BMW F 800 GT, Kawasaki Z 1000 SX and Honda VFR 800 F in the test

Posted on by admin

BMW F 800 GT, Kawasaki Z 1000 SX and Honda VFR 800 F in the test

Sports tourers in comparison

Travel sportily or drive comfortably fast – these are the main disciplines of sport touring, a type of motorcycle that was very popular in the 1990s. In the last few years it has been running rather outside the mainstream. Wrongly, as the varied trio of this test proves.

"There are hardly any better motorcycles, only more extreme ones." This sentence, with which the author quotes himself once, was applied to the Honda VFR 750 F from 1994, the second revised edition of the RC36. But it could just as well be applied to the whole class of motorcycles to which the VFR belongs – the sport tourers. Because if you can Kawasaki GPZ 900 R from 1984, the first VFR 750 F from 1985 or later representatives such as the Suzuki RF 900 or the Triumph Sprint models with aluminum bridge frames, which were built from 1999, you will always find motorcycles that could do a lot without being particularly prominent on a few points. Travel comfortably on the autobahn to the Nurburgring, quickly and safely do a few laps on the Nordschleife and swing home on the country roads from Eifel and Hunsruck – they mastered this triathlon like no other type of motorcycle. And if necessary, they even had camping trips for two of several weeks in their repertoire – to this day the Triumph Sprint RS is the motorcycle with the highest payload, at least 270 kilograms.

BMW F 800 GT, Kawasaki Z 1000 SX and Honda VFR 800 F in the test

Sports tourers in comparison

Choosing VFR competitors was not easy

This is still the case today, especially because Honda has revised the VFR 800 F for 2014 after a long time and thus drew attention to it again. But one thing has changed drastically: the competition or – to put it less competitive – the sports tourer family has shrunk a lot. On the one hand, more motorcycles are exploring the extremes, as can be seen in super athletes like a BMW HP4 or Ducati Panigale or in super tourers like a BMW K 1600 GT or Triumph Trophy SE. On the other hand, many drivers migrated from sports tourers to travel enduros, above all the BMW GS, since they have improved enormously in terms of driving dynamics, chassis quality and touring suitability. In addition, many manufacturers did not show a lucky hand when designing their sports tourers – see Aprilia with the Futura, BMW with the R 1200 ST or again Ducati with the ST models – and were therefore not very successful. So the offer was gradually reduced.

Choosing the VFR competitors for this comparison test was not easy, especially since Triumph recently removed the Sprint GT from its range. Despite all the apparent inhomogeneity, it makes sense, because the BMW F 800 GT is basically a variant of the first F 800, the half-clad, thoroughly sporty F 800 S, with expansive full paneling and a comfortable seating position, which is optimized for touring SX, derived from the sporty Z 1000 naked bike, offer more comfort thanks to the wind protection of their full fairing. Both are trying to expand the limits of their basic model and thus cover the same requirement profile as the Honda VFR 800 F. In contrast to the BMW F 800 GT and Kawasaki Z 1000 SX, the Honda was developed from the ground up as it stands , not as a variant of another model.

Tourer

Comparison test: sports tourer

Sports tourers from Kawasaki, Triumph and Yamaha in comparison

read more

More torque for the Honda VFR 800 F would be desirable

Because the engine housing of the V4 apparently does not allow for an increase in displacement and Honda shies away from the expense of a new design, the product planners for the Honda VFR 800 F largely retained the engine with 782 cm³. With a stroke / bore ratio of 1.5, this V4 is even designed to be shorter than the Fireblade’s engine, which has a stroke of 1.38 (55.1 mm stroke, 76 mm bore). The VFR engine was never intended for the high speeds and high liter output for which such a design is chosen. The expected torque weakness in the lower speed range with extremely short strokes should be remedied by the VTEC, a system that operates the engine as a two-valve engine below 6500 rpm and only activates two additional valves per combustion chamber above this for better filling at high speeds.

