Table of contents
- Alpen Masters 2011: Enduros / Funbikes Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200, Honda Crossrunner, KTM 990 SM T, Triumph Tiger 800
- Conclusion: fun bikes / enduros
Gargolov
15th pictures
Gargolov
1/15
From left: Honda Crossrunner, Triumph Tiger 800, Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 and KTM 990 SM T.
Gargolov
2/15
The engine of the Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 offers a lot of torque and smooth running.
Gargolov
3/15
The Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200’s performance on the mountain is great.
Gargolov
4/15
Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200: The sitting position is uncomfortable, the brakes are very effective. However, the ABS allows stoppies.
Gargolov
5/15
Which fun bike delivers the most fun in the alpine environment??
Gargolov
6/15
The three-cylinder engine of the Triumph Tiger 800 delivers strong and even torque.
Gargolov
7/15
Triumph Tiger 800: The lean angle is somewhat limited, the seating position is comfortable.
Gargolov
8/15
The brakes of the Triumph Tiger 800 require a lot of manual force, the steering behavior is neutral and transparent.
Gargolov
9/15
Fun bikes in an alpine comparison test. Does the local KTM have the edge here??
Gargolov
10/15
The V4 engine of the Honda Crossrunner weakens with moderate draft from below. Range and brakes are great.
Gargolov
11/15
Honda Crossrunner: The seating position takes getting used to, the chassis responds comfortably, but it is overwhelmed on bad terrain.
Gargolov
12/15
Fun bikes in the 2011 Alpine Masters.
Gargolov
13/15
The two-cylinder engine of the KTM 990 SM T is easy-revving and powerful. However, the unit jerks at low speeds.
Gargolov
14/15
Fun bikes in the 2011 Alpine Masters.
Gargolov
15/15
KTM 990 SM T: The chassis is great, but the suspension is too soft when fully loaded. The brakes are great and the ABS is great.
motorcycles
Alpen Masters 2011: Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200, Honda Crossrunner, KTM 990 SM T, Triumph Tiger 800
Alpen Masters 2011: Enduros / Funbikes
Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200, Honda Crossrunner, KTM 990 SM T, Triumph Tiger 800
Instead of real big boobs, four current representatives of the fun society are fighting for advancement in the Enduros / Funbikes category this year. Toys that also want to convince with a wide range of uses and good everyday properties. Which of the fun bikes has the edge in the end: the mid-range all-rounder or the crisp supermoto racer?
Stefan Kaschel, Gert Thole, Eva Breutel
07/08/2011
So much was clear from the start: Once again, the long-legged bike segment is the hotly contested class, and there is plenty of excitement on offer here. Whoever wins this category can – like the R 1200 GS last time – expect a good chance of overall victory in the grand finale. At the start this year: Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200, a large supermoto with great entertainment value. Honda Crossrunner, a crossover concept that seems to have been made for the diverse requirements in the mountains. KTM 990 SM T, the lively touring supermoto, which now calculates even better chances with ABS than its predecessor without an anti-lock device, which only just failed at the 2009 Alpine Masters. And finally the Triumph Tiger 800, which as the new protagonist of the mid-range funbikes could follow in the footsteps of the two-time overall winner Suzuki V-Strom.
The fact that the last place in such a strong field does not have to be perceived as a disaster may be little consolation for the Aprilia. Its strength is clearly the powerful, dull thundering motor, which pushes with power from the lowest revs and thus gives it full points for the two pull-through criteria. In addition, thanks to its lush flywheel masses, the 1200 V-Twin has a lot of smoothness and character, which is particularly advantageous when the engine speed is often low in the countless hairpin bends of the Stilfser Joch. The only flaw in the engine: The mapping does not seem fully developed, and the fuel consumption is correspondingly high. The ride-by-wire throttle response should also be smoother.
But what you can get used to rather than the high, angular seat and the low handlebars. And the chassis, which you would describe with a healthy degree of hardness on level ground, brings you back to reality on the bumpy slope of the Umbrail down to Switzerland. You have your hands full not to take an unplanned off-road break before the regular gravel passage. After all, good brakes, including ABS, help in emergency situations, which, however, cannot completely suppress the slope for a forward somersault downhill.
Weaknesses that the ABS has in the Crossrunner does not perform. In general, the Honda stoppers are beyond any doubt, can be finely dosed and, in an emergency, compress the machine hard even downhill if a collision with a startled marmot is to be avoided. In this respect, the Crossrunner meets the high expectations of the testers.
Unfortunately, this does not apply to the chassis. If it was able to convince in the top test on level slopes, it does not quite live up to expectations under difficult alpine conditions. Although it is soft and comfortable, the Crossrunner just hangs too low on the ropes. There are few reserves left on the undulating sections. This does not only apply to heavy loads, the Honda reaches its limits even in solo operation. Surprising weaknesses, because firstly, the restless steering and the poorly balanced balance is anything but typical for Honda. And secondly, the CBR 600 F shows with the all-rounders how well even technically simple spring elements can work without many adjusting screws under difficult conditions. In contrast, earlier tests indicated that the ergonomics that take getting used to with sharply bent knees are not helpful in the Alps.
