Wayno’s BOOTY awards for 2025

Wayno’s BOOTY awards for 2025

That’s proper, of us. It’s Booty time. Welcome to my bikes of the yr. As by now, these are my picks of the bikes I’ve reviewed this yr. Those I’ve had my bottom on. This yr, I’ve gone a step additional than earlier years, and I’ve damaged it into two classes:

Bike (On-road) Of The Yr
Bike (Off-road) Of The Yr

See what I’m doing there..? Booty? Bottom, the acronyms? Yeah, I used to be fairly pleased with myself too.

Now, simply to be crystal clear, these should not MCNews’s bike of the yr – Trev doesn’t go in for these kind of shenanigans for causes he’s elaborated on beforehand (see here), that is purely my ideas on what I’ve sampled.

So sit your Booty down and let’s assessment the yr… okay, I’ll ease up. Perhaps.

We eased into the yr with a few pretty little Hondas. The CB650R e-clutch model was a little bit of an eye-opener and arguably an indication of future tech to come back. Then the little CB500 Hornet jogged my memory simply how nice that 500 parallel Honda twin could be. Why they haven’t dropped it into a correct CRF Rally chassis but nonetheless amazes me. Certainly that’d be like printing cash.

Then I rode the LAMS MT07 again from Sydney, getting completely drenched and almost struck by lightning for my bother. That was probably the heaviest rain with the deepest standing water I’ve ever ridden by way of. Good occasions! Fairly the Sporty little quantity, really – and a very good all-rounder in addition. The tuning fork mob have accomplished effectively with the LAMS map – it didn’t really feel hobbled like some LAMS bikes can.

From there, we shifted up a gear. I jumped on the likelihood to hitch Michele Pirro, the man who offers Marc Marquez driving recommendation, on the brand new Panigale V4S on the Buriram MotoGP circuit. Days don’t come significantly better. Or hotter! Candy Jesus, I used to be sweating greater than a one-armed roofer. I may need been a bit rusty on monitor, however the Panigale had me coated with its distinctive ‘ability boosters’ (rider aides). Significantly, the linked braking that trails the rear brake into corners for you. What a machine. ‘Completely wonderful.

I attempted out BMW’s R12S (‘for particular?’), and we timed the afternoon good for Rob to get some completely stellar photographs down by the bay. Fairly the funky retro factor from the girls and boys at Motorrad. However it seems they nonetheless had extra up their sleeves for later within the yr… we’ll get to that.

A few Suzukis got here subsequent, the venerable SV650 and the up to date 8S. Each are typical Suzuki. Actually properly constructed. Nice containers. Stable performers. Perhaps not mind-blowing in any particular space, however with no actual shortcomings. The 8S stays my favorite Japanese bare bike in that class. Beautiful engine.

After which I had a launch in my yard! CFMoto launched its 800MTX in Victoria’s Otway Ranges simply down the street from my entrance gate. I might have ducked dwelling for a cuppa! After placing it by way of its paces by way of the forest, I managed to nab one for a number of further weeks and have a cracking journey up by way of the sand in Hattah. When it comes to bang for buck, the MTX hits simply as arduous as its little 450 brother, which received my gong final yr. Might or not it’s two in a row? It’s within the shortlist…

Honda returned to their very best with the excellent CB1000 Hornet SP that I fell in love with immediately. What a cracking bike. The soul of a blade in a very usable road-sports bike chassis that works brilliantly on the street. Enjoyable, quick, very well specc’d and a value that I nonetheless surprise how they managed to supply it for. Welcome again, staff Crimson. Bravo.

The comparability to the S1000R Race that I had instantly afterwards was attention-grabbing. Quicker, extra highly effective, and I’d counsel finally extra succesful than the Hornet. However on the flip facet, it didn’t really feel as accessible and got here at a value premium that put it very, very shut dollar-wise to the astonishing M1000R… which I don’t assume I might flip down for related cash.

