All Comparisons – Test drive: the BMW R1200GS against the Honda Crosstourer, Kawasaki Versys 1000 and Triumph Explorer – All options … or all optional?

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Test: BMW R1200GS against Honda Crosstourer, Kawasaki Versys 1000 and Triumph Explorer

All Comparisons - Test drive: the BMW R1200GS against the Honda Crosstourer, Kawasaki Versys 1000 and Triumph Explorer - All options ... or all optional?

Ras the helmet of the R1200GS? That’s good news: the range of maxi trails has never been so rich as in 2012 ! Excluded on the web, Site compared the BMW to the Honda Crosstourer, Kawasaki Versys 1000 and Triumph Explorer. Comparative test.

All options … or all optional ?

Comfortable, relatively agile and well-powered, the BMW R1200GS, the Honda Crosstourer, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 and the Triumph Explorer find on the network of secondary roads the playground for the expression of their talents..

R1200GS: the angry detail

With mirrors barely bigger and sexier than those of a 103 SP, the BMW is the one that returns the least information on what is going on behind. What’s more, its mirrors vibrate in the towers, which tends to blur the reflected image. This phenomenon is even more marked on the Kawasaki: a shame, because its stylishly shaped mirrors offer an excellent field of vision. Insensitive to vibrations and easily adjustable, those of the Triumph and the Honda are the most efficient.

As if placed on a cushion of air, the German swallows the hollows and bumps with imperturbable efficiency. It is even possible to further refine its reactions thanks to the ESA, an optional electronic suspension adjustment device (+ € 690) that it and the Ducati Multistrada are the only ones to offer in this category..

Easy to place, the R1200GS is formidable when entering a curve: it is the only one to accept without flinching the grip of the brakes on the angle and it is at its handlebars that correcting a trajectory is easiest. Almost sporty characteristics that the Behème owes to its Telelever front suspension, which dissociates the work of steering and damping while offering a natural anti-dive effect.

On the other hand, if its gearbox does not call for any particular criticism, its final shaft transmission is not as transparent as those of the Honda and the Triumph. When re-accelerating in the middle of curves, the Paralever slightly stretches the rear spring, which temporarily tends to "freeze" the rear axle..

The phenomenon is not really penalizing and does not prevent exploiting the excellent traction and imperial stability of the R1200GS. But this does not prevent the English and Japanese undoubtedly have a small ascendancy in the matter..

Irreproachable, smooth and silent, the Explorer and Crosstourer transmissions are very close to perfection, with a small advantage for the Englishwoman. A great tour de force for these motorcycles whose crankshaft placed transversely – unlike the BMW – nevertheless requires the use of two angle transmissions !

On the other hand, at a good pace, the Triumph suffers from its orientation openly more "comfort" than "sport": its fork plunges sharply on heavy braking, which generates parasitic movements around the steering column and does not do business its fairly sensitive abs.

Almost as comfortable as those of the Explorer, the suspensions of the Crosstourer are better braked: the Honda trail-GT absorbs the bumps with the same efficiency but allows a more incisive piloting in the virolous. Quite astonishingly, the Crosstourer then manages to forget its kilos to stick to the train of the R1200GS.

Like the German, the motorcycle of the world’s leading manufacturer has exceptional braking, more easily dosed and powerful than that of the Explorer. And like the GS, the Crosstourer offers a partially combined ABS that distributes the braking power between the two wheels. Except that at Honda, the device is delivered as standard and works from the rear to the front (the actuation of the right pedal automatically triggers the front brake), while it is the reverse on its "dear" rival. from across the Rhine (optional and distribution only from front to rear).

As for the Kawasaki, the Versys 1000 using a chain, the transmission approval does not suffer – fortunately! – no criticism. On the other hand, the Greens could have included a central stand to facilitate its maintenance: it is the only one of this comparison not to offer one, while it appears in the catalog of the Crosstourer options (standard at BMW and Triumph).

