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Now, for the highlight of the Allianz-BikesRepublic.com Motorcycle of the Year Awards 2025. The winner of the Overall Champion is the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX. The bike also captured the important Best Tourer 2025 category.

Why did the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX win?

Suzuki already has the GSX-S1000GT, which is a sport-tourer. On the other hand, Suzuki calls the GSX-S1000GX “The Supreme Sport Crossover.” That is correct, it is a sport-tourer crossed with an adventure tourer.

It means that the bike has longer travel suspension, a more upright handblebar, and higher seat height.

Speaking of the suspension, it is Suzuki Advanced Electronic Suspension. It gets data from the inertial measurement unit (IMU) to deliver the right kind of damping, covering all aspects of riding. The rear suspension includes an auto-levelling feature which adjusts the spring’s preload to cater for different weights being carried. The right balance is always important in ensuring optimal control.

The engine is a 999cc inline-four is actually derived from the sublime 2005 GSX-R1000 K5 sportsbike. Yes, the very sportsbike that BMW used to develop their S 1000 RR sportsbike. It produces 150 HP at 11,000 RPM and 106 Nm at 9,250 RPM. This is a supremely wonderful engine, delivering all the torque and power at an instant, while still remaining smooth.

Despite its 845mm seat height which may be a little challenging for some riders, putting a foot on the ground was never an issue. In fact, the rider could use the electronic rear preload function to lower the back of the bike when he stops, and switch back to AUTO once under way.

That kind of up-specced package delivered a supremely capable motorcycle. Comfortable on bad roads, while being able to be hustled along quickly in the twisties. Together with the 19-litre fuel tank, chewing up thousands of kilometres in one day would be of no problem – the rider’s resolve and stamina is the only limitation.

Its selling price of RM 89,900 may be steep for some, but remember the great specs and that the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX is fully made in Japan.

What we liked: Great specs, engine, handling at a good price. Great value.

What we did not like: We tried hard to find something, but we could not.

Nett selling price: RM89,900

No better motorcycle deserves the Modern Classic of the Year (Below 500cc) award at the Allianz-BikesRepublic.com Motorcycle of the Year Awards 2025 than the Triumph Speed 400.

Anyone has to ride it just once and know how good it really is. Even we got blown away.

Why did the Triumph Speed 400 win?

The new Triumph 400 line up had been in the works for so many years that some had begun to think that it would not come to fruition. The child of the Triumph UK and Bajaj Auto collaboration, the former had wanted to access the lower capacity market, which is especially lucrative in Asia.

But oh it was worth the long wait!

The Triumph Speed 400 is not what you think. It is a very complete and supremely capable motorcycle, despite its price.

The main character of any Triumph is the handling and this one demonstrates that philosophy the best, even among Triumphs. In fact, its handling is so good that if the motorcycling cliché “telepathic connection,” had not existed, it would have been written to describe it.

See that corner up ahead? Just pick your line and you are already at the exit, applying power. It did not matter what kind of corner, camber, radius, the Speed 400’s suspension lets the tyres bite into the road and flings you through them. We were even surprised to see the scuffed up the tyres – on a classic looking 400.

And that TR Series 398cc engine. (It is not shared with the Bajaj Dominar 400!) So torquey and has so much grunt up high in the rev range that you will not believe it is a single.

The whole package lets the bike handle like a 150cc motorcycle but with more torque, power, and better suspension. But wait, what sealed the deal for us was its relaxed riding position, practicality, and accessibility. Speaking of accessibility, anyone can ride well on this bike, without needing mountains of skill to conquer the er… mountain (no pun intended).

And it sells for only RM 26,900 which cost just a little more 250cc bikes. What value!

What we liked: Superb handling, easy to ride, practical, good engine, quality, value for money.

What we did not like: The first and second gears are too short.

Nett selling price: RM 26,900

Ah, the modern classic motorcycle. It harks back to the days when all motorcycles were of this form whether you rode them on the streets, raced them at the track or even off-road (modified suspension, of course). They were pure motorcycles without the modern-day segmentation, hence they could be called “standards.” And the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 embraces that spirit perfectly to win the Modern Classic Bike of the Year 2025 category in the Allianz-BikesRepublic.com Motorcycle of the Year 2025 Awards.

Why did the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 win?

The Shotgun 650 has sportier ergonomics compared to the Interceptor 650. Additionally, the Shotgun has a custom bike feel to it. In fact, Royal Enfield stresses that they offer a large selection of accessories for this particular model (including the passenger seat).

Riding the Shotgun 650 is an experience of its own. As with other REs, it is not about going fast. Instead it is about feeling the thumps from the parallel-twin engine with a 270° crank. (It was a 360° crank which has the pistons rise and fall as a pair in the past.) The motor has a longer stroke, so it is all about torque.

Riding it up Genting Highlands was a joy as it thumped-thumped-thumped from corner to corner without bogging down and requiring multiple gear changes, apart from the two hairpins. Again, it is not about setting the fastest climb, but to destress on your off day on a bike.

It is of course a great bike for the daily commute, too, which returns us to the subject about the standard motorcycle.

What we liked: Thumping engine, good torque.

We we did not like: A little heavy.

Nett selling price: From RM 34,900

PETRONAS Sprinta is now the strategic partner of the Ducati Official Club Malaysia (DOCM).

