48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test

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48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test

46 photos

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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Six motorcycles compete against each other in the 48 hp comparison test. The models Kawasaki Z 400, KTM 390 Duke, Yamaha YZF-R3, Royal Enfield Continental GT 650, Triumph Street Triple S and Honda CMX 500 Rebel are included.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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If you have an A2 driving license, you can drive motorcycles with a maximum of 48 HP, with a power to weight ratio of 0.27 HP per kilogram.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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When it comes to the design of the exhaust system, the Honda is very frugal.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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Double-piston floating caliper and a disc, here before braking.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The swing arm and axle mount are almost ingeniously simple.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The square in the round: an LCD panel provides the most necessary information.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The rear suspension travel is quickly used up on bumpy roads.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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In this comparison, the Honda represents the cruiser – as their most successful representative.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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There are big differences between the six motorcycles.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The Kawasaki Z 400 only shows corners and edges on the outside.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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On the Z 400 also on the front wheel: the good old Kawasaki split pin as a safety device.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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Given the price, the stainless steel exhaust system cannot be taken for granted.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The central spring strut can only be adjusted in terms of the spring preload.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The surround of the instrument exudes a touch of steampunk charm.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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Not the most comfortable pillion seat in the field, but at least a decent one.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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Every now and then we prefer to raise the front wheel instead of a warning finger.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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Athletes, naked bikes, cruisers or classics – everything is offered.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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After just a few bends you get into a real flow.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The headlight is an important element of the KTM design language.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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Light, sporty, fast, inexpensive – and an eye-catcher on top of that.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The single cylinder was fitted very tightly into the tubular space frame.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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A large disc and the Bybre four-piston caliper slow down energetically.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The TFT display impresses with its presentation, you almost think you’re on the laptop.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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Razor-sharp past the wide-angle lens – no problem at all with the nimble 390 Duke.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The south of France donated the testers a generous advance of the sun for the 2019 motorcycle season.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The Continental GT embodies robust sportiness.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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Neatly executed struts, unfortunately a little underdamped in the rebound stage.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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A rail on the cylinder head prevents burns on the station wagon and the driver’s knees.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The round instruments combine classic optics and modern electronics.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The single disc brake decelerates well, but feels spongy.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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A cafe racer with narrow, not too deep handlebars and set back footrests.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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We are curious to see who can win the comparison test?

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The Street Triple is top class – in price, but also in its properties.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The swing arm, axle mount and ratchet system are of high quality.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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Actually overqualified for 48 hp: the 660 three-cylinder from Triumph.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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Energetic and easy to dose: double disc with double piston floating calipers.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The spring preload of the strut can be finely adjusted.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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Fuel gauge, speedometer, various odometers, speed, time – more information is a luxury.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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Even in the 48-hp version, the tried and tested Street Triple remains a great success from Triumph.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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Their displacement ranges from 321 to 648 cm³ and they are used in a wide variety of motorcycles.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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Yamaha YZF-R3 – the little one with the racing genes.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The R3 is similar to the R1 and deserves to be respected by its drivers too.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The single-disc brake also meets sporting demands.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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Typical Yamaha display. The speed can jump up to the red area.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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The shift linkage consists of simple steel parts, but is continuously adjustable.

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test
Jorg Kunstle

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On the R3, the driver finds such an ambitious and sporty sitting posture almost by himself.

48 hp motorcycles (2019) in a comparison test

Bikes for A2 driver’s license holders

New items 2019

In the comparison test of the 48 hp motorcycles of the 2019 model year, the Kawasaki Z 400, KTM 390 Duke, Yamaha YZF-R3, Royal Enfield Continental GT 650, Triumph Street Triple S and Honda Rebel compete against each other.

