Big Surprise!? Top 5 Motorcycles of 2022. And the ones that nearly made it. Who gets the top spot?

We give you our TOP 5 Motorcycles of 2022, that we have reviewed.
Wick motorbike do YOU think we'll put at number 1?
This video is sponsored by BIKESURE, Specialist UK Motorcycle Insurance. Head over to their website for a quotation or for more information. They pride themselves on insuring motorbike riders from every walk of life - even when other companies struggle, they can find you a policy - whether you have a grey import, trike, quad, sports bike, Chinese scooter or moped, classic bike, custom or modified bike, one of the motorcycles in our Top 5, or even something totally off the wall. To find out just how much you could save, click here: www.bikesure.co.uk
Video Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:17 Number 5
02:50 Number 4
05:13 Number 3
07:35 Number 2
09:50 Number 1
13:31 The runners up
Here's the contenders (in the order we reviewed them in 2022):
Honda CB500X, Royal Enfield Interceptor, Honda Rebel CMX500, Triumph Street Twin EC1, Honda Super Cub 125, Royal Enfield Classic 350, Honda Monkey, Honda Rebel 1100, Honda X-ADV750, Herald Brat 250, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Royal Enfield Continental GT, Honda CBR 500R, Sinnis Akuma 125, Honda CB125R, Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster Goldline, Royal Enfield Scram 411, Harley-Davidson Nightster, Harley-Davidson Low Rider S 117, Triumph Bobber Goldline, Sinnis SMR125, Triumph Bonneville Scrambler 1200XC, Honda CRF300L, Ducati Scrambler Urban Retard, Triumph Bonneville Scrambler 1200 XE, Royal Enfield Hunter 350.
We give you the main reasons why we made the choices, and this is from the perspective of father & son, 2 generations; 56 years of age and 20 years of age, and the outcome is interesting.
Don't forget to Subscribe to our channel on KZbin if you haven't already - its FREE and nobody will take money from you!
Thanks for watching; and here's to a successful 2023.

[@sinkieclan6403]

If you didn’t have the Low Rider S as your #1 I would be surprised after your review of it. In fact, it was your review that ultimately led to me getting that bike and I think it’s an incredible motorcycle. Love the bronze wheels and wish they used that color to accent some other things. The last real Harley!

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

👌🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@billyfinch7341]

I purchased one myself, awesome motorcycle

[@dombower]

Merry Xmas. Thanks for uploading some content on Xmas day for us to avoid all the usual Christmas crap tv!

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Merry Christmas, gotta keep you all entertained!

[@romeldias]

So glad to see a list without every single bike being a 100 BHP monster and such attention to aesthetics as well! I do hope manufacturers start paying attention to the basic stuff and getting the bikes right

[@timsnaden8937]

Wow 2 Royal Enfields in the list, dead happy with my interceptor

[@GrumpySalmon]

Thank you both for all the great videos in 2022 🎉

[@timvanbaelen9738]

So from now on I only watch the first minute so then one day you guys show up knocking on my door and I can finally meet you .... looking forward to it, coffee and thee will be ready 🙂 Merry Christmas to all 🎄

[@EvanWilliams86]

"It really is enough, for real riding, in real conditions, in the real world." This is why I like this channel so much. Reviews on bikes based on practical, common conditions. People think if you don't buy 200 hp bikes you're wasting money, and pretend they're some outlaws running 150 in traffic. Meanwhile they're missing out on some cool bikes because they won't buy a bike unless the specs will impress their friends. It's a numbers pissing contest for them. I like to RIDE, bikes with soul and character, and this channel does a good job of highlighting bikes with that.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thanks buddy. Yes indeed 💯

[@omarsalgado9715]

Usually the people who complain that a bike doesn't have 100+ hp are the ones that fully roll the throttle on straights, but are slow as a turtle in curves. That is on public roads. On the other hand, really good riders squeeze the most of their bikes on racetracks and don't care about what others ride.

