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• Out and about with endurance test motorcycles
• The next morning
• Conclusion
• BMW K 1300 GT
• Thomas Schmieder, test editor
• KTM 1190 RC8
• Sven Loll, 36, stunt and photo driver
• Gabriel Winter, 44, mechanic for youngtimers
• Triumph Thunderbird
• Rainer Froberg, 45, fleet manager
• Yamaha XJ6 Diversion
• Andreas Hachtel, 44, PhD engineer
• Karsten Schwers, 37, top tester
• Measurements
• The dream roads on Lake Garda

19th photos

Breakable

1/19
The electronically adjustable ESA chassis is extremely effective. She shines when it is bad "Comfort"-Attitude with high gulp pleasure, on better roads the ones "normal"- and especially the "Sports"-Setting with dynamic tightness.

Breakable

2/19
The lockable storage compartment in the cladding is practical for small items.

Breakable

3/19
The side kidney was overdue.

Breakable

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Appropriate basic equipment, the GT only becomes a luxury liner with additional accessories. BMW offers reduced-cost touring packages.

Breakable

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The powerful ABS brake does not weaken even on long descents, no matter how much load is on board.

Breakable

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When maneuvering and turning, the weight becomes noticeable, which requires increased attention. If you fall over, hidden protectors prevent the worst.

Breakable

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Ranges between 350 and 450 kilometers are possible depending on the driving style. The remaining range display is accurate to within three kilometers.

Breakable

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The load changes have been greatly reduced compared to the previous model. Gear changes are also much smoother thanks to new roller bearings.

Breakable

9/19
Without a case, which can be removed or assembled quickly and easily, the GT rear looks bare.

Breakable

10/19
New generation of switches the first: start / stop button, heated grips, heated driver’s seat.

Breakable

11/19
The GT has a silky smooth, almost vibration-free motor with linear power delivery. In addition, the throttle response is soft and precise.

Breakable

12/19
The second generation of switches: ESA, windshield, cruise control, on-board computer, horn, high beam and indicator switch. Everything gracefully functional and valuable.

Breakable

13/19
The GT is extremely directional, confident on the motorway and offers safe cornering. Handiness is limited on narrow country roads.

Breakable

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Even at a speed of 250 you can sit upright and sit comfortably relaxed behind the electrically adjustable window.

Breakable

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Informative workplace: the instrument lighting in the tunnel automatically brightens up.

Breakable

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The GT offers a lot of torque even at low engine speeds and a sovereign top performance even when fully loaded. Refueling with 95 instead of 98 octane is possible without any problems.

Breakable

17/19
The massive fairing still allows a good view of the street. The xenon light illuminates the road pleasantly brightly and safely.

Breakable

18/19
The handlebar can be adjusted in height by 40 millimeters.

Breakable

19/19
With a volume of 49 liters, the large top case holds two full-face helmets and more.

Autumn exit

Out and about with endurance test motorcycles

If you want to go to motorcycle paradise, you sometimes have to go through the valley of tears first. Through rain, ice and snow. But it’s worth it. We gathered experiences around Lake Garda and cheated the early onset of winter.

Monday, October 12, 2009, somewhere on the A8. The time of day is just as indefinable as the deep gray of the sky. It pours like a bucket. We haven’t been on the road very long. But the first stop is definitely welcome. The yellow warning lamp in the cockpit of the Suzuki Gladius already reports reserve. A mere ten liters rush into the small 14.5 liter tank. Anyway, we have time. Six at the gas station: At the end of the season, run the latest endurance test motorcycles again, scrub kilometers. On BMW K 1300 GT, KTM RC8, Suzuki Gladius, Triumph Thunderbird, Yamaha XJ6 Diversion and the YZF-R 125 from the same company.

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Autumn exit
Out and about with endurance test motorcycles

Thunderbird driven. Because of the almost backwards inclined seating position, you not only get a lot of impressions of the surrounding landscape, but also plenty of water. For the British woman, the autumn exit means her first meters after the run-in period. A real asset to the fleet, this powerful cruiser. Suzuki Gladius, Yamaha XJ6 and BMW are also experiencing their first autumn. The 1300s with a completely new engine after the clutch basket burst. Also thoroughly revised after a connecting rod bearing damage, the year-old KTM also rolls.

