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Dual-Purpose Motorcycle Comparison |
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File under BMW Yamaha
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
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It used to be BMW's world. Big bore motorcycles that could be used for RTWRound The World rides, taking street and trails at its own pace. Many people have used the good old GS around the world, riding it in deserts, jungles and other places you wouldn't take a street bike into.
The BMW GS has become the standard. Now, almost every motorcycle manufacturer has a GS killer. Medium or big size, they are all dubbed "GS-Killers".
These big engine GS clones have overtaken the original in technical specifications. But still, BMW continue to sell the R1200GS like nothing else. How will these newcomers fair against the Bavarian giant?
BMW R1200GS
For generations, the GS has been the standard. With an incredible reliability, boxer engine, shaft drive, this motorcycle will keep on going. The latest version, the 1200GS is getting outdated and under powered compared to the latecomers.
Engine: 1170 cc twin boxer
Cooling: Air
Power: 110 hp
Torque: 120 Nm @ 6000 rpm
Weight: 229 (wet)
Fuel: 20 l
Tire dimension front: 19 Rear: 17
Saddle Height: 850-870 mm
Ground Clearance:
Length: 2210 mm
Drive: Shaft
Clutch: Dry
Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere
The Tenere has been in business for a long time. Dating back from the Dakar victories many moons ago, it has evolved beyond recognition. With a 105 hp engine, shaft drive, lots of touring accessories, well balanced, the bike is a serious contender.
Engine: 1199 cc twin
Cooling: Liquid
Power: 110 hp
Torque: 114.1 Nm @ 6000
Weight: 261 (wet)
Fuel: 23 l
Tire dimension front: 19 Rear: 17
Saddle Height: 845-870 mm
Ground Clearance: 205 mm
Length: 2250 mm
Drive: Shaft
Clutch: Wet
Traction contol, multiple program modes.
Ducati 1200 Multistrada
The Ducati has released late last year, and has the potential to take a stab at the crown. With a 150 hp 1200 cc engine, with four riding programs, electronically adjusted suspension, low maintenance, the Ducati's only sore spot is that it doesn't have a shaft drive. RTW riders look at shaft drives as important. It requires little maintenance, and doesn't get dirt and sand onto it like a chain.
Engine: 1198 cc Twin
Cooling: Liquid
Power: 150 hp
Torque: 118 Nm @ 7500 rpm
Weight: 217 kg (wet)
Fuel: 20 l
Tire dimension front: 17 Rear: 17
Saddle Height: 850 mm
Ground Clearance: ?
Length: 2150 mm
Drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, servo actioned
Traction contol, multiple program modes.
Honda XL1000V Varadero
Though getting outdated, the 1000cc Varadero still sells reasonably well. A tad heavy...
Engine: 996 cc Twin
Cooling: Liquid
Power: 95 hp
Torque: 98 Nm @ 6000 rpm
Weight: 268.7 kg (wet)
Fuel: 25 l
Tire dimension front: 19 Rear: 17
Saddle Height: 838 mm
Ground Clearance: 181 mm
Length: 2300 mm
Drive: Chain
Clutch; Wet
KTM 990 Adventure
KTM is no newcomer to the off-road market, but is to the adventure long distance motorcycles. But their engines are well know to be reliable and powerful.
Engine: 999 cc, twin
Cooling: Liquid
Power: 107 hp
Torque: 100 Nm @ 6750 rpm
Weight: 209 (dry)
Fuel: 19.5 l
Tire dimension front: 21 Rear: 18
Saddle Height: 860 mm
Ground Clearance: 261 mm
Length:
Drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet
Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200
Guzzi aren't really known for their off-road capabilities, but the Stelvio breaks that pattern. Modern, good looking, the motorcycle will have enough capabilities to ride fire-lanes in the forest.
Engine: 1151 cc, twin
Cooling: Liquid
Power: 105 hp
Torque: 108 Nm @ 6400 rpm
Weight: 251 (wet)
Fuel: 18 l
Tire dimension front: 19 Rear: 17
Saddle Height: 840 mm
Ground Clearance: 210 mm
Length: 2250 mm
Drive: Shaft
Clutch:
Benelli K1130 K
Benelli is one of the Italian manufacturers that specializes in really fast motorcycles, and using their know-how produced a good looking dual-sport.
Engine: 1130 cc, twin
Cooling: Liquid
Power: 126 hp
Torque: 115 Nm @ 6250 rpm
Weight: 205 (dry)
Fuel: 22 l
Tire dimension front: 17 Rear: 17
Saddle Height: 810 mm
Ground Clearance: ?
Length: 2255 mm
Drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet
Triumph Tiger 1050
Triumph have had the Tiger in their catalog for some time now, and is popular but aging.
Engine: 1050, triple
Cooling: Liquid
Power: 113 hp
Torque: 98 Nm @ 6250 rpm
Weight: 228 (wet)
Fuel: 20 l
Tire dimension front: 17 Rear: 17
Saddle Height: 835 mm
Ground Clearance: ?
Length: 2110 mm
Drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet
Moto Morini Granpasso
Another one of those Italian bikes that are normally high speed sportsbikes, but make a decent dual-sport.
Engine: 1187, twin
Cooling: Liquid
Power: 118 hp
Torque: 103,6 Nm @ 7000 rpm
Weight: 210 (dry)
Fuel: 27 l
Tire dimension front: 19 Rear: 17
Saddle Height: 875 mm
Ground Clearance: 200 mm
Length: 2170 mm
Drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet
Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom
Suzuki's V-Strom has been highly rated by off-roaders, but is showing its age with the latest newcomers.
Engine: 996 cc, twin
Cooling: Liquid
Power: ??
Torque: ??
Weight: 238 (wet)
Fuel: 22 l
Tire dimension front: 19 Rear: 17
Saddle Height: 840
Ground Clearance: 165 mm
Length: ?
Drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet
I probably forgot some, but this will give you an idea on what's available for your next RTW...
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