Brutale 1090, 1190 Adventure, YZF-R1, Ducati Diavel in the test

MV Agusta Brutale 1090, KTM 1190 Adventure, Yamaha YZF-R1 and Ducati Diavel Carbon in the test

Concept comparison of naked bikes, enduro, athletes and cruisers

In which motorcycle concept is performance the most fun to ride? MOTORRAD tests the naked bike MV Agusta Brutale 1090, the Enduro KTM 1190 Adventure, the athlete Yamaha YZF-R1 and the power cruiser Ducati Diavel in comparison.

Comparison concept

A comparison at this level would not have been possible 20 years ago. Only tuned supersport motorcycles created 150 hp; the Suzuki GSX-R 1100 W, which claimed to produce 155 hp from 1995 onwards, towered far beyond the other series-produced motorcycles and has rarely really had them. Also some examples of the legendary first Yamaha YZF-R1 from 1998 stayed below the stated 150 PS, but the force of the high-torque four-cylinder in a motorcycle weighing just 208 kilograms provided impressive experiences of sheer motor power. Experiencing similar demonstrations of force on a naked bike, a travel enduro or even a cruiser was simply unthinkable at the time.

MV Agusta Brutale 1090, KTM 1190 Adventure, Yamaha YZF-R1 and Ducati Diavel Carbon in the test

Concept comparison of naked bikes, enduro, athletes and cruisers

Manufacturers have upgraded vigorously in all categories

Today it’s very different. The manufacturers have vigorously retrofitted in all categories. Today’s Yamaha YZF-R1 is by no means the strongest athlete and yet it pushes a whopping 173 hp on the test bench. The class of undisguised motorcycles was the first to benefit directly from super athletes of this caliber. Many of them have modified sports engines with increased torque in the lower speed range, such as the Aprilia Tuono, Ducati Monster S4 or Honda CB 1000 R. The MV Agusta Brutale 1090 for this comparison also got its drive from the F4 series.

Based on the 1190 sports engine, Ducati opened up new dimensions in two segments with the Multistrada and the Diavel: for travel enduros / fun bikes and for cruisers. As the undisputed leader of its class, the Ducati Diavel also competes in this concept comparison. The latest example of the technology transfer initiated by the athletes is the KTM 1190 Adventure, whose engine is derived from the superbike power plant of the IDM winner RC8 R..

R1 engine with good response and load change behavior

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As one of the last athletes, the R1 still has a raised exhaust system.

Quantity is not everything. The performance development also achieves new qualities. Like many others, this development, inspired by racing, began with the super athletes. The measured 173 PS of the current Yamaha YZF-R1 unfold more cultivated and easier to control than the almost 150 of the predecessor. The flow of power that the motor gives to the rear wheel only gets really fast in the range of five-digit speeds. The driver must consciously visit this area. So he is prepared for what will happen, while the steeply increasing torque of the "old" R1 even at a leisurely 4000 rpm surprised some drivers – and overwhelmed some rear tires when accelerating in an inclined position.

In this upwardly brushed power development of the current Yamaha YZF-R1, the physical law manifests itself that with the same cubic capacity and the same number of cylinders, more power can only be achieved through better filling at higher speeds. In a direct comparison of the curves, it is nice to see that the Yamaha MV four-cylinder engine clearly outperforms it only beyond 8300 rpm. On the other hand, the characteristic is also determined by the experience of 15 years of model development. And it teaches that a lot of power can be used most safely when it increases linearly and in a predictable manner. This is guaranteed by the R1 engine, which also spoils you with good response and load change behavior. With minor differences and depending on the selected driving mode, the other three candidates also demonstrate the high level of development in this important discipline.

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With a lot of weight on the front wheel and a long wheelbase, the Ducati Diavel Carbon can accelerate explosively.

