Duel BMW R1250RT Vs Honda GoldWing: New deal in Moto GT
The new BMW R1250RT has just been released! To evaluate this 2019 novelty and its variable-timing flat-twin, Site opposes it to the Honda bestseller: the GoldWing and its flat-six. An unfortunate slip considerably reduced our rolling, but without spoiling our MNC duel… On the way.
R1250RT Vs GoldWing – page 3: Fashion show !
One of the strengths of the R1250RT is to make its "Dynamic" engine mode perfectly usable, in the city as in quiet driving. No need therefore to resort to "Road" mode to have a docile motorcycle. We note in passing that even in "Rain" mode, the Boxer has a surprising vigor. !
The Honda also has different driving modes which act not only on the engine character – wiser in "Economic" and erased in "Rain" – but also on the braking! In "Touring" mode for example, "the distribution of the braking force provides a direct response", describes Honda..
In "Sport" mode, the engineers sought to make the throttle control more responsive and to reinforce the intervention of the rear brake … Handlebars in hand, the modifications are sensitive but much more subtle than the controls of the BMW which allows independent management of the engine and the chassis.
By juggling between the two modes of his ESA system, the pilot feels very clearly the changes in behavior of the R1250RT. In "Dynamic", the BMW is particularly rigorous: it is then ready to attack "Boxer beating" portions as sinuous as well coated. !
Mass transfers are limited to their simplest expression, both when braking and accelerating. Destabilizing at first for those who have always ridden on a conventional – forked – motorcycle, the downforce and the road reading enjoyed by the biker entering a curve are excellent.
The new Honda gives its rider the same serenity in curves. This one can even consider following the frantic pace of his comrade perched on the BMW, on the double condition of braking a little earlier or harder before the turns and to exert more energy….
Lower and more massive, the GoldWing requires a little more effort on the handlebars in order to steer the 18-inch wheel, tilt the animal when entering a curve and raising it when exiting. In comparison, the R1250RT is much more agile without lacking in stability. This is one of his greatest strengths !
On deteriorated surface or in town (sometimes cobblestones, speed bumps often, potholes more and more!) The BMW becomes too shaking: it is then necessary to go from the "Dynamic" world to "Road" on its electronic suspensions . In three seconds, the bike is radically transformed !
The BMW then becomes so "soft" that one almost wonders if its shock absorbers have not lost their oil! The Bavarian road goes from a "Supersport" configuration to ultra comfort, absorbing the most marked obstacles without flinching. On the road, you can always roll up without dragging yourself or being afraid: the bike never comes apart.
The Honda does not achieve the same comfort of suspensions. Admittedly, the front end bump "hard" to lead the driver’s life smoothly, as evidenced by the incessant hopping of the two small rods placed just in front of the handlebars. But behind, the shock absorber lacks finesse on small shocks. However, the wide but shallow saddle does not compensate.
Moto GT: between small races…
In terms of braking, the game is extremely close! In addition to the mandatory ABS, "our" two motorcycles are fitted with combined systems: front to rear on the R1250RT and two-way on the GoldWing. Both attract only compliments from the editorial staff Site !
A little bit more biting than its rival, the front brake of the BMW will satisfy pilots who love dynamic solo driving, but will not exasperate passengers who like gentle duo rides. Thanks to Telelever and combined braking, there is no need to use the rear brake to seat the machine.
On the Honda, on the other hand, we are satisfied most of the time with the convincing braking obtained by simply pressing the right pedal. We only use the right lever of the new GoldWing in very rare cases: when we want – because now we can! – arsouiller, or in case of emergency…
To make life easier for their users, the two machines also include a hill start aid. On this specific point, the BMW wins thanks to a simpler and more efficient system..
A long press of the lever or the pedal locks the brakes of the RT, indefinitely: this can be useful for playing as much as you want with the controls, adjusting a retro, changing the radio station, etc. The R1250RT is only "released" when the rider slips the clutch enough to get his bike off the ground..
The Honda requires more coordination since the braking is only activated for a few seconds: the warning light comes on continuously, then flashes and goes out … But it is only two seconds later that the calipers drop their disc. The operation therefore requires a little more practice..
The GoldWing, on the other hand, is the only one of the two to offer reverse gear. A good point given its mass, significantly greater than that of the R1250RT. We handle more easily The BMW is less difficult when the engine is switched off and it is hoisted quite easily on the center stand (absent on the Honda).
The comfort on board of its two GT motorcycles is up to expectations. They even exceed expectations for windshields: short, they rise – electrically – high enough to protect the shoulders and a good half of the helmet..
The BMW’s deflectors – transparent so as not to weigh down aesthetically the front – skillfully isolate the hands and forearms. On the Honda, air can run down the sleeves but it does not rush into them. Same balance sheet at the level of the legs: the German protects a hint better from drafts than the Japanese, but nothing to do hara-kiri !
On the highway, the Honda is more pleasant than the BMW. Contrary to what the Bavarian engineers announce, their balance shaft does not eliminate "all unwanted vibrations": tolerable at 130 km / h "counter", the crackling of the handlebars becomes annoying past 140 km / h (4500 rpm / min): a criticism already voiced by MNC during our duel with the R1250GS equipped with the same engine.
… and big supplies !
When it comes to storage, however, the RT wins hands down with its two easily removable suitcases, each accommodating a full face helmet and equipped with handy elastic tensioners. The GW tilts because of nicely integrated suitcases, but too small and choppy to house a helmet or even a full backpack….
The large central storage compartment, ideal for housing a large smartphone, is not enough for the Honda to catch up, nor the one, high and thin, which is in front of the pilot‘s right knee … and hides the control of the gas hatch. Good to know, right ?!
On the BMW, the two spaces are narrower and only accommodate a compact smartphone. Attention: if the handlebars pass just above the open covers, it scalps the key that a previous tester had left vertically in the lock … Good to know too !
Available as an option on the BMW (integrated as standard on the Honda), the "Keyless" system avoids this potentially very annoying blunder. Above all, we adopt very quickly starting the engine without taking out the keys and unlocking the suitcases remotely … Two small details that are appreciable, especially in everyday life.
Another detail, annoying that one: the too limited compatibility of these motorcycles at the forefront of the very latest technology. The GoldWing for example, all haloed with its "Apple Car Play" mention, failed to play the songs contained in an iPod mini (2006 model, so what?)
The RT is even less "connected" since it is impossible to listen to music from your Samsung or Sony phone, either via Bluetooth or USB. As for the radio, it becomes difficult to hear above 120 km / h.
More powerful, the Honda sound system allows you to listen to playlists loaded on your smartphone on the highway. Another advantage of the GoldWing for heavy riders: the commodos are backlit. It is essential to find the many buttons on the handlebars at night: no less than 18 on the left to navigate the menus and manage the GPS (standard), audio, the bubble, etc..
Honda’s instrumentation is a marvelous blend of modernity and classicism: the large 7-inch color TFT screen – but not touch screen – is associated with large analogue meters and side windows in black and white. The central console doubles the controls on the handlebars: some will consider it unnecessary, others more convenient.
Curiously, the R1250RT does not receive the magnificent panel inaugurated as standard on the R1250GS. The road therefore retains the dashboard of 2014, with its two dials with needles and its 5.7-inch "very flat" screen. The whole seems less classy – more sporty? – than that of the Honda. The practical wheel "roundly" is logically renewed.
Last points to discuss and attribute: consumption and autonomy, essential in "Moto GT"! During our journey – less road than expected – the R1250RT and the GoldWing burned the same amount of fuel: 6 l / 100 km on average.
Thanks to its 25-liter tank, the BMW offers 416 km of range at Site and undoubtedly a little more for bikers who ride very, very calmly. The R1250RT marks the end of this MNC duel against the GoldWing: with its 21.1 liters, the Honda must stop about 50 km earlier to refuel.
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