We don’t know how much torque the VFR engine would develop at low revs without VTEC, but even with it, it’s not enough to be able to follow the other two machines when pulling through in sixth gear. Pulling up the gas fully in the last gear at 60 km / h is a very practical maneuver on the powerful Kawasaki Z 1000 SX and, with slight restrictions, also on the BMW F 800 GT. Without chopping, the two react with spontaneous propulsion. On the Honda it is better to shift down two gears. At full acceleration, with the tachometer needle always in the five-digit range, the Honda VFR 800 F gets better momentum, as good as you can with 106 hp and 245 kilograms of dead weight, the highest of the test trio. The 23 kilograms lighter and, according to the test bench measurements, only 12 HP weaker BMW pulls them away, and against the powerful Kawasaki it only loses connection beyond 140 km / h. But you have to like the driving style required for this and the associated switching work.

The Honda is helped by its perfectly functioning gearbox with the exact shifting, its good to very good response and load change behavior and its smooth running. The other two have minor weaknesses here and there. For example, the rustic switching noises of the transmission of the BMW F 800 GT or the pithy vibrations of the four-cylinder engine of the Kawasaki Z 1000 SX. Ultimately, however, they convince with their voluminous torque curves. Against the courageously gripping BMW and the beefy Kawasaki, the Honda just seems weak. Nothing against engines with sharp characteristics, but they should at least outperform all others in the upper range. But the V4 doesn’t; it achieves a poor result with a lot of mechanical effort. Incidentally, that was the case when it was first published in 2002.

Tourer

Honda VFR 800 F in the driving report

Equipped for the future

read more

All used offers: Honda VFR 800

Price and range

Because the range plays an important role in everyday life and when touring, it is worth taking a look at the consumption and range of the three test motorcycles at this point. This shows a possible advantage of the VTEC, as the Honda VFR 800 F remains very economical with 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers. In combination with a 21.5 liter tank capacity, that’s theoretically enough for 480 kilometers. In direct comparison, the F 800 is even more economical in consumption, but has to go to the petrol station 93 kilometers beforehand because of the 15 liter tank under the seat.

Still a tight range that is usually not used without a break. The Kawasaki Z 1000 SX consumed a comparatively generous 5.5 liters on the same test lap, although it was hardly challenged. It only has a range of 345 kilometers thanks to its 19 liter tank volume. The Honda did not want to let the less successful engine rating sit on it. Even during the consumption lap, which was driven at a moderate pace, she indicated how she intended to rehabilitate herself: through consistent good behavior and thus collecting points in as many disciplines as possible. First and foremost, the majority of the chassis ratings should be mentioned. After just a few kilometers, the Honda VFR 800 F gives everyone the feeling of being a well-positioned, well-balanced, homogeneously steering motorcycle. Not necessarily because it always lulls you into safety, but rather because it lets your driver know in good time and reliably when things get unsafe. It is a phenomenon how they can reconcile conflicting properties such as handiness and cornering stability. Apparently, its developers always precisely dosed the development of these properties and balanced them out in their interaction. This does not necessarily lead to particularly prominent character traits, either positively or negatively. But to a harmonious whole.

In many ways the Honda VFR 800 F behaves so inconspicuously that only a direct comparison with its competitors reveals its qualities. The nimble BMW F 800 GT, for example, turns more easily than the VFR at medium to high speeds, but is rather bulky at low speeds due to the stiff steering damper. And while the BMW wants to descend even further in deep lean angles and the driver can only feel the approaching limit through his own reluctance to drive even more diagonally, the VFR sends very clear signals. In the area of ​​very sporty slopes, it offers a slight resistance to violent folding. Then there is still a reserve, for example for narrowing curves, but the message gets through: From here the lions lurk. With the Honda, this even works with half-worn tires, which usually lead to a significant deterioration compared to the ideal new condition.

