Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters

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Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Gargolov

Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters

Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters

Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters

Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters

8th pictures

Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Gargolov

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Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle, Kawasaki Vulcan S, Yamaha YZF-R3 and Moto Guzzi V7 II Stone.

Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters
MOTORCYCLE

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Performance measurements.

Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Gargolov

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Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle.

Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Gargolov

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Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle.

Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Gargolov

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Kawasaki Vulcan S..

Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Gargolov

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Yamaha YZF-R3.

Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Gargolov

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Moto Guzzi V7 II Stone.

Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Gargolov

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Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle, Kawasaki Vulcan S, Yamaha YZF-R3 and Moto Guzzi V7 II.

motorcycles

Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters

Modern Classic Bikes at the 2015 Alpen Masters
Ducati Scrambler, Kawasaki Vulcan S, Moto Guzzi V7 II, Yamaha YZF-R3

Is everything easy at the Alpen Masters? Yeah! At least with the four candidates Ducati Scrambler, Kawasaki Vulcan S, Moto Guzzi V7 II and Yamaha YZF-R3, because they conquer the peaks of the Dolomites easily, casually and with understatement.

Johannes Muller, Gert Thole, Eva Breutel

07/09/2015

No question about it, the peaks of the Dolomites are impressive. But do you need equally powerful motorcycles for this mighty panorama? Not really. The four rather small motorcycles in our Easy going class also bring happiness to the Alps. Moderate cubic capacities and equally moderate horsepower figures and torques characterize their appearance and the coherent, albeit very different, concepts. The four motorcycles have one thing in common: Both the Ducati Classic Bikes Scrambler and Moto Guzzi V7 II as well as the Cruiser Kawasaki Vulcan S. and especially the mini-racer Yamaha YZF-R3 should be driven solo in the mountains. The quartet is sometimes too weak-chested, sometimes simply too uncomfortable, for a cozy alpine glow with a pillion or pillion passenger.

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Moto Guzzi manages to smuggle a V7 into the Alpine Masters with astonishing regularity, because the classic is always eligible to compete due to frequent minor revisions. This time, however, the innovations were bigger: a transmission with six instead of the previous five gears, a revised clutch, traction control and the long-awaited ABS even changed the model name, namely Moto Guzzi V7 II. The Stone, the basic variant for 8500 euros, is going into this year’s Dolomite race. Their seating position is consistent with the straight, not too wide handlebars and the relaxed knee angle. As usual, the Guzzi cuts an acceptable figure on the mountain and valley railway with its 48 hp, is easy to direct and circles curves and bends with nonchalance. The ABS brings clearly noticeable progress in the Alps. The braking distance downhill, measured at exactly the same point as last year, is shortened by a whopping 3.7 meters.

Braking system of the Moto Guzzi V7 II average

All in all, the braking system still scores average, among other things because a long pass descent literally made it glow, just like it did in 2014. The simple traction control rarely has to intervene with the modest performance, but that makes it hard. The shift travel is still long, and the clutch only feels slightly smoother. The side stand hits hard, and the Moto Guzzi V7 II can lose its composure on bumps.

A big plus point is the V2 engine, which trembles happily as ever and puts a smile on the face of every driver; The new gearbox is somewhat strange, with a short first gear, but very tightly spaced upper gears. The supplied accessories look pretty cheap; one of the black leather / nylon bags (pair price 630 euros), which can only be packed with a ridiculous three kilograms, lost a buckle after a few kilometers. Although the good-natured and strong character of the Moto Guzzi V7 II is still pleasing, its small quirks seem more pronounced than before, especially in the Alps. So she lands on the ungrateful fourth place.

Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters

Naked bike


Moto Guzzi V7 II in the driving report

What has happened to the 2015 model?

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All articles about the Moto Guzzi V7 II Stone

Yamaha YZF-R3 smart and fresh

The presents itself smart and fresh Yamaha YZF-R3, for 5400 euros the cheapest Alpine offer from the Easy going group. Her cheeky super sports car look occasionally causes confusion – to the thieving delight of her driver. Many a Dolomite knight thought it was their big sister R1 and made room before he realized his fatal error. The little one has just 321 cm³ and only 41 measured horsepower, which Yamaha uses sensationally well. The water-cooled in-line twin pulls through the speed range without any problems, and the chassis, which is designed for maneuverability, makes the R3 the cornering queen of the Alpine Masters. Because it is a kind of sheep in wolf’s clothing: it looks super sporty, but is comfortable thanks to the relatively high handlebars and the comfortable knee angle.

A concept that fits: You cross the Dolomites at the limit of the rev range, enjoy endless lean angles and, due to lack of power, you don’t have to fear that you will fly out of the next bend because you have pulled the throttle too hard. A super sporty feeling with almost no risk. Sure, it demands a certain price Yamaha YZF-R3 but then after all. Simply rolling in third or fourth gear is not the thing, but rather constant shifting to keep you happy between 9,000 and 11,000 tours. At these high speeds it gets loud, which is annoying in the long run. Their performance is not enough for one of the top places anyway, because the little engine runs out of breath at lofty heights. Nevertheless: If you want to feel like a little Alpen-Rossi, you will have a lot of fun with her – especially downhill.