[@dombower]

Will be interested to see some RE bikes with good sounding aftermarket exhaust!

[@beera802]

The reviews are on point, sir. I own an interceptor and seeing it on the list makes me happy. And I do agree with you on the different chrome they used on the silencer and the engine which makes it look a little out of place. its still remains a solid solid bike.

[@recoilrob324]

My only complaint about how the Interceptor's look is the color mismatch between tank and side covers...IMHO should be the same, but I understand why they only offer black covers due to costs. So my Interceptor is the MKIII all black which really looks nice...like basic black with a single strand of pearls kind of classic. :) With an abundant aftermarket supplying exhaust, cam and tuner it's around 60 horses now and I want no more in this kind of bike. It's enough power to surprise the Harley guys who think they can abuse it off of the stoplights and still easily breaks 70 mpg's on the US gallon. Brilliant!

[@markrobinson6464]

Hi guys My first comment but long time fan! Like your reviews & your no BS attitude. Also a fan of the life's up and down, messages... Happy Christmas and enjoy your ride.

[@cezarmartins3489]

One of the best channels I've discovered this year. Keep up the great work, gents.

[@rickparkinmoto]

Good to see there's something for all budgets in your lineup, and all of them are real-world machines, as opposed to impractical track-day missiles that some other channels obsess over. Merry Xmas to you and yours!

[@frenchenstein]

I agree; they leave cold 😕

[@chrispomphrett4283]

Merry Christmas to you both. Nearly my list too!

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

And to you too 👍🏼

[@garydixon6947]

I was happy to see Royal Enfield make the list twice. I own a Himalayan, and it has been the most fun bike I have ever ridden, with the ability to go anywhere.

[@marcusdixey9336]

Happy Christmas both and big thanks for all the entertainment in 2022

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

And to you 👍🏼

[@Bottna]

Happy Holidays! Great bikes in your toplist

[@filipesabido5475]

I was not expecting the bikes you elected to be your top 5 Motorcycles of 2022 however the biggest surprise was seeing a Paula Rego painting in Darcy's room. Well done showing that motorcycle guys are not uncultured barbaric people. 👍 Merry Christmas to you all 🙏

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Merry Christmas buddy! My girlfriend works in an art gallery which is their family business so I have been subjected to some incredible art!

[@splodge5714]

Just been to the Cezanne exhibition at the Tate modern in London. Fantastic. Better than walking round the local bike shop.

[@skotty1962]

Well that's interesting. Im about to turn 60 and I just bought a Hunter as my "returning rider" bike. Test rode it based on your and others reviews and loved it. Thanks.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Awesome 👍🏼

[@thomasmichaelnoon]

Excellent reviews, I am thinking of the interceptor for next year, All the best to you guys, and look forward to more videos next year.

[@felipedourado5721]

Keep doing the good job guys. Your videos are always informative but they also have that biker's point of view "flavor" preserved, which is one of the reasons that make them so good to watch. I mean, watching your videos feels like we are listening to close motorcycling buddies of ours. There are no retoric frills, nor an overwhelming avalanche of technical data and, on the other hand, there are plenty of feedback about how the tested bikes feel as they are ridden. And you are capable of showing your personal tastes and subjective takes on the bikes tested without sounding silly biased and whithout being offensive. Such balance is very difficult to achieve, it takes talent to do that. And there is always that excellent and slightly ironic sense of humor! Brilliant, I must say! Hope O'l Man's knee is mending as best and as fast as possible. Happy new year, all the best from Brazil. ✌

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thanks buddy. Much appreciated. 👍🏼👍🏼Check out our BSA review tomorrow!

[@alandean2]

Good balanced choice. Royal Enfield certainly making headways

[@rohintonmistry1314]

The interceptor 650 was truly a surprise. I own one and am quite impressed with it. Bare minimum is what I like, no unwanted electronic gimmicks.

