Pirelli SA BotY - and the winner is

[Fransw]

Baie lelik.

[Boertjie]

Are you guys sure it is not the 1st of April

Must say, I also don't get it. I am probably already an old ballie, but these retro bike are dead ugly to me. Give me the latest hottest tech in a well designed bike with beautiful lines and that will be my BOTY.

[Sabre]

At least the AT came 2nd. So, there is an adventure bike in the top 5

[TheBear]

At least the AT came 2nd. So, there is an adventure bike in the top 5

Triumph Explorer XCA third, so 2 x DS bikes in the top few.

[Noneking]

At least the AT came 2nd. So, there is an adventure bike in the top 5

Triumph Explorer XCA third, so 2 x DS bikes in the top few.

I have it on good authority that all testing took place on tar only. If this was indeed the case, it would be interesting to hear:

1) Are DS bikes compared to road bikes on tar?
2) How are DS bikes compared with each other without DS riding?

..........or am I missing the point?

[2-Stroke]

At least the AT came 2nd. So, there is an adventure bike in the top 5

Triumph Explorer XCA third, so 2 x DS bikes in the top few.

I have it on good authority that all testing took place on tar only. If this was indeed the case, it would be interesting to hear:

1) Are DS bikes compared to road bikes on tar?
2) How are DS bikes compared with each other without DS riding?

..........or am I missing the point?

Keep in mind that these are professional journalists who have mostly ridden these bikes before. If anything, BotY is more of a refresher than a test.

[Noneking]

At least the AT came 2nd. So, there is an adventure bike in the top 5

Triumph Explorer XCA third, so 2 x DS bikes in the top few.

I have it on good authority that all testing took place on tar only. If this was indeed the case, it would be interesting to hear:

1) Are DS bikes compared to road bikes on tar?
2) How are DS bikes compared with each other without DS riding?

..........or am I missing the point?

Keep in mind that these a professional journalists who have mostly ridden these bikes before. If anything, BotY is more of a refresher than a test.

Thanks for the reply

[jaybiker]

The concept of BOTY means nothing to me, just industry and media hype and bullshit.
That said, the Thruxton is a beautiful machine that looks exactly like a road going motorcycle should look.
 What's ugly to me is the pointless attempts at 'styling' on modern machines with their ridiculous  arse - in - the - air tail ends, and the plastic shrouding around the steering head and funny shaped headlights.
Nice one, Triumph.

[ETS]

Would not have predicted that in a million years

[TheBear]

Would not have predicted that in a million years

Me neither.  My money was on the Honda AT.

[ETS]

Would not have predicted that in a million years

Me neither.  My money was on the Honda AT.

Just because i don't like it does not mean it is crap. Buuut how does it sell?

[Gryshond]

I would not have predicted the result but evaluating objectively the brief is to judge whether the bike is better than it competition.

1) Thruxton R - Yes this new model is better than the competition in the retro cafe racer class.
2) Africa Twin - No, better bikes is class (eg. Triumph 800 XCX)
3) Explorer XCA - No, better bikes in class (eg. KTM SA, 1200 GSA)
4) S1000XR - Possibly, main competition is Ducati MS and Superduke GT
5) XDiavel - Possibly, competes with the other cruisers on the market and I don't know them.
6) KTM GT - No, as a sport tourer the seat needs to be a lot better see S1000XR. Also the Duke R has already won so they probably did not feel it is not really new.

From the above the Thruxton is not such a surprise.

[ETS]

Just saying- Sometimes a committee can come to a conclusion that is more stupid than any of it's members........

[2-Stroke]

Just saying- Sometimes a committee can come to a conclusion that is more stupid than any of it's members........

There was no committee. The judges voted independently and anonymously.

[jangys]

I would not have predicted the result but evaluating objectively the brief is to judge whether the bike is better than it competition.

1) Thruxton R - Yes this new model is better than the competition in the retro cafe racer class.
2) Africa Twin - No, better bikes is class (eg. Triumph 800 XCX)
3) Explorer XCA - No, better bikes in class (eg. KTM SA, 1200 GSA)
4) S1000XR - Possibly, main competition is Ducati MS and Superduke GT
5) XDiavel - Possibly, competes with the other cruisers on the market and I don't know them.
6) KTM GT - No, as a sport tourer the seat needs to be a lot better see S1000XR. Also the Duke R has already won so they probably did not feel it is not really new.

From the above the Thruxton is not such a surprise.

So how do you deduce that the KTM or 1200 GSA could be a better bike than the Explorer XCA?

[max lange]

Clearly sales / popularity have no influence, out of the finalist the only real seller (or mover) will be the AT.

[Rough Rider]

What do these Thruxtons cost?

[ButtSlider]

lot of old guys/hipsters on the judging panel?  

A pic of all the hipsters  

no one under 40        

Aha, 2Stroke Donovan is under 40.
Maybe he could enlighten us a bit about how the voting was done.

[IceCreamMan]

I really though the Africa twin would win....

I guess the Thruxton is a worthy winner though

[Roxtar]

Much bias must be......... no way otherwise that R could win........