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 12 months. As 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 proud of myself too.

Now, simply to be crystal clear, these aren’t MCNews’s bike of the 12 months – Trev doesn’t go in for these type 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 evaluate the 12 months… okay, I’ll ease up. Possibly.

We eased into the 12 months 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 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 completely drenched and practically struck by lightning for my hassle. That was probably the heaviest rain with the deepest standing water I’ve ever ridden by means of. Good occasions! Fairly the Sporty little quantity, truly – and a very good all-rounder besides. The tuning fork mob have accomplished properly 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 probability to affix Michele Pirro, the man who offers Marc Marquez using 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. Nevertheless it 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. Strong performers. Possibly 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 residence for a cuppa! After placing it by means of its paces by means of the forest, I managed to nab one for just a few additional weeks and have a cracking experience up by means of the sand in Hattah. When it comes to bang for buck, the MTX hits simply as laborious as its little 450 brother, which received my gong final 12 months. May it’s two in a row? It’s within the shortlist…

Honda returned to their best possible 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 worth that I nonetheless surprise how they managed to provide it for. Welcome again, group Purple. Bravo.

The comparability to the S1000R Race that I had instantly afterwards was fascinating. Quicker, extra highly effective, and I’d counsel 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 comparable 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 laborious to get the perfect from it. And I reckon they’re most likely the idea for the perfect light-weight offroader in the event you had been to agency up the suspension just a little additional…

I then received my arms on one other bike from the Austrian group. The 990 Duke proved to be sensible on Aussie soil. I appreciated it a lot that it stayed in my shed. Rattling close to excellent as a unadorned road bike with the most effective 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 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 using GS homeowners could be higher off proudly owning. It’s higher than the GS on the street. Comfortably. Glorious dynamics from a correct Sport Tourer. Seems to be 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, probably the most enjoyable bike they’ve ever produced (that I’ve sampled anyway). Seems to be 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. An excellent all-rounder. With suspension that’s surprisingly well-tuned. I’m nonetheless amazed at how properly it dealt with some correctly steep logging tracks up round Brilliant; And but was fairly the comfy factor on the street too. Properly accomplished 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 particularly now make what was already the perfect Japanese all roads Journey Tourer within the section a extra critical 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 distinct producer, has surprisingly comparable stats and was geared toward a reasonably comparable purchaser.

So it was a stable 12 months with an excellent 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 additionally 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 prospect to experience them will agree there’s a secret method 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 using ought to 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 unbelievable worth level. That is large pink again at their best, and my congratulations go to the group 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 fully blew me away. Sure, it’s succesful (moreso than you’d anticipate a motorcycle with ‘solely’ 210 (F) and 200 (R) mm of journey to have), nevertheless it’s oh so participating. And it seems 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 large canine, for his continued encouragement. I hope I’ve made your 12 months just a little brighter and fewer tedious ultimately. I do know I’ve had enjoyable. Have an excellent break, of us – right here’s to doing all of it once more in 26!