[@robbyclark6915]

Awesome video! The mighty Harley Davidson taking first place! I have the 114 version and it’s a complete blast to ride already! I will eventually put a cam in it and get even more of that delicious low down torque that we all love. Didn’t expect so many entries from RE but it’s a testament to what they are doing there. I agree completely with you about, less is more. My 29 year old son would agree completely with that statement as his favorite bike was an old school Harley Davidson. That’s actually what he rode, a 94 sportster. Sadly he was taken from us this past November 29th when he rode his last ride on his beloved sportster. A 79 year old woman pulled out right in front of him and he was killed almost instantly. He was wearing his helmet but it came off on impact with the driver door and he was thrown from the bike. I had dreamt of his death twice in the past 3 months as so it was to be. Strange. Witnesses who got to him immediately said there was no pulse and he just looked like a handsome young man laying there asleep. I’m so thankful he didn’t suffer and got to go out “with his boots on” as the saying goes. He would love that! Sorry if I’m being a downer, I don’t mean to, I just miss him more than life itself. Sometimes I can hardly breathe. He left behind a beautiful 6 year old daughter that I’m going to spoil rotten. I changed my YT profile picture to a pic of the both of them together. Til I see you again my boy, my son, my Joshua Clark. I can’t believe my son is gone. 😭

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Oh man we’re so sorry to hear that. That is so very sad. Spoil that lovely girl rotten and give her a hug from us brother 🙏

[@robbyclark6915]

@@MrDarcy-OlMan Thank you

[@rockyescape8989]

in my country it's very rare to see young people preferring the ride modern classics. so i appreciate channels like yours and freddie's, it's like that little corner of youtube where i can relate to with ease. im a younger rider and my top pick is the chrome Thruxton RS with the cafe racer fairing.

[@williamnethercott4364]

Merry Christmas! Good choices. "Less is more" - How right you are! No bells or whistles on my old AJS nor on the Triumph I had years ago and all the better for it. The only thing I would consider adding would be direction indicators but I'm not likely to do it.

[@barriewilliams4526]

At the age of 85 & being only 5' 6" in height I had reached a point where big heavy bikes were getting too much, it's not the riding, but the pushing it around the drive etc. I opted for a Yamaha MT-03. It's cheap as chips to buy, gets the job done with no fuss or drama, sips fuel, + Yamaha reliability. Engine Type: 321cc, liquid-cooled DOHC inline 2-cylinder; 8 valves. Horsepower: 50 HP. Torque: 24 lb-ft. Wet Weight: 370 lbs (168 kg) Seat Height: 30.7 inches (780 mm)

[@RedDragonSUI]

Thanks for all the videos 😀 Merry Christmas ❤

[@vishalgkawale1546]

47 Bhp 52 nm of Torque, and easy on the pocket. Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is a quintessential machine to explore dusky destinations.

[@repetitivemotion]

I was shocked at these selections but then I realized that these choices are influenced by where you live. Where I live most of these bikes will get you run over by an SUV or large pickup truck. Large displacement V-Twins are most common in Illinois and Wisconsin, whether for interstate travel or backroad adventure. Speaking of adventure my favorite bike is the Suzuki VStrom 1000. Big and powerful enough to pass anything on the Highway yet light enough to be nimble and quick around the corners, all the while crushing road imperfections with ease. Doesn’t break the bank either. However, it’s not nearly as beautiful as the bikes that you’ve selected. Good job sirs.

[@marcelocrdossantos]

Merry Christmas and happy new year, you got it right, all the best and thank you for your videos

[@aceofspades5786]

Merry Christmas, thanks for all the reviews👍

[@paulsymonds820]

Great vid as ever, Happy Christmas to you both! Good honest opinions and reviews, always look forward to them….Happy New Year!

