Welcome to the 2020 bikesales Bike of the Year Awards,
where we bring together our top models of the year for our annual mega test.
Bikesales is Australia's number one place to buy and sell new or used motorcycles,
scooters and ATVs, but our experienced editorial team also reviews dozens of new models each year,
adding to an archive of over 1350 comprehensive tests.
And now, in the fifth year of these titles,
we're pleased to bring you what we think are the best machines of 2020.
But only one can be crowned winner. So let's find out
what is the 2020 bikesales Bike of the Year.
[music]
Granted 2020 has been one for the books,
and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been felt right around the world.
But here at Bikesales, we've kept on keeping on,
adding a further 50 reviews to our telly since our last Bike of the Year Awards.
Once again, we'll be putting these bikes through their paces in Victoria's stunning high country
in and around the scenic township of Bright.
We think these bikes offer the most compelling all-round package in their respective niche.
We have assembled eight of them here, excluding our motocross,
Enduro, and scooter category winners for a comprehensive five-day road test.
Of course, with a spread of model so varied in scope, this isn't a direct head-to-head
comparison, but whatever model is crowned the 2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year does represent
what we believe is the pinnacle of production bike manufacturing over the past 12 months.
Let's kick it off with the Ducati Panigale V2, an all-new model that adds a more affordable
and accessible option to the Italian brand stable of sporting thoroughbreds.
Featuring a brilliant V-twin engine, the Panigale V2 is
surprisingly user-friendly while still offering strong sports bike performance.
You may not have the outright thump of the Panigale V4, but make no mistake,
this is a purebred sport scalpel kept off by styling and a sound that is the essence of Ducati.
Triumph's next generation Rocket 3R is monumental in every respect,
with the biggest engine capacity and the most torque of any volume production motorcycle.
Yet despite its considerable bulk and performance, it's actually wonderfully refined and easy to
ride, and it's been enhanced with a raft of sophisticated electronics. The grunt
churned out by this massive mill simply has to be experienced to be believed, but the Rocket 3R's
scope is surprisingly broad. Cruising or curving corners, it will handle either roll with a plumb.
BMW S 1000 XR is no stranger to the Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards. In fact,
this is the fourth time in five years that it's won the adventure sport category.
With the perfect blend of sports bike performance and adventure bike comfort, the S 1000 XR
is an all-rounder's dream, and it's going to be right in contention for the big prize once again.
This is such a beautifully integrated package, from the comfy ergonomics,
to the fire-breathing engine, the clever tech, to the remarkable chassis and suspension.
It just works and works incredibly well.
We thought KTM's previous flagship, Naked Bike, was simply superb,
but this later Super Duke R ups the anti on so many levels.
And while its tire-frying performance will warp your mind, it's the Super Duke R's sublime
response and feedback that pushes its evolution to another level. It's aggressive, yet forgiving
in the one remarkable package. The 1290 Super Duke R takes mind-bending sports performance
and tames it for mere mortals, while pushing the feel-good factor to stratospheric heights.
Like it's S 1000 XR cousin, the BMW R 1250 RS is a sporty machine
with touring capabilities. The big difference here is though,
the incredible boxer engine, which offers great performance and looks amazing.
New for 2020 is BMW's ShiftCam technology, which gives this sports tour another layer
of capability, in addition to a long list of high-tech features. The RS was the James
Bond of this year's contenders, sophisticated, confident, and truly capable. Its impressive
sporting ability with all day comfort, all in the one polished premium machine.
For grassroots riding pleasure and a heavy dose of nostalgia,
look no further than Royal Enfield's Interceptor 650.
It's a fun, manageable and affordable ride that harks backs to a simpler time,
with an appeal that extends well beyond its learner approved status. The Interceptor 650
blew us away in the high country. It may be a lamb's bike, but it holds its own in the bends
and will shortly shine fast, furious and fear, all while looking like I just rolled out of the 1960s.
This all new Indian Challenger is a bagger with attitude. It debuts the brands new PowerPlus
V-twin engine and offers a great balance of performance, comfort and practicality.
And if you thought baggers can't turn, think again, because the Challenger
handles like a dream, which makes for an incredibly satisfying and ultra cool ride.
It's big, it's heavy and it's super comfortable, but when the bends swing into view, this relaxed,
low revving highway roller can mix it with the best of them.
The adventure bike field is packed with heavy tech laden and expensive options,
so Yamaha's Ténéré 700 has been a breath of fresh air.
It's a highly capable and robust dual purpose bike that's simple yet effective,
with a relatively modest price tag that's tempted buyers and drivers since its release.
We've seen what the Ténéré can do off-road, but it's a strong performer on the tarmac too,
where harnessing all of its potential is a recipe for pure enjoyment.
After five days of riding, assessing and the odd argument, each bike was scored by
our eight judges across five fields. Engine and drive train, brakes and handling, build quality,
value for money, and the degree to which it is fit for purpose.
And so, after tallying the points, we arrived at our ultimate winner.
The 2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year is the KTM 1290 Super Duke R.
For winding roads, track days, or even just commuting, the updated 1290 Super Duke R is
just an insane amount of fun. It's a seamless blend of the latest technology in a simple
naked bike package, and every ride will leave you breathless, grinning and eager for more.
The KTM 1290 Super Duke R is a massively capable motor in a very capable chassis.
It's just a fun machine. It is super horsepower, amazing handling,
and the ability to throw it through twists is just incredible.
Super nakeds are a bit of a jack of all trades. They do everything well,
and they start everything very well. It really is a refined package
that's reasonably comfortable to ride slow and a hell of a lot of fun to ride fast.
As the motorcycle that makes you feel good, the 1290 Super Duke R is top of the pops.
Congratulations to our 2020 bikesales Bike of the Year, and indeed, to all our category winners for
2020. Thanks for joining us, and now, let's see what the next year in motorcycling has in store.