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The best motorcycle of 2022 for the widest range of riders was the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+. It combined strong sportbike performance with standard luggage, cruise control, useful electronics, and touring comfort—enough for Rider Magazine to name it the 2022 Motorcycle of the Year. But “best” depends on how and where you ride. A BMW K 1600 GTL makes more sense for two-up touring, a Honda Navi is far more approachable for a beginner, and a KTM 890 Adventure R is a better choice for serious off-road travel.
This evidence-based editorial ranking uses Rider Magazine’s 2022 finalist field as its foundation, then balances sport-touring, adventure, naked, cruiser, retro, luxury-touring, and entry-level motorcycles. Model-year references and specifications are primarily U.S.-market figures from the 2022 evaluation period—not current 2026 prices or claims of present-day availability.
How this 2022 motorcycle ranking works
There was no universally objective “best motorcycle” in 2022. Rider Magazine evaluated more than 60 eligible motorcycles and selected ten finalists, emphasizing performance, manageability on public roads, comfort, reliability, versatility, and touring usefulness. It ultimately chose the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ as its overall winner. Read Rider’s 2022 Motorcycle of the Year evaluation.
Cycle News took a different approach, describing its selections as subjective and naming multiple staff favorites rather than one universal winner. See Cycle News’ 2022 Bikes of the Year. The ranking below therefore should be read as a practical comparison, not as a claim that the tenth-ranked motorcycle is objectively worse than every bike outside the list.
#1 Best Overall
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Power figures are not directly comparable because some are manufacturer claims and others are rear-wheel dyno figures. Weight, seat height, wind protection, luggage, electronics, price, and intended use matter just as much as horsepower.
Quick comparison
| Rank | Motorcycle | Best for | Key character |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ | Best overall and sport-tourer | Fast, comfortable, practical |
| 2 | Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak | High-performance road touring | Premium, powerful, electronic |
| 3 | Yamaha MT-10 | Hyper-naked performance | Exciting, upright, R1-derived |
| 4 | KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo | Extreme naked-bike performance | Aggressive and highly adjustable |
| 5 | BMW K 1600 GTL | Luxury two-up touring | Refined, large, exceptionally equipped |
| 6 | Triumph Tiger 1200 | Large adventure touring | Redesigned, versatile, road or dirt oriented |
| 7 | Harley-Davidson Nightster | Modern performance cruiser | Compact, liquid-cooled, contemporary |
| 8 | Royal Enfield Classic 350 | Affordable modern classic | Relaxed, stylish, approachable |
| 9 | Honda Navi | Ultra-accessible urban riding | Automatic, light, inexpensive |
| 10 | CFMOTO 650 ADVentura | Value-oriented adventure touring | Well equipped for the price |
1. Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+
Best overall 2022 motorcycle and best sport-tourer.
The Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ is the strongest all-round recommendation because it covers more everyday jobs than any other motorcycle in this group. It can commute, carry luggage on a trip, handle spirited paved-road riding, and provide enough comfort for long-distance touring without becoming a full-size luxury tourer.
Its 999cc inline-four is derived from Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 K5 engine. Rider recorded 136 horsepower and 73 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheel on its dyno. The GT+ package adds standard side cases, while the motorcycle also provides cruise control, ride modes, traction control, a bidirectional quickshifter, and a 6.5-inch TFT display. Rider praised the combination of performance, manageability, technology, comfort, weight, and price before naming it Motorcycle of the Year. Review the published GSX-S1000GT+ evaluation.
Suzuki also integrated smartphone functions through its mySPIN system, including contacts, phone functions, maps, music, and calendar features. See Suzuki’s official GSX-S1000GT announcement. That reduces the need for a separate navigation setup for some owners, although it does not make an external phone mount irrelevant for every rider.
Best for: Experienced street riders who want one motorcycle for commuting, fast road riding, and touring.
Limitations: Its liter-bike power and substantial size make it a poor first motorcycle for many beginners. It is also a road-focused sport-tourer, not an off-road adventure bike.
2. Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
Best high-performance adventure-derived road motorcycle.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak takes the upright ergonomics and long-distance capability associated with adventure motorcycles and pushes them toward superbike-style road performance. Its 1,158cc Grandturismo V4 was listed at a claimed 170 horsepower and 92 lb-ft of torque in Rider’s finalist description.
The road-focused Pikes Peak specification includes revised geometry, Race mode, revised quickshifting, Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension, Brembo Stylema brakes, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot detection. Rider highlighted its unusual ability to combine upright comfort with very high road performance and noted its long service intervals. Read the source evaluation and equipment overview.
Best for: Experienced riders who want premium electronics and fast paved-road touring.
