Comparison test BMW K 1200 R Sport-Yamaha FZ1 Fazer

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Comparison test BMW K 1200 R Sport-Yamaha FZ1 Fazer
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Comparison test BMW K 1200 R Sport / Yamaha FZ1 Fazer

Yes what now?

At BMW, the R usually stands for Roadster and the S for Sport. And what does the K 1200 R Sport stand for? Maybe the Yamaha FZ1 Fazer can help. It has been playing in this niche for a long time.

No, nobody would have thought that. The gap was so tiny, so huge is this motorcycle. That it still goes in there is a lot. But they also pressed bravely. K 1200 R Sport ?? the term itself is as bulky as a wall unit. And the fact that the disguised K 1200 S is not a real athlete and the naked sister R only goes through with benevolence as a real naked bike or even as a street fighter does not make matters any better. Both move too much in the »multi-purpose« no man’s land for many to have been waiting for the »R Sport«.

But maybe that is precisely their great advantage. The Yamaha FZ1 impressively demonstrated last year how a premiere can go bad because of too high expectations. Hardly any other motorcycle has been longed for with so much impatience as the upright offshoot of the great sportswoman R1 ?? and hardly anyone was so disillusioned. Because the FZ1, punished with a few technical flaws, did not have the format to fill the huge gap between the R1 and FJR 1300.

Nonetheless, the equation “no gap = no expectations = everything will be fine” cannot automatically work out for BMW. After all, the question of meaning is always part of the mind. In addition, Yamaha is preparing to make the 2006 mishap forgotten. Because even if everything officially stayed the same as well as the new color variants and the standard ABS, the FZ1 has undergone a cure for optimization that has been washed down. So the question is justified, who is the better? we call both of them in the most beautiful »Crossover ?? – Slang Power-Allrounder ?? has in the program. So that was as detailed as this difficult subject demands. From now on it will be shorter? and more concise.

Truth number one: The immense power with which both come up (measured 162 hp the BMW, 148 the Yamaha) is superfluous on the country road. And those who want to bolt on the autobahn are better served at BMW with the K 1200 S, at Yamaha with the R1. Crouch, make real speed, lie stable? The sporty sisters can do that better.

Truth number two: Right out of the corners on the country road
Make pressure ?? only BMW can do that. Although Yamaha clearly cultivated the much criticized gruff throttle response of the FZ1, the performance of the five-valve engine below 7000 rpm is still almost embarrassing. The best proof: the torque curve (see page 30). The 101 Newton meters, which are present in the FZ1 as a brief high at 9200 rpm, are practically shaken off the wrist by the BMW just above idle. Accordingly, the pulling power of the Yamaha is poor in comparison.

Truth number three: Even speed fetishists can’t hold out to move the Fazer in the area that is really fun. Between 7000 and 11500 tours, the Yamaha really burns off fireworks. On country roads this ideally means second, at most third gear. Or else speeds beyond 160 km / h, while the BMW still pushes forward tightly and cultivated in the sixth.

Truth number four: The Bayern-Brummer with exactly 159 cm3 more displacement can do everything much, much better? and still doesn’t make everyone happy. Which is less due to the manners of the engine itself than to the periphery. Clutch, transmission, play in the drive train ?? the old lyre. After numerous modifications (see top test in MOTORRAD 2/2007), it got better again in model year 2007, but not well. In direct comparison to the Yamaha transmission ?? they can do it now? the BMW gearbox looks unchanged like a not entirely successful collection of gears that only come together loudly, especially when downshifting.

Truth number five: The longest possible distance between the front and rear wheels and a heavy weight often stabilize straight-line stability, keep the front wheel on the ground and bring calm on board, but noticeably limit the liveliness in the bustle of curves. The compact and light Yamaha, the long and powerful BMW ?? these are two different worlds, of which the BMW galaxy is well known through sister S and R, while the current FZ1 edition differs fundamentally from the familiar pattern of the previous year. A noticeably more sensitive shock absorber, more feedback from the front wheel ?? What part of this the other tires (Dunlop D 221 instead of Michelin Pilot Road) play must remain open. In any case, the fact is that the 2007 FZ1 has improved significantly in terms of chassis quality, turns precisely even on poor roads and then remains stable on course.

Truth number six: In contrast to the Yamaha chassis efforts, the radical braking cure at Bayern-K did not bring the resounding success that many had expected from the omission of the brake booster. The annoying whistling has probably disappeared, but the controllability of the partially integrated system still leaves a lot to be desired. Much free travel, then a spongy pressure point ?? if it weren’t for the brute effect that, together with the long wheelbase, the barely submerged Duolever front wheel guidance and the almost perfect ABS, enables brilliantly short stopping distances, you wouldn’t like this brake. In contrast to the Yamaha counterpart. Fantastically adjustable and powerfully biting, this solution convinces across the board. And is now also equipped with an anti-lock braking system, which, however, does not regulate as finely as that of the BMW.

Truth number seven: When the engine developers started looking for performance, at least in Munich they must have been absolutely certain that their engine would never be unveiled in this motorcycle. There is no other explanation for the formal catastrophe that lurks almost lying in the basement of the R Sport. Hoses, cables, water pump in the cylinder head, a huge gap between the radiator and the cylinder bank. You don’t see that with the S, with the provocative R it still passes for courage to be ugly, with the K Sport it breaks the boundaries of good taste and makes the tidy, but by no means fancy Yamaha engine look really good.