Artist

Tourist attraction: Encounter on the Fernpass with six Chinese women who want to go to Neuschwanstein Castle. But right now the crazy motorcyclists are more exciting.

On the other hand, the small 125cc has inconspicuously accumulated almost 22,000 kilometers for almost a year and a half. "You just have to like them", is Karsten. That remained brave "Squeaker" always close to the group. On the track, the little Yamaha driver particularly liked to sit in the slipstream of the BMW. Because the huge 1300 punches a mighty hole in the atmosphere. Too much for Sven on the RC8: "Behind the wall unit from BMW I can no longer see the landscape in front of me." He wants a DVD player in a huge, eight kilogram topcase. With an LCD screen on the back.

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You could concentrate much more on the beautiful landscape if you didn’t have to be so careful with the rain.

Finally we climb the first mountain roads. Lots of traffic on the Fernpass, but apart from us only on four or more wheels. On the slopes there are beeches in all shades of autumn, red, green, gold, yellow, brown. Indian summer. In the middle of the rain. Further up, the spruce trees are speckled with white, as if dipped in cotton wool. Hui, hui, hui, damn slippery here. The flooded lanes lack grip. It carries one by one of us out of a right curve. It went well again, but my heart is sinking.

Further south, on the Brenner, it is only 2.5 degrees. Time for BMW and KTM to give their drivers an ice warning via the on-board thermometer. Trend: falling temperature. Cold creeps under your clothes. On five of the six machines, the fingers are getting clammy. Not so on the BMW. The handles and seating of the GT are included "Premium Touring Package" electrically heated in two stages, the latter even separate for driver and passenger. Level two turns the heated grips into real roasters, as the quickly shivering Sven notices when switching. "Why doesn’t the BMW have heated footrests? He asks at the toll station.

Italy welcomes us kindly, with drying roads and azure skies. Welcome to the south side of the Alps. And the sunny side of life. Until a friendly employee of the Italian road maintenance department warns us urgently: In Italy, motorcycles under 150 cubic meters are not allowed to drive on the motorway. "If you get caught, the bike can be taken away from you and never given back." Could the 125cc be foreclosed? D rather not. Really discriminatory. Karsten has to get off the track with the 125cc Yamaha and make his way overland to Lake Garda. Ciao, see you later!

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Wellbeing program in the evening too: whirlpool and sauna in the Flora Parc Hotel in Riva.

But we go straight through to Riva del Garda, to the Flora Parc Hotel. At the reception (www.parchotelflora.it) we experience Europe in its purest form. A very pretty Romanian greets us in the best English, her colleague from Saxony speaks fluent standard German. Warmth and wellbeing await us in the whirlpool and sauna. From now on every evening.

The next morning it finally lies before us in all its glory, Lake Garda. Riva del Garda brings the charm of bygone eras back to life. Picturesque houses with colorful facades from the Austrian and Venetian times still exude the flair of the sophisticated. The rocks tower over the place rugged and high, are covered with pine trees and are boldly shaped. And the waves of Lake Garda caress the feet of the Alps as the last touch of the Mediterranean. Gleaming white sailing boats circling on the azure carpet. Palm trees line the bank, larches of all colors stand on the mountain slopes. Golden autumn. Chains greased, tanks filled, we are drawn into the air.

To curves, hairpin bends and cows: Alpine wellbeing. There was still a lot of traffic in the valley, up here there is peace itself. A car drives past every 30 minutes. If any. Cow bells ring, sheep and goats graze on the steepest slopes that you could not climb on foot. A Yamaha Super-Tenere is parked on the side of the road, the key is in the ignition. Only no trace of the driver. All of a sudden he comes back from the forest, has picked mushrooms. Two large baskets are his yield, whose names he gives in Latin. Today it will be a culinary celebration! For us too. In the evening, a fabulous porcini mushroom risotto awaits us in the Ristorante Leon d’Oro (www.leondororiva.it).

