Alpen Masters 2012: athletes, all-rounders, travel enduro bikes, fun and naked bikes

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Alpen Masters 2012: athletes, all-rounders, travel enduro bikes, fun and naked bikes
Gargolov

Alpen Masters 2012: the best motorcycle for the Alps selected

Final of the big motorcycle test in the Alps

The day of the decision. The group winners go to the last round. There they have to compete against the reigning Alpine champion, the BMW R 1200 GS. After four climbs, the final verdict falls on the highest alpine pass, the Col de la Bonette.

The final

Tag six of the 2012 Alpine Masters. The sun is still shining from an almost cloudless sky, and a warm wind is still blowing through the valleys. What a difference to the last three rainy and partly snow-covered MOTORCYCLE summits in the Dolomites and the Stilfser Joch. No wonder that on the day of the finals there is already high spirits at breakfast. “And the winner is …”, Andrea from the Italian MOTORRAD partner magazine “In Moto” emphasizes and symbolically rubs the tears from her eyes, “… no italian bike.” Even if the man from Bologna rolls with laughter – it’s true . Of the total of 20 machines in the 2012 Alpine Masters, 15 – including all seven Italians – are already in the hotel garage. Eliminated in the preliminary round. 

Because there can only be one. Only the respective winners of the five groups make it to the final – and compete there against the reigning Alpine champion, the BMW R 1200 GS. The voting mode on the final route is as simple as it is radical. The points from the preliminary round no longer count, all machines start with the same chances. On each of the five passes to be driven, the jury of six experienced editors will secretly vote out a motorcycle. The last thing left is the new Alpine Master. 


Gargolov

All six bikes are still there.

The cappuccino is sipped empty. Avanti. The first stage is reached quickly. It is only 21 kilometers from the starting point in Pietraporzio to Col de Larche. Most of them dead straight. Only the 14 hairpin bends shortly before the crossing give the pass, which is also used by many trucks, a little spice. It takes experience from the preliminary rounds to make the early judgment. Nevertheless, it is unexpectedly clear. 6-0, the Kawasaki ZZR 1400 has to go. The athletes group’s big bike had convinced the test team of their very own theory of relativity. Because in relation to its immense 276 kilograms total weight and relatively bulky dimensions, the ZZR in the Alps feels like a whale in the sea: sedate, but sovereign. Just how the four-cylinder, enlarged for this year from 1352 cm³ to 1441 cm³, effortlessly pushes the immense mass with its 206 hp towards the summit, that creates an impression. Switch? Only rarely necessary. The second gear is enough for tight turns as well as for long straights. A traction control and ABS regulate excess (in propulsion) or lack (in braking distance) with an invisible, knowledgeable hand, the soft suspension and the comfortable seat filter away even the most nasty series of potholes from the long-distance qualities of the ZZR for arrival and departure remain silent. Despite all these merits: Weight and dimensions constantly require strong leadership. That doesn’t bother on the autobahn, but on passes it does. 

And even the wide downhill turns of the Larche would only have rehabilitated the ZZR for a short time. Because after a moderate start, the road to Col de Vars winds increasingly more winding towards the top of the pass. More and more often the jurors change the motorcycles, adjust their opinion. The BMW F 800 R and the Triumph Speed ​​Triple R are especially popular. One last safeguard before deselection? What can the two of them be accused of? For the Bavarian at most her perfection. With impressive superiority, she had brought her all-rounder colleagues to their knees in the preliminary round. And even on the first, relatively flat half of the 15-kilometer Col de Vars, the BMW is already showing its strong side.


Gargolov

The Kawasaki ZZR 1400 is the first to drop out of the group.

The fork and the strut hinged directly on the swing arm smooth the undulating asphalt while still keeping the chassis nicely in balance. The fact that the two-cylinder synchronous rotor not only sounds like a boxer due to the 360-degree ignition offset, but also pushes it powerfully and easily dosed from low speeds with at least 95 measured horsepower (factory specification: 87 hp!), Is appreciated after each of the at the beginning still long arches. Only at higher speeds does the twin tingle strongly in the handlebar ends. There is compensation further up in the ever narrower turns. The F 800 R tilts effortlessly in an inclined position, draws its radius in a squeaky clean line, hardly stands up over waves or when braking despite the wide 180 mm rear tire and ultimately makes climbing the summit child’s play for the pilot. Maybe too easy. Definitely for Freddy Papunen. “Always too fast, always too fast,” grins the three-time Swedish Superbike champion. Racer Freddy rarely feels really challenged on the BMW. Neither do the others. Objectively seen a mountain prize on the ribbon. From a subjective point of view – and this view is allowed here in the final – the BMW lacks a certain challenge. Similar to the feeling at the summit cross: depending on whether you reached it by cable car or via the via ferrata. The jury obviously preferred the more strenuous route. One editor deselects the Triumph Explorer, two the Speed ​​Triple and three the F 800 R. Au revoir, BMW. 