The best drive for a motorcycle that fits into the A2 driving license class, the best compromise between power development and costs seems to be a two-cylinder in-line engine. Four out of six motorcycles in this comparison are equipped with such engines. Their displacement ranges from 321 to 648 cm³ and they are used in a wide variety of motorcycles. While the Honda Rebel was designed as a cruiser or rather a soft bobber, Yamaha is looking for the other extreme with the sporty YZF-R3. The new Kawasaki Z 400 represents a modern naked bike and the Royal Enfield a classic type of undisguised sports motorcycle, a cafe racer. Its engine, with its 90-degree crankshaft and air cooling, is constructed very differently from the other, consistently water-cooled, in-line twins. KTM competes in this class with an extremely light and lively motorcycle; Due to its low weight, the single cylinder may be the 390 Duke did not fully utilize the 48 hp that were actually allowed, but still impressed with brilliant driving performance. And the A2 version of the Triumph Street Triple offers an example of how a motorcycle rides that was actually designed for a lot more power, but was throttled to 48 hp.

Comparison test with another evaluation model

KTM and Triumph also fall under the umbrella term naked bike, but when you ride you quickly notice that this classification more obscures their character than describes it. Because the KTM drives almost like a supermoto, the Triumph, on the other hand, clearly shows its road racing genes – it was created parallel to the daytona 675 super athlete, which is no longer produced, and has many parts in common with it.


Jorg Kunstle

With this range, a comparison test that directly compares the six candidates according to every criterion of the 1,000-point evaluation is not possible. The MOTORRAD testers did not want to accuse any motorcycle of what, according to its design, it cannot do at all. Nevertheless, the six motorcycles of Mission A2 were rated. And yes, there is a motorcycle with the highest score, one with the lowest score, and everything in between. The testers associate this presentation with the request to read it less like a school report card or the ranking of a MotoGP race, but rather as a character profile, as a decision-making aid in view of the question of which machine best suits your own needs.

Honda CMX 500 Rebel

The 2018 Honda CMX 500 Rebel only narrowly lost the race for the best-selling 48 hp machine in Germany to the KTM 390 Duke. The Rebel was newly registered 1,565 times, the Duke 1,600 times, both to over 90 percent by private individuals, i.e. without special authorization campaigns by the manufacturers. On the contrary: Honda Germany couldn’t deliver as many motorcycles as were ordered. There is no doubt that the Rebel is extremely popular in Germany. Not least with women. Their share among Rebel buyers is 35 percent, according to Honda Germany, but there it is suspected that it is even higher in practice because apparently many men sign the purchase contracts for their wives’ motorcycles. No matter how high the number of unreported cases, of all so-called “natural persons” who registered a motorcycle in 2018, only 14.3 percent were women.

Regardless of gender, the low seat height on the Rebel primarily attracts people for whom a motorcycle with a higher seat is a high psychological hurdle. Understandable, but from the tester’s point of view it must be noted that the psychological advantage comes at the price of tangible disadvantages in terms of driving dynamics, driving comfort and, ultimately, driving safety. The spring travel of the Rebel on the rear axle of 95 millimeters is not the shortest in this comparison, but it is clearly too short in combination with the present adjustment of the suspension struts. Without having to drive too fast, the tire suspension is quickly required on bumpy roads and, soon afterwards, the “intervertebral disc suspension”. Because of the passive sitting position, it is hardly possible to cushion the roughest bumps in the knees. If you hit a pronounced shaft in an inclined position, the machine stirs pronounced around the longitudinal axis. This is not dangerous, but it is an indication that the tire is severely deformed during peak loads and thus brings undesirable steering impulses into the chassis. Finally, the rebel’s low lean angle is limited by their low construction. Even when swinging loosely on winding roads, it often hits the left and right. And no, this doesn’t only happen to cocky testers, who are often suspected of deliberately misunderstanding the purpose of a cruiser or soft bobber.


Jorg Kunstle

At the beginning of the test drives it was almost impossible to bring the front wheel to the lock limit when braking; the brake pads had to be braked vigorously to bite harder. However, the hand force remains quite high, and it is advisable to always use the rear brake. Because of the rear-heavy design of the Rebel, it can provide a large proportion of the deceleration performance. The engine is far more convincing than the chassis. For use in the characteristic tubular steel frame of the Rebel, its peak power has been reduced by two horsepower compared to the CB 500 F and CBR 500 R, and it has been strengthened in the medium speed range. However, this has not fundamentally changed its characteristics; he has remained a lively guy, but pulls through cleanly and without chopping even from lower speeds under load. It does that even better than the comparison of torque and acceleration values ​​suggests. As the performance diagram shows, the rather placid driving performance is not due to the engine itself, but is solely due to the long overall ratio.