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With the selected machines you can easily meander through the Alpine passes.

But first we enjoy gravel passes. It’s amazing how easily the six chassis can handle the load, including the two six-hundredweight bikes: Kadumm, Schepper – stones the size of a child’s head patter on the Triumph mudguards, which are made of solid sheet steel like they used to be. 338 kilograms do not tolerate mistakes. Full concentration is also required on the BMW. The electronic landing gear is still on while driving "Comfort" posed. It can stay that way. On the picture-book streets before, however, the setting offered "Sports" noticeably more feedback. On the other hand, the 141 kilogram 125 cc is as nimble as a mountain goat on the gravel passages downhill. Living minimalism.

1500 meters back down into the valley. "You want to sing for joy under your helmet", says Karsten. XJ6 driver Andreas is also very enthusiastic. No matter what the balanced 600cc Yamaha comes under the wheels: How extremely light and easy riding a motorcycle can be. And how nice. "The yamsel doesn’t fall as easily on a slope as its rival Suzi", says Andreas. But the diversion doesn’t mess around either, it is always predictable. Of all six machines, it works the least noticeably. As a result, she conveys a lot of trust and security. What the ABS contributes to.

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Probably one of the most beautiful places in Europe: morning mood in Riva del Garda.

The seating position also fits behind the high, not too narrow handlebars. Sit on it and feel good. And the windshield behind it is worth its weight in gold on the way there, even if the head and shoulders are free in the low-turbulence current. Only tall people would like a little more space between the bench and the rests. Otherwise, the Yamaha is a motorcycle that just leaves you alone. Okay, with an extremely fast driving style, the tubular steel chassis will move at some point. So what? After all, it’s not a super athlete. Even if your 600 engine originally comes from the R6. It presents itself here perfectly re-tuned. Comes from below and has no problems with screeching five-digit speeds. Which he also needs more often. Free a wish? Sure, an XJ9 or XJ10 with more bangs from below …

In short, the four-cylinder engine rotates faster than the Gladius-V2 at the same speed. And thus compensates for its torque disadvantage. The thrust sets in softly and gently. Such drives have made Japan great and powerful as a motorcycle nation. The Yamaha gearbox alone is a real impertinence. Sometimes it downright refuses to change gears, especially when coasting, and makes idle search an annoying game. It’s good that there are no traffic lights in the mountains. Instead, a wellness program in the evening for the cool limbs.

The next morning

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With such a landscape, you like to get up a little earlier.

The next morning, hoar frost covers the meadows in the still dark valleys that are not lit by the sun. But the roads offer a lot of grip. Happy Italy. 47 kilometers of pure joie de vivre – winding asphalt to Lago d’Idro. The houses cling to the rocks like nested swallow nests. Naturally, the small 125cc has a little difficulty going uphill. Always at the limit. And yet without stress. It’s amazing what the brave eight-liter engine can endure. With the cornering speeds of the Yamaha you could annoy Supermotos. Downhill. The Bridgestone BT 45s stick even on wet roads. In view of their low weight, the suspension elements can be soft and comfortable and still remain firm enough. Great.

It is a great pleasure how much speed you can take around the corner. And have to. That is fun. Especially since the sitting posture is comfortable and suits both small and long drivers well. Rainer also shines in his fat Triumph saddle when cruising between Trentino and Lombardy. For such a flat iron, it’s a damn fast and good motorcycle. Accurate and easy to control. With ABS and a very neatly tuned and quite neutral chassis that cleverly conceals the pounds. compliment.

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The Alps offer interesting landscapes and pure driving pleasure.

The cruiser only sets the limit in turns. You simply cannot tilt more. Krrrkk, krrrrkk, krrkkk. It gets a few grams lighter in every corner. A special experience: the pulse of the 1.6-liter in-line engine with two cylinders in the size of a water bucket. In terms of sound, he does "Thunderbird" all honor to his name. He grumbles to himself as ship-like, sonorous. However, the deep exhaust sound is accompanied by a singing background noise, a happy twittering. The Thunderbird is tweeting! And the V2 of the Suzuki pulsates nicely from the short, surcharge Yoshimura exhaust on the unsightly black collector under the gearbox.