Gargolov

The BMW F 800 R just had to admit defeat to the Triumph Speed ​​Triple R..

With this result, even Triumph fans suspect that the way to the Col d Izoard will be the last struggle for the Speed ​​Triple R. But first the Combe de Queyras distracts. On the flat section in front of the Izoard, the narrow gorge with its road carved into the rock is fascinating. A few kilometers later, the well-developed route winds wonderfully up through a pine forest. As if it wanted to return the favor for the favor, the Speed ​​Triple R reveals its entire emotional repertoire. Whether this metallic whistling and babbling from the two silencers when taking off the accelerator or the hissing when accelerating, the Speedy accentuates your mountain sprint acoustically highly attractive. Rightly so, because the British can be very proud of their 1050 three-cylinder engine. The triplet asks you to let it roll around the steep bends of the Izoard at idle speed, and then simply accelerate carefree – without a slipping clutch or fear of a load change jolt. A feeling that you long for anew in every bend, that is almost addicting. And that outshines the only real weak point of the triple, the too tight rear suspension. The Triumph distributes properly over transverse joints like the cattle bars that are common in the Alps. Motocrosser Andrea stops prophylactically before every hump. Also regrettable: the R version of the Speed ​​Triple (forged instead of cast wheels, monoblock brake calipers, Ohlins spring elements) is entering the price range of athletes and enduro bikes as a naked bike at 15,000 euros. Only Thomas, wheelie king and Cascadeur through and through, took the Speed ​​Triple to their hearts from the first kilometer. For him, she is the potential Alpine Masters winner anyway. The youngster from Paris prefers to ditch the GS.


Gargolov

Three bikes remain in the race: Kawasaki Versys 1000, BMW R 1200 GS and Triumph Tiger Explorer.

Nevertheless, a clear decision is made in the Refuge Napoleon, a refuge in the will of the legendary general shortly after the pass. 5: 1 against the noble nude – or more correctly, 1: 5 for the remaining trio. Because the BMW R 1200 GS, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 and the Triumph Tiger Explorer, as travel enduros or crossover bikes, now add an additional aspect: universality. They offer more than just carefree sweeping. How much more?

You can ponder this on the long connecting route until shortly before Embrun. The Col du Parpaillon will give the first answer. The road winds its way up bumpy and lonely. The asphalt ends eight kilometers before the pass. The triumvirate continues to screw itself forward. The ESA zaps to “Sport” and the BMW is already plowing its way down the bumpy route. The Bavarian is notable for the decades of input from globetrotters of the world. It looks more stable on this terrain, is 27 kilograms lighter and offers more suspension reserves than the Triumph. With the Kawa, apart from its tires (Pirelli Scorpion Trail), nothing indicates endurance ambitions. No engine or grip guards, with 150 millimeters relatively short spring travel, little ground clearance, cast wheels, the Versys doesn’t think much of the dusty element. Nevertheless, it makes it brilliantly along damp ruts and even through a mountain stream (see photo above). Snow fields end the off-road detour 300 meters before the finish. No broken leg, the completely icy Tunel du Parpaillon would have been impassable anyway. Nevertheless, the climb was worth it. Here in the seclusion of the terrain, the Alps appear even more grandiose than on the busy pass crossings.

A quarter of an hour later we’re back. Before the election, Freddy, Thomas and Sergio take their own measurements in the field. The vote is clear: 5: 1. Only Thomas, who can’t do much with the good travel enduros, leaves again. Still: The Kawa is out. It’s a shame, because the somewhat unsightly duckling has tremendous capabilities – at least on asphalt. The 1000er pulls effortlessly from the rev range to the highest tours through the rev range. On the one hand, it whispers through the villages even in sixth gear, on the other hand it bites aggressively after 5,000 tours and turns the Versys, which is relatively inexpensive at just under 12,000 euros, into an excellently precise country road sweeper. Only the underdamped shock absorber can spoil the fun under extreme conditions.


Gargolov

The Tiger Explorer and the R 1200 GS tackle the final and highest climb together and win both.

