Each year we review all the bikes we’ve tested and pick those we thought were the most interesting overall for contention in the NZ Autocar Bike of the Year awards. We consider aspects like design, performance, ride quality, handling, specification and value. So it’s similar to what we do with Car of the Year, only we don’t get the finalists together for a ride off.
In 2024 the most worthy half dozen comprised the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello S E5, Suzuki’s GSX-8S, BMW’s R 1300 GS, CFMOTO’s 800 NK and Triumph’s Speed 400.
Unusually, there are two bikes over $30k. The V100 Mandello was genuinely something different for Guzzi. It still utilities an across-the-frame transverse V-twin and shaft final drive, like any Guzzi then. It’s just that they did a whole lot of other (mainly weight saving) things to make the V100 special. It looks and rides great, performs nicely, and goes well, especially the upper S model with its Ohlins semi-active suspension and active aero.
The BMW is more of an evolutionary update. I took it for a long ride down some lonely roads and was increasingly smitten. Both this and the Guzzi are expensive but that doesn’t stop them from both being great rides. The BMW is a tech-fest, a purpose-built globe trotter. It’s also disarmingly quick, and has stellar brakes. Not cheap at $45k but it’s loaded and for well-heeled adventurers.
One of the best bang for buck bikes last year was the CFMOTO 800NK. This is essentially a Duke 790 in Chinese clothes. Quick and effective, only the iPad-like instrument looks odd. But where the KTM Duke 890 used to sell for $22k (now $18K), this is $12,495.
And another that was selling at an almost absurd price was Suzuki’s GSX-8S. It has a streetfighter mien and rocks a 776cc parallel twin. It hasn’t quite the power or outright speed of the CFMOTO but brakes work better. However, the Chinese bike has more gear, including fully adjustable suspension and cruise control. It also has a better ride. It costs a touch less too. Both are great value.
But of all the newbies to dot down last year, we had a hard job overlooking how stellar Triumph’s first offering under $10k is. Not only that but the Indian-built Speed 400 is comfortably less at $7995.
This kind of rewrites the rules on how good a learner bike can be. Built by Bajaj who have been making small KTMs for yonks, this is nicely constructed, and is back to basics motorcycling but not in a Billy Basic way. They just kind of thought of everything here; it’s light, has great brakes, good rubber, compliant suspension, stellar fuel economy, clear dials and extended service intervals. And a single cylinder engine. Now I’m not normally a fan of singles but this twin-cam 30kW/38Nm 398cc engine only has to overcome 170kg of mass. So it goes rather well. Moreover, its midrange is where the action is at, between 3000 and 6000rpm. Tooling along at 100km/h feels almost effortless, at 5800rpm, without significant tingles and it’s using fuel at a rate of 3.33L/100km. So cheap to buy and cheap to run. And it handles just so beautifully, with effortless changes of direction; just perfect for learner riders. You’d expect nothing less as Triumph are chassis wizards.
Want a bit more suspension travel and a few more standard extras? Pony up the extra grand for the Scrambler instead. Both have been extremely popular for Triumph for good reason. It’s that good and that inexpensive it is a genuine reason to get back into riding if you have a hankering. A beaut bike for the times.
