Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000

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Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000
Photo: Gargolov

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000

11 photos

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000
Gargolov

1/11
The more naked, the better the feeling? True to the motto “No disguise, no problems”, fun comes before reason. This year the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, the BMW F 800 R, the Ducati Monster 821 Stripe and the Suzuki GSX-S 1000 compete.

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000
Gargolov

2/11
Performance measurements of the four naked bikes.

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000
Gargolov

3/11
From the international colleagues as "coffee grinder" (both in terms of sound and driving experience) and "insanely boring" It is precisely this boredom that is the plus point here: the drive and driving behavior are functional and balanced, and you can move forward effortlessly and quickly. The ergonomics are stress-free and thanks to the possible payloads, the BMW F 800 R is also extremely suitable for everyday use.

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000
Gargolov

4/11
Four bikes competed in the naked bike category this year, but only one made it to the final.

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000
Gargolov

5/11
107 hp at 209 kilograms are actually good conditions, but the chassis settings just don’t appeal to us in the Alps. It is annoying and inharmonious, but it just sounds good.

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000
Gargolov

6/11
The Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR has the largest displacement (1077 cm³) and the highest output (175 hp) in the field, but the gearbox setting is simply not made for our Alpine tour.

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000
Gargolov

7/11
The bare Suzuki GSX-S 1000 achieved a good second place, but leaves feathers in terms of luggage and pillion operation.

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000
Gargolov

8/11
The BMW F 800 R has the smallest displacement in the field, but not only shines with the largest permitted registration and the lowest price, but above all with its uncomplicated behavior. With that she could have collected points in the Easy Going category.

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000
Gargolov

9/11
… which is not long in coming.

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000
Gargolov

10/11
Before we start, a few dry runs: Photo professional and good mood uncle Sven gets in the mood for cornering, …

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000
Gargolov

11/11
Ultimately, the BMW F 800 R drives away from the other bikes, which are now allowed to go home again while the BMW makes it to the final.

Naked bikes tested at the 2015 Alpen Masters

Tuono V4 1100 RR, F 800 R, Monster 821 and GSX-S 1000

Naked in the Alps, great feelings. True to the motto “No disguise, no problems”, fun comes before reason. Which naked bike has the edge at the Alpen Masters 2015? Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821 or Suzuki GSX-S 1000?

W.elcome to driving fun. Naked bike plus Dolomites, that makes grins from earlobe to earlobe. Milling passes, converting premium gasoline into endorphins, tank filling for tank filling. As in the other categories, the Alps have their own rules. Lots of top performance is nice, but is of no use if the box doesn’t get out of the quark after the nasty hairpin.

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Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000

Alpine Masters 2015
The prelude to the largest motorcycle comparison test

Ducati Monster 821 Stripe with promising key data

Ducati Monster 821 appears in the special edition “Stripe”. In addition to some optical delicacies, it is primarily characterized by a fork that is fully adjustable in contrast to the standard 821. The Ducati Monster 821 Stripe actually has good prerequisites, 107 HP at 209 kilos are promising key data. But the driving behavior of our alpine monster cannot really convince, which is primarily due to the inhomogeneous suspension setup. With the front suspension too soft, the Ducati dips deeply when the somewhat insensitive brake is applied, and then rebounds like a yo-yo.

At the back, however, the Ducati Monster 821 Stripe is too tight over potholes, all of which reminds a little of Ducati times that were believed to be long gone. With extensive setup tinkering, a little relief could perhaps be brought about, but the monster cannot find a clean line this way. It often wobbles more than it rolls and needs to be realigned after every slight wave. Annoying. In addition, there is a very brisk throttle response, even in the more tamed touring mode.

Especially at the bottom there is somehow no organic connection between the desire for propulsion and its implementation. In order to save the honor of the Ducati Monster 821 Stripe: Once the lowest speed range has been overcome, the Testastretta is incredibly lively, turns wonderfully upwards and sounds wonderfully vital. ABS and traction control work well. The ergonomics are also extremely successful, at least for smaller riders, apart from the passenger footpeg brackets hanging around in the way. So the bottom line for the Monster 821 is only a somewhat inglorious fourth place.

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000

Naked bike


Ducati Monster 821 in the top test


A crowd-puller even while standing


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Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR requires an extremely active riding style

Nobody should complain about the inhomogeneous handling of the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR. Even if the Donnerbike has been tamed noticeably over the years, especially with the model change and the displacement increase to 1100 cubic meters, the Tuono remains a racer for the country road at heart. Everything about her is from one piece. An honest, tough, demanding cast. The sitting position: high, bent forward, as strenuous as it is emotional. Asking about comfort, let alone passenger comfort, is forbidden. The engine: Now pushes out usable below, but real feelings only arise at medium speeds. 

What then follows between 7,000 and 12,000 tours is damn big cinema, the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR is a real force. The only thing you can do on our 100-kilometer test track is to count on one hand the passages in which the V4 can really get off the leash. On the other hand, with the double R, you quite often torment yourself in the still far too long ones through switchbacks, then try full throttle, but have to turn off again with the onset of power eruption because otherwise it quickly becomes dangerous.

A similarly radical picture when it comes to driving behavior: the package of handiness, steering precision, stability and feedback that brings the Tuono into the field is, with a few exceptions, unmatched in the entire Alpine Masters. But the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR makes you work as hard for it as any other super athlete. Emergency braking downhill, the arms become very heavy and the rear extremely light; then like on raw eggs around the hairpin, because so much weight is on the front wheel. An extremely active driving style is required for rapid progress, hanging-off is not taboo. Wide, fast radii, let the Sahne V4 run, in sensitive contact with the front wheel – the Tuono shines in areas that are hardly in demand here in the Dolomites. Third place.

