2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards
It’s on again, as we begin the countdown to the announcement of our Bikesales Bike of the Year at the Melbourne Moto Expo on Friday, November 23Welcome to the the 2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year (BOTY) Awards!
This will be the third year we’ve run BOTY, with Honda’s Africa Twin getting the chocolates in 2016 followed by the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR in 2017.
The 2018 process: from start to finish
As in past years, the process of selecting an overall winner will begin with announcing our 11 category winners over the next couple of months.
The 11 categories are as follows:
• Supersport;
• Cruiser;
• Scooter;
• Naked;
• Touring;
• Sportstouring;
• Adventure;
• Adventure Sport;
• Enduro;
• Motocross; and
• Retro/Café racer.
Where applicable, we'll also announce the best learner-approved bikes in a number of categories.
To be included in the judging, all bikes must have been on sale by September 1, 2018, as well as meeting specific criteria.
We’re going to Tasmania!
Once we've announced all the category winners, we'll then take nine of them (excluding motocross and enduro) on a three-day road ride from October 22-24 in Australia’s motorcycle riding nirvana – Tasmania.
It will be Bikesales’ first ride in Tasmania since our middleweight comparo in 2013 – and once again we’ll be following the tried-and-true path of transporting bodies and bikes on the Spirit of Tasmania.
Once in Tassie, we’ve plotted a 900km ride over three days – with overnight stops in Bicheno and Queenstown – to gain a greater appreciation for all the bikes’ relative strengths and weaknesses.
All nine testers will be taking into account factors including excellence, innovation, performance and value for money, and it's those deliberations which will form the backbone of deciding which bike ultimately takes home the 2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Award.
After the ride
Once we’re back from Tasmania, the hard part will really begin as we churn out images, words and videos on the bikes until mid-November. We’ll also collate all the scores to shortlist three finalists for BOTY, and then keep the winner close to our chest until the Melbourne Moto Expo on November 23.
An exhaustive process, but a rewarding one as well! Join us for the ride.
Related links
2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Cruiser
2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Scooter
2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Adventure Touring
2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Adventure Sport
2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Naked
2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Sports Touring
2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Retro/Cafe
2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Enduro
2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Touring
2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Motocross
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