Menus
- Aprilia Tuono V4 R, BMW S 1000 R, Ducati Monster 1200, KTM 1290 Super Duke R.
- Pathetic readings from the Aprilia Tuono V4 R ABS
- Ducati Monster 1200 hereby rehabilitated
- KTM 1290 Super Duke R less race-oriented
- Traction control has its hands full
- BMW S 1000 R with an almost infinite speed range
- Placement and conclusion
- 1st place: BMW S 1000 R
- 2nd place: KTM 1290 Super Duke R
- 3rd place: Ducati Monster 1200
- 4th place: Aprilia Tuono V4 R ABS
- Conclusion
Photo:
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Everything done right, ”says tester Karsten Schwers with relief when things go smoothly at the Alpen Masters. For the tenth time, MOTORRAD is working with several European partner magazines to determine the King of the Alps from 20 models.
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Karsten Schwers (42), chief tester. Drives the co-drivers to despair with stoppies during the brake test. Did everything right this year too.
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Gert Thole (58), inventor of the Alpine Masters and head of tests. (Ver) doubts only when he twisted his knee properly in motocross.
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Thomas Schmieder (47), test editor. Frequent travelers and women who understand women, even if they are quietly doubtful. Leaning towards tourers, because a passenger likes to climb on them.
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Sven Loll (40), test driver, photo model, instructor, always on the go. Only doubts his career choice if the internet connection doesn’t work.
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Rainer Froberg (50), fleet manager and test driver. Keeps calm, overview and humor even if the situation in test operation seems desperate.
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Sebastian Schmidt (33), test driver and always ready for anything. As the youngest of the test crew, he is still largely immune to any kind of doubt.
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From the Italian partner magazine "INMOTO": Andrea Toumaniantz (50), IT expert and motorcycle tester. When in doubt, always opt for the lighter bike.
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From the Croatian "MOTOREVIJA": Kristijan Tičak (40), editor-in-chief. As a car and motorcycle tester, I will at some point despair of time management.
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From the Spanish "MOTOCICLISMO": Oscar Pena (41), test editor, ex-Supersport driver. Only for the second time in the Alps, she continues to look at it with slight doubt.
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The 20 motorcycles compete against each other in five groups that are as homogeneous as possible; the first-placed move into the final. There the test crew throws their objectivity overboard for once: The experienced testers from home and abroad are allowed to create their own personal ranking lists. The motorcycle that receives the most votes will be the Alpenkonig – and it will also do everything right.
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And here our MOTORRAD test crew. Eva Breutel (53), Italy correspondent. Every now and then, doubts whether mature women are still allowed to ride motorcycles. But then do it with enthusiasm.
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The Pordoi is one of the most spectacular alpine passes ever. In a flowing curve dance, 60 hairpin bends are lined up on the east and west ramps – uncompromising, demanding and simply brilliant.
Blacksmith
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Every year, it is the tricky task of test boss Gert Thole and his crew, the 20 motorcycles
put together for the Alpine Masters. This is tricky because the testers cannot choose according to their mood, because only brand-new and revised models and motorcycles that have never had to prove themselves in this mega-comparison are eligible to compete.
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The Aprilia Tuono V4 R, BMW S 1000 R, Ducati Monster 1200 and the KTM 1290 Super Duke R enter the category "power" at.
BILLION
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Up and down, gladly again and again – and particularly gladly on the Pordoi: altitude profile of the test track.
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Instead of the well-known Sella circuit, there is an even more varied Ladin circuit: for exactly 100 kilometers, the test route largely leads through the Ladin area, a small ethnic minority in the Dolomites. The starting point is the hotel "La Cacciatora" in Canazei in Trentino.
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The gentle curves up to the Fedaia Pass are used for entering. The lake of the same name looks breathtaking together with the Marmolada glacier; But you shouldn’t be too distracted, because after the top of the pass it goes steeply downhill in often slippery hairpin bends.
