Wayno’s BOOTY awards for 2025
That’s proper, of us. It’s Booty time. Welcome to my bikes of the 12 months. As you understand by now, these are my picks of the bikes I’ve reviewed this 12 months. Those I’ve had my bottom on. This 12 months, I’ve gone a step additional than earlier years, and I’ve damaged it into two classes:
Bike (On-road) Of The 12 months
Bike (Off-road) Of The 12 months
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 usually are not MCNews’s bike of the 12 months – Trev doesn’t go in for these form of shenanigans for causes he’s elaborated on beforehand (see right here), that is purely my ideas on what I’ve sampled.
So sit your Booty down and let’s assessment the 12 months… okay, I’ll ease up. Perhaps.
We eased into the 12 months with a few beautiful 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 might 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 totally drenched and almost struck by lightning for my hassle. 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, truly – and a very good all-rounder as well. The tuning fork mob have performed nicely 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 provides 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 might need been a bit rusty on observe, however the Panigale had me lined with its distinctive ‘ability boosters’ (rider aides). Notably, the linked braking that trails the rear brake into corners for you. What a machine. ‘Completely superb.
I attempted out BMW’s R12S (‘for particular?’), and we timed the afternoon good for Rob to get some completely stellar pictures down by the bay. Fairly the funky retro factor from the girls and boys at Motorrad. But it surely seems they nonetheless had extra up their sleeves for later within the 12 months… 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. Pretty 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 may 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 just a few further weeks and have a cracking experience up by way of the sand in Hattah. By way of bang for buck, the MTX hits simply as arduous as its little 450 brother, which acquired my gong final 12 months. Might or not it’s two in a row? It’s within the shortlist…
Honda returned to their very best with the very good 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 worth that I nonetheless surprise how they managed to provide it for. Welcome again, staff Crimson. Bravo.
The comparability to the S1000R Race that I had instantly afterwards was fascinating. Quicker, extra highly effective, and I’d recommend finally extra succesful than the Hornet. However on the flip aspect, it didn’t really feel as accessible and got here at a worth premium that put it very, very shut dollar-wise to the astonishing M1000R… which I don’t assume I may 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 most effective from it. And I reckon they’re in all probability the premise for the most effective light-weight offroader when you had been to agency up the suspension a bit of additional…
I then acquired my arms on one other bike from the Austrian staff. The 990 Duke proved to be good on Aussie soil. I preferred it a lot that it stayed in my shed. Rattling close to good as a unadorned road bike with among the finest entrance ends I’ve ever sampled. And mine will likely 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 superb R1300RS on the Aussie R1300 launch (the place I additionally examined the RT and the R). That RS is a motorbike, I really feel that, arguably, a giant chunk of road-only driving GS homeowners 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 12 months. BMW knocked it not simply out of the park, however out of the postcode with the R12 G/S. Single-handedly, essentially 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 acquired 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. An excellent all-rounder. With suspension that’s surprisingly well-tuned. I’m nonetheless amazed at how nicely it dealt with some correctly steep logging tracks up round Shiny; And but was fairly the comfy factor on the street too. Properly performed RE.
I completed off the 12 months aboard the up to date Honda Transalp XL750 that copped some helpful updates over the sooner model. Suspension and tech specifically now make what was already the most effective 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 unique producer, has surprisingly related stats and was aimed toward a reasonably related purchaser.
So it was a strong 12 months with an important 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 a detailed 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 experience. I’m certain that anybody who will get the possibility to experience them will agree there’s a secret formulation at play in each of them. And at a time when we’ve got 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 12 months goes to the outstanding 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 worth level. That is huge pink again at their perfect, and my congratulations go to the staff at Honda.
Bike (Off-road) Of The 12 months 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 utterly blew me away. Sure, it’s succesful (moreso than you’d anticipate a motorbike with ‘solely’ 210 (F) and 200 (R) mm of journey to have), nevertheless it’s oh so partaking. And it seems to be simply… wow. Bravo Bee-Em double Vee. Bravo.
Because of everybody for his or her assist once more this 12 months – and naturally, Trev, the massive canine, for his continued encouragement. I hope I’ve made your 12 months a bit of brighter and fewer tedious not directly. I do know I’ve had enjoyable. Have an important break, of us – right here’s to doing all of it once more in 26!