Kawasaki Z 400

It is the much-cited “sum of all properties” that brings the Kawasaki Z 400 far ahead in this comparison. The new naked bike, based on the Ninja 400, only shows pronounced corners and edges on the outside: on its small cockpit fairing, the front fender or the pointed rear. In terms of engine characteristics, steering properties and ease of use, however, it is very pleasing, and one should not equate this statement with boring. The two-cylinder in-line engine has 399 cc, 78 cc more than the similarly designed Yamaha engine and 26 cc more than the KTM single-cylinder. The Kawasaki translates these advantages – significantly larger displacement in one case and its division into two cylinders in the other – into an exemplary linear power delivery. That means noticeably more torque in the lower and middle range, more peak performance and a high revving speed that continues up to 11,500 rpm. In conjunction with an overall gear ratio that is not chosen for too long, this gives you fast acceleration values ​​and good pulling power.


Jorg Kunstle

Although the measured values ​​are not better in every speed range than those of the light KTM or the candidates with more displacement, they point to an important fact: Whenever it comes to accelerating from relatively low speeds, the Z 400 is easier to use driving requires less manual work than the KTM, the Honda, the Royal Enfield or the Yamaha. Not a bad approach for a motorcycle designed primarily for entry-level users. And if you develop sporting ambitions with increasing driving experience, you don’t need another motorcycle right away. You can also drive briskly towards the curve on the Z 400, step down two gears and accelerate quickly from the apex from 8,000 rpm. The only drawbacks that are noticeable during such exercises are a blaring tone of the motor and tingling vibrations. The Kawasaki masters the proportion of sporty driving determined by the chassis anyway. It can be turned easily and precisely, cushions and dampens in the range between crumple-soft and too tight and offers enough ground clearance for ambitious leanings. The crisp bite of the front brake fits well, the ABS, on the other hand, works more defensively. The sitting position on the Z 400 is kept very low; The seat cushion is sharply lowered directly behind the tank.

This may suit smaller drivers, but it always allows young and old to slide forward towards the tank. Except when accelerating vigorously. Is that why the colleague in the picture next door loves lifting the front wheel? Whatever the case, a padding 20 millimeters higher in the front, narrow area of ​​the bench would hardly affect the safe standing in front of red lights, but would make the much more important driving even easier. Up until the Z 400, none of the testers thought it possible that there would be a clutch that was even too easy to operate. Now they know better. In fact, drivers who have got used to the so-called “careful finger” on the clutch lever should be careful not to let the clutch slip unexpectedly while driving at full speed. All that is needed is an unconscious pull on the lever. At the end of this text and the adjacent data box, the Z 400 deserves great praise for its low price. 5,595 euros plus additional costs make it a tempting offer.

KTM 390 Duke

The older man, who worked his way up the Col de l’Espigoulier with his Honda Varadero 125 collecting herbs from one stop to the next, pointedly named an important reason for the success of the KTM 390 Duke: “I like that one best,” he said and pointed to the orange-white-black eye-catcher. He wasn’t the only one at this southern French motorcyclist hotspot who gazed at the KTM. Conspicuous, but not penetrating, modern, but not aloof, the Duke hits the nerve of European motorcyclists even when standing. And – much more importantly – it doesn’t stop there. If you sit down, let the single-cylinder rumble and then immediately enter a pass road of the quality of Espigoulier, you will find yourself in a veritable flow after just a few curves.

Even in the upper, particularly tightly looped passages, this flow does not break off and continues the entire descent on the north side. When asked what it was like, there is a high probability that someone who is so happy will utter a little differentiated hymn of praise, repeatedly using the term “cool”. So much for the sensual qualities of KTM. It takes a long time until one or the other point of criticism has fought its way into the tester’s consciousness, but these are always accompanied by an immediately relativizing but. Something like this: The engine has a noticeable hang at 6,000 rpm, as can also be seen in the performance diagram. But that’s where he gets to the point. It is not without reason that it received the best rating for acceleration together with the Triumph.


