Best Naked: 2019 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards

The 2019 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 early November – branching out from the beautiful town of Bright – we'll whittle our shortlist down to an outright winner to be announced on Thursday, December 5.

Let’s continue the 2019 BOTY by announcing the Indian FTR1200 S as our naked bike winner.

Born on dirt, built for street is the design inspiration for Indian Motorcycle's new FTR 1200 range, with styling based on the FTR 750 flat tracker and powered by a 60-degree 1203cc V-twin. The FTR 1200 range includes three models: the FTR 1200, the aforementioned FTR 1200 S and FTR 1200 S Race Replica.

It's an impressive troika, and the FTR 1200 S (priced at $22,995 rideaway) adds various electronic aids (traction control, cornering stability control, wheelie control), over the standard model, as well as a choice of three modes (Rain, Standard or Sport), fully adjustable suspension and a 4.3-inch TFT touchscreen.

The FRT 1200 S is about fun, engagement and exhilaration. Indian hasn’t tried to overdo anything in the FTR recipe, even the electronics, which is what makes it such an appealing and compliant roadster.

There’s smooth acceleration, a workmanlike bottom-end and a lusty mid-range with a strong appetite for revs as that short-stroke engine gets to work. Peak torque is 120Nm at 5750rpm, and there’s 123hp lurking in that V-twin at 8250rpm. Predictably, Sport mode on the FTR 1200 S (and by extension the FTR 1200S Race Replica) provides the most thrilling ride, and the Standard smooth things out a bit.

There’s plenty of lean angle available and, while it’s not an absolute scalpel through turns, it’s not model designed to be. But it’s still a hoot punching through high-speed sweepers, switchbacks and tight, undulating turns.

Prefer wire wheels? Indian Motorcycle can accommodate as part of a dedicated FTR accessories catalogue that spans 40 separate products.

Congratulations Indian.

The $6299 (plus on-road costs) Z400 has streetfighter styling and a more relaxed riding position than the faired Ninja 400. The six-speed gearbox is a real nugget, while the clutch action is also soft. It easily blends in traffic, and at slow speeds it’s utterly unintimidating – and the seat height is just 785mm. The improved front-end feel makes the Z400 a lot more enjoyable on twisty roads, even when they become a little bumpy. It holds a line well without any of that nervousness which came come with flimsy forks, and with that wide handlebar, shorter wheelbase (down 35mm from the Z300) and lithe stature you can flick this from side to side with some serious ease. The Z400 really showcases how far we’ve come in welcoming new riders – and the little Kwaka also has enough wherewithal for experienced riders to get a thrill as well.