- This is truly a banner year for impressive new bikes, so I’m going to cop out on you, and divide this war into individual battles.
Best streetbike (maybe ever): Buell Ulysses, no question. I’ve been an enthusiast for over 20 years now, and I can’t remember a bike with so much to offer so many different riders. Canyon carving? Check the sport-spec suspenders and wheels. Sport touring? Hard bags (optional), comfortable ergos and seat. Fire road exploration? How about a long travel suspension, bask plate muffler, and off-road spec belt. Character? Please…
Coolest Japanese bike: R1 LE. We’ve all lusted after a Mille R, or one of the various Ducatis that come with the racing wheels and Ohlins suspension, but for the first time a mainstream Japanese sportbike gives us the same opportunity. Cool.
Most Likely to Make A Big Splash: Triumph Daytona 675. If this thing is 90% of what we’re hearing it is, look out Nippon middleweights. I’ve liked the new Triumph since the Daytona 1200 appeared, but I think this new triple might finally be The One…the one to put the Japanese 600’s on the trailer that is. Let’s hope so, because competition is good.
Wow Factor: 06 R6. Fly-by-wire throttle? 17,500 RPM? Look at that fairing!
‘Nuff said.
Ok, I have a confession to make…well, two confessions. First, it’s late and I’m riding the tail end of a Nyquil rush, and second, I’ve blathered on because, as a dyed-in-the-wool sportbike guy, I’ve been trying to avoid answering your question with The Truth.
The Truth is, that the most impressive 06 model isn’t an 06 model at all, it’s an 05 model. That’s right, the Harley Davidson Street Rod. After what seems like 100 years (oh, wait…is it actually 100 years?) of cranking out what seems to a sporty bike guy like the same 3 models, The Motor Company dropped the V-Rod on us. Ok, I’m not a cruiser guy, but the motor is quite hi-tech with the performance to match the spec, and that alone is such a departure that it deserved kudos. Then, just when I was recovering from seeing a radiator on a H-D, they drop the real bomb…the Street Rod.
No ape hangers? No forward controls? A truly ‘standard’ seating position?
Even more power than a V-Rod? Brembo brakes? This thing is about as un-Harley as it gets, and for that brave departure, and for an amazing result, I have to say that the 05 Street Rod is the most impressive bike of 06. Still.
- KX450
- gsx r750 impressed me
- 2006 MotoGuzzi Griso, the more I look at it the better I like, it looks muscular,tough and gorgeous all at the same time. but, will be to expensive I’m sure. That said I’m buying a 2006 Yamaha FJRa this spring, more useful/practical.
- Although dissapointed that an M1 based R1 didn’t make the scene this year I’ll have to pick the new R6. The 17,500 redline should translate to about 140hp – from a 600! The short pipe, while not as effective as the Buell under-the-cases exhaust for centralizing mass is at least a step in the right direction away from putting heavy mufflers up under the seat.
Controlled fill tech, great looks and a unique license plate hanger that may not be the first thing chucked are other reasons.
- FZ1… Wow, I currently ride a 2002 Honda 919 and was looking for your rumored Honda 919 with the 998 engine. You didn’t tell me that it was going to be built by Yamaha.
- The Buell Ulysses- a motorcycling Swiss Army knife suitable for real-world roads. Best of all, it’s a bike that FINALLY made a lot of people seriously look at Buells instead of just believing all the negative internet hype. Kudos to Erik Buell & company.
- I read Motorcycle Daily, well, daily! (it is my home page) I appreciate all you do for us motorcyclists.
Keep up the good work!
If Honda produces the DN-01, I would seriously consider buying one, IF it had hard luggage (or large enough capacity somewhere hidden on the bike).
After owning and riding twelve different Japanese (mostly Hondas) bikes over 35 years ( I am now 51), I went over to the Duc side and bought a new
2005 Ducati ST4s which I am enjoying so far at 7,200 miles.
No other motorcycle out there had the V-twin (L-twin) that I love combined with a sensible seating position, decent fuel range and lockable luggage. I investigated in detail the other sport-touring options out there, Yamaha, Honda, BMW, etc.
If only Honda sold something similar using thier SuperHawk or RC51 motor…a shame they didn’t as those motors are the ideal motorcyle motor in my mind.
(I’ve owned both bikes and loved them…but not for longer distances due to no luggage and short fuel range…100 miles or so).