[@ThisIsBarcode]

Great breakdown of the bikes guys. When you can’t always get out to test ride some bikes, reviews like this are a huge help. Have a great Xmas and onwards to 2023

[@paulwilley696]

Smashing work this year! Enjoyed your content enormously! Happy New Year from Sydney, Australia.

[@martynissitt2693]

I cannot express how much my Interceptor 650 ticks every box for me, after having 23 bikes of various types since a passed my test, I find my RE does everything I want of a motorcycle,and for a realistic real people price.

[@lukewalker1051]

Happy New Year from across the pond. Thank you for all the thoughtful reviews this past year and wishing you safe motoring in the new year.

[@tomstockell9481]

Excellent review guys- spot on for the rankings , loving the Interceptor as the 350 was a bit slow around Sydney...keep up the insightful reviews

[@yorkshire1290DUKE-R]

Merry Christmas 🎅 thanks for the great reviews in 22, looking forward to your content in 23. Cheers 🍻

[@larrypontelandolfo9304]

Great review as always guys. Keep up the good work...

[@JP-tx7du]

Good info Thanks your reviews are very good and straight forward ill keep watching

[@brewed544]

Before I watch this Merry Christmas!! Having a wee dram of Aberlour A'Bunadh and watching a quality bike channel CHEERS!!

[@kghwanadoo]

Happy Christmas to you guys too, thanks for all your hard work this past year.

[@rover100bunson]

happy Christmas to you and yours, look forward to more videos in 2023

[@anthonyprice5596]

Good line up, Merry Christmas.

[@grahambarnes5467]

Another great videos guys absolutely loved and enjoyed it. Have a great Christmas and a Happy New year 🎅🎁🎄🏍

[@jayneteale9782]

Happy Christmas,and looking forward to more blogs in 2023👍

[@paulshenton6527]

Merry xmas guys and a great new year. At least i have 2 of your top 5. Safe riding.....

[@ronny-drz]

Some great bike choices there, would take any one of them. I bought the RE 350 Classic this year - love it. Merry Christmas & all the best in 2023 and more great videos! Cheers, Ronny in Canada

[@mrbritesideoftheroad]

Thanks Fellas for all Your reviews 👌 It’s not been an easy year, not for most, but You’ve been rays of sunshine 😎 Looking forward to more!! You’re a great team and Your passion for motorcycles and riding is so enjoyable 😊 Wishing You both and everyone a truly Happy, fun, healthy and safe 2023 ❤

[@garymasterson1174]

Great selection imho. Thank you for an excellent year of videos and look forward to more. ATVB

[@boogie9126]

Great work gentlemen. Happy to see a fellow Ol’ Man up and about and hope your recovery remains strong. Wishing you continued success in the New Year.

[@jasonwhite4134]

Love that the interceptor made the list! Looking forward to your super meteor 650 reveiw! happy new year guys, from Australia

[@KingClashMedia]

Hey! I always watch your videos till the end! 😀 Happy holidays guys! 👍

[@AsmodeusT]

Very interesting list, it's great to hear your guy's opinions now in hindsight at the end of the year. Happy new year fellas, may 2023 be an amazing year for you both!

[@homegrowndrone2804]

Happy Christmas Gents. Keep up the good work for 2023. 🇬🇧👍

[@royalblue2043]

Great video.And Merry Christmas.

[@markwhitty4838]

Happy Christmas to you Ol' man, Darcy, and family. Looking forward to what 2023 brings from you guys!

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

And to you too 👍🏼

[@michaelpina1858]

Right on the money, thank you for this video, This video vindicated my choices of the Speedmaster Gold Line, and the RE Classic 350 that I bought , and your videos on these bikes helped me make my decision to purchase!

[@martynlaverick3405]

Good vid guys and really enjoyed your channel this year. Merry Christmas to you both and have a great 2023. Ps got a triumph scrambler 1200xe. Love the bike and agree with your comments about it being a bit ‘fussy’ in places.

