A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test

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A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
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A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test

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A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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KTM 390 Duke, Honda CB 500 F and BMW G 310 R in comparison.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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New territory: BMW wants to open up new sales markets worldwide with the small single-cylinder manufactured in India. There a 300 is considered a big machine, in this country the G 310 R serves the A2 class. However, the roadster leaves a lot of distance to the permitted 48 hp. In principle, this does not have to be a drawback, but this fact costs points in the comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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BMW G 310 R in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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BMW G 310 R in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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BMW G 310 R in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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BMW G 310 R in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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Introduced in 2013 as a naked bike specially designed for the A2 segment, the high-selling CB 500 F received a major update this year: tighter fairing, improved gearshift, adjustable spring preload of the fork, LED headlights. Adults: suspension strut with deflection system. The newly available color “Lemon Ice Yellow” has a signal effect.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
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Honda CB 500 F in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
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Honda CB 500 F in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
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Honda CB 500 F in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
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Honda CB 500 F in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
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The 390 Duke is also a successful model, and it has also been heavily revised: new design and new headlights, TFT display, enlarged tank, bolted rear frame, larger brake on the front wheel, ride-by-wire. The high-quality appearance not only appeals to young drivers; every semester, for example, will enjoy the tubular frame. But not all details are convincing.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
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KTM 390 Duke in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
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KTM 390 Duke in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
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KTM 390 Duke in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
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KTM 390 Duke in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
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KTM 390 Duke, Honda CB 500 F and BMW G 310 R in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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KTM 390 Duke, Honda CB 500 F and BMW G 310 R in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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BMW G 310 R in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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BMW G 310 R in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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BMW G 310 R in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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BMW G 310 R in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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BMW G 310 R in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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BMW G 310 R in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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Honda CB 500 F in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
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Honda CB 500 F in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
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Honda CB 500 F in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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Honda CB 500 F in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
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KTM 390 Duke in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
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KTM 390 Duke in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
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KTM 390 Duke in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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KTM 390 Duke in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
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KTM 390 Duke in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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KTM 390 Duke in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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KTM 390 Duke, Honda CB 500 F and BMW G 310 R in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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KTM 390 Duke, Honda CB 500 F and BMW G 310 R in comparison test.

A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test
Rossen Gargolov

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KTM 390 Duke, Honda CB 500 F and BMW G 310 R in comparison test.

KTM 390 Duke, Honda CB 500 F and BMW G 310 R

Naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test

Get in, get on and never want to get off again – open roadsters suitable for A2 offer great fun for a small price. But with the naked bikes up to 48 hp, not only beginners find their luck, as the test of the KTM 390 Duke, Honda CB 500 F and BMW G 310 R shows.

Zack – short process, over inside. Admittedly, the Diavel pilot offers little resistance, is more concerned with himself and with the tricky 300-degree left turn in the angled ripple somewhere between the Black Forest and the Swabian Alb. While he is fighting an epic duel with Kamm’s circle in the rear-view mirror, the test team hisses uphill, diligently stepping through gears, making engines sing. His colleague demands more commitment on an S 1000 R. Accurate driving style, clean lines. But we want to know, play home advantage and, last but not least, the playful agility of our A2 speedsters. The 160-horsepower car is 500 meters further on. Shortly afterwards, a committed, but somewhat strained knee-grinding supervisor on his 600 Gixxe has to realize that there is easier iron to do meters in the narrow frost break-up angle work. What does this entertaining episode from everyday testing show us?

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A2 naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test

KTM 390 Duke, Honda CB 500 F and BMW G 310 R
Naked bikes up to 48 hp in the test

CB 500 F perfect all-round visibility. Another plus not only for newbies.

The same can be said about the unit of the bright yellow playmobile (“Lemon Ice Yellow” is the name of this variant). Tame and accurate, the in-line twin picks up the gas from a low rev range, pushes forward with momentum and powerful with a sonorous bubbling. You can tell from the performance curve: This engine was specially designed for the A2 class. A large part of the maximum torque is applied very early on, and as the speed increases, the drive then increases its power evenly, does not spin explosively, but freely. The counter-runner finds a good compromise between running smoothness, pressure from below and pleasant revving. Not necessarily emotional fireworks, but very linear and controllable.

