2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Adventure

The 2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards will recognise excellence across 11 separate categories, after which we'll shortlist three finalists and then announce the outright winner on Friday, November 24 at the Sydney Motorcycle Show.

This time out we announce the winner of the Adventure category, and that bike is the BMW R 1200 GS Rallye X.

As the numero uno in our recent big-bore adventure comparo, the R 1200 GS Rallye X manages to integrate all its superb functions – and there are plenty of them – into a seamless, well-rounded package.

The $27,250 (plus ORC) Rallye X comes with all the fruit – the only optional factory gear is an alarm and an extra-high seat! Everything else is there, and that spans two-stage heated grips, tyre pressure monitoring, hand guards, the chunky Continental TKC80 tyres, enduro foot pegs, cruise control, an LED headlight, a quickshifter, daylight running lights and LED indicators, along with a thoroughly comprehensive electronics package.

The latter includes BMW's Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) and Riding Mode Pro (giving the rider a choice of Rain, Road, Dynamic, Dynamic Pro, Enduro and Enduro Pro modes), plus Hill Start Control, Dynamic Traction Control and ABS Pro (cornering ABS).

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The suspension just works on road or trail, and the geometry of BMW's Telelever front end effectively separates braking and cornering forces. On a winding sealed road and in the right hands this bike can shame many a sportsbike, while it ability to soak up big hits in the bush impresses. There's just a lovely sense of balance to this bike.

The seat is compliant enough for all-day comfort, and there's an intuitive and easy-to-use menu system – the bike's just a superb all-rounder. Moreover, it's even better on the dirt than other GS variants – thanks to longer suspension travel, firmer springs and more ground clearance – yet one that still more than holds its own on the tar.

Congratulations BMW.

Honourable mention: KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
Another adventure juggernaut – and one that just got pipped by the BMW R 1200 GS Rallye X in the Bikesales big-bore adventure comparo. The list of premium features is huge: cornering ABS, traction control, LED cornering lights, tyre pressure monitoring, illuminated handlebar switches, a phone 'pocket' with USB charger, self-cancelling indicators, immoboliser, a stunning 6.5-inch full-colour TFT display and cruise control. First-class appointments, but what really does it for the 1290 Super Adventure R is that hulking 1301cc Super Duke R-derived V-twin engine. It's a powerhouse, with 108Nm of torque at just 2500rpm and peak torque of 140Nm at 6750rpm – all backed by unrelenting, super-smooth power. It's a comfortable machine to stand up on, and hanging the back out on the Off-road riding mode is just so much fun. KTM's electronics are close to the best in the business these days, and the ABS and traction control on the 1290 Super Adventure R are superb. And you can mix and match the settings with the four riding modes to suit your skill level or mood. Standard price is $25,995 (plus ORC).

Honourable mention: Honda Africa Twin
As our reigning Bikesales Bike of the Year, the Africa Twin is a class act. It's a machine that doesn't push the limits of technology (save for the dual clutch transmission version) but instead gets its runs on the board by simply being bigger than the sum of its parts. The engine is smooth, more than punchy enough off the bottom and works up an adequate head of steam as it approaches its 8000rpm redline. Lovely gearbox, too. It's off-road where the Africa Twin shines, as that skinny 21-inch front wheel cuts through everything in its path. That's confidence inspiring, and you can actually push on relatively hard and stay there – the sign of a well-sorted and compliant package. Standing up is easy with the Africa Twin's slim waist, too. The ability to change or turn off traction control on the fly makes the Africa Twin an even more attractive off-road proposition. The Africa Twin is Australia's biggest selling adventure bike, which is not only a function of great price, but also mechanical and chassis packages that are just so impressive. The base machine costs $14,999 (plus ORC), working up to $16,999 (Plus ORC) for the ABS version and $17,999 (plus ORC) for the dual clutch version.

Best LAMS Adventure: Royal Enfield Himalayan
The $6990 rideaway Himalayan was intended to be a simple, pure and basic motorcycle that will take you almost anywhere you want to go for as long as you want to go there. There are no bells or whistles: it’s just an honest little motorcycle that’s up for anything. It’s powered by an oil and air-cooled 411cc long-stroke SOHC engine, it’s carburetor-fed and squeezes out almost 25hp (18kW) and 32Nm of torque which is transferred to the rear wheel by a five-speed gearbox. The engine’s flexible, the brakes are excellent, the suspension is serviceable, and there's plenty of feedback at both ends. It’s a motorcycle with old-school trailbike charm that has the courage to go where ever you’ve got the gall to point it.