[@chrisdagnall8666]

Great top 5 from my perspective you could have put them in any order, love your videos, happy Christmas 🎄

[@coilstreeservice9398]

Merry Christmas to you and your family! Another great video btw👍

[@marktuohy4427]

Happy Christmas guys and enjoy the holiday period. Great video

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thanks buddy, merry Christmas

[@donalfredisaac]

The photo at 14:20 makes the Speedmaster the most breatiful and impressve, now the sound of the Harley is unbeatable, but because I´m older than the Old Man I settle for the RE 350, have a Happy New Year the both of you too.

[@andrewhamilton-gill]

Smashing video of your top 5 bikes, and the close runners, didn’t expect the Harley… Merry Christmas.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Merry Christmas!

[@brett1965ge]

Good choice! I also like the Low Rider ST very much as well. Thank you all your great videos and all the best for 2023.

[@rover100bunson]

i bought a rocker red gt650, agree about the riding position, so I installed the risers from cooperb motorcycles which brings the clipons above the top yoke, wow what a difference, i would ride it anywhere now, RE should offer a choice of clipons to suit

[@peterevans826]

Thank you both for the review, ride safe stay safe 👍I ride an XSR700 and also live in Wales its a good all rounder, Happy New Year 🥳

[@TheArtdecovampire]

Proper bikes, with character. I know people will say agricultural, but as they whizz past me, absorbed by their performance bubble I probably won't notice them as I'll be soaking up a broader experience. Great choices, great channel, so glad I subscribed.

[@TictacAddict1]

I'm looking forward to picking up two of your top 5. The Interceptor 650 (Int 650 in the USA) in Orange and the Classic 350 in Chrome Bronze. Will purchase in that order. Great video. Your channel and Bike World are my favorite Great Britain motorcycle channels. Keep up the great productions. Lovely home and country side too! Merry Christmas

[@willgarrod9907]

Good choices all round, real kudos to Royal Enfield for getting 2 bikes in you list.

[@bobhartman2571]

Really great picks.

[@wahiba]

Save yourself some money. RE Meteor 350 best back roads cruiser. Great on the road and great on the back too! 90 mpg and lower road tax. Like the less is more bit, totally agree. Beeline navigator, better than tripper but less hassle on a bike than regular sat nav.

[@jonstevenson3215]

Great stuff, always love your videos guys. Surprised no Triumph Bobber, or Speed Twin but great reviews nonetheless. 👍👍👌👌

[@abdaalahmad5483]

The old man roasting Adventure bikes on a lighter note in almost every video needs to be a compilation xD.

[@MauriceTarantulas]

I agree they are mostly ugly things. Cant stand the "beaks". There are a few exceptions though. (Xcape, Tenere etc).

[@mooseyman74]

Good watchable videos, merry Christmas 🎅

[@simongilbert2704]

well done you 2 , happy new year ..;;

[@evanheisler7899]

This is my first time commenting. Just a comment on the Speedmaster runner up. I bought one some time ago when they were newly released. Two things bothered me with the bike. One was the problem with scraping the foot pegs. It didn't take much to scrape. Secondly, my gears clunked quite a bit which took away the riding pleasure for me. After a while I decided to get rid of the Triumph. In it's place I bought a Royal Enfield 500 Classic Bullet, a Royal Enfield Interceptor and a Royal Enfield Scram. I bought these three Royal Enfield for close to what I spent on the Triumph. Three bikes for the cost of one. I love my Enfields. You can't get the smile off my face. Thanks for your reviews throughout the year. Keep up the good work. Merry Xmas from Australia.

