Best Adventure Sport: 2020 bikesales Bike of the Year Awards

The 2020 bikesales Bike of the Year (BOTY) Awards recognise excellence across 11 separate motorcycle categories.

And here’s how it will work. After a massive five-day test through north-east Victoria in late November – utilising the stunning roads around the picturesque Victorian township of Bright – we'll whittle our category winners down to one outright bikesales Bike of the Year winner, to be announced on Friday, December 18.

Let's continue the 2020 BOTY by announcing the BMW S 1000 XR as the winner of our Adventure Sport category.

Since the BMW S 1000 XR was introduced in 2015, it’s won the bikesales Bike of the Year Adventure Sport category on three occasions; more BOTY gongs than any other bike.

It makes sense – the S 1000 XR has been a powerhouse on the adventure sport scene since its arrival in 2015. But after three BOTY category wins in a row, it was finally dethroned in 2019 by the keenly priced Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE.

Now, in 2020, the BMW S 1000 XR has reclaimed its crown, but it took a significant update from the Munich-based firm to get it there. It was the first major update since the bike's introduction.

While the 2020 BMW S 1000 XR isn’t a vastly different bike from its predecessor, it's now that bit more refined, with BMW claiming it's lighter, faster, more agile and more versatile.

The biggest changes concerned the engine, which was completely overhauled and derived from the barnstorming S 1000 RR powerplant.

Despite the exact same power figures as its predecessor (165hp at 11,000rpm and 114Nm at 9250rpm), and no ShiftCam (BMW says it’s not needed), the inline four-cylinder S 1000 XR engine is now said to offer better reliability, reduced fuel consumption and reduced noise levels.

BMW also claims the engine offers more power at low and mid-range speeds compared to the previous version. It's also lighter and more compact, with a claimed 5kg weight reduction.

The 2020 S 1000 XR also gets an electronic upgrade, with engine drag torque control added as standard, as well the Dynamic and Dynamic Pro ride modes (together with Road and Rain). Also standard is BMW’s Dynamic ESA electronic suspension, ABS Pro and Dynamic Brake Control.

Out on the tarmac, the 2020 BMW S 1000 XR serves its purpose to a tee. It's a very sporty machine that can also be ridden long distances with ease. It's fast, sure, but it doesn't have to be. It is relatively mellow at lower revs, but once you get to around 5000rpm, things get a more interesting. And towards the top of its rev range? It's pure adrenalin.

The four ride modes offer distinctly different experiences. Rain and Road are great for more relaxed and practical riding, while Dynamic and Dynamic Pro will get your heart racing.

Braking power is impeccable, with twin 310mm discs at the front and a 265mm disc at the rear. Some might actually find the brakes to be a little too sensitive, but with brilliant ABS and safety features, you can be sure they will do their job.

Perhaps my favourite aspect of the 2020 BMW S 1000 XR is the handling. The bike is extremely agile, and it flicks from side to side with incredible ease. At times, the bike feels like it weighs 100kg, not the claimed 226kg.

The suspension package is also a winner, and the optional Dynamic ESA Pro allows you to adjust settings on the fly, taking the ride from a soft touring setting, to a stiffer, sportier affair.

BMW always offers a multitude of optional extras, many of which come in pre-determined ‘packages’. Things like adaptive headlights, keyless ignition, quickshifter, cruise control, heated grips and intelligent emergency call are all available, and most are fitted to our test unit. But even without these add-ons, as a raw base-spec bike the BMW S 1000 XR is simply superb.

While the S 1000 XR missed out on a BOTY spot last year, the updated 2020 version was just too good to overlook. It took everything we loved about the previous version and just put a little more polish on it. There are not too many other bikes that combine adventure comfort and sporty performance as seamlessly as the S 1000 XR does.

This is the fourth time the S 1000 XR has won the Adventure Sport category – can it finally take out the overall Bike of the Year title? We’ll let you know when get back from Bright. Regardless, the S 1000 XR is well-deserving of a place in this illustrious group. Congratulations BMW Motorrad.

Related Reading:
2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards
2019 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: in summary
2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: in summary
2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: in summary
2016 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards

The Benelli TRK 502 has nailed the three-peat, once again taking out the Best LAMS Adventure Sport crown. It's not the biggest, flashiest or highest-performing machine out there, but it ticks all the boxes as a competent, accessible and comfortable adventure sport model.

It checks in at $9390 ride away and features a 20lt tank, ABS braking, capable suspension, and a solid 499.6cc twin-cylinder engine.

As an affordable LAMS bike for long-range travel, the Benelli TRK 502 is tough to beat.