Jorg Kunstle

And further: The direct response, almost jumping to the throttle commands, can be quite annoying when trying to swim without jerking in city traffic. But that’s not what this lighter was designed for. Third: the shock absorber has a long idle travel and does not respond well. But that only really becomes noticeable on bumpy roads. And last but not least: the Metzeler Sportec M5 tends to slide when accelerating in an inclined position than the Dunlops of the Kawasaki and Yamaha. But you don’t have to open the gas in deep lean angles as if you wanted to become world champion. We see that the 390 Duke enjoys a huge bonus. Regardless of that, she can brake really well. It rightly received the best ratings for effectiveness and controllability among single-disc brakes.

It is only surpassed in this test field by the Triumph and its double disc. And despite her motor skills, she uses very little fuel, least of all six motorcycles. Despite the relatively small eleven-liter tank, it manages an impressive 324 kilometers with one filling. Furthermore, it pleases with an extremely smooth gearshift and a no less smooth, but easy to dose clutch. All these virtues, the tangible and the more felt, can be enjoyed by interested parties for 5,449 euros plus additional costs. The 390 Duke is therefore the cheapest motorcycle on the test field. And although it is not the best motorcycle in the sum of its properties, it manages a convincing mix of typical KTM features – independent design, uncompromising pursuit of driving dynamics – and mass-compatible courtesy. This is how you become the best-selling 48-hp motorcycle in Germany.

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650

As the second of the new 650 models from Royal Enfield, MOTORRAD received the Continental GT for testing. It differs from the Interceptor with its narrower handlebars, footrests that have been moved further back, a different tank and a flatter seat, thus embodying the sportier of the two models based on British cafe-racer traditions. Before the test drives, the already run-in machine had to be put on the dynamometer – the editors wanted to know whether this second test motorcycle could reproduce the performance of the first, an Interceptor. She was able and even allowed herself a small surcharge of 0.8 hp on the 48 hp limit.

The fact that it was the strongest machine in this comparison, but the second slowest in terms of performance before the Honda Rebel, is due to its impressive weight of 216 kilograms. The Continental GT is by far the heaviest machine, and in relation to that, the torque of 60 to 100 km / h in the last, fifth gear is remarkably good. He may be considered an indication of the beefy strength of the Enfield twin. Not at all beefy, in the sense of raw or coarse, turned out the running culture of the two-cylinder. In contrast to the other in-line twin cylinders of this comparison, it did not have a 180-degree crankshaft, through which the pistons move in opposite directions, but a crankshaft with a 90-degree crank pin offset. The two cylinders fire at the same distance as in a 90-degree V2, but the in-line engine does not achieve its mass balance.


Jorg Kunstle

That is why the Enfield twin was given two balancer shafts and in this way combines a wonderfully syncopated ignition rhythm with cultivated engine running. It does not develop any vibrations, just a pleasant pulsation. This is matched by the clutch and gearshift, which can be operated easily and precisely. The change in seating position had a surprisingly strong effect compared to the Interceptor, unfortunately not for the better. Due to the more front-wheel-oriented posture, the driver apparently shifts just so much more weight forward that the Continental stubbornly steers in. The shorter lever arm of the narrower halves of the handlebars may also play a role, in any case it requires more pull on the handlebars and more getting used to than the more harmonious Interceptor. The brake – actually identical – did not quite reach the level of the first test machine.

After vigorous braking, the rubbers, which were quite dull at the beginning, showed a lot of bite, but the controllability was always a bit blurred. It felt as if the brake pistons had to be punched through a thin rubber mat before the Bybre floating caliper gripped the powerfully dimensioned disc properly. In the meantime, MOTORRAD has an Interceptor in its long-term test fleet, the brake of which, in turn, can be better controlled. Apparently, manufacturing tolerances cause certain differences. No differences were found in the struts; they were just as underdamped in the rebound as on the Interceptor. Apart from these small weaknesses, the Continental GT confirmed the impression that the Enfield Twins are solid constructions with many, but not all, details processed properly. Anyone who has a soft spot for classic motorcycle design and the charm of air-cooled engines with real cooling fins is in good hands with the Continental or its sister.

