BMW EXCEL AT MCN AWARDS
● The manufacturer topped the Cruiser, Adventure and Touring categories
‘We love the growl from its exhaust’
The MCN Awards 2021 have been announced, and BMW have topped three individual categories.
Tourer of the year
The BMW R1250RT has won MCN’s Best Tourer award for what seems like forever, and even now rivals aren’t coming close. But that doesn’t mean that BMW have kept the exact recipe, and with new ingredients this year we’ve got something to talk about.
Over the years, the RT has managed to be a cross-continental armchair all whilst delivering surprising speed and grace when you need it. It’s quick, and not just for a big tourer, and has an elastic spread of power thanks to the engine’s clever ShiftCam system. We love the growl from its exhaust, and on the motorways, you get the reassurance of weighty stability all whilst being balanced and light at low speeds. You’ll be sitting comfortably in the saddle with bodywork that helps with windblast, and with 250 miles to the tank, it can definitely go the distance. With luxurious finishes, you almost expect it to be more expensive when you compare it to other toplevel adventurers. You’ll be getting an investment and a way to see the world rather than a machine to run you to the shops.
For 2021 you can enjoy a new 10.25in split screen colour display, which comes as standard and adds an extra shine to the experience. You can also enjoy the addition of cruise control which is ideal for a motorway machine like the RT.
Adventure bike of the year
The R1250GS Adventure was awarded the Adventure Bike of the Year after managing to excel on a wide range of skills. With a GSA, you feel like the clever one, whatever skills you have, and if you go that bit too far, it’s ready to help you out. It does everything you need it to all without trying to be the centre of attention.
As soon as you turn the key you won’t be able to help but smile. It’s like an enduro bike that has been crashed into the steroids supply, but don’t think it can’t be smooth too. Even if you’re in sixth and cruising at 40mph, all it takes is an open throttle and you’ve got instant drive. Off the line, you’ll be relying on the anti-wheelie tech to keep you down to earth. It’s lively, torquey and flexible. The chassis is brilliantly engineered, and the electronics, particularly with the Pro modes enabled are fantastic too. Starting at £14,905, you really get value for money and if you wanted to get a little extra to make it ‘yours’ you’ve got a plethora of accessories to chose from too.
Cruiser of the year
The R18 is the winner of MCN’s Cruiser of the Year award after making its mark through the sensations it gives to riders. Who cares that it’s not very fast, runs out of ground clearance and has the practicality of corned beef underpants when every single ride on the R18 is an experience of its own? With 1802cc and a pushrod unit that has a tested 111lb.ft of wallop at just 3100rpm, the engine is the largest opposed twin BMW have ever made, and is a rumbling, rocking, booming delight.
The chassis is the perfect blend of essential cruiser connection and engaging dynamic, and with the wide bars, the highway miles seem to slip underneath the bike effortlessly. But even off the bike you’ll be left with weak knees looking at the R18’s imposing presence, spot-on lines with fantastic art deco exhausts, perfect detailing, and enormous sense of quality. Although attention grabbing, the R18 remains civilised. The clutch is light, gears select smooth and at 60mph, it’s comfortable and refined and just 2100rpm in sixth. Low-speed control is easy and fluid, and with the midmount footpegs, the cruiser ticks the box for comfort.
Road tester Mike Armitage spent several months with an R18 in 2021 and used it for everything, rain or shine, and said that the giant twin lost none of its lure. If anything, the attraction grew, and he found himself ogling it through the window, satisfyingly polishing the chrome and thinking of reasons why he needed to pop out. Sure, there are faster, lighter, more high-tech retros with less of a price tag. But with the R18’s huge torque and need for well-planned lines you appreciate the ride and sensations, rather than just the speed or light-up widgets.
To find out more about these bikes and the BMW range, head to