The Austro-Indian single-cylinder is more lively, robust and demanding. First of all, it needs a certain minimum speed for carefree concentricity, at the bottom the stew shakes unwillingly as usual. Even between 3000 and 5000 revolutions little happens in the crankcase. Soon afterwards, however, at 6500 tours, torque and power snap up, and from then on there is fire in the stew. The ride-by-wire implements gas commands in an outrageously lively manner, sending power to the chain immediately, but in a finely controllable manner. The usable speed range is significantly narrower than that of the Honda, which means more shift work.

Keeping the engine running, however, should be a great pleasure for sports fans, as well as its melodious thump. In connection with the significantly lower weight (around 30 kilos) and the more inhomogeneous but entertaining power output, the 390 Duke subjectively offers the more thrilling acceleration experience, although the objective driving performance is sometimes better here, sometimes there, depending on the speed range. There are typical single-cylinder vibrations despite a balance shaft, they are not annoying. Incidentally, the finely pulsing CB below also loses its calm further up, purrs and then tingles at high frequencies in the pauses.

Compared to the conservatively designed engines from Honda and KTM, the G 310 R has the most modern drive: rotated installation position (inlet at the front, outlet at the rear), ultra-short-stroke, rearward-inclined cylinder, rocker arm. In itself, the engine works with verve, pleases not only smooth running but also at low speeds and low-load power output with remarkable revving. But it also needs that, because the weakest drive (real 35 HP) in the field has to undertake enormous stretching exercises in order to keep up with the real 9 or 12 HP stronger competition. A crisp, short translation helps the G to conceal the performance deficit a little, which, however, makes the engine suffer when driving on the motorway. Little flywheel mass also means that starting off requires concentration. Not a bad drive in itself, but clearly inferior in terms of performance. So the light KTM and the more powerful Honda make up this chapter.

In the further drive train, in turn, the counterparties are close together. All of them offer very easy clutch actuation, but the BMW part goes to its knees when the clutch is engaged hard at high speed, as required by the acceleration measurement. When driving, the Honda gearbox with precise detent and smooth gear changes is pleasing, just downshifting while stationary is less convincing. BMW has made improvements in this regard. After some machines were difficult to switch for the driving presentation and the idle search was often unsuccessful, the MOTORRAD endurance tester who competes for this comparison is less critical. Nevertheless, after the fiasco of the start of production, we of course watch the course of the 50,000 kilometers with the G-model with eagle eyes, which is also advisable to prospective buyers. So far everything is in order. Clutch and transmission of the 390 Duke? Smooth running, inconspicuously good.

When it comes to the chassis, things are tighter than in the engine section, where the Honda two-cylinder, with its displacement and power-saving advantages, clearly wins. With this season’s model update, the 390 Duke has made a significant step forward. If the previous model lacked a good amount of damping and thus driving stability, the 2017 vintage largely eliminated this shortcoming. Although the fork and the directly hinged shock absorber should be a bit more sensitive, the Duke drives more than passable for this price range. Playful turning, good accuracy, hardly any set-up moment, proper processing of asphalt faults of all kinds – an all-round sporty and fun package.

The 162-kilo flea G 310 R is in no way inferior. The little roadster is even more manageable and more nimble, while remaining as neutral as the KTM. Especially the fork of the little Bavarian surprises with a creamy steaming work for this price range. The fact that its rather stiff rear shock absorber can cope with two-person operation without any preload indicates a somewhat high spring rate (consider the needs of the world market), but does not detract from the driving pleasure. What both BMW and KTM have in common, however, is a certain nervousness in a great lean. At the very bottom they want to be resolutely managed, do not convey the same reliability as the much more stable CB.

In comparison, it looks less playful, a little more sedate, but compensates for it with a steering behavior that does not pose a mystery to learner drivers in the first practical hour. Where the curve-loving single-cylinder thinks of turning is enough, the Honda wants specific input for turning, and demands the driver’s declared will to do so for every degree of additional lean angle. Not stubborn, but binding and therefore insanely secure. The most mature tires in the test field also contribute to this: front 120/70, rear 160/60, the rather flat contoured Dunlop D 214 reports the liability conditions properly, although the 110/70 and 150/70 Michelin and Metzeler tires are also commendable need to be mentioned. Decent tires are by no means a matter of course on this side of the 6000 euros. The only downer is the unfortunately pronounced erection moment of the 500 F, especially over bumps in the sloping position.

