Our 2025 Bikes of the Year: The List Absolutely No One Asked For

We decided to break this down into categories because that's the only way we're going to agree on any bikes at all. But before we dive into what will inevitably become a heated debate in the comments, and trust me, it will, because apparently everyone's an expert when it comes to what’s the best motorcycle,  let me be crystal clear about something important: we're only ranking bikes we've actually ridden this year. Revolutionary concept, right? Actually throwing a leg over a bike before passing judgment on it.

Some of these machines we've racked up thousands of kilometres on, others we've had for shorter stints, but our goal is always the same,  ride them in as many real-world scenarios as possible. Touring, commuting, weekend coffee runs, spirited rides through the twisties, filtering through Sydney traffic, you name it. Because the thing is, not every rider tours, not every rider commutes, and not every rider cares about lap times at Eastern Creek. We try to cover all the bases because motorcycling means different things to different people. None of this armchair expert nonsense. We are not judging bikes based on spec sheets. This one’s all about GRIN FACTOR. Our rankings aren't based on technical specifications, engine capacity, or how much tech these bikes have. We're ranking them on one simple criterion: how much fun they are and how much they make us smile. Because at the end of the day, that's what motorcycling is really about, isn't it?

A Quick Thank You to the Good Guys

First up, a massive thanks to the manufacturers who've supported the channel this year by trusting us with their press bikes. BMW Motorrad, Royal Enfield, Ducati, Yamaha, Harley-Davidson, FTN Motion, Savic, and of course Zero - although with Zero we're not entirely sure who to thank anymore since they went out of business in Australia. To all of you who've thrown us keys and said "don't crash it”, you legends make this channel possible.

Also, it’s important to point out, not one of these manufacturers pays us a cent in advertising revenue. Our opinions are completely unbiased, which means when we tell you a bike is brilliant or terrible, that's genuinely what we think. Of course, if any of you manufacturers are reading this and fancy sponsoring the channel, we're absolutely open to that conversation, just don't expect it to change our opinions. We'll still tell you exactly what we think, we'll just do it with slightly better camera equipment.

Electric Bikes: The Most Divisive Category

Let's start with the category that really charges up all the purists - electric bikes (pun intended). This year we rode quite a few: Zero FX, Zero DSR/X, BMW CE 04, Street Dog 80, and the Savic C-Series.

The Zero DSR/X was genuinely impressive with phenomenal suspension and fun power delivery - it certainly rode very well. But at $47,000 for a bike with only about 200km of range, I think the market let Zero know that wasn't cool, no matter how good the bike was. It will be interesting to see where they are at once the new importers have bikes in stock.

The real standout for me was FTN Motion's Streetdog80. For me, electrics are still very much in the realm of being commuters, and this is exactly where the Streetdog80 excels. The lads from FTN Motion decided to make this bike specifically as a commuter, and they've really nailed their own brief.

What impressed me most was the excellent build quality, the attention to detail, the quality paint finish that really pops. It looks absolutely cool too,  retro styling that doesn't scream "I'm an electric bike" like so many others do. Add in 30 litres of storage under that “tank” and a removable battery that you can charge at home, and you've got a genuinely practical package. This electric motorcycle was like riding a bicycle through traffic, you could filter through gaps you'd never consider on a bigger bike. It tops out at 80km/h, but honestly, when am I going faster than that on my commute? At $13,000, it's the most sensible electric option we rode and actually does what most people need an electric bike to do.

The Savic C-Series deserves an honorable mention. This Melbourne-built machine is genuinely impressive, premium build quality, thoughtful engineering, and it proves Australian manufacturing can compete globally. At $30,000 it's not cheap, but it's a  premium electric motorcycle that could be a real contender next year once we all get more time on it.

Winner: Street Dog 80

Budget Bikes: The Tight-Arse Category

We set the limit at under $15,000 because anything under $10,000 mean the Royal Enfield Bullet would get the chocolates and we'd all go home early.

The Royal Enfield Bear 650 really impressed us early in the year. Even though it was technically a 2024 release, we rode it at the start of 2025 and it showed just how far Royal Enfield has come. Upside-down forks, the comfortable ergonomics, and that perfect seat made it a genuine pleasure to ride. It's easily the best of the Royal Enfield 650 range.

But honestly, this category wasn't even close. The 2025 Yamaha MT-07 takes it by a country mile. This is the best MT-07 we've ever ridden, including Tegan's 2018 model. New upside-down forks, TFT display, updated styling and we've even had the auto version for review recently, which was surprisingly good. Again the purists should probably look away now.