Triumph Street Triple S (A2 version)

Triumph has created a special version of the Street Triple for the A2 driving license class. With the cylinder bore of the former 675 Daytona engine and a stroke shortened by 1.1 millimeters, the three-cylinder of the Streetie A2 comes to 660 cm³. These are easily enough for the maximum 95 hp, which qualify a motorcycle for throttling to 48 hp. The S differs from the more expensive R and RS versions, among other things, in its monochrome paintwork, the double-piston floating calipers of the front brake instead of the four-piston fixed calipers, a non-adjustable fork and a spring strut that can only be adjusted in the preload.

The electronics only offer two driving modes, road and rain, the display instrument only provides the most necessary information. Nevertheless, the equipment and workmanship of the Triumph are absolutely top class in this comparison, but so is the price. The next machine in the price ranking of this comparison, the Royal Enfield Continental GT, costs 2,000 euros less, the cheapest, the KTM, a whopping 3,151 euros. In terms of equipment, the A2 variant does not differ from the Street Triple S with the larger 765 engine, which is why it is only 400 euros cheaper. However, the 765 produces 18 hp more than the unthrottled A2 version. If you plan to get your open driver’s license after purchasing the A2, you can consider whether you will be satisfied with the 95 hp of the dethrottled 660s or choose the 113 hp 765s for a slightly higher new price. And what about the throttle motor??


Jorg Kunstle

At first very pleasant. It gets going well at low engine speeds, takes full advantage of its displacement and is designed to almost double the power. When pulling from 60 km / h in last gear, it leaves everyone else standing confidently, as is when pulling in second gear from 30 to 80 km / h, which simulates acceleration from tight turns. Despite a significant performance disadvantage, the KTM remains closest to her in this discipline. The higher weight plays a role here, perhaps also the fact that the Triumph gives away two horsepower of the permitted maximum output, but above all the performance characteristics. Because after reaching the measured 46 hp at 5,400 rpm, the power curve drops a little and then remains at the same level for the rest of the speed range with only slight deviations.

You can squeeze the three-cylinder engine up to over 10,000 rpm, but it doesn’t work. It is better and more economical to upshift at around 6,500 rpm. Despite good measured values, high running smoothness and pleasant load change behavior, this results in the greatest reservation towards the throttled three-cylinder: It does not develop the liveliness and revving pleasure of a typical motorcycle engine, but rather looks like a turbo diesel that has got lost in a motorcycle. The other points of criticism are dealt with quickly: The clutch requires very high hand forces, and when turning the Street Triple behaves a bit stubborn. It’s because of the tires. The Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa are known for this, but were likely to have been favorably priced for Triumph because they have long been superseded by a much better successor. With the first tire change this small problem can be solved. Otherwise everything is really good. The high price of the Street Triple is put into perspective by its diligent collecting of points.

Yamaha YZF-R3

The opening photo is not misleading – the Yamaha YZF-R3 is a very ambitious athlete. It turns out to be downright greedy for curves, so greedy that you have to curb yourself with the steering impulses when you switch from a sluggish machine to the 173 kilogram light speedster. But what may seem wobbly in the first three corners, you will perceive from the fourth as the pure handiness and lightness of motorcycle enjoyment. Correspondingly committed, you bend the R3, duck to the handlebars and involuntarily begin to slide your butt off the bench towards the inside of the curve, at first a little ashamed, then more and more uninhibited. The lean angle and the tires of the R3 allow such exercises without any problems.

Almost a little too problem-free – R3 drivers should please stay on this side of the border between carefree and reckless and not exhaust everything the chassis can do on public roads. Otherwise the risk for others, for themselves and for their expensive driver’s license would be too great. It goes without saying that the suspension elements of high-priced super sports cars of the 600 and 1000 classes respond even more finely and dampen more than the cost-consciously selected components from Yamaha. In relation to the purchase price, the sturdy upside-down fork and the rear mono shock with lever system do their job very well. The little athlete quickly gives her drivers an authentic feel for the condition of the tires – still cold and stubborn or warm, elastic and with a good grip. That’s why she gets the most points in the always somewhat mysterious “feedback” criterion.


