BMW S1000RR is MCN Machine of the Year

MCN is proud to reveal that the new Machine of the Year for 2010 is the incredible and class-redefining BMW S1000RR.

• Find a BMW S1000RR for sale

As well as being one of Britain’s best-selling bikes, the new BMW came from nowhere and lead the hardest class in the world, absolutely blowing us away with its performance, handling, style and prowess.

Head of the judges, for the prestigious MCN Awards, MCN editor Marc Potter said: “That you can get such an incredible and race-winning package including traction control and anti-wheelie on a road bike defies belief. The fact it works so well as a complete package and literally leaves every other sports bike gasping at its first attempt is phenomenal. 

“2010 is the year of the gadget with Honda’s amazing ‘automatic’ VFR1200 DCT, the multi-adjustable electronics of the Ducati Multistrada, and the BMW’s traction control, but it was the BMW that was head and shoulders above the rest.”

“We are proud that the BMW S1000RR will be joining the long list of winners from MCN’s 55 year history including such icons as the original Triumph Bonneville, Ducati 916, Norton Commando, Honda FireBlade and the Yamaha R1.”

BMW staff were presented with their trophy by MCN editor Marc Potter yesterday.

Machine of the Year shortlist
BMW S1000RR
Ducati Multistrada
Honda VFR1200 DCT
BMW S1000RR
What the judges said: “With huge sales success, plus Superstock championship wins around the globe, and the kind of technical ideas and performance that have left the other manufacturers behind, their could only be one winner.”

Sports Bike over 751cc
WINNER: BMW S1000RR
Shortlist:
BMW S1000RR (biggest shake up in years) – WINNER
MV Agusta F4 (re-invented, now among best)
Ducati 1198S Corse (ultimate Italian exotica)
Honda CBR1000RR
Suzuki GSX-R1000
Yamaha R1
What the judges said: “The most respected, most feared and most capable superbike weapon that has ever been allowed into the hands of the public is also one of Britain’s best-selling bikes. It is simply staggering in every single way.”

Manufacturer of the Year
WINNER: Triumph
The judges said: “From one man’s vision twenty years ago to the powerhouse that is Triumph now, the Hinckley firm celebrated its twenty years in style with a massive event at Mallory Park for its customers, a range of bikes second to none, undisputed customer care and sales back-up from its official dealers. They once followed but now Triumph lead the way in motorcycling.”

Trailie/Trailie-style
WINNER: Ducati Multistrada S
SHORTLIST:
Yamaha Super Tenere
BMW R1200GS Adventure
BMW R1200GS
What the judges said: “Everyone expected Ducati to produce a sweet-handling, characterful big trailie-style bike. What no-one foresaw was the brilliant electronic suspension adjustment package that blitzed its rivals.”

Best Machine for New Riders
WINNER: Kawasaki Ninja 250R
SHORTLIST:
Kawasaki Ninja 250R
Honda CBF125
Yamaha YBR125
Honda CBR125
Yamaha YZF-125R
What the judges said: “The Ninja 250R is styled like a ‘proper bike’ and gives that all-important big-bike feel to new riders. It’s a magnificent machien for the money.”

Sports Tourer
Winner: VFR1200F
Shortlist
Honda VFR1200
Kawasaki GTR1400
Triumph Sprint GT
What the judges said: “The VFR1200F brings Honda’s new styling concept to the masses. The big 170bhp tourer becomes even more special with the DCT push-button gear change which transforms the ways we ride motorcycles and makes you think that changing gear with your foot is a habit that should be left in the past.”

Tourer
WINNER: BMW R1200RT
Shortlist:
Suzuki GSX1250 FA-ST
Kawasaki VN1700 Voyager
BMW R1200RT
What the judges said: “Ask anyone in the MCN office which bike they’d choose if sent down to the South of France at a moment’s notice and it would be the big BMW every time. That this bike comes with so much equipment, weighs so much yet manages to handle so well with or without a pillion and luggage defies all logic.

Best Naked
WINNER: Triumph Speed Triple
Shortlist
Kawasaki Z1000
MV Agusta Brutale 990
Yamaha FZ8
Ducati Streetfighter
What the judges said: “When a bike’s as great to ride and as stylistically iconic as Triumph’s Speed Triple, redesigning it is fraught with danger. Fortunately Triumph pulled it off with panache. The new bike’s headlights have provoked controversy, but look right in the flesh, and the engine and handling have been taken to the next level. A masterful performance.” 

Best All Rounder under 750cc
WINNER: Triumph Street Triple
Shortlist
Kawasaki Versys
Aprilia Shiver GT 750
Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F
What the judges said: “The Street Triple defines everything that a motorcycle in this class should be. It handles beautifully, had more than enough performance when you want to ride it a bit faster yet can even cover distance with ease. It’s the class-leader and wins the MCN Award for the second time.

Best All Rounder over 751cc
WINNER: Suzuki GSX1250FA
Shortlist:
Suzuki GSX1250FA – WINNER
Honda CBF1000
KTM SM-T
What the judges said: “The Suzuki doesn’t use loads of new technology, and isn’t particularly nice to look at but what it does do is offer incredible value and is one hell of a lot of bike for the money. You can tour with ease, use it to ride to work on, take a pillion at the weekends and do everything that an all-rounder should do.”

Sports Bike under 750cc
WINNER: Triumph Daytona 675
Shortlist:
Suzuki GSX-R750
Triumph Daytona 675
Yamaha R6
Honda CBR600RR
Kawasaki ZX-6R
What the judges said: “That a bike built in Hinckley can match the Japanese best in this hotly-contested class is something, the fact that it repeatedly amazes with its lap times on a racetrack and leads the way on the road is even more staggering. The Triumph continually impresses in every single way, it has the heart and soul of an Italian bike with the smoothness and sure-footed feel of a Japanese bike and continues to lead the class.”

Cruiser
WINNER: Victory Hammer S
SHORTLIST:
Triumph Rocket Roadster
Harley Dyna Wide Glide/48
Honda Fury
What the judges said: “The Victory Hammer S had all the attitude and style of its American brethren with an attitude all of its own and the performance that will surprise even the most hardcore performance enthusiast, yet the Hammer S is as happy kicking back and cruising as any other bike shortlisted.”

Dave Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award
WINNER: John Bloor – Triumph
The man who recreated the Triumph name twenty years ago has taken his idea of bringing back the most iconic name in motorcycling and made it one of the biggest bike manufacturers in the world. Hard but fair, Bloor is reputed to be an inspirational man to work for and despite his elevated status at the helm of one of the world’s coolest brands he’s been known to sweep the floor and personally signs off every new model. After twenty years at the top, Bloor is stepping aside slightly from the day-to-day running so his son Nick Bloor is about to take over running the company but his hand will still be firmly on the tiller and long may it continue.

Dealer of the Year – with more than one outlet
WINNER: Laguna Motorcycles

Dealer of the Year – with only one outlet
WINNER: M&S Motorcycles

Wholesaler of the Year
WINNER: Phoenix Distribution

Product of the Year – Clothing
WINNER: Nitro Aikido Helmet

Product of the Year – Accessory/Service
WINNER: S-Doc 100 Motorcycle Gel Cleaner

Product of the Year – Tyre
WINNER: Dunlop Sportsmart

Clothing & Accessory Retailer of the Year
WINNER: Hein Gericke