Best Sport-Tourer: Kawasaki Concours 14

Where to begin? How about, “These are the nicest horsepower and torque curves we have ever seen.” Or perhaps, “It moves with an athletic confidence and overpowerful ease like nothing else on the road. One minute it can whisper along in its overdrive sixth gear so smoothly and quietly at 80 mph it is almost like the bike isn’t running. The next it is tearing out of a corner, front end light, leaving a black line and a shower of footpeg sparks in its wake.” The fact is that sport-touring is about delicious movement, freedom to go slowly and relax or to turn the throttle and run, with just enough of your favorite stuff in the saddlebags. The Kawasaki Concours 14 does all that and more, elevating the performance level of the class to new heights.