2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Cruiser

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 Cruiser category, and that bike is the Triumph Bonneville Bobber.

Described by Triumph as a "genuine factory custom", the $18,000 Bobber ($18,250 for the two-colour models) is well, signature Bobber with the hard tail look, single seat, flat bars, wire-spoked wheels and chopped fenders.

The 1200cc engine is the HT (High Torque) version of the company's new eight-valve SOHC parallel twin, complete with a beautifully tactile torque assist clutch and closely aligned with the T120 and T120 Black – but with more power and torque at 'every day' revs thanks to revised fuelling, different cam profiles and a different exhaust.

The "floating aluminium single seat pan" allows both forwards/backwards and up/down movement via slotted mounts to accommodate different sizes and rider styles. The 690mm high seat hides the KYB monoshock, while the swing cage is also engineered to complete the Bobber hardtail look.

It's extremely capable, comfortable (for what it is) and has all the hallmarks of Triumph's packaging nous. The Bobber has the hallmarks to become a huge success for Triumph in the modern classic ranks, in a Thruxton R type of way.

Honourable mention: Ducati XDiavel S
A machine that oozes performance with superb power, great handling and plenty of lean angle. The $32,990 (plus on-road costs) bike is powered by the 1262cc version of the Testastretta V-twin and comes with the full suite of electronics: riding modes, power modes, Ducati Safety Pack (cornering ABS and traction control), power launch, TFT display, cruise control, keyless ignition, full LED lighting, backlit handlebar switches, daytime running lights and Bluetooth module. The Brembo M50 brakes offer superb feel and feedback, and are really in sync with a bike that hustles and pleases in huge gobs.

Honourable mention: Indian Scout
It’s small, light, and manoeuvrable, and the engine is massively resourceful as well, perfectly content to perform its ‘cruiser-like’ low-end torque workhorse duties, but also happy to rev as well. The Scout’s not a massive sit-in type of bike like a lot of other cruisers, and that’s a part of its performance appeal. The light weight helps to generate such a beautifully neutral-handling machine, which tracks on chunky 16-inch rubber. The aesthetics are fashioned by the rigid triangle frame design, while the shrouds look the part, too. The model’s storied past is evident in the present. It’s free-revving engine is a pearler, it's on top of the aesthetics game, handles well and is priced ($17,995 rideaway) to really pique the interest of a wide cross section of riders.

Best LAMS Cruiser: Harley-Davidson Street 500
It's been on sale in Australia for nearly three years and been an absolute success story – not just focussing on women and novices but also people just in the business of commuting. It's a competent, willing, responsive, dependable and entirely predictable machine. A solid, confidence-inducing package that takes very little time to acclimatise to. And it starts with the light throttle and clutch. There's modest peak power, but the maximum torque of kicks in way lower – that's great form for a learner, anyone really. It's a bike with all the fundamentals in place, and the credibility aspect of buying into the American family cannot be ignored. Price is $9995 rideaway.