Gabriel enjoys crazy fun on the Gladius. Your fine engine from the blessed SV ennobles the 650s. It is perhaps the best in its class: supple, elastic, easy to turn. Light, agile, fun – the Suzuki is a great motorcycle. Who likes to lift his front wheel and move around playfully. The narrow 160 mm rear tire certainly contributes to the sensational handling. No other machine in the sextet hits such jagged hooks, with the exception of the 125cc machine. That has a downside: The Suzuki, named after the short sword of the Roman legionnaires, is a little over-nervous to wobbly. And an ABS would certainly look good on our copy, which was delivered early. At least it carries the more comfortable, higher accessory bench.

The KTM’s 190 rear tire likes to prance sideways, looking for traction. What to do with the service? The RC8 was made according to the company motto "Ready to race" constructed. This is precisely why she is not in her element on the smallest, smooth streets. Acts like a fighter jet in the living room. Driving pleasure and stress live next door to one another.

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Ruminants or wise men? Hunger is worse than homesickness.

There is hardly anything more sensual and pleasurable on two wheels than to wedge this sports motorcycle between your thighs. Experience steering precision and feedback in a new dimension: as if your own gaze was already projecting the line into the asphalt. Speaking of lines: The angular KTM is the stealth bomber among super athletes, says Gabriel: "It will definitely not show up on any radar screen." Belief or hope? The way the 1150s pounds out of the corners is amazing. Driving license endangered. As long as you keep the 75-degree V2 happy. At the bottom of the speed cell he just whips the chain; The tightest serpentines want to be circled in first gear and often with play on the clutch. In the mid-rev range, the machine makes a giant leap forward with every blow on the throttle, and even shines next to the BMW with the top torque values.

The seating position of the RC8 turned out to be human, top ergonomics for a super athlete. Only the upholstery is really hard. On the other hand, you literally merge with this motorcycle, man and machine form an inseparable unit. But the Osi bride is not a comfort litter. More like a real men’s motorcycle. A fun maker par excellence for active, dynamic pilots. The retrofitted Wilbers shock absorber with its hard spring is much less sensitive than the upside-down fork from White-Power. Quite shaken it goes over bumpy roads. The KTM polarizes, you love or hate it. Those who like it want it exactly that way.

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As it should be: Rainer buys mountain cheese on site, of course, at the hut.

In contrast, the BMW looks smooth, a little soulless. On the way there, the GT was still very confident with its electrically adjustable windshield, albeit quite loud for a tourer. But in the bends, the top case grabs the line like an iron fist. And when maneuvering your six hundred pounds are suddenly collected, turning on the mountain with a 20 percent gradient is a nightmare. One "heavy motorcycle", this is to be taken literally here. When that starts to move … You shouldn’t be surprised if there are situations in which smaller, more agile vehicles of the 1300s boldly show the taillight.

The deep blue of the water fades in the rear-view mirrors, we circling upwards, enjoying the highest aesthetics. Steep, yellowish-white limestone rocks are covered with green fur. Today we want to go to the Passo di Croce Domini at 1892 meters. Break at the mountain hut, buy cheese and warm up by the open fire. In between, on the way to the Maniva Pass, you think you’re in Scotland, sometimes in the Andes. This is not one landscape here, there are many. This country is so rich in wonderful places. We screw ourselves up towards heaven. Rock swallows soar over our heads.

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Farewell in Riva. On the other side of the Alps, horror lurks, pure winter.

The last day on site. Once more we drive dizzy, turn off the western shore road, the Gardesana Occidentale, towards Capovalle, Navazzo. The Lord God made an effort to create this area. The crystal clear lake shimmers blue, the pine trees shine green, the roofs of the villages red, the rocks shine white. It couldn’t be nicer. How the mountains open again and again and give breathtaking views of deep gorges. It’s crazy how the lake changes its character to the south. Suddenly it becomes wide and wide, bordered by rolling hills instead of steep mountains. The Po plain can now be guessed at.

