BMW Motorrad scores in 2015 Motorrad magazine poll

Achieving its best result thus far in Motorrad magazine’s 18th “Motorcycle of the Year 2016” readers’ vote, BMW Motorrad scored in the “Sports Bikes”, “Touring/Sport Touring Bikes”, “Enduros/Supermotos”, “Crossovers” and “Modern Classics” categories. The Munich motorcycle manufacturer also recorded two second and three third places in the readers’ poll, which saw 208 motorcycle models competing.

“This result is a strong validation of our development work up to now – which we will continue with determination to be able to offer our motorcycle fans the best BMW motorcycle in each market segment,” said Stephan Schaller, Director of BMW Motorrad.

Winning for the second year consecutively was the BMW S1000RR in the “Sports Bikes” category, garnering 23.4% of the votes. This result was almost identical to last year’s number. The S1000RR is BMW Motorrad’s premier superbike, with an in-line four engine displacing 999 cc, putting out 198 hp and 113 Nm of torque. The S1000RR retails for RM104,900 on-the-road in Malaysia and comes with Race ABS and Dynamic Traction Control DTC as well as the optional electronically controlled suspension Dynamic Damping Control DDC.

Taking honours for the “Crossovers” category was the BMW S1000XR, with 26.7% of voters giving it the thumbs-up. This dual-purpose bike, with the upright seating of an Adventure bike and the power of a sports bike uses a de-tuned 160 hp in-line four that has almost identical torque to the S1000RR.

BMW Motorrad scored a double in the “Touring/Sports Touring Bike” category, with the R1200RS and the R1200RT coming in first and second, respectively. Both boxer-engined twins have been evergreen favourites in BMW’s sport-touring range for years, with long-distance comfort and sporty-handling in one package. The RS retails in Malaysia for RM101,900 and the RT goes for RM123,900.

Coming as no surprise was BMW’s win for “Enduros/Supermotos”, with the R1200GS/Adventure grabbing 23.4% of the votes, making this its eight consecutive title. This Adventure bike has been a long-time favourite with the inteprid rider, since the 80s. Using the trademark 1,200 cc boxer engine, the base GS goes for RM104,900 while the big Adventure retails for RM114,900.

2016 BMW Motorrad R Nine T Scrambler - 2

The retro-styled R nineT and its Scrambler variant took the “Modern Classics” category win, with 30.1% of Motorrad readers voting their approval. Using the air/oil-cooled variant of the boxer engine, the 1,200 cc R nineT combines modern technology in an old-school design. The R nineT retails for RM98,888.00 in Malaysia.

In addition to the top category winners above, the BMW R1200R, which we reviewed in January, took second place in the “Naked Bikes” class, while its stable-mate the S1000R, came in third. The C650 maxi-scooter in Sport and GT forms took second place in the “Scooter” category.

Held on March 14 in Stuttgart, Germany, the “Motorcycle of the Year” awards is considered to be the most important motorcycle and scooter readers’ choice poll in Europe. This year 52,178 readers took part, and over three quarters of a million Motorrad readers have voted since 1999.

BMW Motorrad S1000RR