KTM returned with the rev-happy 390 Enduro and Journey bikes; we had a blast pedalling across the hills in southern NSW. Light-weight, nimble, succesful. The 390 engine calls for to be ridden arduous to get the perfect from it. And I reckon they’re in all probability the premise for the perfect light-weight offroader when you have been to agency up the suspension a bit of additional…

I then received my arms on one other bike from the Austrian staff. The 990 Duke proved to be good on Aussie soil. I favored it a lot that it stayed in my shed. Rattling close to good as a unadorned avenue bike with the most effective entrance ends I’ve ever sampled. And mine shall be even higher with a full system and tune in it… Extra Duke Diaries to come back as quickly as I get it again from getting that fitted!

Then it was time to leap again on some extra excellent Beemers. I discovered my new favorite R1300-engined BMW within the wonderful R1300RS on the Aussie R1300 launch (the place I additionally examined the RT and the R). That RS is a motorcycle, I really feel that, arguably, an enormous chunk of road-only driving GS house owners can be higher off proudly owning. It’s higher than the GS on the street. Comfortably. Wonderful dynamics from a correct Sport Tourer. Appears mint too.

That was adopted by the shock packet of the yr. BMW knocked it not simply out of the park, however out of the postcode with the R12 G/S. Single-handedly, probably the most enjoyable bike they’ve ever produced (that I’ve sampled anyway). Appears nice. Rides nice. I used to be gushing within the video…

After which I lastly received an opportunity to throw a leg over Royal Enfield’s Himi with the brand new Himalayan Mana Black. And now I get what the fuss is all about. A superb all-rounder. With suspension that’s surprisingly well-tuned. I’m nonetheless amazed at how effectively it dealt with some correctly steep logging tracks up round Vibrant; And but was fairly the snug factor on the street too. Properly accomplished RE.

I completed off the yr aboard the up to date Honda Transalp XL750 that copped some helpful updates over the sooner model. Suspension and tech particularly now make what was already the perfect Japanese all roads Journey Tourer within the section a extra severe prospect away from the sealed stuff.

Even discovered time to do a little bit of an odd couple ‘Previous v New’ comparability of the Transalp with my outdated Tiger 800XC which whereas being 300,000 kms older and from a special producer, has surprisingly related stats and was aimed toward a reasonably related purchaser.

So it was a strong yr with a terrific mixture of bikes.

In the long run, I needed to pull collectively a shortlist to assist me decide. The shortlist was simple sufficient:

In the long run, it was an in depth factor, however… I managed to whittle them down to 2.

Each are a bit area of interest. However in addition they function benchmarks from every producer by way of rider engagement, accessibility, and downright enjoyable. These are each joyous bikes to journey. I’m certain that anybody who will get the prospect to journey them will agree there’s a secret system at play in each of them. And at a time when we now have sportsbikes with a gazillion horsepower and tech popping out of their wazoo, coming again to the enjoyment of driving must be applauded.

So with out additional delay:

Bike (On-road) Of The Yr goes to the exceptional Honda CB1000 Hornet SP forward of the BMW R 1300 RS. I’ve opted for the Hornet SP as a result of, along with being distinctive, Honda has delivered it at an unimaginable value level. That is massive crimson again at their highest, and my congratulations go to the staff at Honda.

Bike (Off-road) Of The Yr goes to BMW’s cracking R 12 G/S forward of the CFMoto 800 MT-X. Frankly, I wasn’t ready for simply how enjoyable the G/S is. It fully blew me away. Sure, it’s succesful (moreso than you’d count on a motorcycle with ‘solely’ 210 (F) and 200 (R) mm of journey to have), nevertheless it’s oh so partaking. And it seems simply… wow. Bravo Bee-Em double Vee. Bravo.

Because of everybody for his or her help once more this yr – and naturally, Trev, the massive canine, for his continued encouragement. I hope I’ve made your yr a bit of brighter and fewer tedious indirectly. I do know I’ve had enjoyable. Have a terrific break, of us – right here’s to doing all of it once more in 26!