Shivapada Ray, Head, BMW Motorrad, accepts the award for the F 850 GS

As soon as we rode the new BMW F 850 GS, we immediately knew that it was something special. It also had us thinking – why would anyone ever need a big adventure machine in India with this mid-sized ADV around? It’s got great character, and is without a doubt the most versatile and fun machine on our list. The engine is quite exciting, with its beautiful refinement and thrilling performance. And the handling… well, it’s pretty much faultless. It’s also comfortable, practical and incredibly easy to live with. But, irrespective of the road surface you’re riding on, the BMW always feels incredibly light on the move – with little feeling of excess flab. The 850GS remains nimble at any speed, and also reassuringly stable. BMW has also upped the capacity from 798cc to 853cc, thanks to an increased bore and stroke. Power is rated at 94bhp. BMW has done something unprecedented in making the BMW F 850 GS the most versatile motorcycle available today. With top-notch quality, high practicality quotient, added accessibility, easy and agile handling and a fun, free revving engine, the 850 GS deserves to be crowned the ‘Best of 2018,’ if not one of the ‘best of all time.’