Travel Enduros: The BMW R 1200 GS As A Great Role Model
Travel Enduros: The BMW R 1200 GS As A Great Role Model

Video: Travel Enduros: The BMW R 1200 GS As A Great Role Model

Video: Travel Enduros: The BMW R 1200 GS As A Great Role Model
Video: Honest review BMW R 1200 GS 2024, March
Anonim

The BMW R 1200 GS has dominated the hit list of the most popular motorcycles for years. The competition is based on the Munich-based travel enduro. But that is getting closer, such as Triumph with the Tiger Explorer.

The Bavarian travel enduro BMW R 1200 GS has dominated the hit list of the most popular motorcycles at will for years - of course, other manufacturers want to cut a slice for themselves. And so the novelties tumble onto the market this year: Starting with Triumph's Tiger Explorer and Honda's Crosstourer to Kawasaki's Versys 1000. So it's high time for an alphabetically arranged overview.

GS is the measure of all things

And here, too, the BMW is ahead of the game, as Aprilia doesn't build a bike like this. Everything has actually been said about the R 1200 GS: two cylinders in a boxer arrangement, 81 kW / 110 PS, 229 kg curb weight, adjustable seat height and, on request, suitable for expeditions ("Adventure"). The people of Munich come up with something almost every year to keep the "GS" up to date, rarely through major technical interventions.

This year there is the special series Rallye with a special white-blue-red paintwork. The electronic suspension adjustment system ESA is welcome. These and various other, hardly dispensable accessory features drive the price mostly above the cost price of 13,300 euros.

Ducati Multistrada a surprise

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The Ducati Multistrada, launched a few years ago, was a surprise success and focuses more on sportiness than on long journeys. The latter is of course also possible with the Italian. The highlight of the concept is a chassis that can be adjusted to four mappings, which is only installed from the S version and changes the spring base and damping of fork and shock absorber as well as the response behavior of the traction control.

The gas also responds differently. The Testastretta engine (V2), tamed to 150 PS, is used under the tank and provides ample thrust. The fun starts at 15,250 euros, the S version costs 18,250 euros and “Sport” costs another 2,000 euros more. ABS only costs extra for the basic version.

Honda Crosstourer with 129 hp

The Honda Crosstourer
The Honda Crosstourer

After Honda launched the multifunctional Crossrunner last year, the Crosstourer is coming this year. It wears the V4 engine of the VFR 1200 under the dress, offers cardan drive, aluminum frame and single-sided swing arm. The engine was throttled to 95 kW / 129 PS and adapted to the requirements of the concept. The curb weight of 275 kilos is quite high, as is the range of accessories with everything a globetrotter's heart desires.

ABS and traction control are on board, and with a base price of 13,490 euros, the Honda Crosstourer is on a par with the BMW. Incidentally, the revised DCT dual clutch transmission is available for 1,000 euros more.

Kawasaki Versys 1000 with low price

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Kawasaki approaches the subject very differently with the Versys 1000. The only brand used is a liquid-cooled in-line four-cylinder engine - namely the one from the Z 1000, which was slowed down to 87 kW / 118 hp. Kawa puts this under the little Versys' dress, which has been enlarged by one size - voilá. A high windshield and lots of travel accessories round off the package, which with an empty weight of 239 kilos is also lighter than that of the competition.

There are no delicacies such as electronically adjustable chassis, cardan or single-sided swing arm, but you can get the Versys 1000 from just under 12,000 euros, ABS included.

KTM Adventure makes it sporty

KTM offers its very own, naturally sporty interpretation of a large travel enduro. The concept of the 990 Adventure is probably the other pole to the GS, because the V2 engine already underlines this concern with its groovy characteristics of 85 kW / 115 PS. In addition, there is the sporty chassis and the low curb weight of 227 kilos.

The R version attracts with 265 millimeters of rear suspension travel and an even more airy seat height. You have to pay at least 13,800 euros for the 990 Adventure, the R, for which there is no ABS, costs 200 euros more.

Moto Guzzi Stelvio weighs 285 kg

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Moto Guzzi has also been trying to stand up to the Bavarian GS superiority since 2008. The Stelvio offers the Guzzi-typical V2 engine with cylinders protruding on the side of the tank, 1,151 cubic centimeters displacement and 77 kW / 105 PS. The high disc increases travel and seating comfort, and the cardan drive is low-maintenance. The massive-looking Stelvio is not very agile as it weighs 285 kilos; in the NTX version with a lot of travel accessories it is almost 300 kilos.

You have to pay 14,290 euros for the Italian friend, for the NTX almost 16,000 euros are due. ABS is standard.

Triumph Tiger Explorer with a lot of steam

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Triumph probably drives the most direct attack on the GS with the Tiger Explorer. As was to be expected, an in-line three-cylinder engine with 1,215 cubic capacity fires the Englishwoman, which with 101 kW / 137 PS outperforms the GS boxer.

Lots of steam and the individual sound should attract buyers, but cardan, single-sided swing arm, traction control and the typically wind-protected seating position are also arguments for long-distance travelers. A special feature of the Tiger Explorer is ride-by-wire, i.e. electronic throttle acceptance. At 260 kilos, the Triumph is also a little heavier than the BMW. At 13,790 euros, the price is just above the competitor; ABS is standard.

Yamaha XT 1200 Z Tenere has 110 hp

Last but not least, Yamaha has a direct competitor with high travel qualities: the XT 1200 Z Ténéré. In addition to the 81 kW / 110 hp in-line two-cylinder engine, the very comfortable cruise ship offers cardan drive and a landing gear with stoic straight-line stability and good handiness. Traction control and standard ABS are also found on board. At 267 kilos, the Yamaha is not a lightweight either. It is priced at 13,800 euros where it belongs: near the BMW R 1200 GS.

It is actually said that many hunters are dead to the hare. However, according to the 2012 approval figures, these hunters have probably not yet sighted the game. (SP-X)

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