I regretted having to move away from Honda as I felt a very strong loyalty to them after all these years. Our cars have been Hondas/Acuras since 1984.
My boat has a Honda outboard motor. I have always considered myself to be a “Honda Guy”.
If you can pass this along to Honda, please, PLEASE beg them NOT to paint the bike purple!!! That similar color put the final nail in the coffin on my decision not to buy the ST1300…
Or better yet, provide me with a contact at Honda and I’ll send it to them myself. They need to know.
- I like its fresh face. The blend of sportbike and cruiser style is alluring. It will be interesting to see if Honda puts this concept into production and what aspects of the concept make it there.
Honda’s website also shows the E4-01 concept. The video’s audio sounds like there might be a four in there instead of the twin the DN-01 utilizes.
- Being more of a cruiser guy (previously a Suzuki Marauder and currently a Honda Valkyrie) I’d have say the new Yamaha Star Roadliners. They are beautiful bikes. If their straight line (and more importantly their twisty line) performance lives up to their expectations, these bike could do real well on the sales floor. I’m also impressed by the new vulcan 900. A mid size cruiser with fuel injection and belt drive looks like a winner (not to mention it will probally be faster than the entire Vulcan 1500/1600 line). The Suzuki M109 leaves me a little cold. A little too much V-ROD in there. Still, the metrics are packing more and better technology in their cruisers every year. If I was HD management, I’d be a little frightened.
- I have to say, that the new R6 spurs the most interest in me, for the sole reason of, THAT 17,000 RPM REDLINE!!!
Is this the next big thing- stratospheric redline-Yamaha does have a history of trending the industry.
- I believe the Triumph 675 will gain a large share of the sportbike market as it has useable midrange TQ that the current crop of 600 racereps lack.
Hopefully they will make a “Speed Triple Junior” naked version… that’s what I’m waiting for!
- Most impressed with the Roadliner. Because the old airstream/streamliner look is truly American, functional, art-deco, and beautiful. It’s very difficult to make a V-twin cruiser look as fresh as Yamaha did. 2006 Roadliner/Stratoliner gets my vote.
- Of the new bikes introduced, the Yamaha FZ1 is the ride that has me itching for a leg over and an assault of Palomar Mountain. Moving to the aluminum frame and weighing 438lbs should bring the bike up to spec.
Being an owner of a FJR1300, new ’06 FJR had my hopes up that it would solve the wind turbulence issues. Well, that may be the case, but they have clipped the wings of the original concept. Taller gearing, longer wheelbase, linked ABS…,Yamaha thinks we want a softer FJR, when we wanted a lighter FJR. I will stick with the ’03 and finish the suspension upgrades with RaceTech up front to complement the Wilbers at the rear.
- The revised Yamaha FJR1300. Just d~@#* near perfect now with the new refinements! Electric shift? Yep. Better air management? Yep. Better adjustable windshield? Yep. ABS? Yep.
- The 06 Triumph Daytona 675 impressed me the most. The GSX-R and R6 look great but they are just evolutions of other great bikes. Triumph did the right thing and dumped the 4 cylinders and got back to what they do best with twins and triples. It was a good effort but Japan can’t be beat at their own 4 cylinder 600 game.
- hands down the triunph scrambler.just have to love it! it definatly will find a spot in my garage.
- If the Triumph 675 triple has some liveable ergonomics, it could get me off of my 900SS/SP.
- After purchasing a DL650 this year, I do not need an FJR1300 or an ST1300. I pass them on the curves anyway.
The 650 Vstom is one of the best touring bikes I’ve ever rode. Fifty plus miles per gallon is just something Suzuki’s been doing for years, even with 1100’s.
I like the new Ninja 650, the new Triumph 675, and the old SV650 for my next purchase or a so called scooter that really rips.
It’s great to blow past the short sleavers with at least $2K in hand !
- My heart is sick having just learned Yamaha will not be importing the
2006 MT-03 to North America – the long overdue, updated replacement for
the 20 year old SRX-6 super single. My modified SRX is getting tired.
I would have camped at the dealership to get my hands on that
outstanding single cylinder ride.
- I read you web site almost daily and love it. It’s the way I stay in touch with Motorcycling since I sold my bike a few years back.
My impressions of the 2006s are that they are way over stylized to the point of being ugly. The new GSXRs, the Buell Ulysses, the ZX-10 and ZX-14 all appear to be great bikes, but they are way too much. Great bikes have always had a touch of sculpture to them, but we’ve dipped a little to into the abstract. Perhaps it’s just my age (44).