MOTORCYCLE market: Used BMW F 800 GT

Kawasaki has to be forced to corner

The Kawasaki Z 1000 SX deserves its own chapter on the subject of handiness and steering properties. Unfortunately not because it would be so good. Maybe it’s not that bad either. To be honest, none of the testers wanted to drive outside of a cordoned-off test area, at which point the discomfort with the steering properties announces actual front slips. Because the Z 1000 SX always offers the necessary resistance for cornering. For everything that requires more than ten degrees of inclination, she has to be forced, every bump, every bit of residual delay when turning in, she uses as an opportunity to stubbornly straighten up again. And once the tires have run 1000 kilometers behind them, things tend to get worse. Sooner or later you get tired of it. Who wants to force their machine to corner all the time? That unsettles you, the longer the more. It becomes particularly uncomfortable when driving on wet roads.

You may get used to it just riding the Kawasaki Z 1000 SX. Not, however, when alternatives with good bends take part in the same test. In search of a remedy, the MOTORRAD editors did what they shouldn’t have done – they fitted a different front tire, a Bridgestone S 20 F in the standard version instead of the special specification N. And, look, the Z 1000 SX drove like a different one. Precise, even over bumps and when braking in an inclined position, with much smaller steering corrections in wide corners than with the N-tire. Suddenly the steering gave the driver the very important feedback, the feeling of a machine that is full and safe on the front wheel. A small disadvantage of the S 20 F was already noticeable when starting off cautiously: It rolls less comfortably than the N and thus indicates that it probably does not achieve the same quality in terms of high-speed stability. It was like that, as a motorway drive with a top speed of almost 250 km / h showed. However, the Kawasaki Z 1000 SX was by no means unsafe with the other tire, it just wasn’t quite as perfectly still as before. "So, and now you put a suitcase with ten kilograms on each side, pack a loaded topcase on the back and drive out again. Then you know why no other tire apart from the N gets approval on the SX”, commented a Bridgestone tire specialist on the test results from MOTORRAD.

Okay, if the task is to burn 250 items on the highway with suitcases and topcase without swinging, then it must be the N-tire. It’s just a shame that this very special requirement spoils the much more frequently requested harmonious cornering behavior. Either way, the abbreviation N has recently stood for “No-Go” at MOTORRAD. The only correct solution to the problem would be to build a motorcycle that drives steadily in a straight line and willingly through corners. Others can do that too.

Tourer

Kawasaki Z 1000 SX (2014) in the driving report

Mild and wild combined even better?

read more

Tourer

Kawasaki Z 1000 SX in the PS driving report

More athletes than tourers?

read more

BMW F 800 GT is emphatically touristic

A particularly interesting chapter when testing sports tourers is ergonomics, because this is where the requirements for sporty and tourist driving diverge particularly widely. So the Kawasaki Z 1000 SX opts for a more sporty seating position. If you were to mount lower-positioned handlebars, the SX would come into the area of ​​moderately designed super sports bikes.

The BMW F 800 GT, on the other hand, is more touristy. The shape of its wide tubular handlebar looks strange, but it is comfortable for the driver. In addition, it sits on the BMW with the most comfortable knee angle, without the bench being particularly high or the footrests being mounted so low that they touch down too quickly when cornering. What’s more, passengers feel particularly comfortable on the BMW; they too sit with a comfortable knee angle and have plenty of space. The position on the Honda looks a bit long and old-fashioned because of the voluminous, long tank, but proves to be comfortable even on long journeys. The passenger on the Honda VFR 800 F, like on the Kawasaki Z 1000 SX, sits quite high above the driver. For this, it is integrated a little further forward in the machine, which is more pleasant for himself and the driver.

Finally, all three motorcycles deserve great praise for an exciting test process. The tough battle for the best overall result swayed back and forth, the very different engine and chassis concepts ensure distinctive characteristics. A sign that sports tourers currently have a lot of space for interesting new developments. So, dear manufacturers, let yourself be inspired. The much-quoted “market” in a certain motorcycle segment can in part be created by yourself. That would have the advantage that not everyone else is already bustling there.