Unfortunately we have to go back. In Italy there is a different understanding of life. There are commercials on TV with attractive women riding motorcycles on lonely coastal roads. North of the Alps it comes early this year, winter. The world shines white. Once again, Gladius and RC8 limit the real travel cuts with their smallest range. Refuel? You almost forget that on the 125cc. "Give every day the chance to be the most beautiful of your life, Mark Twain said. We did that every morning on this tour. Because we knew what for…

Conclusion

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Whitewashed: Four days after the outward journey, the Fernpass is now covered in snow.

We really let off steam in terms of curves. And the desire for sublimity is satisfied in dreamlike landscapes around Lake Garda. So now it can come, the winter, we already enjoyed it on the way back. What we have left is the longing for spring 2010. And the hope of being able to return soon. In addition, the knowledge that an extremely diverse motorcycle sextet can harmonize really well with each other on tour. If only the streets are varied enough. So that every concept can really show off its strengths. Even if 125cc is discriminated against on Italian motorways.

BMW K 1300 GT

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The GT scores with well-kept tours. Practical: electrically adjustable pane, cozy, warm heated grips and the easy-care cardan. However, there is plenty of play in the drive train. And the weight is immense.

Technical specifications:
Water-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, 1293 cm³, 118.0 kW (161 PS) at 9000 / min, 135 Newton meters at 8000 / min, six-speed gearbox, cardan, tires 120/70 ZR 17 and 180/55 ZR 17, ABS, wheelbase 1572 mm, turning circle 6200 mm, seat height 820 840 mm, weight with a full tank of 299 kg (including top case), payload 229 kg, tank capacity 24.0 liters, price (including safety and premium touring package) 19,900 euros without additional costs.

From the logbook:
Start of long-term test 9.4.2009; Mileage on October 16, 2009: 30355, Service intervals 10000 km. engine cannot be started temporarily (5000 km), Control panel left and right renewed under warranty (7275 km), Clutch linings, cruise control switch and Suitcase lock renewed (guarantee, 19850 km), Clutch basket burst, completely new engine installed as Brake disc and caliper renewed at the rear (all guarantee, 24766 km). Costs so far for maintenance and repairs (without tires) 2.9 cents / kilometer.

Thomas Schmieder, test editor

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"Just crazy, this massive boost"

A motorcycle that would be the equivalent of the sevens in BMW automobiles. Pure luxury, smooth and powerfully packaged. What is special about this technology carrier from a touring bike? These are not just electronic chassis and cruise control, heated seats and xenon lights. But this unbelievable sovereignty that the powerful engine gives the stunner. Crazy how the six hundredweight push. The little ones get nervous
Weaknesses of the expensive 20,000-Euro-Trumms: jerking clutch, rattling transmission, rough engine running in push mode.

KTM 1190 RC8

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The KTM cockpit is highly informative, but the LCD tachometer is very difficult to read. And the cover glass has already been torn in two places.

Technical specifications:
Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 75-degree V-engine, 1150 cm³, 113.8 kW (155 PS) at 10,000 rpm, 120 newton meters at 8,000 rpm, six-speed gearbox, chain, tires 120/70 ZR 17 and 190/55 ZR 17, wheelbase 1430mm, turning circle 6335 mm, seat height 815 – 830 mm, weight with a full tank 201 kg, payload 179 kg, tank capacity 16.5 liters, price 15,995 euros without additional costs.

From the logbook:
Start of endurance test August 9, 2008, mileage on October 16, 2009: 31077, Service intervals 10000 km. Mark lost (1597 km), License plate holder demolished (1818 and 15970 km),
Switch star renewed (11900 km), Chain renewed after chain break (15600 km), Connecting rod bearing damage, around 26,000 km), Accessory license plate holder (Tecbike) canceled (27,720 km), Chain set and Brake pads renewed front and rear (29283 km). Costs so far for maintenance and repairs (without tires) 7.1 cents / kilometer.

Sven Loll, 36, stunt and photo driver

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"If it’s too hard, you’re too soft!"

It takes a lot of self-discipline to legally drive a KTM RC8 on the country road. The V2 always calls for more, wants to turn and storm off, simply to be left off the chain. The engine does not like driving constantly at the same speed. Cup or hospital is the motto. Visually, the angular Austrian really turns me on, meets my taste exactly. Certainly not the first choice for country roads, but all the better for the racetrack.

10 photos

Images: autumn exit

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Suzuki Gladius 650

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Motorcycling pure and unadulterated, that’s what the Gladius stands for. Unfortunately, the Suzuki runs after ruts and ruts with suitcases. On the Hepco carrier & Becker broke off the top case’s handlebar, luckily right after the descent.

Technical specifications:
Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 90-degree V-engine, 645 cm³, 53.0 kW (72 PS) at 8400 / min, 64Newton meters at 6400 / min, six-speed gearbox, chain, eg 120/70 ZR 17 and 160/60 ZR 17, wheelbase 1445mm, turning circle 5700 mm, seat height 790 mm, weight with a full tank 201 kg, payload 219 kg, tank capacity 14.5 liters, price 6290 euros without additional costs.

From the logbook:
Start of long-term test: April 6, 2009, mileage on October 16, 2009: 21322, Service intervals 6000 km. Costs so far for maintenance and repairs (without tires) 3.4 cents / kilometer.

Gabriel Winter, 44, mechanic for youngtimers

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"Dream-V with allure"

Unfortunately, the Gladius does not combine as many beautiful things as Italy. There are good approaches like the fantastic V2 engine, which climbs through the rev range like a chamois through the mountains. Or the very handy chassis. But wobbly and unrest in ruts spoil the fun. I would like to drive it with other tires than the Metzeler Roadtec Z6. It would be great if the Suzuki could show off its strengths as a great country road motorcycle even better with different footwear.

Triumph Thunderbird

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Individual: The Triumph relies on a clean toothed belt. And it is the only machine to have two suspension struts like it did back then. They only knock you out of the wide saddle when you are hit hard.

Technical specifications:
Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, 1596 cm³, 63.0 kW (86 PS) at 4850 / min, 146 Newton meters at 2750 / min, six-speed gearbox, toothed belt, tires 120/70 R 19 and 200/50 R 17, ABS, wheelbase 1641 mm, turning circle 6600 mm, seat height 710 mm, weight with a full tank 338 kg, payload 232 kg, tank capacity 22.0 liters, price 14,340 euros without additional costs.

From the logbook:
Start of long-term test October 9, 2009, mileage on October 16, 2009: 2109, Service intervals 10000 km. So far, no costs for maintenance and repairs.

Rainer Froberg, 45, fleet manager

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"It doesn’t always have to be a V2"

It’s unbelievable how fast you can be on the Thunderbird. A 338-kilo motorcycle that encourages a “sporty” driving style, honestly. Just let it run, the powerful in-line engine pushes from deep down in the speed cell that it is a real splendor. It doesn’t always have to be V2. Great: the dull sound. The stable chassis works well. You really appreciate the crisp ABS brakes. But be careful, if you overdo it, it pulls your feet off the rest or leverages the whole load. Really great fun to go on a visual journey with the fat steamer. But on the autobahn you flutter helplessly from 130 onwards like a flag in the wind.

Yamaha XJ6 Diversion

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Annoying: The six gears of the transmission can only be shifted with difficulty.

Technical specifications:
Water-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, 600 cm³, 57.0 kW (78 PS) at 10,000 rpm, 60 Newton meters at 8500 rpm, six-speed gearbox, tires 120/70 ZR 17 and 160/60 ZR 17, ABS, wheelbase 1440 mm , Turning circle 5200 mm, seat height 805 mm, weight with a full tank of 220 kg, load 180 kg, tank capacity 17.3 liters, price 6895 euros without additional costs.

From the logbook:
Start of long-term test: May 27, 2009, mileage on October 16, 2009: 22577, Service intervals 10000 km. Increased complaints via stiff gearbox (approx. 13,000 km), Taillight bulb defective (20412 km). Costs so far for maintenance and repairs (without tires) 2.1 cents / kilometer.

Andreas Hachtel, 44, PhD engineer

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"A Swiss knife on two wheels"

The Diversion is not a flashy motorcycle for the ice cream parlor, but you are always properly dressed with it. It is immediately problem-free and easy to drive, which is precisely why it is so much fun to drive. If necessary, you can get ahead very quickly with the easy-revving engine, stable chassis and ABS. Nevertheless, even bad roads and even gravel passes are fairly easy to negotiate. You are happy about the fairing on motorway stretches. The only points of criticism are the knee angle that is a little too narrow for taller people, the somewhat soft shock absorber and the sometimes very difficult to shift gear.

6th photos

Images: autumn exit

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Yamaha YZF-R 125

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Turn, turn, turn is the motto, if possible not to fall below 7000 tours. Better to be seriously ill than lose momentum….

Technical specifications:
Water-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine, 124 cm³, 11.0 kW (15 HP) at 9000 / min, 12 Newton meters at 8000 / min, six-speed gearbox, chain, tires 110/80 17 and 130/70 17, wheelbase 1355 mm, turning circle 5800 mm , Seat height 830 mm, weight with a full tank of 141 kg, load 182 kg, tank capacity 13.8 liters, price 3595 euros without additional costs.

From the logbook:
Start of long-term test May 30, 2008, mileage on October 16, 2009: 21894, Service intervals 6000 km. Spark plug connector vibrated loose (11672 km), Chain set (Tab was broken) as well Brake pads renewed front and rear, tank renewed due to recall (11848 km), Chain set renewed (O-ring, 16531 km). Costs so far for maintenance and repairs (without tires) 4.5 cents / kilometer.

Karsten Schwers, 37, top tester

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"The squeaker looks like a big one"

The trip to Lake Garda with the YZF-R 125 reminds me of my first moped tour almost 22 years ago. Back then it was a real adventure to roar south on the Honda MTX 80 in the first warm rays of sunshine at the age of 16. The YZF-R 125 not only looks like a big one, it is also really good fun. The brakes and the stable, comfortable chassis are great for this class. On country roads, the “squeaker” always stays brave with the rest of the troop. The consumption is simply great, with just 2.9 liters per 100 kilometers, 20 euros are easily enough for the journey from Stuttgart to Italy.

Measurements

Drawing: archive

A world of extremes: the Triumph shines with a buffalo-back curve. Very rarely does your driver get lost in the engine speed range beyond 4000 rpm. So exactly opposite to the 125. But at least like all big players here, their performance develops in a fairly linear manner. The BMW is extremely powerful, the KTM is much more revving. The Suzuki 650 V2 is significantly more torque in the middle than the Yamaha 600 four-cylinder. And the Gladius achieves the same performance around 1000 revs earlier than the XJ6.

Drawing: archive

The dream roads on Lake Garda

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When Goethe came to Lake Garda in 1786, Riva del Garda was initially the final destination for him. Only ships or laborious mule tracks continued from the north shore of the lake. Today it is much easier for millions of tourists, including many motorcyclists. In 1926 the road connection on the east bank, the Gardesana Orientale, was opened. On October 18, 1931, the Gardesana Occidentale was completed on the west bank. Because the rocks drop steeply into the lake, the western shore road was laid out rather boldly. It needs 56 bridges and 74 tunnels, some of which are narrow and winding. At the time, this was considered a true marvel of road construction technology. 2,000 men toiled for 30 months, hitting 70 tunnels through the often vertical rock on the 40-kilometer route between Riva and Salò. On the sections “without a lid” the view is magnificent, the Gardesana Occidentale is one of the most impressive (and busiest) European dream roads. It demands full concentration from the driver. The east bank street is far less bold than its colleague on the west bank. But you can see more from here: the lake, open landscape and the striking mountains on the western side of Lake Garda.

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• Autumn trip 2010 with long-term test motorcycles

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• Triumph Street Triple RS in the 50,000 km endurance test

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