The wife and I just went new bike shopping this weekend. I’m looking for a 2005 ZX-12R, one of the last bikes that has that look of honest speed, to my eye. That’s my impressions of the 2006s.
Keep up the good work.
- Kawasaki Ninja 650R
An unexpected refreshing High-Tech take on one of Motorcycling’s original engine designs.
The “Parallel Twin”
This bike oozes features to make a middle aged riders heart race. Fuel Injection, DOHC, 4 valve heads all engineered into the latest thinking of Frame, Engine, Cassette-Type Transmission, Semi-Dry Sump, “Buell” style Exhaust all laid out in a Stylish bike.
Would make a nice addition in “The Shed” to another great parallel twin from Kawasaki the W650.
- The 06 Triumph Daytona 675 impressed me the most. The GSX-R and R6 look great but they are just evolutions of other great bikes. Triumph did the right thing and dumped the 4 cylinders and got back to what they do best with twins and triples. It was a good effort but Japan can’t be beat at their own 4 cylinder 600 game.
- The “funky” Ulysses, because I don’t think it’s funky, handles well with all the (in my opinion) cool Buell innovations and it’s american made!
- Of what I have read about this bike, from other publications that have had the opportunity to test one, and the fact that it shows that the manufacturer is stepping a bit out of their comfort zone. And at the same time showing some design/build skil, the bike that has impressed me to the point of considering buying one is the Buell Ulysses. The other new models to me are more of the same. Either bigger cc’s, a tweak here and there, but nothing that makes me think twice about upgrading or even perhaps just buying an additional bike.
- The Honda DN-1 Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- The DN-01 is a fantastic melding of motorcycle looks and scooter operation. It doesn’t look wussy, so motorcyclists and would-be motorcyclists won’t immediately dismiss it, and it’s no-sense-of-timing-required self-shifter will bring newbies who would have ended up in the step through crowd into the swing-your-leg over world. If you find a way to put a Telelever on it I’ll buy one. — Be careful, it’s dumb out there.
- I’d like to say the Ulysses, but the only Buell I’ve ridden was a weird-handling thing that felt like the motorcycling world’s equivalent of a helicopter – a bunch of moving parts flying in formation.
So instead I’d like to nominate the following two bikes, basically because I haven’t ridden either one.
Since both are too expensive for a poor grad student it makes no odds whether one daydream pans out better than the other. In the real world, my FZ-1 is most impressive mainly because it’s my daily driver and always starts…
Oh, yeah. Impressive bikes of 2005:
-MV Agusta Tamburini
-BMW HP2
Basically, the Tambo should win because it has the cool movable velocity stacks, which reminds me of SAAB and their variable-displacement cylinder head design of a while back. Speaking of SAAB and swedish things, here’s a permanant pet peeve of mine: why do all the cool Swedish bikes get bought up and moved to Italy?
Even Husaberg! Husaberg, fer jiminy’s sakes!
Anyway, the second bike I nominate is the HP2, which among other things uses something called a “telescopic front fork”. I’m not so sure about this thing, but apparently, it is a paired set of tubes sliding inside other tubes using oil and some springs. BMW says this provides shock absorbtion somehow, although they don’t say how they propose to counter the inevitable dive under braking and consequent change of suspension geometry. Thank God they’re still wedded to the shaft drive. Lord knows what crazy drive system they might come up with otherwise. Nutty Bavarians.
There you have it. Thanks for a fun website!
- Triumph Scrambler
- With the modern UJM being the ubiquitous V-twin, I am impressed by two ideas of “basic” motorcycles. The Triumph Scrambler and the Yamaha Trickster. The Scrambler reflects on the days when there wasn’t a lot of specialization. Sometimes the bike you rode to work was the bike you raced on weekends. The Triumph is just a nostalgic version of bikes like the V-Strom 650 Suzuki only much better looking to old guys like me. The Trickster is the same in a smaller package. Where are all the kids on small bikes nowadays? DTs, XLs and the like used to crowd school parking lots. You rode to school, rode trails, cruised the DQ and took your girlfriend for rides. Plus, all this motivation cost very little fuel wise. Maybe Yamaha thinks the time for a bike like the DT is at hand. With 800 pound cruisers, 36 inch high dual sport seats and cramped, chaotic crotch rockets…..maybe the Trickster and the Scrambler will find an audience.
- Aprilia’s Supermoto Championship winning SXV 450/550! It’s such an impressive machine the AMA is already in the process to ban it from SX and MX! 🙁
- Honda dn-01. Put an RC51 motor in that thing and they might just have something.
- I would have to say the Yamaha R6 is the most impressive bike for 2006. From the fly by wire throttle, mid ship exhaust, 17,500 rpm redline, the bike just bristles with technology. How it all works as a package remains to be seen, but for the sheer bling factor, the R6 does it for me.
- Easily the most impressive new 2006 U.S. market motorcycle is the Yamaha Morphous. It is category leading, category busting and category defining all at once. Only question – is the US market now sophisticated enough to appreciate either high style or technical features like fuel injection and radial tires without a mega-displacement engine attached? Probably not!
The new Kawasaki KLX250 dual sport just misses my top pick – with a larger tank and fan
- Most impressed w/ the 2006 Buell Ulysses. So much so that I bought one. Awesome bike! Does everything well.
- Yamaha R6 – This bike is making HP that the 1000cc were making a few short years ago. Super light weight with a preferred weight bias towards the front. This is the total package for the track with dead sexy looks to back it up. You would think the Italians are designing all the new Yamaha’s. A new R1 LE or a R6, choices, choices – I will take both and use the R1 on the street and the R6 on the track. Yamaha is on a roll with the R1, R6, new FZ1, and too much else new to list.
I also think the new Star motorcycles are the best looking cruisers out there with the Roadliner and Stratoliner. I am not a cruiser rider but these are the bikes I would buy if looking for one.
Yamaha and Star dealers should have a good year this year!
- zx10r!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Hi! It is unusual for me to reply to survey type questions such as this, but having just swapped out my ’03 Honda ST1300ABS for a ’06 Buell Ulysses there may be just a bit more passion pulsing through my veins than usual! I started riding at around age 15 on a Honda 90 Scrambler and enjoyed many a day exploring the logging trails and back roads of southeast Texas. The desire for more power resulted in getting a Honda CB450 in the early seventies. Then I took a long hiatus while raising three wonderful children. About five years ago I gone back into motorcycling with the purchase of a Honda Magna (VF4 750) and after a while I set my sights on what I felt at the time would be my dream bike … the ST1300. The big sport tourer is a fantastic bike, but it is also very heavy and carries a good bit of that weight up high which made for a few slow maneuver near disasters. I also found that on many occasions while riding paved country roads I would have a yearning to turn off on dirt roads and see where they might lead me as I had done in my youth. But while I did occasionally take the (dirt) road less traveled, it just wasn’t very much fun on the big sport tourer. My wonderful wife indulges my motorcycle hobby, but she doesn’t really understand the need for several motorcycles in the garage; so I began to study the varies offerings from a wider range of manufacturers looking for a more complete all-around bike. The BMW R1200GS got my attention and has had me on the verge of making it my next bike, but the price tag is just a bit more than I wanted to justify. While waiting for enough time to pass for some of these great bikes to start appearing in the used market in my price range along come Buell with the XB12X! It immediately got my attention! Yes, “funky” is a good descriptor especially if you put the emphasis funky! It does have a very high seat, but so do most of the bikes with which it is most appropriately compared. All of the unique aspects of Buell engineering are well suited to this type of bike. I don’t intend to push it too hard or fast on the dirt roads and fire roads where I plan to spend much more time, so I didn’t think I wanted to go the KTM Adventurer route … the seat on the XB12X is one of its best features! I had already voted with my pocketbook by the time my copy of the November ’05 issue of Motorcycle Consumer New arrived, but I certainly agree with their review and conclusions on the comparison of the BMW R1200GS versus the Buell XB12X. The only aspect that has even remotely concerned me with the Ulysses is the heat on the right side from the exhaust pipe that warms up the frame enough to get ones attention. I have already played in the dirt a little and it looks like the Ulysses is going to exceed my expectations of being a great road bike that will entice me to take the road less traveled every time I have the chance! Thank you for the opportunity to express this bit of rationalization!
- For me, it has to be the new FZ1. I was waiting for the new VFR (new
color this year, wow.) The FZ1 has the power and suspension that the
VFR lacks. I think Honda may be ready to throw in the towel on the VFR.
- Kawasaki Ninja 650R gets my vote for the bike that had (and will have) the most impact for the average rider. On paper – a true contender to the SV650. With EFI, adjustable suspension and a full-fairing – it may be that correct balance of performance, value and accessibility so many people want. An all-out supersport needn’t worry about such things and cruisers have a time-honored template to follow.
