Best Sports Touring 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 Sportstouring category: KTM's 1290 Super Duke GT…

Yes, it's a familiar face leading the pack in the Sportstouring category of the 2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards. KTM's 1290 Super Duke GT claimed victory in this segment last year, and now it's doubled up with a back-to-back win.

KTM itself describes the 1290 Super Duke GT as the 'adrenalin express', and with its stonking 1301cc V-twin producing a claimed 127kW and 144Nm, it seems like an apt description to us. But it's the seamless integration of all of this bike's various components that prove so compelling – it really is one of those machines that's greater than the sum of its parts…

The top-notch chromoly steel trellis frame and WP suspension tame all that V-twin fury, while a clever raft of electronics allow the rider to tailor the ride to suit their mood and the prevailing conditions, from track days to highway touring to city commutes.

The ergonomics tread the compromise between sporting aggression and all-day touring beautifully, with good legroom and a quality seat backed by handlebars and a slightly inclined stance that immediately place the rider in total control.

Yes, at $26,995 plus on-roads it's no cheapie, but it comes with plenty of niceties like an advanced TFT instrumentation, a slipper clutch, semi-active suspension and cornering ABS, among others, all wrapped up in a package weighing in at a modest 205kg(dry).

Throw on some panniers, a tank bag and a topbox, and head for the horizon – on KTM's 1290 Super Duke GT you'll be doing it easy, and quickly, and comfortably. Congratulations, KTM, on this consecutive Sportstouring victory...

2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards
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: 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
2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: Supersport

BMW's K 1600 platform has held a place in our hearts since its arrival in 2011, and this Bavarian powerhouse continues to weave its magic some eight years later. At 334 kilograms (wet) it's a big beast, and edged out in this year's awards by the significantly lighter, more nimble and more affordable KTM, but it's truly amazing how quickly BMW's K 1600 GT Sport can be punted along a winding road. Its silky-smooth six-cylinder is a masterpiece – it might lose out to the KTM in outright power, but a stonking 175Nm is a recipe for pure riding enjoyment. The chassis and brakes are equal to the considerable task at hand while the top-shelf technology – with Bluetooth audio, cornering ABS, electronic suspension, multiple riding modes, adaptive Xenon headlight and more – cap off a truly outstanding package. The BMW K 1600 GT Sport is priced from $39,390 plus on-roads.

Yamaha's MT-09TRGT, or Tracer 900 GT, is based on the standard Tracer 900, which in turn represents a sportstouring-oriented development of the MT-09 naked bike – how could it not be a ripper? For 2018 both Tracer models benefitted from a raft of chassis and suspension tweaks, plus revised bodywork, while the GT also comes with panniers as standard, along with advanced TFT instrumentation and higher-spec suspension (fully adjustable inverted fork, and a rear monoshock with a remote preload wheel). It even comes with a quick-shifter and electronic cruise control! Powered by Yamaha's lusty 847cc triple, rest assured the Tracer 900 GT offers plenty of performance, while its touring-friendly features make it an ideal companion on the long haul – and all for a relatively modest asking price. Yamaha's MT-09TRGT is priced from $16,999 plus on-roads.

For those setting out on two wheels, and who are after practical blend of comfort and performance, Yamaha's MT-07TR, or Tracer 700, offers all the real-world useability of the Tracer 900 GT in a learner-friendly, LAMS-compliant package. The truth is, at present there aren't too many models that could be classified as LAMS sportstourers, but Bikesales was impressed with the Tracer 700 at its national press launch in April 2017, and we don't believe there's anything else out there that can top its user-friendly and fun package in this segment. Comfortable, easy to ride, fun, and highly practical, the Tracer 700 is a bike that will keep rider entertained well into their full licence. Yamaha's MT-07TR is priced from $9999 plus on-roads.