2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Adventure Sport

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.

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This time out we announce the winner of the Adventure Sport category, and that bike is the BMW Motorrad S 1000 XR.

As one of only two category winners to go back-to-back – we'll have the second one soon – in 2017, the S 1000 XR will again large loom in our overall BOTY deliberations.

We've ridden the 2017 model twice this year: a taster through the sublime curves of Tasmania with a plethora of another BMW tackle, followed by a more substantive stand-alone review.

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For 2017, the $22,190 machine has not only been adapted meet Euro 4 emission laws – alongside the rest of the launch models – but output has also been increased from 160 to 165hp. We've already said in the past the S 1000 XR is where "performance meets smart ergos", and the 2017 model simply continues the tradition but now with a little extra fizz from the 999cc in-line four. It's simply an authoritative short- and long-distance package.

The long-legged S 1000 XR can not only can you see off just about anything on a twisty bit of tarmac when it's dry, it also looks after you in the wet – that's a real-world machine if there has ever been.

The S 1000 XR offers optional Touring ($1760) and Dynamic ($1375) packages, which introduce features such as electronic suspension adjustment, a luggage grid, pannier fastenings, DTC traction control, a two-way quickshifter, cornering ABS, cruise control and two extra riding modes – Dynamic and Dynamic Pro.

It's a very practical machine with plenty of pragmatic features – items like the LED strip driving light between the headlights, the 12-volt auxiliary power outlet just left of the instruments, the two-position heated handlebar grips and the super-detailed trip computer.

Pillions are well looked after too, with a decent (but high) perch and excellent grab rails.
It does the lot – at speed, in comfort, and to the backdrop of your maniacal laugh…

Honourable mention: KTM Super Adventure S
If you want a real buzz on the road, the 1290 Super Adventure S is where it's for KTM in the adventure sport ranks. The company describes the bike as the "new sport adventure branch" with cast-alloy wheel for "optimum precision when it comes to full whack on the asphalt". At $23,995, the 1290 S has a TFT display, 160hp engine, traction control, riding modes, semi-active suspension (for the damping and preload) and tall screen. It has 19 (front) and 17-inch rubber. The package is dynamite and does lazy just as well as knocking your socks off at the top end. The semi-active suspension is also independent of the riding modes, so you can make a Rain, Street, Sport or Off-Road damping selection. Like all the other functions, damping is easy to navigate across – and if it's something that you'd be changing constantly, you can set up a 'shortcut' to get there.

Honourable mention: Ducati Multistrada 950
The newest Multistrada's engine has the breadth you expect of the famous V-twin and still makes for one serious punter corner to corner. But it does it easier and with less rider involvement than its larger capacity siblings. Behind the bars is a sweet place to be: a clever design that makes it, according to Bikesales reviewer Sam Maclachlan, "the easiest-to-ride Ducati I have had the pleasure to sit on" – without being sterile or “missing something”. It nails its design brief and offers lovers of the brand something less brutal to enjoy, and potential new owners a reason to switch to Ducati. The bike is feature-rich, with remote-adjustable rear preload, the Ducati Safety Pack (essentially traction control and ABS settings depending on which mode you are in) and Bosch ABS.

Best LAMS Adventure Sport: Kawasaki Versys 650L
Kawasaki’s Versys 650L is a highly versatile all-rounder. The parallel-twin engine delivers its best work at the low- to mid-range, and you can even be in a taller gear and still get out of tight situations. The machine underwent a number of styling changes in 2015 to produce a sleeker look, as well as improving its bona fides as a long-distance machine. Fit and finish is excellent. The sporty chassis dimensions produce an exciting ride, the suspension works well in high-speed situations and the brakes are powerful. The ride is smooth, and shorty riders will appreciate the windscreen.