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000

Naked bike


Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR in the driving report


Donner and Gloria


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All reviews and articles about the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR

Suzuki GSX-S 1000 nice and handy and balanced

And thus to the Suzuki GSX-S 1000, which joins the absolute elite in terms of driving performance without much fuss. Only the compressor Kawa is faster to 140, only the BMW S 1000 XR pulls through better at 2000 meters. All attention! The bottom line is, and for that alone, a clear victory in the engine chapter. When it comes to the chassis, the Suzuki does not show any nakedness. Although it cannot quite keep up with the razor-sharp precision or stability of the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, it is generally nice and easy to handle and balanced, and is far more energy-saving than the Italian. The seating position is sporty, but relaxed. It can be used to rob passports for hours. But it’s better to be alone, because a passenger won’t find a really bearable place on it either. And the luggage must also be manageable due to the lack of adequate accommodation.

In contrast, consumption and range are excellent. With an average of 4.9 liters, it is a whopping 1.7 liters below the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR. In practice, with a comparable tank content, this makes the difference between “One lap is still possible” and “When will the next tank come”. All in all, the Suzuki GSX-S 1000 delivers a pretty good performance. Aside from a somewhat rude approach that messes up the line here and there, you can’t fault her. For solo alpinists with sporting ambitions, an all-round successful motorcycle at a more than fair price.

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000

Naked bike


Suzuki GSX-S 1000 in the driving report


Pure Sport Roadster?


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All tests and articles about the Suzuki GSX-S 1000

BMW F 800 R functional and balanced

Also means: the BMW F 800 R wins the Naked category. And with a clear point gap. “No, it runs like a coffee grinder and sounds like it”, Andrea escapes when he learns that the BMW has won the group. And colleague Oscar from Spain thinks it is “insanely boring”. We can agree with both, but the victory of the F 800 R is as clear as it deserves, despite its considerable performance deficit. Why? Because the BMW makes driving in the Alps incredibly easy. We actually had the “Easy going” category in the last issue, but the F 800 R is the real queen of easy going.

It may be that the engine runs jerkily and that it exudes the charm of a kitchen appliance. But even in second gear it pulls wonderfully well-dosed, evenly and calmly out of every tricky corner. Pressure in the basement, low load change reactions, perfectly graduated gearbox, the BMW F 800 R even takes one point off the almost twice as powerful Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR in the engine section. 

Functional and balanced – just like the drive is the driving behavior. The chassis, which is simple in itself, stably irons over potholes and can hardly be disturbed. Where the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR is tough, the BMW F 800 R rolls smoothly and effortlessly and is therefore remarkably fast from the first meter. This quality is particularly noticeable when it rains, when the asphalt becomes extremely slippery in places. Here, the trip on the Tuono is a ride on a knife edge, while the BMW is worlds easier to steer thanks to its excellent balance and stress-free ergonomics.

The F 800 R also hits hard in the everyday chapter, making ten points on the already good Suzuki GSX-S 1000 and 20 on the Aprilia. Adjustable chassis (electronically at the rear), fuel gauge, main stand, on-board tools, adjustable levers, heated grips, case system, range, payload – many things are subject to a surcharge, but everything is there, so you collect points. Because both driver and passenger comfort are also the best in the group, the victory is clear. Off to the final.

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821, Suzuki GSX-S 1000

Naked bike


Zonko’s attack on the BMW F 800 R.


Not a revolution, but well tested


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Technical specifications


Gargolov

Four bikes competed in the naked bike category this year, but only one made it to the final.

Readings


Gargolov

Power on the crankshaft. Measurements on the Dynojet roller test stand 250, corrected according to 95/1 / EC, maximum possible deviation ± 5%

Result and conclusion


Gargolov

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, BMW F 800 R, Ducati Monster 821 Stripe and Suzuki GSX-S 1000.

1st place: BMW F 800 R


Gargolov

BMW F 800 R..

plus 

  • very usable achievement
  • great balance, balanced handling
  • comprehensive equipment
  • good comfort for two too
  • low consumption, good range

 minus 

  • rough engine running, partly strong vibrations

2nd place: Suzuki GSX-S 1000


Gargolov

Suzuki GSX-S 1000.

plus 

  • outstanding draft, 
  • good acceleration
  • good performance
  • low consumption, 
  • long range
  • balanced, sporty driving behavior

 minus 

  • Load change reactions
  • Passenger comfort and luggage storage

3rd place: Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR


Gargolov

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR.

plus  

  • extremely precise driving behavior
  • high stability
  • excellent feedback
  • explosive peak performance

 minus 

  • lack of comfort
  • poor luggage storage
  • Gear ratio

4th place: Ducati Monster 821 Stripe


Gargolov

Ducati Monster 821 Stripe.

plus  

  • easy-revving engine, appealing performance 
  • Consumption, good range
  • Ergonomics for smaller drivers

 minus 

  • Inhomogeneous chassis, too soft at the front, too hard at the rear
  • Steering precision
  • Dosability of the front brake

Conclusion

The Ducati Monster 821 could not convince here due to its rather idiosyncratic driving behavior, charm or not. Too pointed, too sporty, too special the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR. Far less radical is the Suzuki GSX-S 1000, a genuine all-round power naked at an affordable price. All three also very emotional machines in their own way. But in the end, the rational BMW F 800 R prevailed: balanced, fully equipped and thought out down to the last detail.

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