All reviews and articles about the Yamaha YZF-R3

Kawasaki Vulcan S surprises in the mountains

The turns out to be an equally pleasant surprise in the mountains Kawasaki Vulcan S. The cruiser at a basic price of 7,300 euros looks miserably long and therefore looks as if you have to laboriously heave it around the bends – and then the part drives amazingly easy. In spite of the adjustable footrests attached to the front, the low seating position appears active and comfortable. The two-cylinder, known from the ER-6, with a measured 63 hp, hangs well on the gas from 2500 rpm and generates very little vibration. The smooth gearshift does the rest to support the harmonious flow of travel in the sweeping carousel. The suspension comfort is not particularly good, however, with hard hits through potholes or massive bumps, the chassis goes into block at the rear. The braking system is very effective, with the Vulcan being helped by its geometry, because the long wheelbase prevents the fork from plunging deeply. 

The ground clearance is typically not too good, but you can live with that: the footpegs of the Kawasaki Vulcan S They touch down earlier than the side stand of the Moto Guzzi, but because they do so softly and fold upwards, you can grind happily through the curves to a certain extent. Overall, the Vulcan is a really amazing cruiser, precisely because it provides the necessary momentum and a high fun factor even in tight turns. That’s enough for a respectable second place.

All articles about the Kawasaki Vulcan S

The Ducati Scrambler’s two-valve engine is hard on the gas

Still missing Sexy Hexy from Bologna. Sexy because that Ducati scrambler the – of course unofficial – erotic evaluation of the Alpine Masters wins. With the bassy, ​​smoky timbre of her air-cooled Desmo two-cylinder, she not only beguiles the proudest women, but also the fastest men on her swift route through the Dolomites. It extracts measured 76 hp from its 803 cm³ and easily and smoothly masters even the steepest passages on the way to the summit. This is easy going in its purest form – confident and zealous in the matter, but calm and relaxed. Acceleration and ABS deserve good marks, but there should be less fading when braking downhill. 

As the Ducati Scrambler is generally not free from small imperfections. The two-valve engine depends directly, but hard on the gas. In addition, the fork is not always able to cope with the thick bumps and strong faults in the asphalt, which there is no shortage in the Dolomites. Apparently the Ducati managers did not reach the top shelf for the suspension elements, although the tested Scrambler version called Full Throttle, which is characterized by Termignoni rear silencers, costs 9800 euros and is therefore significantly more expensive than its three competitors. 

So the Ducati Scrambler is by no means perfect. But perhaps precisely because of its rough edges, it also develops a radiance in the Alps that you can hardly avoid; its powerful, evenly pulling V-engine is beyond any doubt anyway. The Bolognese whirls happily and relaxed over the passes, accelerating, steering and braking not flawlessly, but always completely relaxed. A modern concept that fits in with the times – and clearly wins in this category. 

Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters

Modern Classic


Ducati Scrambler Icon in the driving report

Vehicle or attitude to life?

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All tests and articles about the Ducati Scrambler

Technical specifications


Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters


Gargolov

Easy going – in the end it is easier with some than with others.

Readings


Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters


MOTORCYCLE

Performance measurements.

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

Result and conclusion

1st place: Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle


Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters


Gargolov

Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle.

plus  

– beguiling engine with sex appeal

– powerful acceleration

– good brakes

– successful overall package with a particularly high fun factor

minus 

– bumpy fork

– slight tendency to pitch up when braking

2nd place: Kawasaki Vulcan S.


Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters


Gargolov

Kawasaki Vulcan S..

plus  

– Cultivated engine, accelerates easily and smoothly

– much more agile than it looks

– very low, comfortable sitting position

– good braking effect

– only with her are the hand levers adjustable

minus 

– Footpegs touch down early, but at least softly

– poor suspension, punctures the rear

3rd place: Yamaha YZF-R3


Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters


Gargolov

Yamaha YZF-R3.

plus  

– Handiness queen not only for the group, but for the entire Alpine Masters

– a lot of lean angle

– successful racer optics

– low price

minus 

– slow acceleration, weak pulling power

– calls for real switching orgies

– overwhelmed on steep climbs

– uncomfortably loud at high speeds

4th place: Moto Guzzi V7 II Stone


Easy going bikes put to the test at the 2015 Alpen Masters


Gargolov

Moto Guzzi V7 II Stone.

plus  

– finally with ABS

– strong character engine

– comfortable and very harmonious seating position

minus 

– Performance development worse than before

– unfavorable gear ratio

– long shift travel, stiff clutch

– Side stand hits hard

Conclusion

The Moto Guzzi V7 II, the Kawasaki Vulcan S and the Yamaha YZF-R3 undeniably have their qualities in the mountains. But no other candidate from the group moves in the Alpine carousel with such playful and yet powerful ease as the Ducati Scrambler. That gives her the victory in this preliminary round and the entry into the final. Buona fortuna, bellezza!

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