Limitations: The price, complexity, and performance are excessive for many commuters. Despite its adventure-derived platform, the Pikes Peak is primarily a road motorcycle rather than the best choice for serious dirt riding.
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Best hyper-naked motorcycle.
The 2022 Yamaha MT-10 delivered superbike-derived performance without the committed riding position or full fairing of an R1-style sportbike. Its crossplane inline-four was described by Rider as producing 160 horsepower, and Cycle News also selected the MT-10 as a favorite, praising its engine, suspension, ergonomics, value, and R1-derived electronics.
For 2022, Yamaha updated the MT-10 with revised styling and ergonomics, upgraded brakes, a new TFT display, revised emissions compliance, increased output, and an IMU-based electronic control suite. The engine’s crossplane character is a major part of its appeal: it feels and sounds distinctive while delivering serious acceleration. See Rider’s 2022 finalist coverage and Cycle News’ staff assessment.
Rank #2
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Best for: Experienced riders who want an exhilarating upright motorcycle for fast road riding.
Limitations: The minimal wind protection, strong appetite for fuel, and extreme performance make it less practical for touring and less forgiving for inexperienced riders.
4. KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo
Best extreme naked-bike performance.
KTM’s 1290 Super Duke R Evo, known as “The Beast,” was designed for riders who want maximum aggression from a street-legal naked motorcycle. Its 1,301cc V-twin was listed by Rider at 180 horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque.
The Evo version added WP semi-active suspension with six modes and automatic preload adjustment, along with revised throttle-by-wire and electronic controls. That adjustability lets a skilled rider tailor the motorcycle more precisely than a conventional naked bike, but it does not change the fundamental character: this is a very powerful, reactive machine.
Best for: Highly experienced riders who prioritize acceleration, cornering hardware, and electronic suspension adjustment.
Limitations: It is less comfortable, practical, approachable, and affordable than the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ or Yamaha MT-10. Its performance can quickly exceed what is sensible on public roads. Read Rider’s finalist description.
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5. BMW K 1600 GTL
Best luxury touring motorcycle.
The BMW K 1600 GTL is the specialist choice for riders who routinely travel long distances, carry a passenger, and want car-like refinement in a motorcycle. Its smooth 1,649cc inline-six was reported by Rider at 160 horsepower and 133 lb-ft of torque.
The 2022 update added upgraded rider aids, a 10.25-inch TFT display, an air-conditioned smartphone compartment, and further comfort and convenience features. Its size and equipment make it exceptionally capable on the highway, especially when the trip includes a passenger and substantial luggage.
Best for: Long-distance paved-road touring, two-up travel, and riders who value comfort and electronic convenience above light weight.
Limitations: This is a large and heavy motorcycle. Its purchase cost, complexity, and maintenance demands make it a specialized choice rather than the sensible answer for short urban rides. See the 2022 K 1600 GTL coverage.
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Best large adventure-tourer redesign.
The Triumph Tiger 1200 was a substantially redesigned platform evaluated during the 2022 award cycle. The important model-year clarification is that the finalist description concerns the 2023 model designation introduced during 2022, rather than a conventional 2022 U.S.-market model.
Triumph’s new platform was described as 55 pounds lighter than its predecessor, used a 147-horsepower triple-cylinder engine, and added a new chassis and upgraded electronics. The range included GT variants focused on road touring and Rally variants aimed more directly at off-road travel. Read Rider’s Tiger 1200 finalist coverage.
Best for: Riders who want one large ADV motorcycle for highway travel, touring, and selected off-pavement routes.
Limitations: The large-displacement ADV format remains tall and heavy compared with middleweight adventure bikes. Choose the GT or Rally configuration according to actual use rather than assuming every Tiger 1200 is equally dirt capable.
Rank #3
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7. Harley-Davidson Nightster
Best new performance cruiser.
The 2022 Nightster modernized Harley-Davidson’s entry performance-cruiser direction. It retained visual links to Sportster styling but used the liquid-cooled Revolution Max powertrain: a 975cc V-twin with variable valve timing and approximately 90 horsepower in Rider’s account.
That engine and chassis concept made the Nightster distinct from Harley-Davidson’s traditional air-cooled cruiser formula. It was compact, contemporary, and more performance-oriented while still offering the low-slung cruiser appearance many buyers want.
Best for: Riders who want cruiser styling with a responsive, modern liquid-cooled engine.
Limitations: Traditional Harley-Davidson buyers may prefer larger air-cooled or touring models, while riders seeking long-distance comfort may want more wind protection, luggage, and passenger equipment. See the Nightster’s 2022 finalist details.
8. Royal Enfield Classic 350
Best affordable modern classic.
The Royal Enfield Classic 350 shows why a motorcycle does not need class-leading power to be a good recommendation. Its appeal is the combination of retro styling, manageable performance, simple character, and everyday usability.
