BMW R 1100 S versus BMW R 1150 GS
Two boxers on the ring
If BMW had its way, the matter would be clear: the R 1100 S is an athlete, the R 1150 GS an enduro. Basta. The defiant heads on the other side of the white sausage equator persistently refuse to follow this diction. BMW could add a 135 S to the R 1100 S, but it would still only pass as a sports tourer. And the GS? That’s where things get ticklish. Because for the proud owners and for those who have ever been dizzy with a GS, the 1150 should actually be called GSS, abbreviation for "Quite fast". If you combine the BMW typology with the empirical findings of the GS drivers, one thing is clear: This duel has to be carried out. Athletes or sports tourers.
In order for the S to meet its sporting demands, MOTORRAD ordered the special model from BMW. 5.5-inch rear rim, 180 Bridgestone BT 56, longer struts for more ground clearance, steering damper, but no ABS. Save weight. Equipped in this way, the sports boxer rushes into the winding curves of the Hatzenbach and the GS drives away a few meters away. Not because the fat one with 84 hp would lack performance compared to the 98 hp of the sports boxer? it doesn’t play a major role in this section of the route. And not because it would be too heavy with a full tank of 254 kilograms. On the contrary, the GS shines with its feather-light handling. It is rather unsettling that there is a lack of ground clearance in spite of the maximum pre-tensioned springs. Even if the Nordschleife is not as mercilessly knocked over as on a thoroughbred racetrack: These inclines simply go beyond what is common on country roads.
The S is quite different: Even with the courageous driving style of a Bertrand Sebileau, the fear nipples rarely have asphalt contact. In addition, another advantage of the 1100 is already apparent in the Hatzenbach, which becomes even clearer in the following, fast sections of the airfield and Schwedenkreuz: the overall tighter coordination of the S. While the comfort-oriented GS rocks and lurches like a cutter briefly in these passages before the accident, the sporty sister stays on course. The most irritating factor here is the high braking compensation of the Telelever, through which the front section is hardly immersed when braking. In addition, the front wheel tends to jump on bumps in rapid succession. And a bike that is in the air does not build up grip. This applies equally to S and GS. The GS has a second shortcoming: its high disc, which is geared towards tourist demands. While big drivers like test boss Lindner complain of constant turbulence, smaller testers like Corsetti and Casas lack a perspective.
This is a shame because the enduro can also show off some of its qualities on the Eifel circuit. Their excellent handling, for example. A real plus compared to its sporty sister, especially for newbies on the unknown route. A real minus, however, is the performance of the GS boxer. 84 HP in combination with a weight of 254 kilos is always enough in everyday life, here almost always too little, even if responsiveness and power delivery are convincing. The very fast passages in particular, such as the long ascent between the mine and Klostertal or the Dottinger Hohe, put the GS mercilessly behind, even if the pilot on the much stronger and lighter 1100 S would also like a few additional horses.
W.What remains the bottom line? The GS, which started with many praise, has no chance against its sporty sister. And it’s less the racing drivers? they can deal with inadequacies in chassis ??, but rather the rural road drivers who are unsettled by the GS. The latter also complain the loudest about the GS transmission because they often find themselves between the gears in the hustle and bustle. In this regard, the S also does better, but by no means well. Nevertheless: The ring ranking goes to the sports boxer on points. Its combined seating position, in combination with the stiffer chassis, gives more feeling, the engine pushes forward more sustainably, the lean angle is greater. And the GS thinks about what it was built for. Travel is her passion, not lawn. Even if you go crazy sometimes.
