Concept comparison Enduro versus Naked Bike

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Concept comparison Enduro versus Naked Bike

Double boxer

High or low? With or without a windbreak? Small wide or large studded tires? Would you prefer a naked bike or a travel enduro? Many questions, two answers: BMW R 1100 R and R 1100 GS.

The travel enduro: a perfect compromise between sedan chair, corner robber and packhorse. The naked bike: classic concept of the motorcycle par excellence, engine, chassis, wide handlebars ?? finished.
Two all-rounders, without a doubt. But which one offers the driver more? Or to put it another way: who will be happier with which species? To clarify this question, MOTORRAD chose two prime examples from the BMW portfolio, the »Roadster« R 1100 R and the genre root R 1100 GS. Basically very similar and yet very different.
Even the seating position makes a pre-selection among the potential enthusiasts: If the wide handlebars are still similar to hand, the seat heights differ – each 40 millimeters variable – by as much as 80 millimeters. This is of course due to the mighty suspension travel of the Enduro. This means that the roadster driver needs 76 centimeters of legs to safely walk, while the enduro rider needs eight centimeters longer for the same exercise.
Experienced maneuvers of all sizes do not have a problem with any of the motorcycles; the GS, like the R 1100 R, is extremely easy to handle. But basically the deeper lying naked gives the small stature additional security. And who would want to fall over in front of everyone??
When it comes to maneuvering, the large steering angle of both BMW models is just as much praised as the low center of gravity, which is due to the low-lying boxer engine. Even with luggage, the Bavarians strike a tight circle on the smallest of streets, and you feel good about it. Both are helped by a wide handlebar, which keeps the steering forces low and makes balance exercises easier.
The low center of gravity gives the roadster additional plus points. And on a terrain where the enduro is actually the top dog: gravel roads. The R 1100 R feels right at home here and can only be subjected to a small amount of tilting moments when rolling over thick stones. However, the naked driver must always keep the low ground clearance in mind. The Enduro doesn’t have any problems with that, and thanks to the large front wheel and long suspension travel, it doesn’t fall into every hole. But the long-legged one is not really suitable for off-road terrain either, especially as it takes a considerable amount of weight for walks at 262 kilograms.
This is also noticeable in the city, where the R weasel-nimble direction changes on the asphalt and flits easily through every gap in the rush hour. The chase through the queues of cars, however, is regulated by the broad boxer engine. Other naked bikes have it easier. The desert ship sometimes stumbles over its sheer size when jumping into gaps, but on the other hand it has the advantage of a high workplace, which lifts the driver’s perspective casually above the traffic.
The ascent has another advantage that is quickly booked as extremely pleasant when traveling: Splashing water from rain-soaked roads soaks the enduro boots far less than the shoes of the naked rider. Overall, too, the off-roader protects its crew better against climate attacks, both the fairing and the flanks of the large tank keep some things off ?? not just the wind on the motorway.
Keyword tank: The enduro fuel drum naturally increases the radius of action considerably, especially with the same engine. This enables worry-free detours on the wrong track. In the case of BMW, however, the naked bike tank also holds an impressive 21 liters, only four less than its enduro counterpart. At least at country road speed, the roadster consumes slightly less, and on the freeway the drinking habits are surprisingly reversed.
In the curve garden, both concepts convey “sheer driving pleasure”, true to the motto of their builders. Under the torque of their powerful 1100 boxer engines, they snap out of the corners so that it only cracks, decelerate completely safely with ABS, whereby the Telelever provides sufficient suspension travel even during hard braking maneuvers. Many telescopic forks should take an example from the great function of this front suspension.
The boxers also shine in the back on all kinds of road surfaces. Suspension, damping: okay. Cardan reactions: almost none. The ups and downs of load changes that plagued old rubber cows are almost alien to modern Bavarians. Paralever is the magic word. Nevertheless, the motto is still: take a train around the corner. This also benefits the ground clearance, of which the GS offers plenty, the R does not offer so much. Overall, the GS circles around radii more confidently. It’s amazing once again what potential modern enduro tires offer. The rough treads are hardly inferior to the moderate tires of the roadster, and are also less sensitive to interference such as bumps or lateral grooves.
R.ice enduro or roadster? Would you rather be naked in the wind and closer to the ground or high up on the GS? From what we’ve learned: the latter. Just feels more confident. However, on the command bridge of such a comfortable desert ship, you are quite a long way away, somehow decoupled from the rest of the world. Little gets through to you. And being constantly responsible for the big thing is not for everyone. But this perspective? so from above, that’s something.

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