We shall see…the parallel twin won’t ever be (or sound like) a v-twin….and Kawi’s have always been known for sacrificing the bottom end to get top-end performance.
- Manufacturer:Victory Model:Vegas
I wanted a bike that handled well and that I could ride all day long. I was amazed at how well this bike corners. I looked at alot of the sport cruisers but settled on the victory for 3 Main reasons:
1 – It is made in the USA
2 – It is amazing stable in every manuver I could put it through.
3 – It still looks like what I think a motorcycle should look like. A clean V-twin.Anyway, I’m jazzed about my new bike thought I would pass along the enthusiasm.
- Surely, without an atom of doubt, the Suzuki GSX-R600 fails to ever have me disappointed. This particular bike is my favorite bike. I’ve been wanting to buy this bike for a while and it is going to be my first superbike ever. I really don’t know much about bikes and the little knowledge that i have is because of Motorcycle Daily..!! The Suzuki has great reviews and looks amazing. The R6 definitely looks better, but my heart is with the Suz.
So with this mail i would like to thank the Motorcycle Daily crew for the amazing work they are upto and please keep it up.
- The 2006 bikes has indeed been a eye-opener, notably in the 600 class which features an all new-look in the suzukis and yamahas. The 600 class has indeed escalate to greater heights through its sleek design and improved engine performances. The 2006 litre class bikes are also impressive, particularly the revamped ZX10 and the R1 SE.
However, no doubt these machines are testaments of tremendous improvement to technologies in the biking fraternity, there is one bike which impressed me most – Hayabusa.
The reason why i have labeled this bike as one which carved deep impression is the fact that the engine, since its inception in 1999, remained nearly untouched. Its only changes over the years were probably features such as its exhaust pipes, the signal lens, the paintworks, and the suzuki logo on the fuel tank etc. To date, the Busa has been using its current technology for years, and this technology is able to sustain competition from the CBR1100XX, the ZX12, and the recently significantly improved ZX14. But wat puzzled me most is, despite the slow development in its engine, the Busa remains a popular choice for tourer in Singapore. The 2003 LE is a excellent example of perfection and precision.
The 2006 has seen an all improved bikes for both the Yamaha and Suzuki, and in the coming months, we shall be able to witness how Honda respond to these threats. And in time to come, only the riders out there benefited from these competitions!
- Triumph Daytona 675!!
- Definately the TRIUMPH 675. Thin light & plenty of grunt. Not another clone.
- Having never owned a Triumph I was very impressed with the new 675. The looks of it alone were enough to make me read the article about it. The new 675 may just be my first Triumph. It excite’s me just as the first generation GSX-R did when I first laid eye’s on it…and that is saying something for someone that has owned every make and model of sportbike on the planet.
- There is a lot to look forward to this coming year:
Potential Winners:
Yamaha R6 – the styling and the track focus are taking the race replica to a new level. High and low speed compression damping will either be nirvana or a catalyst for endless frustrating fiddling…
Suzuki GSXR-600/750 – following the styling cues of their 1000cc big brother (and even more closely – the new R6), these look-a-like siblings may prove to be the best in-line four replicas for the street
Kasawaki 650R – A hot yet affordable parallel twin may cater to those looking for cheap fun along a different path than pure sports.
Buell-style exhaust could be a boon or a curse…
Kawasaki ZX-14 – A massive shot-across-the-bow to Suzuki’s Hayabusa and preemptive strike at BMWs K1200S. Nothing bigger or badder in the biking universe. But will it handle?
Buell XB12Ss ‘Lightning Long’ – At last a new-style Buell with dimensions to fit standard size humans without Cirque du Soleil contortions. Only lack of top end over-rev capability may hold this one down in the market. That and the silly name.
Honorable Mentions:
Yamaha FZ1 – the looks are still awkward/funky, with that stubby but huge exhaust, and the same-as-before aftermarket add-on look fairing.
The performance, though, ought to be ‘oh-my-god’ impressive. An absolute must-try for lovers of standard-style bikes who crave race replica performance.
Buell XB12X Ulysses – May end up being Buell’s biggest seller, but doesn’t quite make perfect sense: underslung muffler on a bike designed for off-road? Lack of steering lock making control on loose surfaces dodgy? Looks the part, but this bike’s ultimate success will depend on positive word of mouth from the first cadre of owners. How will they use it?