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Behind this meander is the first measuring section with a 15 percent incline (draft) or incline (braking).
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After a short stretch of valley, behind Sottoguda, a narrow lane with unlit tunnels winds towards the Falzarego Pass.
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At the subsequent Passo di Valparola with its grandiose, the measuring point for the passage is at an altitude of 2000 meters.
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The varied descent ends in a long straight in the San Cassiano valley and then rushes via La Villa to Corvara, where a wintry mudslide had severely damaged the surface.
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The rather inconspicuous Passo di Campolongo is primarily used to get to the Pordoi.
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The KTM 1290 Super Duke R came in second. The Duke has a powerful engine that is easy to control. However, the steering could be more precise.
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Third place goes to the Ducati Monster 1200. It has a motor with a lot of power from below and offers good seating comfort. The clutch runs a bit stiff.
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The Aprilia Tuono V4 R lands in 4th place. Although it offers excellent handling, the engine below is rather weak and only delivers poor measurements.
BILLION
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Power on the crankshaft. Measurements on the Dynojet roller test stand 250, corrected according to 95/1 / EG, maximum possible deviation ± 5%.
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First place went to the BMW S 1000 R. It was able to secure victory thanks to its confident driving performance and excellent driveability. However, your pillion seat is a bit uncomfortable.
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Four completely different, fascinating power bikes that nevertheless have conceptual weaknesses in the Alps. The tourist qualities of the four power nakeds are limited. In terms of pillion suitability, luggage storage and wind protection, the dynamic driving fun devices must more or less fit. But when it comes to dynamics and driving pleasure, they are unbeatable.
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When awarding points with test boss Thole as the recorder.
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Colleague Schwers doing hard test work: comparing his nose with the editor Schmieder, who clearly took the shortfall here.
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The Aprilia Tuono V4 R, BMW S 1000 R, Ducati Monster 1200 and the KTM 1290 Super Duke R compete against each other.
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They have already competed against each other on the racetrack, as well as on the country road. It’s not the first duel between these four brand new power bikes. But here in the mountains the cards are being reshuffled. Other priorities – a new winner?
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New test – old winner. This tricky environment is no match for the superiority of the BMW S 1000 R..
Power naked bikes tested at the 2014 Alpen Masters
Aprilia Tuono V4 R, BMW S 1000 R, Ducati Monster 1200, KTM 1290 Super Duke R.
Aprilia Tuono V4 R, BMW S 1000 R, Ducati Monster 1200 and KTM 1290 Super Duke R have already competed against each other on the racetrack, as well as on the country road. But the cards will be reshuffled at the 2014 Alpine Masters in the mountains. Other priorities – a new winner?
Power is nothing without control – that was once the advertising message of a tire manufacturer. One can confidently transfer this knowledge to the Alpen-Masters. Power alone is of no use up here in the mountains. On the contrary, inflated muscles are often counterproductive. It depends on the subtleties. Where the force starts, how it can be implemented.
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Alpine Masters 2014
This is how MOTORRAD tests
Tuono V4 R ABS has to work hard and sweat. This stripped supersport grenade has more, much more than enough power. Just at the wrong end. It feels like nothing goes down at first, then suddenly too much. But unfortunately you are always at the bottom of the rev range in the bustle of turns. Unfortunately, the Tuono is geared to speed with its closely spaced sports transmission. Good on the slopes, as it recently proved in the track test.
Pathetic readings from the Aprilia Tuono V4 R ABS
Only here in the Alps does things look completely different. It is hardly worth mentioning, but even reaching for the clutch lever is not taboo. Pathetic measurements underpin the subjective feeling. In other respects, too, the typical pass drive in the lower speed range with the Aprilia Tuono V4 R ABS is a strenuous affair. The suspension works mercilessly tight, so every pothole lives up to its name. And the seating comfort can only be described as hard as a board. A pillion should stay at home anyway.