This collaboration was announced during the club’s 8th Annual General Meeting (AGM). This event also marked the largest gathering for DUCATI in Asia, signifying a significant milestone in the club’s legacy since its establishment in 2016. The AGM brought together DOCM members and avid Ducati enthusiasts to discuss the club’s achievements, future direction, and upcoming initiatives.

DOCM boasts a membership of 1,600 individuals under 13 wings/chapters, each representing different regions and Ducati models. DOCM has become a highly prestigious club, trusted by Ducati fans across Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and Thailand.

The meeting was chaired by Hishamuddin Md Sani, the 2024 President of DOCM, who shared the club’s progress over the past year, including activities, collaborations, and strategic partnerships. A key highlight of this year’s AGM was the announcement of PETRONAS Sprinta as the primary strategic partner of DOCM for 2025, a collaboration that will elevate DOCM’s status and strengthen its position as a leading Ducati community in Malaysia and Asia.

The event was also graced by YB Datuk Seri Dr. Shamsul Anuar bin Haji Nasarah, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, as the guest of honor.

Today’s Annual Gathering successfully assembled 301 Ducati motorcycles of various models. DOCM organizes this event annually, solidifying its reputation as a premier platform for Ducati enthusiasts to connect, share experiences, and celebrate their passion for the brand.

DOCM continues to grow as a premier Ducati rider community in Malaysia, thanks to the unwavering support of our members and partners. We are committed to further developing the club, strengthening the spirit of camaraderie, and promoting safe and thrilling riding experiences for all Ducati enthusiasts,” said 2025 President Datuk Seri Nazir Hussin Akhtar Hussin.

Collaboratio with PETRONAS

Zameer Zahur Hussain, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PETRONAS Lubricants Marketing Malaysia (PLMM), expressed his excitement about the new partnership: “We are thrilled to collaborate with DOCM and become their primary partner for 2025. Our goal is to enhance our brand’s presence in the local two-wheeler community and showcase the superior quality of PETRONAS Sprinta products. Through this partnership, we aim to support the Ducati community while strengthening the market penetration of our Malaysian-made products domestically.

Moving forward, DOCM plans to organize more exclusive events, convoys, and international collaborations to enhance its global presence.

Ducati Official Club Malaysia Instagram: docmducatiofficialclubmalaysia

PETRONAS Sprinta: www.facebook.com/PETRONASSprintaAsiaPacific

Surprised that the Honda Transalp 750 won the Adventure Bike of the Year 2025 (Below 800cc) category? So were we! It beat out a whole wave of contenders in its class, some with racing success, some are among the best selling motorcycles.

Why did the Honda Transalp 750 win?

Did you know that Honda launched the XL600V Transalp in 1986, two years before the XRV650 Africa Twin? The latter was built upon Honda’s Paris-Dakar Rally concept and subsequent winner, thus it went on to become an icon. The Transalp meanwhile escaped buyers’ radars, although Honda did debut two new versions in 2000 and 2008.

Come the 2020s, Honda found themselves with midrange adventure bike vacuum. Buyers could either opt for either the CRF250 Rally or the XL1000 Africa Twin (before it became the XL1100). So, in 2023, Honda launched the Transalp 750.

And it was worth the wait.

Despite having 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, Honda made it a solid all-rounder, with the ability to coddle new adventure riders and provide ample capabilities to veteran riders. The seat is not too tall, the body is slim, and the ergonomics is touring friendly. With a claimed wet weight of just 208 kg, it works as a daily commuter, too.

The engine is a 755cc parallel-twin with a 270° crank, producing 90.5 HP at 9,500 RPM and 75 Nm at 7,500 RPM. So, it is no slouch.

Last but not least, it looks great. It is priced competitively too, and well below some of the players in the segment.

What we liked: Very good all-rounder.

What we did not like: Needs a 19/17-inch version, perhaps?

Nett selling price: RM 56,800.

We live in the age of adventure bikes and as such, virtually every manufacturer – even the most sportsbike-centric ones – has at least one adventure model. There are many reasons for this phenomena, but let us begin by saying that the Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro took home the Adventure Bike of the Year 2025 (Above 800cc) category win at the Allianz-BikesRepublic.com Motorcycle of the Year Awards 2025.

Why did the Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro win?

The Tiger 900 consists of two distinct variants, one which is road-centric and another which is off-road biased. The former variant has the ‘GT’ moniker attached and is further split in two, namely the base Tiger 900 GT and Tiger 900 GT Pro. Well yeah, you know how some netizens can be, some one them calling out Triumph for naming the line up like iPhones…

No surprise here that the Tiger 900 GT Pro is the higher-specification variant. Extra features include Triumph Shift Assist (fancy name for a quickshifter), 7-inch colour TFT display, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and heated grips. All three Tiger 900 variants get Brembo Stylema brake calipers.

As with all Triumphs, the Tiger 900 GT Pro’s strongest suite is its handling. In fact, it rides like a tall sportsbike with an upright riding position. See that corner? Done and dusted. See that bump? What bump? The chassis, although made of venerable steel tubing connects you, the rider, like you are a part of it, communicating what the tyre contact patches are doing.

Speaking of being part of the bike, the throttle control is as if your fingers are directly opening the butterfly valves in the throttle bodies.

Adding to this is its ability to tackle (light) off-road trails with ease, ensuring that your favourite durian orchard is never out of reach.

What we liked: Superb chassis and handling, torquey engine

What we did not like: The engine’s new firing order is buzzy at higher RPMs.

Nett selling price: RM 82,100

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