WITH loads of exciting new models in 2016, it’s been as tough as ever to choose our favourites, but we have, and so have you.
Over the following pages you’ll find our winners in 11 categories, from learner bikes to full-dress tourers.
Don’t agree with our choices? That’s okay. Unlike other awards of their kind, we’ve given you the chance to pick a Readers’ Choice winner in each category too.
An incredible 14,874 votes were cast. Find out which machines you (and we) chose…
Visordown Awards 2016: Best Sports-Tourer
WINNER: TRIUMPH TIGER SPORT
KTM’s 1290 Super Duke GT might be the fastest new sports tourer of 2016 but for us there’s another machine that better fits the brief, offering engaging performance, versatility and all-day comfort.
Triumph’s Tiger Sport is also a bargain, at £10,700 on the road.
READERS' CHOICE: KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT
Visordown Awards 2016: Best Tourer
WINNER: YAMAHA FJR1300
Yamaha chose to launch to 2016 FJR1300 with a track session, which should tell you something about its handling.
Half a dozen FJRs proved they could hussle it around Almeria in Spain like no 292kg bike should.
The latest FJR is offered with all the equipment you’d expect from a big tourer, like a keyless ignition, quick-shifter and cornering lights, and it’s good value, starting from £13,299 to the BMW R1200RT’s at £13,685.
READERS' CHOICE: TRIUMPH TROPHY
Visordown Awards 2016: Best 125
WINNER: KTM RC 125
A couple of years after its launch, KTM’s smallest RC remains the one 125 we think we would have sold our soul to the Devil for as 17-year-olds.
Against tough competition, it’s just a bit sexier, not to mention cheaper, at £4,299 compared to the £4,699 Aprilia RS125.
READERS' CHOICE: KTM 125 Duke
Visordown Awards 2016: Best A2 Bike
WINNER: KTM 390 DUKE
It’s a few years old now but that’s done nothing to dim the appeal of the 390 Duke against tough new competition from the likes of Yamaha’s MT-03.
Our back-to-back test of the two machines this year established the Duke as something special, something different, something made not only to comply with the A2 47hp licence restrictions but to be a great motorcycle. Which is what it is.
See our KTM 390 Duke vs Yamaha MT-03 review and watch our video review
READERS' CHOICE: HONDA CBR500R/CB500F
Visordown Awards 2016: Best Adventure Bike
WINNER: HONDA AFRICA TWIN
Triumph’s new Tiger Explorer is a highly accomplished machine but, in the end, hasn’t plough its own furrow like the Africa Twin, a bike offering adventure touring capability and genuine off-road potential.
After all, adventure bikes are supposed to leave the beaten trail, aren’t they?
READERS' CHOICE: TRIUMPH TIGER EXPLORER
Visordown Awards 2016: Best Cruiser
WINNER: DUCATI XDIAVEL
At last we agree on something.
Cruisers aren’t for everyone. Or at least they weren’t. Ducati showed they can be desirable to the uninitiated with the XDiavel, a feet-forward Testastretta V-twin-powered adrenaline rush that goes round corners as well as it eats up straights.
Perhaps that will make it a loser to those who want their cruisers to be traditional, but it’s a winner to the average rider, you and us both.
READERS' CHOICE: DUCATI XDIAVEL
Visordown Awards 2016: Best First Bike Bike
WINNER: YAMAHA MT-07
Yamaha’s MT-07 has almost become the default choice for newish riders looking for their first big bike, and with good reason.
It’s a class-leading package of performance, style and value, with cheeky wheelies thrown in free.
It’s become the country’s best-selling bike between 650cc and 1000cc and it’s our winner.
See our Yamaha MT-07 vs Suzuki SV650 back-to-back test review and video review
READERS' CHOICE: TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE R
Visordown Awards 2016: Best Naked Bike
WINNER: BMW S1000R
We thought Yamaha’s MT-10 might take the naked bike crown this year but BMW’s S1000R proved to us it was still the best when we tested the two back-to-back in July.
It’s not just its brutal performance that makes it a winner but also its versatility, making it just as good an all-rounder or every-day bike.
See our Yamaha MT-10 vs BMW S1000R review and video review
READERS' CHOICE: YAMAHA MT-10
Visordown Awards 2016: Best Retro Bike
WINNER: TRIUMPH THRUXTON R
Ah, some consensus again. This decision was probably the easiest in this year’s awards.
It was clear the Thruxton R was special the moment we rode it: a combination of traditional character and engaging performance that compels you to ride it as fast as you can from the moment you get on to the moment you get off.
That’s why it won on a back-to-back test against the BMW R nineT.
Watch our Triumph Thruxton R vs BMW R nineT video review
READERS' CHOICE: TRIUMPH THRUXTON R
Visordown Awards 2016: Best Scooter
WINNER: KAWASAKI J125
It may only be a 125 but this Kawasaki is a comfortable and capable maxi-scooter for £300 less than Honda’s Forza 125.
It looks good too, with some influence from Kawasaki sports bikes in the styling.
READERS' CHOICE: YAMAHA TMAX
Visordown Awards 2016: Best Sports Bike
WINNER: YAMAHA YZF-R1
It’s had some new competition this year, not least from Kawasaki’s ZX-10R, but we reckon last year’s winner is still the best.
It’s the refinement of the R1 that keeps it at the top of the pile: an uncompromising track weapon but probably the most accessible one we’ve ever ridden.
See our Yamaha R1 vs Ducati 1299 Panigale S review and video review
READERS' CHOICE: BMW S1000RR
