Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters

Table of contents

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Gargolov

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters

9 pictures

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Gargolov

1/9
All four candidates have what it takes to win here, but there can only be one.

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Gargolov

2/9
Will it be the KTM 1290 Super Adventure that at least stands out in terms of color? We will see.

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters
MOTORCYCLE

3/9
The performance diagram of the four bikes.

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Gargolov

4/9
1st place: KTM 1290 Super Adventure.

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Gargolov

5/9
2nd place: BMW S 1000 XR.

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Gargolov

6/9
3rd place: Kawasaki Versys 1000.

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Gargolov

7/9
4th place: Ducati Multistrada 1200.

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Gargolov

8/9
The Kawasaki Versys 1000 is clearly the best alpine tourer in the field, the BMW S 1000 XR the best passport fan. The Ducati Multistrada 1200 turned out to be very comfortable. That leaves the KTM 1290 Super Adventure, which impresses with its cream engine.

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Gargolov

9/9
Caution, dangerous even for the big adventure bikes: thick asphalt fault on the Sella Pass.

motorcycles

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters
S 1000 XR, Multistrada 1200, Versys 1000, 1290 Super Adventure

Big motorcycles with big engines, big tanks, lots of space and lots of equipment. For the models BMW S 1000 XR, Ducati Multistrada 1200, Kawasaki Versys 1000, KTM 1290 Super Adventure in the “Adventure Big” category, lack is a foreign word – there is plenty of material for real winners.

Johannes Muller, Gert Thole, Eva Breutel

07/09/2015

Title contenders compete here. BMW S 1000 XR, Ducati Multistrada 1200, Kawasaki Versys 1000 and KTM 1290 Super Adventure are all hot candidates for the throne of the Alpine Masters 2015, as they bring with them what makes driving in the mountains attractive and relaxed: sublime thrust from a generous displacement, stable chassis, plenty of space for two plus luggage and the complete equipment.

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The KTM 1290 Super Adventure wants to go one step further on the previous year’s success of the 1190 Adventure, with Ducati Multistrada 1200 and BMW fighting S 1000 XR the title “Best 17-inch long fork athlete over 150 hp”. Technology carriers and draft horses fight for image and prestige here. Can Kawasaki’s comparatively inexpensive Kawasaki Versys 1000 compete in this field of summiteers?

Kawasaki Versys 1000 the underdog in the starting field

4000 to 6000 euros separate the underdog from Japan, who is quite a fully equipped “Grand Tourer”, from the expensive European competition. That’s a hell of a lot of tank fillings, hotel stays and bacon dumplings at the pass hut. who the Kawasaki Versys 1000 In view of their “only” 123 measured horsepower, it does so prematurely. A sporty touring tourer with a feel-good factor, this concept proves to be very coherent in the Dolomites. It starts with the engine, which runs over the train at 230 km / h to get there, then whispers unmoved through the center of the Fassa Valley in a six, hangs incredibly smoothly on the gas and, if necessary, storms the Pordoi Pass with great elasticity. In addition, low-vibration running and moderate drinking habits, this results in by far the most cultivated touring drive in the field.

Like the engine, the chassis makes it very easy for the pilot. Comfortable but not wobbly, neutral and nimble, but not wobbly. Sit on it, feel good, unwind enjoyable mountain kilometers. The very spicy roasting passes is up to them Kawasaki Versys 1000 for the others, it runs in vacation mode, with excellent comfort and space also for the pillion passenger. If you set your priorities here, you will be able to get over the fact that ABS and traction control act a bit rustic and that the accessories (gear indicator, on-board socket, additional headlights, heated grips and their controls) are very tinkering. We book that under hut romance.

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters

Tourer


Funbikes in comparison test


Ducati Multistrada 1200, Kawasaki Versys 1000 and Triumph Tiger 1050


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All tests and articles about the Kawasaki Versys 1000

BMW S 1000 XR a bit stiff at the hips when first rolled up

At the other end of the mild-wild scale and far from the romanticism of the hut is the second four-cylinder, the BMW S 1000 XR. Anyone who goes to the mountains for an active motorized holiday will find the right sports equipment in it. She burns up the demanding Falzàrego pass as if she had grabbed Lance Armstrong’s medicine cabinet. Even at the bottom, the crisp four-wheel drive is quite powerful, pulls out of the hairpin bends linearly and without holes, in order to flip the switch to Supersport from 7000 tours and fire uninhibitedly towards the next braking point. The throttle response is almost perfect, which takes the dread out of even the trickiest 180-degree downhill kinks.

The BMW S 1000 XR feels a bit stiff at the hips when you first roll it in, but it gets better the harder you beat it up the mountain. The semi-active Dynamic ESA chassis is rather stiff, but offers great stability and satisfactory comfort. Traction control, ABS-Pro with curve function (surcharge) and wheelie control work at the highest level, which brings a lot of safety. The shift assistant (surcharge) also works excellently.

The other side of the coin, apart from the hefty 20,000 euros for the test machine? Let’s put it this way: Driving a Kawasaki Versys 1000 comes across as creamy and creamy as licking soft ice cream, driving a BMW S 1000 XR is a bit like licking a nine-volt battery – tingling and electrifying, but stressful over time. The four-cylinder spits and pops in dynamic mode, as if chasing away the entire marmot population. Between 4,000 and 8,000 tours, it vibrates delicately in the handlebars and footrests, which unfortunately corresponds to the speed of well-being on country roads in sixth gear. The payload is manageable at 192 kilograms. A special character, edgy, sporty, mercilessly efficient. And just not too touristy, after all, there is still the R 1200 GS.

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters

Naked bike


Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, Kawasaki Ninja H2 and BMW S 1000 XR in the comparison test


A colorful trio


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All tests and articles about the BMW S 1000 XR

Ducati Mulitstrada 1200 is the easy-going touring softie

Not so with Ducati, where the Multistrada, completely reissued for 2015 and from now on with variable valve control DVT, has to prove real travel competence. The result: upside-down world. The BMW S 1000 XR gives the oxyhydrogen riot that Ducati Mulitstrada 1200 the sociable touring softie. In contrast to the crisp Multistrada S (top test in MOTORRAD 11/2015), the standard version is softly tuned, which brings good response and great long-distance comfort in solo operation. With a pillion passenger and possibly luggage, however, the 1200s brushes its sails astonishingly early due to its rather slack springs. Down the Valparola Pass, where the slope is constantly working and the asphalt therefore has waves and ridges of the nasty sort, she hardly comes to rest.

Here, where the Kawasaki Versys 1000 honestly irons, the BMW S 1000 XR has breakfast correctly and the KTM 1290 Super Adventure just eats, you can see the Ducati Multistrada 1200 teeter and swing. It’s a shame when it swings so wonderfully light and agile through the serpentines and feels the most handy. A more expensive S version with its semi-active chassis would certainly have done more, but was not available for the Alpen Masters. Doubly a shame where the Multistrada otherwise delivers a successful performance. Over the years they have taught the Testastretta astonishing manners, with DVT it runs beautifully smoothly. Out of the bend, only a small hitch needs to be overcome in two, then there is an avalanche-like thrust, wonderful revving and a pithy, but unruly sound.

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters

Tourer


Funbikes in comparison test


Ducati Multistrada 1200, Kawasaki Versys 1000 and Triumph Tiger 1050


read more

All tests and articles about the Ducati Multistrada 1200

KTM 1290 Super Adventure one for all?

As the Ducati Multistrada 1200 the KTM 1290 Super Adventure should also be one for everything. Your drive fulfills this requirement without restriction. Even at low engine speeds, the 1301-cubic twin develops the kind of thrust that can be used to force broken-down motorhomes up the pass. Turning out is a luxury. So out of turns, the second is always enough, which is proven by the breathtaking best value of 3.1 seconds uphill with a pillion passenger. Lazy shifting around, with a wonderfully gentle throttle response, so to speak dignified athletes, that is the parade discipline of the Super Adventure. And a lasting, satisfying driving experience.

Like the BMW S 1000 XR, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure has a semi-active chassis that electronically adapts to different load conditions and retains its reserves even with a load. When it comes to equipment, KTM does not spoil it and the Super Adventure offers pretty much everything that the heart of the alpine freak desires. Criticisms? The fork should respond more sensitively, the assistance systems are designed more defensively (which costs meters for downhill brake measurement, for example), and the windshield with its air fins disturbs the view. Yes, the battle star Super Adventure is quite a chunk when stationary, but once in motion the dimensions are hardly noticeable in a negative way. Overall, the KTM is the most versatile and therefore deserves to catch up with its smaller sister 1190 Adventure in the finals.

Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters

Enduro


KTM 1290 Super Adventure in the PS performance test


The Steelzebub


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Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters

Enduro


BMW R 1200 GS Adventure and KTM 1290 Super Adventure


Large travel enduros in a comparison test


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All tests and articles about the KTM 1290 Super Adventure

Technical specifications

Readings


Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters


MOTORCYCLE

Performance chart

Power on the crankshaft. Measurements on the Dynojet roller test stand 250, corrected according to 95/1 / EG, maximum possible deviation ± 5%

Result and conclusion


Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters


Gargolov

With 401 points, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure wins just ahead of the BMW S 1000 XR.

1st place: KTM 1290 Super Adventure


Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters


Gargolov

KTM 1290 Super Adventure.

plus  

– enormously powerful

– smooth run

– can be moved very lazily

– comprehensive equipment

– huge tank

minus 

– Responsiveness fork

– lush dimensions

– Windshield disturbs the view

– quite high consumption

2nd place: BMW S 1000 XR


Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters


Gargolov

BMW S 1000 XR.

plus  

– crazy acceleration

– excellent draft

– very sporty chassis

– advanced electronics package

– complete equipment

minus 

– rough engine running

– annoying vibrations in the middle speed range

– low payload

– hard sports bench

3rd place: Kawasaki Versys 1000


Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters


Gargolov

Kawasaki Versys 1000.

plus  

– extremely smooth engine run

– outstanding elasticity

– lowest consumption

– good comfort

– best payload

minus 

– Processing rustic in places

– Electronics not quite on a competitive level

4th place: Ducati Multistrada 1200


Adventure big bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters


Gargolov

Ducati Multistrada 1200.

plus  

– light-footed handling

– powerful mid-speed

– good ergonomics

– low consumption

– pleasant engine run

minus 

– very soft chassis

– slight loss when pulling through at great heights

Conclusion

The Kawasaki Versys 1000 is clearly the best alpine tourer in the field, the BMW S 1000 XR is clearly the best passport burner. The Ducati Multistrada 1200 turned out to be very comfortable, for fixed excursions and loaded but too soft. That leaves the KTM 1290 Super Adventure, which impresses with its cream engine. She can be quick, wide and relaxed. Thanks to displacement, practical equipment and neutral driving behavior, it just wins against the BMW, which is ailing in everyday life.

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