Just like that 2025 has come gone. During the last twelve months Inside Motorcycles has reviewed bikes and products on the street, the dirt and racetracks throughout North America. We were lucky enough to experience local rides as well as epic adventures travelling as far as the Arctic Circle and to highlight the accomplishments of individuals throughout the motorcycle industry. It was an amazing year and before we leave it behind, it is once again time to have a look at IM’s choices for Bike of the Year and Racer of the Year.
Bike of the Year: 2025 Yamaha YZF-R9
During the last few years, with manufacturers having all but abandoned the 600 cc middleweight segment, new model sport bike releases have been dominated by either parallel twin machines focused on affordable price points or full blown superbikes that continue to escalate the bar on horsepower, handling and electronics – and price.
With the introduction of the 2025 YZF-R9, Yamaha deliver a breath of fresh air into the market for enthusiasts in search of a capable all-round sport bike without having to break the bank. Built on the company’s proven CP3 inline triple powerplant, Yamaha avoided the simple solution of just throwing fairings onto the popular MT-09 and instead took the time to develop an all-new frame and swingarm, purpose built for the R9.
IM’s Brett McCormick headed to California’s Sonoma Raceway in March to test the YZF-R9 and filed his review which highlighted the bike’s out-of-the-box top-shelf capabilities including fully-adjustable KYB suspension, Brembo brakes, complete electronics package and advanced aerodynamics – all for an MSRP of $16,999 (2026).
Given everything that the Yamaha YZF-R9 delivers it is no surprise that it is one of the most sought-after sport bikes and Inside Motorcycles choice for 2025’s Bike of the Year.
Race of the Year: Bronti Verbeek
The career path of every successful racer includes a “breakout year.” The year where all the hard work, determination and skill comes together and delivers them to the forefront of their sport. For Bronti Verbeek, 2025 was her breakout year.
Competing with Edmonton’s EMRA since 2017, natural skills quickly propelled Bronti beyond “ladies only” classes and she was soon competing as the lone female racer in Sport Bike and Superbike classes. Moving into the Pro ranks in 2021, her continued progression saw her set lap records and finish regularly on the podium enroute to the Pro Rookie of the Year title.
For 2025 Bronti’s attention turned to the CSBK Twins Cup, in search of seat time at the national level. Riding her race-prepped Yamaha YZF-R7 (click here to read IM’s feature story on Bronti’s race bike) Bronti quickly served notice that she was ready for the challenge, even while competing in a class where the rules favoured the Aprilia RS660 and placed her Yamaha at a distinct disadvantage. Despite these challenges Bronti stood on the podium in the first race of the season at Shannonville, a track she had never been to before; a major accomplishment, but the best of 2025 was yet to come.
Arriving in Edmonton for the third round of the season, it is hard to know if the CSBK team knew that history would be made that weekend, but that is exactly what happened on Sunday. Taking the win in Sunday’s Twin Cup race, Bronti became only the second woman in history to win a CSBK national race, adding a win to her resume that very few racers – man or woman – can claim and solidifying her as IM’s choice for 2025 Racer of the Year.
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