Jorg Kunstle

Even on undulating roads, it allows you to get quite far into the sporty area before the wheels start to jump in such a way that it is better to slow down the cornering speeds a bit. It fits the character of the Yamaha that it does not offer litter-like suspension comfort, but nobody would describe it as uncomfortable. The engine characteristics also match the sportiness of the R3. The engine with the smallest displacement in this comparison naturally needs the highest revs to fire properly out of the curve. Anyone who – spoiled by larger displacement – expects more power in the middle range and simply pulls up the gas below 6,000 rpm, will be disappointed time and again. It is important to overcome the fear of high revs, which on the Yamaha is more of a psycho-acoustic than a technical problem.

The small 180-degree row twin expressively screams its joy of turning into the world and develops a tone that the driver perceives as annoying or stimulating, depending on preference and mood. Either way, if one or the other panel part vibrates in resonance at higher speeds and a blaring second voice intones along with the driving noise, this is rather annoying. Unfortunately, it was not possible to find the additional noise source and to turn it off during the test drives. Not without a certain astonishment, attentive readers of the points assessment will find that the R3 is one of two motorcycles that received a decent rating for the passenger space offered. In combination with the very economical consumption and the long range, such virtues improve the suitability for everyday use without harming the sportiness and temperament of the machine.

survey

Which of the 48 hp motorcycles tested here do you like best?

Voted 2243 times

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test

Yamaha YZF-R3

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test

Honda CMX 500 Rebel

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test

Kawasaki Z 400

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test

KTM 390 Duke

48 hp motorcycles (model year 2019) in a comparison test

Triumph Street Triple S (A2)

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MOTORCYCLE test result

1st place: Triumph Street Triple S A2 (617 points)

There are only two evaluation chapters in which the Triumph does not collect the most points: in terms of costs and because of some criteria in the chassis evaluation. Otherwise, she acts like a professional footballer who, out of sympathy, helps out in a lower league.

2nd place: Kawasaki Z 400 (588 points)

It can do a lot of things really well and costs comparatively little. Among the motorcycles that are specially tailored to the 48 hp class, the Kawasaki shines with its all-round talent. Suitability for touring is one of its few non-strengths.

3rd place: Yamaha YZF-R3 (584 points)

While it pays tribute to the small displacement and the excellent characteristics of its two-cylinder engine in the engine rating, it really does trumps in the chassis section. To do this, it categorically calls for drivers who want and can largely use their potential.

4th place: KTM 390 Duke (558 points)

Next to the Yamaha, the 390 Duke is the most sharply pointed motorcycle. The spirited lightweight can hardly just roll around like that, but seduces into an always committed driving style. Apparently their appearance is also seductive.

5th place: Royal Enfield Continental GT (527 points)

Despite its classic shape, it is not a retro motorcycle. Because their technology is the most advanced that has ever been used in a Royal Enfield. The desire of the builder to offer a handsome and reliable motorcycle is manifested in many details.

6th place: Honda CMX 500 Rebel (491 points)

As indicated in the adjacent text and proven by brilliant sales figures, the Rebel does not need test victories to win numerous fans. Which should not hide the peculiarities of the chassis that take getting used to.

Conclusion

As in the previous descriptions of the six 48-hp motorcycles, it will not be stated here who should absolutely buy which motorcycle. Everyone who is interested in a new, A2-approved machine still has to decide for themselves. It is also not advisable to simply make this decision based on the number shown opposite. After all, what use is the best but most expensive motorcycle in terms of points if you have to take such a financial risk that there is hardly any money left for gasoline, tires and, above all, proper driver equipment? Nothing at all.

On the contrary, there is hardly a more lousy driving pleasure spoiler than money. Or to put it differently: Can someone who just wants to cruise around the area after work and on Sunday morning be happy with a KTM that acknowledges such a driving style with listless, jerky contempt? Hardly likely. The best purchasing advisor is still a precise assessment of your own wishes, preferences and skills. The best way to win this is through test drives and consideration, free from impatience and the pressure of clever sellers or limited bargain prices. The passion then blossoms most beautifully on the right motorcycle.

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