Auto Trader – the largest online marketplace for new and used cars and motorcycles – has published a shortlist for its Best Bike Awards for 2015. The winner will be selected by a panel of motorcycle experts next month and will be presented with their award during a visit by Auto Trader editor-in-chief Jon Quirk.
Launched last year, the awards are already established as a signature of excellence from the UK’s biggest marketplace for motorcycles. Experts from Auto Trader Bikes have ridden hundreds of miles, testing every new bike on sale in the UK to shortlist category winners, carefully whittling down the entrants to find the winning bike; worthy of the prestigious title of Best Bike of 2015.
Commenting on the shortlist, Quirk said: “It has been a vintage year for new motorcycles and that’s reflected by the rise in new bike registrations across multiple categories. As of October, there are already 10,000 more new bikes on our roads compared with last year, which is great news for an industry we are passionate about supporting. We hope the Best Bike Awards continue to help Britain’s bike-buying public, as well as convince more people to the benefits of two wheels.”
Alongside Quirk, the judging panel is:
- Rob Morphet: Launched Auto Trader Bikes in 1996 and played a key role in its shift to digital. He’s a passionate supermoto rider.
- David Burton: Founding editor of independent motorcycle magazine Esses, road rider, prolific designer, tea drinker.
- Phil West: One of the UK’s most authoritative, respected and long established motorcycling journalists. Now a senior road tester for Auto Trader Bikes.
Categories and shortlisted bikes:
Best AM
Aprilia SR 50 R
Boation Falcon R
Peugeot Django 50cc
Best A1
Honda CB125F
KTM RC 125
Yamaha MT-125
Best A2
BMW G 650 GS
Honda CBR500R
Yamaha MT-07
Best Scooter
GTS 300 Super
Peugeot Django 150cc
Vespa Primavera 125cc
Best Commuter
BMW C-Evolution
Honda NC750X
Triumph Bonneville
Best Enduro
Honda CRF250L
KTM Freeride 350
KTM 350 EXC-F
Best Naked
BMW R 1200 R
Triumph Street Triple Rx
Yamaha MT-07
Best Retro
BMW R nineT
Ducati Scrambler
Indian Scout
Best Sports
BMW S 1000 RR
Kawasaki Ninja H2
Yamaha R1
Best Adventure
BMW R 1200 GS
KTM 1290 Super Adventure
Yamaha MT-07 Tracer
Best Tourer
BMW S 1000 XR
Ducati Multistrada S
Kawasaki Z1000 SX
Best Cruiser
Harley-Davidson Street Glide
Indian Chief Dark Horse
Yamaha V-MAX