The motorcycle uses a 349cc air- and oil-cooled, fuel-injected single-cylinder engine with a five-speed transmission. Royal Enfield’s 2022 U.S. specification sheet listed 20.2 bhp, 19.9 lb-ft of torque, dual-channel ABS, a 31.69-inch seat height, and a 430-pound curb weight. Rider listed a U.S. starting price of $4,599 at the time. Review Rider’s Classic 350 coverage.
Best for: Newer riders, urban commuters, and buyers who value classic appearance and relaxed pace.
Limitations: The engine is not intended for rapid highway acceleration, and the 430-pound curb weight is substantial for a motorcycle with this level of output.
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9. Honda Navi
Best ultra-accessible entry motorcycle.
The Honda Navi occupies a useful middle ground between a scooter and a conventional step-over motorcycle. Its 109cc fan-cooled single-cylinder engine produces roughly 8 horsepower and drives through a continuously variable transmission, so there is no manual clutch or gear shifting to learn.
Rider described the Navi as weighing 236 pounds, with a 30-inch seat height and a launch price of $1,807. Those numbers, the automatic transmission, and its compact dimensions made it one of the most approachable new motorcycles of 2022. Read Rider’s Navi evaluation.
Best for: First-time riders, short urban trips, practice, and inexpensive recreational transportation.
Limitations: Its low power and small-bike design make it unsuitable for highway travel and long-distance touring in most situations. Buyers should also check local licensing, registration, and equipment requirements because legal classifications vary by jurisdiction.
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Best value-oriented middleweight adventure-tourer.
The CFMOTO 650 ADVentura offered a substantial equipment list at a relatively low model-year price. Rider described its 649cc parallel twin as producing 60 horsepower and 41 lb-ft of torque. Standard equipment included ABS, an adjustable windscreen, a TFT display, LED lighting, Pirelli Angel GT tires, and hard-shell saddlebags.
Its listed U.S. price was $6,799, which undercut the Kawasaki Versys 650LT by $3,200 at the time. That price comparison is historical and should not be treated as a current 2026 market quote. The lower ranking reflects CFMOTO’s less established market presence and brand history during the evaluation period, not a lack of equipment.
Rank #4
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Best for: Budget-conscious riders who want practical commuting, light touring, luggage, and an adventure-style riding position.
Limitations: Buyers should investigate local dealer support, parts availability, warranty terms, and resale expectations before choosing it over a more established competitor. See the published ADVentura specifications and evaluation.
Strong alternatives that did not make this balanced top ten
KTM 890 Adventure R: best alternative for serious off-road riding
RevZilla selected the KTM 890 Adventure R as one of its favorite motorcycles of 2022 after riding it in off-road and touring conditions. Its suspension, electronics, and dirt capability make it a stronger choice than several motorcycles in the main ranking if your priority is technical terrain rather than paved-road touring. Read RevZilla’s 2022 motorcycle selections.
Aprilia Tuareg 660: best lighter ADV alternative
The Aprilia Tuareg 660 is a credible alternative to the larger Tiger 1200 for riders who want a lighter, narrower, and more approachable adventure motorcycle. RevZilla praised its chassis, lower seat, light weight, and competitive $11,999 price during the 2022 evaluation period. It is particularly relevant to riders who expect to spend meaningful time off pavement.
Kawasaki Z900RS SE: best retro road alternative
Cycle News praised the Z900RS SE for its styling, torque, and riding character. It deserves consideration from buyers who want a retro appearance with lively road performance but do not need luggage, adventure hardware, or the outright power of the MT-10.
Stark VARG: an important electric exception
RevZilla and Cycle News both identified the Stark VARG electric motocross motorcycle as a standout of 2022. It is not included in the main list because its competition-focused use case does not align well with a general street-and-touring ranking. It is better considered by riders specifically seeking an electric off-road competition machine.
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Which 2022 motorcycle should you choose?
- For one motorcycle that does almost everything: Choose the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+. Its luggage, cruise control, protection, and performance give it the broadest practical range.
- For the fastest premium road touring: Consider the Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak. It prioritizes performance and technology, not low ownership cost.
- For an exciting naked bike: Choose the Yamaha MT-10 for its engine character and usable upright layout, or the KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo if maximum aggression and suspension adjustability matter more.
- For luxury two-up travel: The BMW K 1600 GTL is the specialist answer, provided you can manage its size and cost.
- For mixed highway and off-road travel: Compare the Triumph Tiger 1200, KTM 890 Adventure R, and Aprilia Tuareg 660. The KTM and Aprilia are better aligned with riders who value lower weight and dirt performance.