[@antonyclark7136]

Great review

[@ianmorgan7198]

Great review , so good to see you voting the H-D Low Rider S as your number 1 bike for 2022, awesome bike, gets my vote, on that note Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you both🍾🍾

[@scottstretton2127]

Great video guys, I currently ride a trk 502 but I am sooooo tempted to get a meteor 350, absolutely love the enfields . Just concerned about that top end. Looking forward to more reviews, Atb Scott

[@Jorrocks1703]

As soon as I finished watching this, I went to my spam folder.................and found an invoice from my accountant! Thanks a bunch. Apart from that, great video.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Oh no! Don’t listen to us! 😁👍🏼👍🏼

[@robsmotovlog561]

Another great video ! And I especially enjoyed seeing Mr. Darcy’s choice in music - Queen II - Outstanding album!!

[@robertcole3280]

Not sure about his turntable though!

[@andyfoley6906]

Nice varied choice of bikes for your top five. Was a little worried when you started with that Honda minibike, so I watched to the end. Keep keeping the dirty side down. Merry Christmas from the other side of the pond!

[@camerondagg2443]

As per usual. An enjoyable watch. Hope you all have had a great day. If I ever get to Wales? I will use the holiday let for sure. I love country and B roads and each time I see the lads ride about I am in awe. Now I come from Scotland so I am certainly no stranger to a beautiful landscape. However Wales has a unique landscape with her own beauty. Looking forward to the trip. Soon I hope.

[@sergeantwombat]

I havent been seeing your channel as much lately due to life being life. But it's good to see you recovering well old mate

[@andrewfawkes3679]

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you all. Well thought out list of preferences.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thank you 😊 and happy Christmas and New Year also to you

[@Beastius24]

Love your videos! You remind me of my late dad... please keep up the good work and ride safe

[@rodrigobuzzoni8429]

I agree with the concept that often less is more in motorcycles. Happy Christmas and all the best on the next year.

[@DanTube2010]

Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@PiousAugustus]

Merry Christmas gents. I picked up the Low Rider a few months after your review. Couldn’t agree more, brilliant bike.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

That’s awesome buddy! Merry Christmas

[@tombarnes7889]

Stayed till the end happy Christmas to you all keep up the videos please

[@db6625]

Another excellent review/summary of some lovely bikes. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the both of you and keep up the good work for 2023👍 Question…for the Ol’ Man, who makes the light tan boots you’re wearing?….thanks.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thanks buddy, and to you too. The boots are from Grinders uk 👌🏼 Really nice quality

[@Michaeldaran7]

Merry Christmas to you both. Love the personal touch /say it like you find it attitude that comes through. Darcey, you could do with a turntable upgrade ! Something like a vintage Thorens Td150 or 160 😆

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

And to you too 👍🏼

[@northernroamer4202]

Lowrider S easily the best bike of 2022. I know as I've got one. Cool as you like. Did a weeks tour of Normandy on it this year and it was just perfect. Thanks for the great vids and all the best for 2023 to you and yours.

[@MerrittW]

A good honest review guys thanks, I agree with #1 H-D Low Rider S, very flickable, oodles of grunt, corners well. It would be my first choice as a bar bike when Im not riding my Ultra Limited.

[@anthonystorey2953]

So many Bikes so little time ,most of it wasted by myself waiting for the warm sunny day to ride my latest bike , a classic 350 Enfield, enough bike for me at this time in my biking life , thanks for the video, stay safe.

[@ftby59mikeD]

1st of all thanks for this. I agree with your choices. The ol' man is spot on with his assessment of the Triumph Scramblers stylistic shortcomings.

[@caravaggiosaccomplice7841]

Let’s be honest, all bikes are bloody brilliant in one way or another.

[@wellsbibo6175]

Your videos helped me decide on the 2023 Low Rider S in white Pearl. I’m a sucker for the “West Coast” styling as well as the pairing of ivory/Pearl white w/ bronze/gold accents. Such a good looking bike.

[@rabukan5842]

Thought for sure you'd make the Triumph Speedmaster #2 and the BMW R18 #1, something like that, maybe vice versa. Not a fan of the new Harleys. But it's your channel, you get to pick them :) Happy Holidays and looking forward to next years reviews! Have a safe New Year!