But it should not be concealed that there are quite short passages on the test lap where the qualities of the Aprilia Tuono V4 R ABS shine through. In flowing curves and long straights up to the Passo di Falzarego, the Aprilia shines with outstanding handling, crisp, precise steering and the finest transparency. Here the V4 reaches speeds at which it can demonstrate its power – and of course its uniquely roaring V4 sound. None of this comes as a surprise, you could have guessed it.
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Premiere Aprilia Tuono v4 R APRC ABS and RSV4 R APRC ABS
Absolution
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Aprilia Tuono V4 R APRC ABS and KTM 1290 Super Duke R in comparison
Close combat on the street
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Aprilia Tuono V4R APRC ABS in the driving report
Simulated everyday operation on a wet racetrack
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Ducati Monster 1200 hereby rehabilitated
Surprises were more likely in another case. In the top test, the Ducati Monster 1200 received criticism of the steering behavior in curves, which did not bode well for alpine curve terrain. But this test machine scuttled through the trickiest turns with a naturalness that some testers didn’t want to get off at all. The cause of the change in character remains inexplicable, after all, this test machine also rolled onto the original equipment tires Pirelli Diablo Rosso II. Perhaps a faulty tire in the top test after all? We’ll never find out. But the monster is hereby rehabilitated, she turned out to be a lustful curve-cutter in the Alps.
Especially since the Ducati Monster 1200 is the first monster that can handle mogul slopes quite well. The suspension responds cleanly, looks well balanced. It even tends to bounce a little soft on bumpy terrain. But here in the Alps the principle applies: rather soft than hard. The well-shaped driver’s seat also offers decent comfort, and even a passenger can take it for a while.
The Testastretta-V2 is beyond any doubt. Those who like twins will find happiness here. The Ducati Monster 1200 pounds so spontaneously and with such power from every speed that every acceleration process becomes pure pleasure. The unique blow penetrates every fiber of the body, the non-rhythmic pulse intoxicates the driver. An engine that inspires with qualities and emotions.
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Ducati Monster 1200 S in the PS performance test
Handy and cornering stable with the right tires
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Ducati Monster 1200 S in the top test
The strongest monster ever
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Ducati Monster 1200 S in the PS driving report
Sportiest monster of all time
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Ducati Monster 1200 S (2014) in the driving report
Monstrous recipe, current technology
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KTM 1290 Super Duke R less race-oriented
In this demanding environment, the mighty KTM 1290 Super Duke R should actually be able to develop its talents. It represents a completely different philosophy than the Aprilia Tuono V4 R ABS or BMW S 1000 R. Less race-oriented, less radical in the chassis design, clearly more tame in character despite its primal power. How much power there is in the unspectacularly bubbling V2, the brutal passage on the mountain proves. And that in spite of the long final translation, which only results in a moderate pull in the last gear.
The KTM 1290 Super Duke R never seems really brutal, for several reasons: the long gear ratio, the muffled sound and the defensive design of the engine settings. At 3000 rpm, very little happens at full throttle, you can literally feel how the electronics only gradually open the throttle valve and release full pressure with a delay. This is by no means a disadvantage, it only gives the gentle character of the “beast”. Emotionally, however, the Ducati Monster 1200 offers more spectacle in terms of sound and explosiveness.
Traction control has its hands full
If the KTM 1290 Super Duke R is allowed to strike, the wildly flashing indicator light shows that traction control has its hands full on the long straights at Passo di Fedaia with its changing asphalt. As soon as the asphalt changes from dark, grippy to lightly polished, the flash of lightning flashes in the cockpit immediately. The brilliance of modern assistance systems proves that the engine continues to pull evenly despite hectic traction control.
Despite the magnificent engine, the KTM 1290 Super Duke R cannot fully exploit its conceptual strengths. Because as smoothly and elegantly as the engine promises, it does not roll through the winding curves. It demands more effort on the handlebars than the three competitors, turns a little less precisely and always requires corrective steering interventions from the driver. And the WP suspension does not roll particularly smoothly on the badly undulating slopes up below the Passo Valparola, as a lot of bumps and blows get through to the driver. It is by no means the case that the KTM disappointed: But in this environment, some people expected something sensational from it.