Here's what I love about the MT-07: it's a bike that just gets on with being good and easy to live with, but with a genuine fun factor. It's not trying to be something it's not, it's not loaded with gimmicks, it just works brilliantly. Every single time I jump on an MT-07, I'm surprised at how much I enjoy riding it. There's a reason they're so popular, it delivers exactly what you expect, when you expect it, without any drama, but always with a smile.

Winner: Yamaha MT-07

Premium Bikes: For Those Cashed Up Boomers

This category isn't about choosing a sensible. You’ve got the cash, you want something special, and practicality can take a back seat to pure desire and engineering excellence.

The Harley-Davidson Pan America genuinely surprised Lukas and more than anything else, it was just fun. Not as technically advanced as the BMW R1300GS, but sometimes fun trumps everything else.

Tegan’s pick was the BMW M1000R which is simply incredible, there’s not much wrong with that bike apart from the price. BMW's inline-four is a powerful engine that's also controllable, and the M1000R takes that to another level entirely.

But the winner has to be the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS. This bike belongs on a racetrack with its superbike engine and suspension wrapped in a more comfortable package. It's possibly the best adventure sports tourer you can't use every day, but when you can use it, it's phenomenal.

Winner: Ducati Multistrada V4 RS

Best Touring Bike

The BMW R1300RT just edges out everything else here. This looks like a slimmed down version of the R1250 RT, but with better wind protection thanks to those side deflectors. The tech is brilliant and the adaptive cruise control is flawless, it genuinely works like you'd expect it to, picking up cars and bikes ahead without any drama.

It's got an industry leading TFT, powered panniers that open and close at the touch of a button, and is just so comfortable with its plush seat and neutral riding position. Despite being a big bike, it's surprisingly sporty and nimble, making it confidence inspiring whether you're cruising the highway or ripping through the twisties. The storage capacity is massive, the build quality is typical BMW excellence, and everything just works seamlessly together.

This is one bike we probably didn't spend enough time on, but the little time we did made it the obvious choice for this category. It's the kind of bike that makes you want to plan longer trips just because you know it'll handle whatever you throw at it.

Winner: BMW R1300 RT

Best Cruiser

This category came down to a heated debate between Lukas and myself, so Tegan got the deciding vote. Limited options here, we rode the Harley-Davidson Street Glide, the BMW R18 Classic  and the BMW R18 Roctane.

I was pushing for the R18 Roctane because it has character in spades, that shake, rattle, and roll that you want from a cruiser. Lukas was backing the Street Glide because it's objectively the better machine. The paint is excellent, that massive display with Apple CarPlay integration, and the sound system that really rocked.

Since Tegan hadn't ridden the BMW R18 Roctane, the Street Glide got her vote. It's refined without losing that Harley attitude, and when you're the tiebreaker, sometimes the bike you've actually experienced wins by default.

Winner: Harley-Davidson Street Glide

The BIG One…Biker Torque Bike of the Year

This is where it gets interesting. We had three strong contenders: the Yamaha R9 with its incredible triple soundtrack, my pick of the BMW R1300 GSA Auto for its versatility, and the Tegan’s was the BMW R12S.  All three bikes are incredible, but the R12S was a very close second for Lukas and myself, so it took out the crown.

But there's something special about the R12S that goes beyond just being a great motorcycle. This bike is a wonderful homage to the legendary BMW R90S from the 1970s, a bike that was considered expensive in its day but is now a highly sought-after classic.

The R12S captures that same spirit perfectly. It's got that retro styling that channels the '70s beautifully, but with modern technology and build quality. The lava orange paint, the red pinstripes, the twin clocks, the silver spoked wheels,  it all comes together to create something genuinely special.

Yes, it's expensive at over $34,000, but this is a premium bike that feels premium. The attention to detail is incredible, from the 719 options that come standard to the way everything just works together perfectly. The boxer engine provides that low centre of gravity that makes it handle like nothing else, and the build quality is next level.

But most importantly, this bike just makes you smile. Every time you fire it up, every time you look at it, every time someone stops to ask about it, which happened constantly. It's got that indefinable something that separates a good motorcycle from a great one.

The R12S defines what a modern classic should be. It's not just retro styling for the sake of it, it’s a genuine tribute to one of BMW's greatest motorcycles, executed with modern engineering and premium components. In a few years' time, I reckon we'll look back at the R12S the same way we look at the original R90S now.

Winner: BMW R12S

What do you think of our 2025 picks? Completely wrong? Spot on? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to check out our gear at bikertorque.com.au.