All Comparisons – Comparo K1600GT, 1400GTR and Sprint GT: the road on 3, 4 or 6 cylinders! – The choice of weapons

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Comparo K1600GT, 1400GTR and Sprint GT: the road on 3, 4 or 6 cylinders !

All Comparisons - Comparo K1600GT, 1400GTR and Sprint GT: the road on 3, 4 or 6 cylinders! - The choice of weapons

The GT motorcycle segment today offers a very wide choice of makes, models and engines. Site brought together the Triumph Sprint GT, the Kawasaki 1400GTR and the BMW K1600GT for a three, four and six in-line comparison… Test !

The choice of weapons

The most recent model in this comparison, the K1600GT is particularly coveted by Site testers … who must nevertheless, protocol obliges, give way to the editor … It must be said that the driving position is most pleasant : perfectly straight bust, hands resting on the long handlebars and feet placed slightly in front of the sitting directorial…

The good surprise comes from the thighs which are not excessively spread: the six-cylinder has been tilted towards the road and housed at the lowest on the bike, while the 24-liter tank (against 22 on the GTR and 20 on the Sprint ) has a slim and flat waist that accommodates the knees very well.

Comparable in size to the "K16", the 1400GTR is a suspicion less easy to ride due to a slightly higher passenger seat. The pilot is more inclined – a tiny degree! – forward, but the arms adopt a posture very similar to that of the BMW.

The legs on the other hand are less well off on the Kawa, because more bent (the saddle of the BMW was however adjusted in high position). Short-legged will naturally be less embarrassed and will also hurt less against the passenger footrests, which force pilots with large boots to put their heels out….

The Triumph unsurprisingly offers the most restrictive driving position. Unlike the K16 and GTR, you have to lean your upper body to grip the Sprint handlebars. Likewise, the legs are more bent and the heels are slightly apart by the passenger footrests..

However, the Sprint GT is not as uncomfortable as a Daytona 675! The softness of its saddle is acceptable, while its very well studied shape makes long journeys perfectly possible. Still, facing its two "big" rivals, the Sprint should logically bow in terms of ergonomics.

The small details

Before leaving, the final check of the levels of oil, coolants and brakes (etc.) makes it possible to highlight some details that may have gone unnoticed during the first contact with these three motorcycles..

On the BMW, for example, we note that the battery and the ESA appendix, too visible, spoil the very modern lines of the fairing, which is also covered with LED and devoid of any screws. Still on the left side, we readily forgive the black oil filter for exposing itself in front of the selector: it will be simpler – or less expensive in labor? – to perform the oil change !

Always question maintenance, owners of Triumph will have to regularly check the arrow and the lubrication of their chain. Fortunately, the Triumph offers a center stand. BMW and Kawasaki users are exempt from such checks, since their mounts have a cardan transmission..

We also appreciate on the K1600GT that the tire inflation valves are mounted perpendicular to the wheel, directly on the rim, because this greatly simplifies the interventions dictated by the RDC (pressure control) system which keeps watch continuously. Optional on the BMW, this ultimately very useful gadget is standard on the Kawasaki.

On this same BMW, we like a little less, however, the unattractive daylight between the tank and the saddle. This incongruous space ("are you sure the saddle is on ?") is even larger when the saddle is set in the high position. A detail, of course, but on a motorcycle charged at least 20,400 €, we expect better !

The more so as on the Triumph (invoiced approximately 7000 euros less expensive: a straw!), A rubber cover runs between the tank, the frame, then the saddle! He insists – as a matter of fact – on one of the few perfectible finishing points of the German !

More or less loaded commodos

The dial used to control the on-board console on the Behème’s left half-handlebar is very easy to tame, but the drop-down menu is a little less so due to its length! The information distilled by the elegant dashboard – all in color, Bitte Shon – is almost too numerous: going through all the options, sorting and finding the essentials requires ten minutes of learning..

Fortunately, the Germans made sure to make immediate access to the main settings: that of the suspensions and that of the engine mapping are reached via buttons placed on the handlebars, while the volume of the sound system can be adjusted with a simple flick. to the left via the famous multi-function dial from the automotive industry.

The Kawasaki and the Triumph do not have such a control … and we regret it when navigating between kilometer trips, average and instantaneous consumption and other air or engine temperatures indicated by their respective meters..

The GTR, however, has already well loaded commodos, especially the left which receives the buttons used to raise and lower the bubble, and to deactivate – but who will dare? – traction control and / or ABS. As a reminder, the braking system can be configured: one mode for soloists and another for couples and their luggage.

Still on the Kawa, we note the arrival of a left storage compartment more functional than the central one of the previous model (2007-2009). The cover is mounted via an original gear, unlike that of the Triumph which is devoid of any hinge. The hatch is no less useful, because it is deep and placed to the right, so always accessible even when the Neiman is engaged..

Much less convenient, the K1600GT’s storage compartments are placed under the driver’s knees, so too low. The lucky ones – the Loto winners! – who have selected the sound option will be able to connect their MP3 player via the jack of the right storage compartment (or via Bluetooth, on condition that the brushes do not get tangled during the fitting phase).

Faced with the two large carriers BMW and Kawasaki, the Sprint GT is much more basic: indicators, horn, high beam and warning light on the left, starter and ignition switch on the right. The Triumph even becomes a little too "light", since it ignores the careful lights of the uninterrupted lines of distress cars..

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