- For cruiser style: The Harley-Davidson Nightster offers a more modern powertrain and chassis approach than traditional Sportster-derived choices.
- For an affordable, relaxed motorcycle: The Royal Enfield Classic 350 provides more conventional motorcycle feel, while the Honda Navi is easier to operate and substantially more basic.
- For maximum equipment per dollar: The CFMOTO 650 ADVentura is worth investigating, with dealer and parts support checked locally.
Useful ownership accessories
Navigation and phone mounting
A motorcycle phone mount can be useful on the GSX-S1000GT+, MT-10, Tiger 1200, and other motorcycles that do not provide the navigation or smartphone integration you prefer. It is not automatically required on the Suzuki: its mySPIN system already supports phone, maps, music, contacts, and calendar functions for compatible setups. If you use a mount, check handlebar diameter and available space, use adequate vibration isolation, confirm weather resistance, and determine whether the system requires a proprietary phone case. A mount that fits one motorcycle should not be assumed to fit all ten.
Battery maintenance during storage
A motorcycle battery tender is a practical consideration for seasonal owners, particularly those storing expensive touring or performance motorcycles. Harley-Davidson owner documentation discusses using a tender during storage, and Battery Tender provides motorcycle chargers and SAE quick-disconnect accessories. See the Harley-Davidson storage documentation and Battery Tender’s accessory information.
Before connecting a maintainer, confirm the battery chemistry, charger mode, voltage, connector polarity, and the motorcycle manufacturer’s instructions. A compatible SAE motorcycle battery tender cable can make connection easier, but connector compatibility should be verified rather than assumed.
Gear and maintenance essentials
Touring and ADV buyers should budget for a properly fitted helmet, protective jacket and pants, gloves, boots, rain gear, and luggage solutions appropriate to the trip. Chain-driven motorcycles also need appropriate chain-cleaning and lubrication supplies; shaft-driven motorcycles do not require chain maintenance. A motorcycle cover should be selected by dimensions, exhaust clearance, and indoor or outdoor rating—not by a generic “universal fit” label.
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Do not choose among these motorcycles by horsepower alone. Match the motorcycle to your experience, licensing, training, physical comfort, seat height, weight, riding position, traffic environment, and intended use. A 180-horsepower naked bike may be technically impressive but a poor beginner purchase; a Honda Navi or Classic 350 may be more useful while skills develop.
- Complete appropriate rider training before carrying a passenger or riding at highway speeds.
- Wear a properly fitted, jurisdiction-compliant helmet and suitable protective equipment.
- Check local licensing, registration, insurance, emissions, and equipment laws.
- Inspect tire condition, brake operation, fluid levels, chain or shaft-drive maintenance needs, and battery condition on used examples.
- Confirm recalls, service records, parts support, and dealer availability before buying an older or less established model.
- Remember that the prices cited here were model-year figures from the 2022 evaluation period, not current purchase prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the best motorcycle of 2022?
The Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ is the best overall pick in this balanced ranking and was Rider Magazine’s 2022 Motorcycle of the Year. Its combination of performance, standard luggage, cruise control, electronics, comfort, and touring ability gave it the broadest range of uses.
Was the Triumph Tiger 1200 a 2022 motorcycle?
The redesigned Tiger 1200 was evaluated during the 2022 award cycle but concerned the 2023 model designation introduced during that period. It should not be described without qualification as a conventional 2022 U.S.-market model.
Which motorcycle on this list is best for a beginner?
The Honda Navi is the most approachable because of its low seat, light weight, low power, and automatic CVT transmission. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 is a better choice for someone who wants a conventional motorcycle, but new riders should still complete training and verify local licensing requirements.
Which 2022 motorcycle is best for off-road riding?
The KTM 890 Adventure R is the strongest alternative cited for serious off-road use. Within the main ranking, the Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally variants are more dirt-oriented than the road-focused GT versions, while the Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak is primarily a high-performance road motorcycle.
Are the prices in this article still current?
No. The $1,807 Honda Navi, $4,599 Royal Enfield Classic 350, $6,799 CFMOTO 650 ADVentura, and other figures are historical model-year prices from the 2022 evaluation period. Used-market values, dealer inventory, and any remaining new stock vary by location and date.
The Bottom Line
The Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ earns the overall recommendation because it delivers the most complete blend of speed, comfort, luggage, electronics, and everyday usability. It is not the right motorcycle for everyone: choose the BMW K 1600 GTL for luxury two-up touring, the KTM 890 Adventure R or Aprilia Tuareg 660 for lighter off-road work, the Yamaha MT-10 for naked-bike excitement, the Classic 350 for relaxed retro riding, or the Honda Navi for approachable urban transportation. The right choice is the motorcycle that matches your experience and actual roads—not the one with the highest output figure.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