Yawns:
Triumph 675 – Many are singing this bike’s praises, but an instant classic? Get Real. This is Triumph following a styling path ordained by trends just coming in vogue four years ago, with predictable results. That engine may be a real step forward though. All will depend on the bike’s charisma when seen in the flesh, and, most importantly, build quality (must be better than the latest Sprint ST).
Kawasaki ZX-10R – Undertail exhausts? too predictable. Teenier headights? looks beady-eyed. Made easier to use? sounds boring. From mad to sad, from wild to mild – let’s hope the reality is different than the press releases imply.
Every Honda so far mentioned in the press. Great bikes, mind – just nothing new and interesting.
- The Triumph Daytona is one of the most impressive bikes I’ve seen enter the sportbike arena in some time. Though the actual appearance is very suggestive of most modern 600 class sportbikes, particularly the ZX6R, the Triumph is definitely in a class all its own.
The triple engine should provide the kind of torque typically lacking in bikes of its class, in addition to providing the kind of quick-revving power that most twins lack. Still a compromise? Perhaps, but with torque like a twin and power like an inline four, I’d expect nothing less than extremely competitive performance from the new Daytona.
Weight and suspension are par for the course, not at all disappointing. Neither is the lightweight frame, coming in at the same dry weight as the feathery SV650. Brakes don’t disappoint, either, with radial mount calipers.
All in all, Triumph has succeeded in providing the market with what it lacks: a torquey midrange in a 600 class sportbike that makes no compromise. Now if I only had the money…
- Either the new 2006 Yamaha FZ1 or the Kawi ZX-14. (I currently ride the 2005 FZ1.) Please do a comprehensive review on both models as soon as possible.
- Honda supplies the rest of the world with a beautiful CB-1300S, but not us. I suppose the debacle of the 1993 CB1000 (owned one and loved it) has convinced the head wizard at Honda not to try us again (Kawasaki and Yamaha are profoundly grateful, as they clean up with the 1100 and FZ1). The Yamaha FZ1 should be a stellar performer as long as Yamaha doesn’t “detune the engine for more midrange.” The hard core sport bikes are beyond imagination – definitely “experienced only” for anything above the 600’s. How wild – in 1986, the Kawasaki 1000R Ninja was the fastest production bike at 162 mph. Today, every one of the hot rod 600’s will do that and they are about 100 pounds lighter. Probably won’t buy anything new – wait a year and peruse EBay for a cherry castoff.
- Yamaha R6 – This will be the ultimate track bike. I
put a down payment on one as soon as I saw the specs.
My dealer said ‘you’re not going to take this new bike out on the track are you?’ To which I replied ‘ it would be criminal not too!’
- On the off-road scene, I think that KTM deserves the most recognition for the relentless pursuit of perfection, particularly in the two stroke segment. No one else can match up to them for off the floor racing prowess.
On the street, the Triumph 675 is a beautiful machine that is inspiring in the fact that it’s different, but still extremely competent.
- I had owned many bikes over 16 years of riding.. I cannot see myself with just one bike – I have 2 now and soon to be three. If I was forced to have one bike today it will be a Ducati ST4s or a VFR800 – anything bigger is heavy.
But my ultimate street bike is the new to be introduced Monster S2R 1000 I have had a 1996 Ducati Monster 900 with lots of carbon fiber parts for a long time – finally they are making air cooled 1000cc with all the tasty bits from a S4R – it is the best looking bike on the planet. Yes the S2R1000 is no innovation/breakthrough compared to 17500rpm R6, or a airbag on a gold wing, or a sequential clutch-less gear on a FJR1300 (which is my other bike), but the S2R1000 is the most artful practical bike. Everytime I get on my monster it reminds why I need to have this bike along with other bikes into the future.
My ultimate Sports Tourer is yet to be made I have a 2004 FJR1300ABS it is the best there is now – but it has too many flaws – heat problems, very bad turbulence, vibration – slightly disappointed that I did not get a lot of refinement in return for the sportiness I sacrificed by going from a VFR. But my wife loves riding two up on it and the engine is wicked! my only question is if they can make liter class superbikes that are under 370 punds why can no one make a sporttourer with hard bags and comfortable riding position and less vibration under 500lbs? For now I will stay with my FJR but it is dissapointing that no one including BMW makes a sport tourer that hits the sweet spot.. the next K1200GT looks promising but it will be heavy.