A glance at the bundle of curves also gives an idea of ​​what the comparison drives confirmed: When accelerating in the everyday relevant speed range of 30 to 130 km / h, the Yamaha YZF-R1 has a hard time following the three other motorcycles . These all develop more torque in the lower speed range, which in the case of the MV Agusta Brutal 1090 is supported by an almost eight-percent increase in displacement, and in the two-cylinder Ducati Diavel and KTM 1190 Adventure by a 20 percent increase in displacement. The Yamaha is the strongest and fastest of the four motorcycles, but it can only play that on unlimited motorway sections or on the racetrack.

Even in third gear, all the machines drive around 150 km / h

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The traction in 3rd gear.

It is not just the power delivery that is responsible for this, but also the gear ratio. As is typical for athletes and ideal for most racetracks, the first gear of the Yamaha YZF-R1 has a very long gear ratio. The following gears are then more closely connected, and from fourth gear the R1 gearbox is even less geared than the corresponding gear stages of Ducati Diavel, KTM 1190 Adventure and MV Agusta Brutal 1090. But already in third gear, all the machines are running when they are turned down Engines around 150 km / h or faster, the Yamaha even cracks the 200 km / h limit in the third. The upper gears are mainly used to save fuel in everyday operation.

The exact opposite of the R1 gradation is represented by the transmission of the KTM 1190 Adventure. In favor of better off-road and alpine road suitability, it was given very short lower gears. What that means for the accelerating power on the rear wheel: Full torque and a short gear ratio give the KTM 1190 Adventure in particular a great advantage in the range between 50 and 130 km / h. The 0.4 seconds that she loses in the acceleration up to 140 km / h on the Diavel, she has earned earlier. The MV Agusta Brutale 1090, thanks to an equally short overall gear ratio, and the Ducati Diavel follow in the places; the Yamaha needs a lower gear and higher engine speeds to keep up. To make this clear, the traction diagram also shows the traction curve of the Yamaha in second gear as a dashed line.

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The KTM 1190 Adventure belongs to the travel enduro category, but it is a real all-rounder.

When it is tickled in the upper speed range, the Yamaha YZF-R1 tears quite violently. Thanks to the crouched sitting position, this speed can be ridden out easily, but when braking before the next bend it becomes exhausting because the driver has to support a large part of his weight with his arms. AT smooth sequence of maneuvers can only be achieved with great commitment. It is easier to drive quickly with the others.

The diagrams shown here only explain the full load portion of the complex issue of performance and how it is felt when driving. Whereby we don’t know exactly when full load is actually applied. Because on all four motorcycles the electronics regulate important performance-determining parameters such as throttle valve position or ignition timing. The engine is not always allowed to give it its all when the driver has the throttle on the stop. This can be seen very clearly in a direct comparison of different driving modes. Take the KTM 1190 Adventure, for example: In “Street” mode, the “full throttle” performance curve in the medium engine speed range is up to 5 hp below that of “Sport” mode, and only catches up with the “Sport” curve from 6000 rpm, but achieves the same maximum performance. That can only mean that the engine is slowed down in certain areas in favor of smoother power delivery. The difference in acceleration behavior, the subjective feeling of power, differs between the two modes more than the measured values ​​suggest. In "Street" mode, the KTM resembles the Yamaha characteristics, while in "Sport" mode it zooms in on the Ducati Diavel.

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The MV Agusta Brutal 1090 is short and handy, the seating position on it allows a good overview of the game.

The partial load range, in which most people mostly drive, can only be expressed in numbers with the most complex measurement technology, and here the electronics are more active than at full load. It acts as a kind of translator for the throttle commands. And just as there can be variations in translations from one language to the other, the power and the way it is delivered vary depending on the driving mode. In addition to the standard mode, which also allows full power ahead, the Yamaha YZF-R1 offers the “A"-Mode that shows a more aggressive response and a “B"-Mode that allows less peak power and allows the engine to respond particularly smoothly. On winding roads with many load changes, the more aggressive “A"-Modus is the better choice, but the gentler “B"-Fashion. It shows how you can actually drive more relaxed and thus perhaps even faster with less power.

The Ducati Diavel affects the psyche of its drivers with all available means. This goes up to the feeling of hanging on the handlebars when accelerating and only being saved from fluttering by the seat recess. But first and foremost – and that makes the Diavel extremely likeable – it convinces with actions, not just with data. As hard as she accelerates, it was clear to everyone that her V2 pushes the highest torque everywhere. Except for two areas where your curve is briefly outstripped by those of the MV and the KTM 1190 Adventure, this is actually the case.

The explosive midrange power distinguishes the Testastretta Evoluzione of the Ducati Diavel from the almost identical engine of the Multistrada 1200. Its characteristics fit seamlessly with the muscular exterior of the motorcycle. “Street” and “Sport” modes hardly differ significantly in the almost attack-like acceleration; Only the “Urban” mode makes the Ducati Testastretta noticeably smoother. The test consumption of the MV Agusta suggests – it is traditionally high for the Brutale models – that it is motivated to accelerate with ample mixture enrichment in the partial load range.

In fact, however, the “Street” and “Race” modes differ in that the opening curve of the throttle valve is slightly different, but above all in that the ignition is adjusted more quickly in the early direction, which creates a more aggressive characteristic . Because she lets off steam in a motorcycle with a rather short wheelbase, the driver of which is also sitting upright, the MV Agusta Brutale 1090 cannot accelerate as quickly as the Ducati Diavel – there is a risk of rollover. But as with the Alpine Masters, it shines with the best torque values. By the way: Your elaborately designed four-cylinder with radially arranged valves and the alternator located behind the cylinder bank works in the test machine from MOTORRAD as cultivated as hardly any of its predecessors. Its vibrations are never annoying, and the mechanical noises are more subtle than on previous test machines.

With the Ducati Diavel, nobody has to listen carefully. It shoots the area through its sound cannons quite unabashedly and thus supports the subjective feeling of motor omnipotence that makes Diavel driving a special experience. It’s the good old-fashioned effect: what sounds strong must also be strong. This feeling has often been deceptive, but in contrast to many tuning exhaust systems, the Diavel keeps what it loudly promises. However, the KTM 1190 Adventure delivers no less power and hardly less torque and consumes the least gasoline without having to constantly raise one’s voice.

The main thing is that the overall system works

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A comparison at this level would not have been possible 20 years ago. Only tuned supersport motorcycles could manage 150 hp.

In the ears of most motorcyclists, two-cylinder have a nicer, stronger sound than four-cylinder. Their sound at higher speeds is often described as uncomfortably bright and screeching. If you are bothered by it, you should definitely test drive the Yamaha YZF-R1. With its unusual, uneven firing order, it acts as an in-line engine like a V4. In this way, it creates a sound that is not perceived as hectic, but at higher speeds, as the sound gradually becomes harder, it creates a wonderful tingling sensation. Whether the unusual firing order is actually a reason for the feeling of the load change behavior, or whether it is simply due to a particularly successful set-up, cannot be said without a doubt. The main thing is that the overall system works. And it does.

As the second four-cylinder in the field, the MV engine has a conventional crankshaft, and all cylinders fire at equal intervals. Nevertheless, you don’t have to count him among the screamers when it comes to sound. On the contrary: the MV Agusta developers have succeeded in creating a "Dark Ground Voice" for him, a voice with a dark background, which can produce impressive-sounding interference effects, especially in urban canyons. And a sense of cultivated power.

Today, taking over a basic engine from one series to another is anything but an act of convenience. It goes without saying that it saves costs if a manufacturer does not have to redevelop the mechanical parts of an engine from scratch. But it is now standard even with smaller manufacturers to carefully adapt many details to the specific requirements of their new segment. It starts with the performance characteristics and goes through the response and load change behavior, the transmission and overall gear ratio to the sound of the exhaust system. In the case of the four motorcycles in this concept comparison, this was consistently successful.

Conclusion

It’s all about performance and its development, and here the Ducati offers the highest experience value, followed by the MV Agusta Brutal 1090. In everyday use, however, the KTM 1190 Adventure, thanks to its excellent suspension elements, delivers the best performance to the road, while the Ducati Diavel is not good at handling bumps. Unfortunately, the Yamaha YZF-R1 can rarely develop power and sound away from the motorway and racetrack.

Ducati Diavel Carbon

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At Vmax, the Ducati Diavel Carbon only has two upshifts.

engine
type design Two cylinder four stroke 90 degree V engine
injection Ø 56 mm
coupling Multi-disc oil bath clutch
(Anti-hopping)
Boron x stroke 106.0 x 67.9 mm
Displacement 1198 cc
compression 11.5: 1
power 112.7 kW (153 hp) at 9500 rpm
Torque 128 Nm at 8000 rpm
landing gear
frame Steel tubular frame
fork Upside-down fork, Ø 50 mm
Steering damper
Brakes front / rear Ø 320/265 mm
Systems assistance ABS, traction control
bikes 3.50 x 17; 8.00 x 17
tires 120/70 ZR 17;
240/45 ZR 17
Tires Pirelli Diablo Rosso II, front "D"
mass and weight
wheelbase 1590 mm
Steering head angle 62.0 degrees
trailing 130 mm
Front / rear suspension travel 120/120 mm
Seat height * 770 mm
Weight with full tank * 238 kg
Payload * 162 kg
Tank capacity / reserve 17.0 / 4.0 liters
Service intervals 12,000 km
price 20,590 euros
Price test motorcycle 20,590 euros
Additional costs 305 euros
MOTORCYCLE readings
Top speed² 225 km / h

acceleration
0-100 km / h
0-140 km / h
0-200 km / h

3.0 sec
4.9 sec
9.5 sec Draft
60-100 km / h
100-140 km / h
140-180 km / h 3.0 sec
3.6 sec
3.9 sec Consumption highway 5.9 liters Reach country road 288 km

* MOTORCYCLE measurements; ² manufacturer information; ³Price including EDS (electronically adjustable chassis), TPMS (tire pressure monitoring) and main stand (800 euros) and heated grips (197 euros)

KTM 1190 Adventure

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Anyone who wants to bring a lot of power to the ground on bad roads will find the best engine and chassis requirements for this on the KTM.

engine
type design Two-cylinder four-stroke 75 degree V engine
injection Ø 52 mm
coupling

Multi-disc oil bath clutch
(Anti-hopping)
Boron x stroke 105.0 x 69.0 mm
Displacement 1195 cc
compression 12.5: 1
power 110.0 kW (150 PS) at 9500 rpm
Torque 125 Nm at 7500 rpm
landing gear
frame Steel tubular frame, engine
supporting
fork Upside-down fork, Ø 48 mm
Steering damper hydraulically
Brakes front / rear Ø 320/267 mm
Systems assistance Compound brake, ABS, traction control
bikes 3.50 x 19; 5.00 x 17
tires

120/70 ZR 19;
170/60 ZR 17
Tires Continental TrailAttack 2 "K"
mass and weight
wheelbase 1560 mm
Steering head angle 64.0 degrees
trailing 120 mm
Front / rear suspension travel 190/190 mm
Seat height * 860-875 mm
Weight with full tank * 238 kg
Payload * 202 kg
Tank capacity / reserve 23.0 / 3.5 liters
Service intervals 15,000 km
price 13,995 euros
Price test motorcycle 14,992 euros³
Additional costs 250 euro
MOTORCYCLE readings
Top speed² 250 km / h

acceleration
0-100 km / h
0-140 km / h
0-200 km / h

3.7 sec
5.6 sec
10.9 sec Draft
60-100 km / h
100-140 km / h
140-180 km / h 3.6 sec
3.6 sec
4.1 sec Consumption highway 5.6 liters / super Reach country road 411 km

* MOTORCYCLE measurements; ² manufacturer information; ³Price including EDS (electronically adjustable chassis), TPMS (tire pressure monitoring) and main stand (800 euros) and heated grips (197 euros)

MV Agusta Brutal 1090

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Surf through alternating curves in a middle gear and accelerate vigorously without much gear change – the high-torque engine makes it possible.

engine
type design Four-cylinder, four-stroke in-line engine
injection Ø 46 mm
coupling

Multi-disc oil bath clutch
(Anti-hopping)
Boron x stroke 79.0 x 55.0 mm
Displacement 1078 cc
compression 13.0: 1
power 106.0 kW (144 hp) at 10600 rpm
Torque 112 Nm at 8100 rpm
landing gear
frame Steel tubular frame, engine
supporting 
fork Upside-down fork, Ø 50 mm
Steering damper
Brakes front / rear Ø 320/210 mm
Systems assistance ABS, traction control
bikes 3.50 x 17; 6.00 x 17
tires

120/70 ZR 17;
190/55 ZR 17
Tires Pirelli Diablo Rosso II, front "K"
mass and weight
wheelbase 1438 mm
Steering head angle 65.0 degrees
trailing 104 mm
Front / rear suspension travel 125/120 mm
Seat height * 825 mm
Weight with full tank * 214 kg
Payload * 179 kg
Tank capacity / reserve 23.0 / 4.0 liters
Service intervals 6000 km
price 13,590 euros
Price test motorcycle 13,590 euros
Additional costs 275 euros
MOTORCYCLE readings
Top speed² 265 km / h

acceleration
0-100 km / h
0-140 km / h
0-200 km / h

3.3 sec
5.4 sec
9.8 sec Draft
60-100 km / h
100-140 km / h
140-180 km / h 3.0 sec
3.0 sec
3.4 sec Consumption highway 6.8 liters / super Reach country road 338 km

* MOTORCYCLE measurements; ² manufacturer information; ³Price including EDS (electronically adjustable chassis), TPMS (tire pressure monitoring) and main stand (800 euros) and heated grips (197 euros)

Yamaha YZF-R1

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The Yamaha powerhouse certainly has its charms, which are only slightly impaired by water hoses, cables and cables.

engine
type design Four-cylinder, four-stroke in-line engine
injection Ø 45 mm
coupling

Multi-disc oil bath clutch
(Anti-hopping)
Boron x stroke 78.0 x 52.2 mm
Displacement 998 cc
compression 12.7: 1
power 133.9 kW (182 hp) at 12500 rpm
Torque 116 Nm at 10,000 rpm
landing gear
frame Bridge frame made of aluminum
fork Upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm
Steering damper hydraulically
Brakes front / rear Ø 310/220 mm
Systems assistance Traction control
bikes 3.50 x 17; 6.00 x 17
tires

120/70 ZR 17;
190/55 ZR 17
Tires Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier, front "MT"
mass and weight
wheelbase 1415 mm
Steering head angle 66.0 degrees
trailing 102 mm
Front / rear suspension travel 120/120 mm
Seat height * 820 mm
Weight with full tank * 215 kg
Payload * 180 kg
Tank capacity / reserve 18.0 / – liters
Service intervals 10,000 km
price 15,995 euros
Price test motorcycle 15,995 euros
Additional costs 295 euros
MOTORCYCLE readings
Top speed² 285 km / h

acceleration
0-100 km / h
0-140 km / h
0-200 km / h

3.3 sec
4.7 sec
7.8 sec Draft
60-100 km / h
100-140 km / h
140-180 km / h 3.5 sec
3.5 sec
3.6 sec Consumption highway 6.0 liters / super Reach country road 300 km

* MOTORCYCLE measurements; ² manufacturer information; ³Price including EDS (electronically adjustable chassis), TPMS (tire pressure monitoring) and main stand (800 euros) and heated grips (197 euros)

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