Best enduro bike: 2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards

The 2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year (BOTY) Awards recognise excellence across 11 separate motorcycle categories. After a three-day mega-test in Tasmania in October, we'll whittle our shortlist down to three finalists – with the outright winner then announced at the Melbourne Moto Expo on Friday, November 23.

Let's continue the 2018 BOTY category announcements by unveiling our winner of the Enduro category: Gas Gas' EC 300.

Gas Gas came out with a bang in 2018 with its Euro 4 road-registerable two-stroke EC 300, adding mega horsepower to a much lighter package. That’s not a bad place to start in any enduro workplace – yet another quantum leap ahead for a company that was struggling for survival only a few years ago.

The EC 300 introduced a new chrome-moly frame in 2018 as well as modified geometry, KYB suspension, a new crank, a new connecting rod and a completely revised combustion chamber.

The fusion of the old and new is superb, with ergonomics that feel comfortable feel straight from the box, excellent Nissin stoppers and sublime handling.

The EC’s ability to turn without any external ‘forces’ such as a berm to help it out is a real treat, and it maintains its composure on any surface – confidence-inspiring for not such off-road guns, but a far broader church than just brand die-hards.

The power is almost perfect for any riding style, with plenty of bottom-end but also a powerplant that likes to rev and play – really hard if you want to.

The 2019 EC 300, which goes on sale in September 2018 with some minor frame, suspension, engine and electrical updates, retails for $12,490, while there is also a 2018 ‘Six Days’ version of the model – basically a graphics exercise – which retails for the same price.

Congratulations Gas Gas!

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2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards
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Although the 2018 KTM 350 EXC-F is basically the same machine as the 2017 incarnation, as our reigning Bikesales Bike of the Year enduro winner it just had too many virtues not to be included in the mix again. The 350 EXC-F is not only a razor-sharp tool for pros, but it also lets riders of all skill levels to enjoy the occasion with hugely compliant magic carpet-like forks that don’t have the trail kicking back at you all day. The chassis is amazing, complemented by a tractable engine that is just as refined. It’s as light as a whip, which only adds to the nimbleness and agility. Want a two-wheel mountain goat? Look no further...

The 450 Sherco gets an honorable mention again in 2018, but in 2019 it looks like facing some stern opposition from the new 500 SEF-R – a bike that marks the French brand's entry into the open-class four-stroke category. The 450 is a mighty performer in its own right, though, and you’d be more than happy turning up for the morning enduro muster with your mates on this machine. It has a great feel on the trails with plenty of balance and poise, and its sweet powerplant lets you use the power to fix problems – but it's also extremely useable at the same time. There are two ignition maps, easily switchable, and if wide-open trails are your favourite place to be, the 450’s manners, balance and stability are worth considering.