This subjective impression of imperturbability is underlined by the very simple, but perfectly functioning suspension elements of the Honda. The front telescopic fork responds cleanly, dampens satisfactorily, and is the only fork in the field that can be used to adjust the preload. At the rear, only Honda has provided a deflection lever, and this helps the CB 500 F to achieve the best suspension comfort. The CB 500 F takes hard knocks the most smoothly. Overall, your chassis works most harmoniously, even in pairs. Curve dissectors will find a sharper tool in both the 390 Duke and the G 310 R..

In any case, the bottom line is that all three A2-Nakeds drive remarkably well for such cheap machines. A finding that can also be recorded for the deceleration devices. All three have 320-millimeter single-disc brakes at the front, BMW and KTM have radially screwed four-piston calipers from Indian supplier Bybre, Honda relies on a conventionally attached Nissin floating caliper. The KTM anchors most strongly, here a larger disc diameter and sintered linings are noticeable compared to the previous model. Closely behind is the CB 500 F with an equally crisp pressure point and precise metering. Somewhat knocked off, but still completely adequate, the BMW brake requires a comparatively high level of manual force. All three machines also have a good ABS, in which the KTM is in the lead with the finest control intervals. In addition, the anti-lock device can be deactivated via the menu or switched to supermoto mode, in which you can slide roughly behind.

More important than any stunt performances: Everyday life, the parade discipline of the A2-Nakeds. With just 3.3 liters on a smooth lap, the 390 Duke consumes the most, Honda (3.2 liters) and especially the BMW (3.0 liters) are even more economical. This results in good (BMW) to outstanding (Honda) practice ranges, saves your wallet, nerves and the environment. The G 310 R in the simple but clear LCD cockpit and 390 Duke in the fancy TFT display offer comprehensive information on daily kilometers, average and current consumption, etc. Especially in comparison to the latter, the Honda information center looks old-fashioned; Everything really worth knowing can be found here, but the appearance of the advertisement is unkind. The Honda’s new LED headlights do not help but, although they shine in a nice cool white, their selective illumination at night is unsatisfactory. It works better with KTM, who also use a full LED face with significantly better light output and a lot of overtaking prestige.

Finally, consider the processing. The Honda made in Thailand is characterized by a very simple but clean design. More complex manufacturing, but sometimes crude gaps and screws as well as a noticeably limp clutch lever on our test motorcycle are noted in the test protocol at KTM. Most convincing in this regard is the BMW, where the construction and finish are surprising for this price range.

Conclusion? Three fully-fledged motorcycles from premium manufacturers without serious weaknesses for a maximum of 6,000 euros – respect. This class is attractive to many: for beginners on the way to the top, for commuters and bargain hunters because of the cheap maintenance. And for old hands, to get back to the original way of driving. So: Every beginning rocks a lot.

MOTORCYCLE test result

1. Honda CB 500 F

The CB 500 F may not trigger ecstatic storms of emotion in everyone, but the engine and chassis simply work flawlessly. In addition, there are friendly ergonomics and unconditional suitability for everyday use. Overall victory for Honda.

2nd KTM 390 Duke

A real single cylinder: light, narrow speed range, sparkling. The Duke is good for beginners, but is actually aimed at friends of well-maintained driving dynamics. Appearance and equipment convince, the workmanship should be better here and there.

3. BMW G 310 R

The G 310 R undoubtedly has its strengths with extreme handiness, fine ergonomics and low maintenance costs. In this competitive field, however, the 34 hp are too significant a performance-based mortgage. Less is perhaps a little too little.

Offers and price comparison of used A2 bikes of this test


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These three A2 naked bikes are also popular candidates in the used market

The KTM 390 Duke, Honda CB500F and the BMW G310R are great entry-level bikes that will make many novice riders happy. Despite these clear test results, personal taste and, above all, budget also play a major role when buying a motorcycle for the first time. That is why we have put together an overview of all used A2 naked bikes in this comparison test: Offers and price comparisons for used and new A2 naked bikes in Germany.

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