Data and measured values

engine

  BMW F 800 GT                Honda VFR 800 F.           Kawasaki Z 1000 SX
type design Two-cylinder four-stroke-
In-line engine  		 Four-cylinder four-stroke-
90 degree V engine		 Four-cylinder four-stroke-
In-line engine
injection 2 x Ø 46 mm 4 x Ø 36 mm 4 x Ø 38 mm
coupling Multi-panes-
Oil bath clutch		 Multi-panes-
Oil bath clutch		 Multi-panes-
Oil bath clutch
Boron x stroke 82.0 x 75.6 mm 72.0 x 48.0 mm 77.0 x 56.0 mm
Displacement 798 cc 782 cc 1043 cc
compression 12.0: 1 11.8: 1 11.8: 1
power 66.0 kW (90 PS)
at 8000 rpm		 77.9 kW (106 hp)
at 10,250 rpm		 104.5 kW (142 hp)
at 10,000 rpm
Torque 86 Nm at 5800 rpm 75 Nm at 8500 rpm 111 Nm at 7300 rpm

landing gear

  BMW F 800 GT      
Honda VFR 800 F.      
Kawasaki Z 1000 SX
frame Bridge frame
aluminum		 Bridge frame
aluminum		 Backbone frame
aluminum
fork Telescopic fork, Ø 43 mm Telescopic fork, Ø 43 mm Upside-down fork,
Ø 41 mm
Steering damper hydraulically – –
Brakes front / rear   Ø 320/265 mm Ø 310/256 mm Ø 300/250 mm
Systems assistance ABS, traction control      ABS, traction control     ABS, traction control
bikes 3.50 x 17; 5.50 x 17 3.50 x 17; 5.50 x 17 3.50 x 17; 6.00 x 17
tires 120/70 ZR 17; 180/55 ZR 17    120/70 ZR 17; 180/55 ZR 17     120/70 ZR 17; 190/50 ZR 17
Tires Metzeler
Z 8 back "C"		 Dunlop
Sportmax D 222 "K"		 Bridgestone
S 20 "N"

Dimensions + weight

  BMW F 800 GT       Honda VFR 800 F.      
Kawasaki Z 1000 SX
wheelbase 1514 mm 1460 mm 1445 mm
Steering head angle 63.8 degrees 64.5 degrees 65.5 degrees
trailing 95 mm 95 mm 102 mm
Front / rear suspension travel       125/125 mm 108/120 mm 120/138 mm
Seat height¹ 830 mm 780-800 mm 820 mm
Weight with a full tank¹ 221 kg 245 kg 235 kg
Payload¹ 199 kg 187 kg 191 kg
Tank capacity / reserve 15.0 liters 21.5 liters 19.0 liters
Service intervals 10,000 km 12,000 km 6000 km
price 10,400 euros 11,990 euros 12,795 euros
Price test motorcycle 11 550 euro² 11,990 euros 12,795 euros
Additional costs 390 euros 295 euros 180 euros

MOTORCYCLE readings

  BMW F 800 GT Honda VFR 800 F.     Kawasaki Z 1000 SX
Top speed   224 km / h * 242 km / h * 249 (2441) km / h
acceleration
0-100 km / h 3.9 sec 3.6 sec 3.3 sec
0-140 km / h 6.5 sec 6.0 sec 5.3 sec
0-200 km / h 17.0 sec 14.2 sec 9.8 sec
Draft
60-100 km / h 4.9 sec 5.2 sec 3.4 sec
100-140 km / h 5.8 sec 6.2 sec 3.2 sec
140-180 km / h 7.4 sec 8.6 sec 3.6 sec
Consumption country road / 100 km    3.9 liters 4.5 liters 5.5 liters
Reach country road 385 km 478 km 345 km

* Manufacturer information; 1 MOTORCYCLE measurements; ²incl. Safety package (695 euros), consisting of: ASC, ESA, RDC; Comfort package (455 euros), consisting of: case holder on the left, heated grips, on-board computer and main stand

Performance measurement

Performance measurement.

Sometimes the progress is a small dent. You can see it in the red curves of the Honda VFR 800 F. It used to acknowledge the insertion of the additional valves with a sharp point, of which only a gentle depression has remained since the revision. The noise accompanying the four-valve operation is still impressive.

The BMW two-cylinder of the precision mechanical V4 barrel organ shows almost the same displacement, which is a voluminous torque curve. It’s just a shame that the developers neglected to give it a little charm by dampening its mechanical running noises more in favor of the exhaust tone. Although it does not quite reach its rated output, the Kawasaki engine sprints the competition into the ground, also due to its exemplary power delivery.