Gargolov
From left: Honda Crossrunner, Triumph Tiger 800, Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200 and KTM 990 SM T.
The drive also reveals light and shadow. On the one hand, he speaks gently, which is extremely helpful in view of the switchbacks. On the other hand, the V-Tec-V4 doesn’t seem balanced. Downstairs he runs out of breath on the mountain, which the measured values for the acceleration on the mountain reflect only inadequately, as the short geared second gear whitewashed the problem. At the top, the 800 certainly offers sufficient pressure. But if you want to behave somewhat civilized here, but still don’t want to starve to death uphill, you inevitably have to use the medium speed range. And that’s exactly where the blaring switching noise at 6000 revs when the V4 switches from two-valve to four-valve operation is annoying.
So two hopeful candidates in the battle for class victory have said goodbye prematurely, and there is a close duel for the top spot between two fundamentally different approaches: KTM 990 SM T and Triumph Tiger 800. Machines and engines with completely different characters. Here the impulsive KTM-V2, which rushes up the mountain with really good taste, there the gentle three-cylinder, which convinces with its undemanding nature. Sure, the measured values speak for the strong two-cylinder, which, however, appears a bit unbalanced when the engine is slow. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy how much running culture and manners the Austrians have instilled in their former predator. With its superior power, the SM T can develop a lead in the engine standings – but the Triumph stays tuned. Because the Tiger convinces in the alternating curves below the Umbrail pass with neutral steering and wonderful lightness. Sure, the fork could respond a little more finely to bumps.
But it is crucial that the basic set-up fits. Even the worst corrugated iron does not upset the Triumph chassis. What can not be said of the KTM. It inspires on level asphalt with outstanding handiness and firm suspension, but strong bumps bring a lot of life to the steering.
There would have been a stalemate in this group, had it not been for two criticisms of the little Tiger that tipped the balance in favor of KTM. The brake is too blunt, especially when loaded downhill. The KTM, which is fine-tuning along the stoppie line, can do that by classes better. And with this a committed driver does not have to worry about parts touching down in an inclined position. The fact that the Triumph can turn off the ignition in an inclined position via the side stand switch is more than a faux pas, that should be changed as soon as possible. So this is how the KTM triumphs and is allowed to represent its category in the final.
Conclusion: fun bikes / enduros
Gargolov
The KTM 990 SM T has the edge in this field.
One outsider, three contenders for victory: The Aprilia is missing all-round qualities despite the great engines, that was not entirely unexpected. On the other hand, the fact that two hopeful candidates faltered came as a surprise. The Crossrunner turned out to be too slack on the chassis and unbalanced on the mountain. And the Tiger weakens when braking and makes a bitter blunder when it comes to the lean angle. In the end, the KTM triumphs 990 SM T with a lively drive, crisp chassis and great brakes.
Related articles
-
Gargolov 12th pictures Gargolov 1/12 There are motorcycles that come to the Stelvio Pass for leisurely sightseeing – but not here: Aprilia Tuono V4 R…
-
Gargolov 14th pictures Gargolov 1/14 Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom, Kawasaki W 800, Moto Guzzi Bellagio, Triumph Scrambler: With these four classic bikes,…
-
jkuenstle.de 65 pictures jkuenstle.de 1/65 All candidates in the crossover comparison test are around 1000 cm³, this time they are represented ……
-
Alpen Masters 2011: all-rounder
Gargolov 14th pictures Gargolov 1/14 From right: Yamaha Fazer8, Suzuki GSR 750, Honda CBR 600 F and BMW G 650 GS. Gargolov 2/14 The BMW G 650 GS is…
-
Comparison test: The winners of the Alpine Masters 2005 – 2011
jkuenstle.de 17th pictures Jkuenstle.de 1/17 Meeting of the Alpen Masters winners (from left): BMW R 1200 GS (2010/11), Honda CB 1300 (2009), BMW R 1200…
-
Reader’s test: On the trail of the 2011 Alpen Masters
archive motorcycles Reader’s test: On the trail of the 2011 Alpen Masters Alpen Masters 2011: reader test In the footsteps of the Alpine Masters Chasing…
-
motorcycles Alpine Masters 2011: Part 2 Alpine Masters 2011: Part 2 Sweeping Week Somewhere down there in the fog they lie, the countless hairpin bends…
-
Special: Alpen Masters 2011 – all bikes, information and videos
Gargolov motorcycles Special: Alpen Masters 2011 – all bikes, information and videos Special: Alpine Masters 2011 Summit meeting: all bikes, information…
-
Alpine Masters 2011 This is how MOTORRAD tests
Gargolov motorcycles Alpine Masters 2011 This is how MOTORRAD tests Alpine Masters 2011 This is how MOTORRAD tests In front of the mountains comes the…
-
Final of the Alpine Masters 2016
Photo: Gargolov 25th pictures www.r-photography.info 1/25 Eva Breutel, MOTORRAD, Germany. www.r-photography.info 2/25 Gert Thole, MOTORRAD, Germany….