Lively and rigorous, the "Zak" is excellent in winding parts where one takes pleasure in exploiting the two-sided temperament of its engine, thanks to its precise and fast gearbox..

Well off in terms of braking, the Versys 1000 is an authentic "tool" for scrubbing … as long as the asphalt is not too crumpled! Yet very comfortable, the Verte does not offer the same smoothness as its rivals on the successions of shocks: the fault of a firmer suspension setting and their more reduced travel (150 mm front and rear against 190 and 200 mm for the BMW).

Verdict: BMW concrete, Honda and Triumph impress, Kawa amazes

"So which is the best maxi trail ?", asks Jean-Pierre, head of a police biker patrol, who happened to meet him in a supermarket parking lot. Nice (yes, yes!) and sincerely passionate about motorcycles, he and his colleagues want to know our readers beforehand. ‘outcome of the match of the year 2012…

Objectively speaking, in terms of pure efficiency and versatility, it is again and always the R1200GS that wins! The BMW retains its crown thanks to its unrivaled handling and perfect balance, excellent protection, impeccable dynamic behavior and its engine both available at the bottom and now (almost) angry at the top..

On the other hand, from an economic point of view, the German must bow and even take a nasty slap against her rivals! Because to display the same level of equipment as its three opponents – an extremely important criterion in this category of motorcycles -, the GS requires a mandatory passage through the options box.

To the 14,400 euros requested for the base model, it is necessary to add at least 1095 € for the ABS (!), 305 € for the anti-skating and 150 € for the on-board computer. So many elements adopted as standard on the Honda, Kawasaki and Triumph. Otherwise, the future "Gehessist" can also opt for the famous "packs" or crack for a special series like this at 16,060 € that BMW France has made available to us for this test..

Approached from this "economic" angle, the match then turns in favor of the Explorer: extremely comfortable and endowed with a heart as big as that, the Englishwoman offers a quite simply plethora of equipment which includes in particular ABS and anti -disconnectable skating, a central stand, a readable and complete on-board computer, a 12-volt outlet, an adjustable saddle and handlebars and even a cruise control !

Just take a look at our summary table of practical aspects and equipment on the next page to better gauge the extent of the "good deal" offered by the English: at 14,890 euros, the Triumph is a real bargain in its category !

And not to spoil anything, the Explorer is also the best finished bike, on par with the BMW R1200GS which it perhaps copies a little too blatantly. From the "duckbill" at the front to the rear frame in mechanically bolted tubes through its tank with stocky shapes and picked up forward, the Triumph does more than take inspiration from the German reference. !

On this point, the two Japanese are more original: the Crosstourer even goes against trends with its rounded and harmonious curves and its front part with lines reminiscent of a jet-ski. Made with care and tackling a flawless finish (except for the welds of the frame and rislans on the handlebars, a bit cheaps), the Honda is as pleasant to look at as it is to drive..

Too bad its V4 lacks peps under 4000 rpm against its rivals and its protection leaves something to be desired … Available from 13,990 euros without the DCT (+1000 €), it is however positioned as an excellent alternative , especially as its ABS braking and TCS anti-skidding adopted as standard are very effective.

According to Honda France, the initial target of 1,200 sales for 2012 could be rapidly increased, while sales in the DCT version would greatly exceed forecasts..

Finally, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 deserves that we dwell on its "K": certainly, the Green displays a more marked, almost sporty road orientation, and suddenly seems to evolve at the frontiers of the category. But this does not prevent the driveability and its comfort are excellent, while the transplant of a "4-legged" on a maxi-trail is ultimately very interesting, even relevant..

Displayed at 12,499 euros, the Versys 1000 is also the cheapest motorcycle in this comparison, while it also offers an attractive standard endowment: adjustable screen, ABS, adjustable anti-slip and even two injection maps. on the handlebars !

Alas, this "price of call" is felt on the quality of realization: several details like the unpainted radiator or the poorly camouflaged electrical network make a little crude of foundry. As for its lines modeled on those of the Versys 650 cc, everyone is free to appreciate … or not !

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