Equipment in detail

Board computer

  BMW F 800 GT      Honda VFR 800 F.      Kawasaki Z 1000 SX 
Operation on-board computer Handlebar / cockpit cockpit Handlebar / cockpit
Average / instantaneous consumption     Series / series Series / series Series / series
Average speed /
Travel time		 Series / series Series / series – / –
second trip odometer series series series
Ambient temperature display series series –
Engine temperature bar ° Celsius –
Gear indicator series series –
Fuel gauge / timer Series (bars) / Series Series (bars) / Series Series (bars) / Series
Remaining range – – series
On-board voltage in volts – – –

Engine / chassis

  BMW F 800 GT    
Honda VFR 800 F.    
Kawasaki Z 1000 SX   
Oil level check Dipstick Sight glass Sight glass
electronically adjustable chassis    300 euros¹
(Rear cushioning)"		 – –
different engine mappings – – Series (two)
adjustable spring base by handwheel by hand wheel by hand wheel

ergonomics

  BMW F 800 GT   
Honda VFR 800 F.    
Kawasaki Z 1000 SX
adjustable windshield – – 3-stage
adjustable seat height – 2-stage –
adjustable handlebar position – – –
adjustable brake / clutch lever     Series / series Series / series Series /-

Luggage

  BMW F 800 GT    
Honda VFR 800 F.   
Kawasaki Z 1000 SX
Luggage hook series series series
Case system including case holder  537 euros 810 euros 834 euros³
Capacity per case (l./r.)   27/28 liters 29/29 liters 28/28 liters
Inner pockets (set) 150 euros 122 euros 89 euros³
Luggage rack series – –
Storage compartment in the panel – – –

Furnishing

  BMW F 800 GT   
Honda VFR 800 F.     Kawasaki Z 1000 SX
Heated grips 200 euros² 362 euros 186 euros
Hand stand 125 euros² series –
Immobilizer series series series
Headlight range adjustment      with tools with tools with tools
Board socket series – –
Stainless steel exhaust system series series series
Single-sided swing arm series series –
Tank volume / reserve 15 liters 21.5 liters 19 liters

security

  BMW F 800 GT 
Honda VFR 800 F. 
Kawasaki Z 1000 SX
Hazard warning lights series series series
Daytime running lights – series –
SECTION 1-stage 1-stage 1-stage
Traction control 1-stage (can be switched off)    1-stage (can be switched off)    3-stage (can be switched off)
Electronic tire pressure control   210 euros² – –
cranked tire valves series – –
Steering damper series – –

– = not available; ¹ included in the safety package (695 euros), consisting of: ASC, ESA, RDC; ² included in the comfort package (455 euros), consisting of: case holder, heated grips, on-board computer, main stand; ³ included in model variant Z 1000 SX Tourer, surcharge 780 euros (13.575 euros)

Scoring

engine

  maximum number of points    BMW F 800 GT    Honda VFR 800 F.    Kawasaki Z 1000 SX
Draft 40 21st 18th 36
acceleration 40 22nd 26th 32
Top speed 30th 17th 21st 21 *
Engine characteristics 30th 19th 16 26th
Responsiveness 20th 14th 13 12th
Load change 20th 12th 13 14th
Smoothness 20th 10 13 11
coupling 10 8th 8th 8th
circuit 20th 12th 15th 14th
Gear ratio 10 7th 7th 8th
Start 10 9 7th 8th
total 250 151 157

190

The first round goes to the Kawasaki Z 1000 SX, and its competitors almost go k. o. The Honda VFR 800 F stays in play only through its good behavior, the BMW F 800 GT through its robust character. Noticeable are the strong vibrations of the Kawasaki in-line engine, which penetrate the handlebars and footrests to the driver despite the rubber mountings.