Related articles
-
Comparative test all-rounder cardan shaft: BMW R 1150 R , Moto Guzzi Breva V 1100 , Yamaha BT 1100 Bulldog Open and honest BMW R 1150 R, Breva, Bulldog…
-
Comparison test KTM 990 Supermoto versus Ducati Hypermotard 1100
Comparison test KTM 990 Supermoto versus Ducati Hypermotard 1100 Supermoto duel Sharp edges or curved lines: with the Hypermotard 1100 and the 990…
-
Kawasaki ZXR 1100 versus Moto Guzzi V11 Sport
Kawasaki ZXR 1100 versus Moto Guzzi V11 Sport Japan versus Europe: Naked Bikes Motorcycles without a filter: naked bikes, pure driving pleasure. Kawasaki…
-
Top test BMW R 1100 S. The two souls of the S Is she really an athlete or is she more of a dynamic tourer? That depends on the perspective and where you…
-
Comparison test of naked bikes BMW R 1150 R Moto Guzzi V11 Sport Voxan Scrambler
Comparison test of naked bikes BMW R 1150 R Moto Guzzi V11 Sport Voxan Scrambler There are three of us Born out of tradition and self -confidence, three…
-
Honda CRF 1100 L Africa Twin (2020) in the driving report
Honda CRF 1100 L Africa Twin (2020) in the driving report Well-developed and, above all, pleasant travel enduro This is more than an update. The new…
-
Comparative test of evergreens against current top models BMW R 1100 RS versus R 1100 S. Kawasaki ZZ-R 1100 versus ZX-12R Yamaha YZF 1000 Thunderace…
-
Top test BMW R 1150 RS The trailblazer With the R 1100 RS, BMW opened the era of the four-valve boxer in 1993. After all these years, a complete overhaul…
-
Tuning against series: Bakker Bomber against BMW R 1100 RS
Tuning against series: Bakker Bomber against BMW R 1100 RS Pre-gymnast Not for the first time, the Dutch chassis builder Nico Bakker shows how to put the…
-
BMW R 1100 S test against Honda VTR 1000 F
Comparison test, BMW R 1100 S, Honda VTR 1000 F Firestorm BMW R 1100 S versus Honda VTR 1000 F The R 1100 S is not a super sports car, emphasizes BMW…
Related articles
-
Discovery – Full Harley-Davidson for the 10th American Tours Festival – Used HARLEY-DAVIDSON
BMW R nineT Racer and Triumph Thruxton R in a comparison test Racing and rheumatism Retro is in, now racing is added. At least the BMW R nineT Racer aims…
-
Discovery – A Harley museum in 2008 – Used HARLEY-DAVIDSON
Driving report: CR S DUU Muscle bike with an American engine and an Italian look A fat American engine in a hot Italo outfit: The CR is based on this…
-
BMW ProductionRacer PR 12 from TGP in the track test Superbike based on the S 1000 RR Content of High-quality add-on parts, plenty of brainpower and the…
-
BMW F 800 R, Kawasaki Z 800, MV Agusta Brutale 800 and Yamaha FZ8 in the test Middle class motorcycles with 800 cc Content of The new MV Agusta Brutale…
-
News – BMW celebrates 90 years of its motorcycles – Used BMW
Comparison test of travel enduros, BMW R 1200 GS Adventure, KTM 990 Adventure , Moto Guzzi Stelvio Travel enduros Their martial look promises adventure…
-
BMW R 1250 R at EICMA Roadster with a new power boxer BMW presented the new BMW R 1250 R at the EICMA in Milan, which will be launched in the 2019 model…
-
Culture – Honda celebrates 50 years of its arrival in the premier class of Grand Prix – Used HONDA
Honda celebrates 50 years of its arrival in the premier class of Grand Prix Honda is taking advantage of the 2016 Japanese Grand Prix to celebrate 50…
-
Culture – 102 years and not a wrinkle – Used HARLEY-DAVIDSON
102 years old and not a wrinkle Twenty-four years after being taken over, dying, by a dozen executives, the Milwaukee firm – 102 years on the clock -…
-
Suzuki Group celebrates 100 years and Yamaha Motor turns 65 Two Japanese manufacturers pass an important milestone in 2020: Suzuki becomes 100 years old…
-
Discovery – Big celebration on July 13 for the 30 years of the GSX-R – Used SUZUKI
Four classics on a trip together BMW R 90 S, BSA Rocket 3, Ducati 750 SS and Kawasaki 900 Z1 Content of Some things have always been crystal clear:…