The voltage increases. Firstly, because the detour along Lac de Serre-Ponçon, the largest reservoir in Europe, takes a lot of time, and secondly, because the two biggest fish in the enduro segment will once again face each other in the final: the BMW R 1200 GS and the new Triumph Tiger Explorer. In the two-part MOTORRAD comparison test (Issue 9 and 12/2012), BMW had triumphed in the country roads and the overall standings. And now? What will decide? The silky soft three-cylinder engine of the Briton with 131 hp as a bear? Or the better handling of the lighter Bavarian? Both are not without weaknesses. The BMW chassis tends to trample on bumpy asphalt and you have to get used to the weak feedback from the Telelever front. The massive Triumph lacks some suspension comfort and agility.
The final highlight should take place in a dignified ambience, on the highest alpine pass, the ring road around the Cime de la Bonette, at 2802 meters above sea level. It’s getting darker as the two tackle the 25 kilometers from Jausiers with their four-man entourage in tow. The cyclists and mobile home owners have disappeared, the street is deserted. Even after many hours in the saddle, the undisturbed curve swing on the grippy asphalt ensures evening ecstasy. What a final spurt! The top of the pass is also deserted when the two protagonists park in front of the memorial stone for the builders of the pass road. The last box on the ballot paper is filled in. Seconds later the result. 3: 3 – stalemate. And now: by-election? Toss a coin? Not necessary. Because both made an outstanding performance in the Alps – and not only there. Each with their own individual strengths and (few) weaknesses. And as the saying goes: Joy shared is joy doubled – also at the 2012 Alpine Masters.

The placements


Gargolov

The winners: BMW R 1200 GS and Triumph Tiger Explorer.

The winners: BMW R 1200 GS and Triumph Tiger Explorer
Two title holders – that has never happened before in the history of the Alpine Masters. But the BMW and the Triumph stand for one thing: universality. For swinging passes at the highest level – and much, much more.
Vote: BMW R 1200 GS (3) Triumph Tiger Explorer (3)


Jahn

3rd place: Kawasaki Versys 1000.

3rd place: Kawasaki Versys 1000
Not a travel enduro, not a fun bike – the Versys doesn’t fit into any scheme. A great road sweeper. If only she was more beautiful.
Vote: Kawasaki Versys (5) Triumph Tiger (1)


Jahn

4th place: Triumph Speed ​​Triple R.

4th place: Triumph Speed ​​Triple R
Hard suspension? Expensive? The formidable three-cylinder hisses away all doubts. Speed ​​Triple R – emotion on two wheels.
Vote: Triumph Speed ​​Triple R (5) BMW R 1200 GS (1)


Jahn

5th place: BMW F 800 R

5th place: BMW F 800 R
A bike without weaknesses – except maybe the one to make it too easy for its rider.
Vote: BMW F 800 R (3) Triumph Speed ​​Triple R (2) Triumph Tiger (1)


Jahn

6th place: Kawasaki ZZR 1400

6th place: Kawasaki ZZR 1400
Everything is relative. Even if the massive ZZR does well – it is too big, too strong and too heavy for the Alps.
Vote: Kawasaki ZZR 1400 (6) 

The final round


Werel

Final countdown: 320 kilometers, five passes, over 7,000 meters in altitude – a tight program for the crowning achievement of the 2012 Alpine Masters.


Werel

At the very end it goes to the highest point: the Cime de la Bonette (2802 meters).

Compared to the preliminary round, the final sets the bar for the demands on man and machine significantly higher. Over a distance of 320 kilometers, five passes must be climbed in one day – a total of over 7,000 meters in altitude. The starting point remains unchanged in Pietraporzio in the Italian Stura Valley. However, the start is now going north. The SS 21, unfortunately also used by heavy traffic, climbs to the relatively low Col de Larche (1991 meters). This pass is only attractive for driving on the last 14 hairpin bends just before the top of the pass. After the equally moderate valley run, the Col de Vars is in the way. The 2111 meter high pass unfolds its charms only in the last part and on the descent to Guillestre. The Combe de Queyras, a long, rugged gorge in the approach to Col dIzoard, is worth experiencing. The Casse Deserte just before the summit, resembling a lunar landscape, is one of the scenic attractions of this pass.

After an imposing, curved descent and a long transit stretch, the road turns shortly before Embrun for the toughest test of the tour, the 23-kilometer-long Col du Parpaillon (2650 meters), which is unpaved for the upper eight kilometers. Snow shortly before the top of the pass forced the test troops to turn back. Nevertheless, the detour along Lac de Serre-Ponçon, the largest reservoir in Europe, is a nice contrast to the lonely mountain world. For the final spurt, you can start from Jausiers on the north side of the Col de la Bonette. The 24-kilometer climb honors the winner of the 2012 Alpine Masters in a dignified setting: the ring road around the Cime de la Bonette (2802 meters) is considered the highest paved pass in the Alps. 

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