Winner engine: Kawasaki Z 1000 SX

landing gear

  maximum number of points
BMW F 800 GT
Honda VFR 800 F.
Kawasaki Z 1000 SX
Handiness 40 26th 26th 25th
Stability in turns 40 28 29 29
Steering behavior 40 27 29 26th
feedback 10 7th 8th 8th
Inclined position 20th 17th 17th 16
Straight-line stability 20th 16 18th 17th
Suspension tuning in front 20th 13 15th 14th
Chassis set-up at the rear 20th 12th 15th 14th
Adjustment options undercarriage 10 4th 6th 7th
Suspension comfort 10 7th 7th 6th
Driving behavior with a passenger 20th 15th 13 14th
total 250 172 183 176

The high score of the Honda VFR 800 F does not fully reflect how harmoniously and finely balanced it drives. Handiness and stability, comfort and sufficiently firm cushioning – the VFR manages to reconcile even contradicting properties.

Chassis winner: Honda VFR 800 F

everyday life

  maximum number of points   BMW F 800 GT   
Honda VFR 800 F.   
Kawasaki Z 1000 SX
Ergonomics driver 40 28 27 26th
Ergonomics pillion 20th 14th 13 9
Windbreak 20th 14th 13 13
view 20th 14th 12th 12th
light 20th 15th 11 13
Furnishing 30th 22nd 27 20th
Handling / maintenance 30th 18th 16 17th
Luggage storage 10 4th 2 2
Payload 10 7th 5 5
Tidy 30th 24 30th 21st
processing 20th 14th 15th 14th
total 250 174 171 152

Here it becomes clear why the BMW F 800 GT remains a serious alternative to the better placed competitors despite the red lantern. Their high practical value and easy maintenance make them an unproblematic companion in everyday life. And it’s not boring on the home track.

Everyday winners: BMW F 800 GT

security

  maximum number of points    BMW F 800 GT   Honda VFR 800 F.   
Kawasaki Z 1000 SX
Braking effect 40 27 31 32
Brake metering 30th 21st 24 27
Braking with a passenger / fading 20th 13 14th 15th
Righting moment when braking 10 8th 7th 5
ABS function 20th 13 14th 14th
Handlebar slapping 20th 17th 15th 13
Ground clearance 10 8th 8th 7th
total 150 107 113 113

The Honda VFR 800 F and the Kawasaki Z 1000 SX hit a stalemate at a high level. The Kawasaki has the better brakes, the Honda the finer manners. That fits the character of the two.

Safety winner: Honda / Kawasaki

costs

  maximum number of points  
BMW F 800 GT    Honda VFR 800 F.    Kawasaki Z 1000 SX
guarantee 30th 17th 15th 15th
Consumption (country road)     30th 25th 22nd 17th
Inspection costs 20th 17th 18th 10
Maintenance costs 20th 12th 9 7th
total 100 71 64 49

This chapter reads like a continuation of the everyday evaluation. The winner remains the same.

Winner costs: BMW F 800 GT

Overall rating

  maximum number of points     BMW F 800 GT  
Honda VFR 800 F.   
Kawasaki Z 1000 SX
Overall rating 1000 675 688 680 
placement 3. 1. 2.
Price-performance note  1.0 1.7 1.6 1.9

Price-performance winner: The Honda VFR 800 F wins the test and is hardly more expensive than the BMW F 800 GT. That brings the best price-performance rating.

* rated: MOTORCYCLE measurement

Test results

1. Honda VFR 800 F
It is the legendary sum of all properties that brings the Honda VFR 800 F forward. It scores evenly high in many ratings, just not in the engine area. The V4 does not even manage to tear the bar set high by the Kawa – it jumps through the bottom.

2. Kawasaki Z 1000 SX
Despite its great thirst, it is the extremely powerful engine that saves the Kawasaki Z 1000 SX from second place. Your stubborn steering behavior due to the front tire, which is too one-sided for stability and comfort, bothers you more than can be expressed in points.

3. BMW F 800 GT
She is only just about last, and that’s because of the engine. The parallel twin pushes plenty of torque and is economical, but does not quite offer the dynamics and smoothness of the four-cylinder. Otherwise, the BMW F 800 GT is always with the music. A nimble tourer for the price-conscious.

Related articles

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *