Our favorite motorcycles of 2024

So we take the admittedly easier way out and choose the motorcycles from the year past that either were our personal favorites, or we felt were significant, or just worthy of being highlighted. By design, these are subjective choices. So feel free to disagree in the comments.

Now that we have that out of the way, start us off, Zack.

Zack Courts: An exquisite blend of sporty capability, fun, and utility

I was just spinning through a few bikes that I still have not ridden and thinking I'm behind the curve. The CFMOTO Ibex 450 and BMW R 1300 GS Adventure are both on my list and seem exciting for different reasons. Heck, I still haven't even tried the new Royal Enfield Himalayan, which was Dustin's favorite bike last year.

Still, I got to ride some keepers over the past 12 months. BMW's M 1000 R is in with a shout, with a combination of power and luxury that's hard to match. Or Kawasaki's Ninja 500, which has some flaws, I think, but I'm struggling to recall what they are right now…? Anyway, for me it's got to be KTM's 890 SMT.

Not because it's the best looking, the best value, the most approachable, or the fastest. It's just a chocolate-dipped, rip-roarin', finger-lickin' good time, every time. "In fact," I said, earlier this year, "I'm struggling to come up with competitors, in almost any price bracket, that can match the 890 SMT's sporting poise, playful attitude, and day-to-day utility." I know it's boring to covet the bike that makes the most sense, but that thing is too good to ignore.

Spurgeon Dunbar: Considering the advantages of a middleweight sport bike

After a recent trip down to Barber Motorsports Park to watch some vintage racing with my co-workers, I drove home pondering the addition of a sportier, track-capable mount to my stable. And while I have often waxed poetic about finding a used Suzuki SV650 for that purpose, as so many have done before me, I found myself admiring a different bike in Suzuki's line-up, the 2024 GSX-8R.

To me, the fully-faired GSX-8R and its naked GSX-8S sibling, which preceded it, feel more like the proper pair to carry on the SV650 lineage. A torquey, fun middleweight that can be used around town, or with some throw-over bags for a sport-touring weekend, or the occasional track day for those of us who have no use for more than 80 horsepower. After all, not everyone can be a Zack Courts, dragging our elbows on a Panigale (although I'm sure Mr. Courts could just as easily wear through his leathers on a GSX-8R).

But you don't need to take my word for it. If you need further convincing, I'll present Dustin Wheelen's review of the GSX-8R from earlier this year. Dustin wrote of the GSX-8R's comfortable rider triangle with plenty of leg room. He talked about the bike's "basic, but in a good way" 270-degree parallel-twin engine. And he seemed impressed with the upgraded suspension over the S model of this motorcycle. Impressed enough to confidently scuff up his own set of leathers at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, where he tested the bike on the track.

And the best part of this new Gixxer? It's priced under $9,500. If Santa is reading this (or, ahem, Suzuki's marketing team), I'd like mine in Pearl Ignite Yellow.

Dustin Wheelen: Small is beautiful, especially the Aprilia

I was privileged enough to test several high-performance, high-tech (and highly priced) motorcycles in 2024. The radar-guided, self-shifting KTM AMT Prototype — later announced as the 1390 Super Adventure S Evo — is top of mind. Right on its tail is the updated Ducati Multistrada V4 S. Yet, somehow, my favorite motorcycles of 2024 are all sub-500 cc bikes made in India.

Thanks to its corner-hugging handling, less-is-more electronics, and a fit and finish worthy of the Triumph badge, the Speed 400 was just one retro roadster to exceed my expectations. Royal Enfield's Guerrilla 450 joins this shortlist for many of the same reasons. However, the bike that ruled the small-bore roost was Aprilia's RS 457.

I may not have praised its less-than-intuitive UI and more-than-necessary rider aids, but the baby Ape's torquey twin and capable chassis easily won me over. There's no need to intellectualize it. I simply had the most fun on the wee RS. That's what motorcycling is supposed to be about. And that's why Aprilia's RS 457 is my favorite bike of 2024.

Lance Oliver: Is this the sweet spot for a street-focused supermoto?

Since we're making up our own rules as we go, I'm going to ignore the guardrails and go out on a limb at the same time with my choice. I'm going to choose a motorcycle that was promised to us in 2024 but we haven't gotten yet: the Suzuki DR-Z4SM, personally, with a nod to the DR-Z4S more broadly.

You see, I've been wanting a supermoto since about the time the DR-Z400SM was introduced 20 years ago. So why have I never owned one? Lots of pesky reasons. Because I would go buy something more practical for traveling instead. Or because I always felt like I had to choose between something that was a little less powerful than I wanted or something high-strung that required maintenance about as often as I stopped for lunch. The old DR-Z400SM came closest to filling that gap, but as a result sellers want top dollar for used ones. And the manufacturers seem to feel justified in charging $1,000 more for the supermoto version of the same bike they sell as a dual-sport, which makes me feel like I'm being taken for a sucker.

All I want is a street-going supermoto with no more frills than fuel injection and ABS. The 2025 DR-Z4SM seems to fill that niche, now that it's been updated (along with the dual-sport DR-Z4S) for the first time this century. But since I'm cheating and choosing a motorcycle that really should be on next year's list, there's significant potential for disappointment. For one thing, Suzuki hasn't revealed the asking price yet. I hope I get to ride this bike in the coming year, I hope I'm not disappointed, I hope Suzuki doesn't slap an outrageously high price on it, and I hope I don't regret this choice in a few months.