Honorable Mention #1
2025 BETA 300
RR X-PRO
I don't think I've ever met a 300cc
two-stroke off-roader I didn't like, but
the Beta 300 RR X-Pro is one of the
best I've ever ridden, let alone just this
year. It's another bike that is simple in
design, still using a carburetor (a very
good one) and a mechanical power
valve, and oil injection makes life much
simpler. I'm all about that. Even though
I'm just over six feet tall, I prefer the
lower seat height of the X-Pro to that
of its full-race Beta cousins and rivals.
And I wouldn't hesitate to race the
X-Pro against them, either. It's just an
outstanding all-around off-roader. What
else can I say?
Honorable Mention #2
2025 ROYAL
ENFIELD BEAR 650
I'm cheating a little bit. I first rode the
Royal Enfield Bear 650 late last year at
the bike's world press launch in Palm
Desert, California. I enjoyed riding the
bike so much that when Royal Enfield
invited me to ride it again this year in a
small, more intimate setting for a sort of
relaunch, I was all over it. A chance to
ride the Bear 650 again? You bet.
Last year, the Royal Enfield Hima-
layan was my bike of choice, but for
pure, easy street riding, the Bear 650
was the bike I enjoyed most this year.
Royal Enfield makes some pretty darn
good bikes. The Bear 650 might not
excel spectacularly in any one area, but
it does everything so well. Its 648cc
parallel-twin engine is plenty spunky, it
handles great, is very comfortable, and
best of all, has cool styling with several
color options to choose from. They all
look great (especially that Eddie Mulder
Edition). All I can say is I hope they
relaunch it again next year!
P176
FEATURE I 2025 FAVORITE BIKES OF THE YEAR