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BMW S 1000 R and KTM 1290 Super Duke R in comparison test
Who pulls the fur over whose ears??
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KTM 1290 Super Duke R in the top test
Even the neighbors get curious
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Ducati 1199 Panigale and KTM 1290 Super Duke R in the test
Impressively strong twins in comparison
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BMW S 1000 R with an almost infinite speed range
But in the end it always depends on the standards. And an opponent sets the bar extremely high. You don’t have to love the asymmetrical design of the BMW S 1000 R, you don’t necessarily have to appreciate the four-cylinder character, but its qualities deserve the greatest respect. The engine has smoke in all situations, is not only acoustically present every second. The 1000cc four-cylinder offers an infinite speed range from under 2000 to over 12,000 rpm, works with perfect accuracy in every situation. In addition, there is the very finest electronics with various driving programs, which can be called up at the push of a button at any time. A perfectly functioning gearshift assistant that lets the gears slip into each other at the thought of shifting.
A semi-active chassis at the very highest level rounds off the package. Certainly there are limits to comfort on the roughest terrain – only more suspension travel would help. But otherwise the electronically controlled suspension irons everything away, responds finely and can be adjusted to the load and driving conditions at the push of a button. Is there nothing to criticize about the BMW S 1000 R? Perhaps the front brake, the pressure point of which does not soften after a hasty descent, but moves a little towards the handlebars.
Four completely different, fascinating power bikes that nevertheless have conceptual weaknesses in the Alps. The tourist qualities of the four power nakeds are limited. In terms of pillion suitability, luggage storage and wind protection, the dynamic driving fun devices must more or less fit. But when it comes to dynamics and driving pleasure, they are unbeatable.
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BMW S 1000 R and KTM 1290 Super Duke R in comparison test
Who pulls the fur over whose ears??
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BMW S 1000 R in the PS driving report
Wolf in sheep’s clothing? Nah, wolf without fur!
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BMW S 1000 R in the driving report
"Maybe we calculated the price a bit cheap"
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Placement and conclusion
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Four completely different, fascinating power bikes that nevertheless have conceptual weaknesses in the Alps.
1st place: BMW S 1000 R
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The BMW S 1000 R took first place.
plus
sovereign driving performance
excellent drivability
Assistance systems perfect
razor-sharp steering
Chassis with a wide tuning range
best equipment
minus
Pillion seat uncomfortable
poor luggage storage
2nd place: KTM 1290 Super Duke R
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The KTM 1290 Super Duke R lands in 2nd place.
plus
powerful motor with good controllability
excellent driving performance
Operating elements smoothly
very effective brake
minus
Steering not quite as precise
slightly higher consumption
little comfort for pillion passengers
3rd place: Ducati Monster 1200
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Third place went to the Ducati Monster 1200.
plus
Motor with a lot of power
from underneath
decent seating comfort
low consumption
and good range
very good brake
minus
moderate payload
Clutch stiff
Rear suspension too soft when loaded
Gearshift harsh
4th place: Aprilia Tuono V4 R ABS
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The Aprilia Tuono V4 R ABS lands in 4th place.
plus
outstanding handiness
fine feedback
a lot of power above
minus
Engine below pretty weak
bad readings
high consumption
hard chassis
little comfort for both passengers
Conclusion
BILLION
The rating of the Power-Nakeds in the Alpen-Masters 2014.
New test – old winner. This tricky environment is no match for the superiority of the BMW S 1000 R. The smooth KTM 1290 Super Duke R loses its connection in terms of chassis, but can clearly defend itself against the unexpectedly triumphant Ducati Monster 1200. The Aprilia Tuono V4 R alone feels visibly uncomfortable. It is simply too much of a racer, everything here is far too narrow, far too slow for it.
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