From adventure bikes to naked weapons, we look back at the standout motorcycles we rode in 2025 and reveal BRM’s Bike of the Year for New Zealand roads.
It’s that time of year when we look back at the bikes we’ve ridden and try to work out which ones really stood out from the crowd. Not necessarily because they were the fastest, but because they delivered something special — whether that was clever tech, standout performance, real-world versatility, or simply sharp value.
It’s no longer a given that outright speed guarantees a place at the top of year-end lists. That said, if the award were purely about performance, it would be hard to look past the BMW M 1000 XR. With over 200 horsepower straight off the showroom floor, it’s outrageously fast, incredibly composed, and packed with more clever electronics than most riders will ever fully exploit. Open the throttle and things happen very quickly — usually before you’ve had time to think about the consequences.
Unfortunately, living at the bottom of the globe means we don’t always get access to every new model. Some genuine standouts, like Honda’s CB1000SP, have only just been confirmed for New Zealand at the time of writing. That means our “best of” lists are always based on what we’ve actually ridden — not what looks good on paper.
Thankfully, we’ve got help. We leaned on our international contributor Adam ‘Chad’ Child, who quite literally rides everything, to balance our NZ-based perspective. So, in no particular order, here are BRM’s favourite bikes of 2025.
Adam ‘Chad’ Child – International Perspective
BMW World Superbike
Arguably the best motorcycle I rode all year. The championship-winning BMW World Superbike has an unusual riding position, with the rider sitting low in the chassis, but it works perfectly. An unforgettable experience and a reminder of just how good modern superbikes have become.
BMW M 1000 RR (World Superbike base)
READ THE REVIEW: https://www.brm.co.nz/bmw-wsbk-test-riding-toprak-razgatlioglus-world-superbike/
- Price: 149,000 Euros for the customer bike.
- Engine: 999cc inline four
- Power: 212hp (road version) / 250-260hp race version)
- Weight: 192kg (road) / 168kg (race)
Honda Hornet CB1000SP
Excellent build quality, strong innovation and surprisingly sharp pricing. The CB1000SP delivers fun, characterful performance with practical features and outstanding value. The tech might not be class-leading and the clocks are a bit dull, but it’s a bike I genuinely considered buying.
Honda Hornet CB1000SP
READ THE REVIEW: https://www.brm.co.nz/honda-cb1000-hornet-sp-review/
- NZ Price: $22.995 + ORC
- Engine: 1000cc inline four
- Power: approx. 155 hp
- Weight: approx. 212kg (wet)
Yamaha YZF-R9
A smart and very likeable replacement for the R6. It’s sporty without being extreme, has just the right amount of tech for road and track use, and offers strong performance at a price that undercuts many rivals.
Yamaha YZF-R9
READ THE REVIEW: https://www.brm.co.nz/yamaha-r9-a-modern-supersport-for-the-road-track/
- NZ Price: approx. $23,990 Ride Away
- Engine: 890cc inline triple
- Power: approx. 117hp
- Weight: approx. 195kg (wet)
Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
A premium naked that feels rock-solid everywhere. Brutally fast on the road, capable on track and loaded with clever rider aids. Expensive, yes, but it delivers the full package — even if the dash response could be quicker.
Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
READ THE REVIEW: https://www.brm.co.nz/triumph-speed-triple-1200-rs-review/
- NZ Price: $30,990 + ORC
- Engine: 1160cc inline triple
- Power: 180hp
- Weight: 199kg (wet)
BMW R 12 G/S
A beautifully built retro adventure bike that nails the look and feel while remaining genuinely capable on and off road. Well-specced without going overboard, though the basic clocks and rising price with options take a little shine off.
BMW R 12 G/S
READ THE REVIEW: https://www.brm.co.nz/2025-bmw-r-12-g-s-review-retro-looks-modern-tech-hp4-style/
- NZ Price: approx. $30,390 + ORC
- Engine: 1170cc air/oil-cooled boxer twin
- Power: 109hp @ 7,000rpm
- Weight: approx. 229kg (wet)
Paul Lance – NZ Roads & Real-World Riding
BMW R 1300 RS
The new 1300cc Boxer motor is simply stunning. Wrapped in a not-too-sporty chassis and paired with electronic suspension, it’s a weapon on New Zealand’s rough roads. Huge low-down torque means you don’t need silly speeds to have fun — and plenty of GS owners would probably enjoy the RS even more.
BMW R 1300 RS
- NZ Price: approx. $33,490 + ORC
- Engine: 1300cc boxer twin
- Power: 145hp @ 7,750rpm
- Weight: approx. 245kg (wet)
CFMoto 800MT-X
A couple of days riding this bike hard in Australia confirmed just how good it is. Everything works exactly as most riders will need it to. While it doesn’t produce massive horsepower numbers, the parallel twin has plenty of character and makes this a genuinely fun adventure bike on road and dirt.
CFMoto 800MT-X
READ THE REVIEW: https://www.brm.co.nz/cfmoto-800mt-x-launch-off-road-middleweight-marvel/
- NZ Price: approx. $15,990 + ORC
- Engine: 799cc parallel twin
- Power: approx. 95hp @ 8,500rpm
- Weight: approx. 220kg (wet)
Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
Yes, it appears again — and for good reason. The triple-cylinder engine is close to perfect, the electronic suspension smooths out our broken roads, and the rider aids are both clever and entertaining. It’s easy to live with, insanely fast when you want it to be, and still comfortable enough to tour.
Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
READ THE REVIEW: https://www.brm.co.nz/triumph-speed-triple-1200-rs-review/
- NZ Price: $30,990 + ORC
- Engine: 1160cc inline triple
- Power: 177hp
- Weight: 198kg (wet)
Yamaha Ténéré 700
This was the year Yamaha finally added electronics to the T7, and it’s better for it. The snappier throttle mode brings new life to the engine off-road, while traction control, easier ABS adjustment and a new dash make it the most complete Ténéré yet.
Yamaha Ténéré 700
READ THE REVIEW: https://www.brm.co.nz/2025-yamaha-tenere-700-review-is-it-better/
- NZ Price: $20,199 Ride Away
- Engine: 689cc parallel twin
- Power: 73hp @ 9,000rpm
- Weight: 208kg (wet)
Suzuki GSX-8TT
On paper it’s close to the GSX-8S and GSX-8R, but on the road it feels like a different bike. The small fairing and new seat improve comfort, and the styling finally gives Suzuki something people will stop and look at. It’s now a genuinely cool motorcycle.
Suzuki GSX-8TT
READ THE REVIEW: https://www.brm.co.nz/suzuki-gsx-8tt-review/
- NZ Price: approx. $17,999 + ORC
- Engine: 776cc parallel twin
- Power: 83hp @ 8,500rpm
- Weight: approx. 203kg (wet)
BRM Bike of the Year 2025
When two riders with very different riding environments come to the same conclusion, it says a lot.
For us, the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS is BRM’s Bike of the Year for 2025.
In Europe or the US, smoother roads and quieter spaces allow more focused sports bikes to shine. In New Zealand, where roads are busy and often rough, the Triumph hits the sweet spot. It’s devastatingly quick in short bursts, stable and composed when pushed, comfortable enough for everyday riding, and with a few button presses can be transformed into a track-ready weapon.
Overseas, the Yamaha R9 has won several Bike of the Year awards, and deservedly so. But without NZ ride time, we couldn’t make that call locally.
Second place goes to the CFMoto 800MT-X, a bike that represents outstanding value and shows just how far Chinese manufacturers have come in a remarkably short time. If this is a sign of what’s coming next, things are getting very interesting.