Truth number eight: At some point Bayern will offer two more bikes as an option. In any case, this is obvious if you look at the factory accessories on the test motorcycle: ABS, ESA, on-board computer, tire pressure control, six-inch rear wheel, heated grips ?? all of that would suit a mid-range car. However, if you drive a Fazer, you will quickly notice that you can also get by without infotainment and that you can check the air pressure free of charge at every petrol station.

Truth number nine: The Munich-based company is calling for 16,605 euros for the test machine, the base price ?? without such useful extras like ABS, heated grips or electrically adjustable chassis ?? is still 14,100 euros. Plus additional costs, of course. What you get for it elsewhere, everyone can work out for themselves. At Yamaha it’s obvious. A F.Z1 Fazer and almost 6000 euros cash on the claw. Including ABS, of course.

With truth number ten, the circle closes and you end up back at the beginning: Thanks to well-known strengths such as the powerful engine, the good comfort and the stable chassis, the K 1200 R Sport wins the points, the Yamaha is far in terms of price-performance ratio front. Nevertheless, both questions have to be accepted. In the case of the K 1200 R Sport, the first is whether this niche wasn’t too tiny for such a large motorcycle.

The second, more central and related to the entire series: what on earth justifies this price? One would like to know from Yamaha whether it is not possible to give this engine a bearish, road-compliant performance characteristic and to do without a handful of horsepower around the top. See truth number one.

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Comparison test BMW K 1200 R Sport-Yamaha FZ1 Fazer

Comparison test BMW K 1200 R Sport / Yamaha FZ1 Fazer
Well what now?

Technical data BMW K 1200 R Sport – Technical data BMW K 1200 R Sport

engine
Water-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, two balance shafts, two overhead, gear / chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, rocker arm, dry sump lubrication, injection, ø 46 mm, regulated catalytic converter, three-phase alternator 580 W, battery 12 V / 14 Ah, hydraulic actuated multi-disc oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, cardan shaft.
Bore x stroke 79.0 x 59.0 mm
Cubic capacity 1157 cm3
Compression ratio 13.0: 1
rated capacity
120.0 kW (163 hp) at 10250 rpm
Max. Torque 127 Nm at 8250 rpm
landing gear
Bridge frame made of aluminum, double longitudinal control arm made of aluminum (with ESA: adjustable rebound damping), two-joint single-sided swing arm made of aluminum, central spring strut with lever system, adjustable spring base and rebound damping (with ESA: adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping), double disc brake at the front, ø 320 mm, four-piston Fixed calipers, rear disc brake, ø 265 mm, two-piston fixed caliper.

Cast aluminum wheels 3.50 x 17; 6.00 x 17
Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 180/55 ZR 17
Tires in the test Pirelli Diablo “E”
mass and weight
Wheelbase 1580 mm, steering head angle 61.0 degrees, caster 101 mm, spring travel f / r 115/135 mm, seat height * 830 mm, weight with a full tank * 246 kg, payload * 204 kg, tank capacity 19.0 liters.

Warranty two years
Service intervals every 10000 km
Colors blue, silver
Price 14,100 euros
Price test motorcycle ** 16 605 euros
Additional costs 269 euros

Technical data Yamaha FZ1 Fazer ABS – Technical data Yamaha FZ1 Fazer ABS

engine
Water-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, five valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, wet sump lubrication, injection, ø 42 mm, regulated catalytic converter, alternator 560 W, battery 12 V / 11 Ah, mechanically operated multi-plate oil bath clutch, Six-speed gearbox, O-ring chain.
Bore x stroke 77.0 x 53.6 mm
Displacement 998 cm3
Compression ratio 11.5: 1
rated capacity
110.3 kW (150 PS) at 11,000 rpm
Max. Torque 106 Nm at 8000 rpm
landing gear
Bridge frame made of aluminum, upside-down fork, ø 43 mm, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum, central spring strut with lever system, disc brake at the front, ø 320 mm, four-piston fixed calipers, disc brake at the rear, ø 245 mm, single-piston Floating saddle, ABS.
Cast aluminum wheels 3.50 x 17; 6.00 x 17
Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 190/50 ZR 17
Dunlop D 221 tires tested

mass and weight
Wheelbase 1460 mm, steering head angle 65.0 degrees, caster 109 mm, suspension travel f / h 130/130 mm, seat height * 800 mm, weight with a full tank * 230 kg, payload * 180 kg, tank capacity 18.0 liters.
Two year guarantee
Service intervals every 10000 km
Colors blue, gray, red
Price 10,689 euros
Additional costs 170 euros

1st place – BMW K 1200 R Sport

BMW K 1200 R Sport Am point victory
you can’t shake it, the new K 1200 R Sport has it all
good K 1200 properties. The price is way too high.

2nd place – Yamaha FZ1 Fazer

Yamaha FZ1 Fazer The 2007 model year is better than the previous one.
Unfortunately, the engine characteristics are still not.

Comment engine

The BMW is ahead in all performance criteria. But that doesn’t really matter. The decisive factor is the engine characteristics, and in this respect the 1200 is miles ahead of the Yamaha engine. It doesn’t really help the Fazer that their load change reactions are much more pleasant. But Yamaha has now learned to build good gearboxes ?? and still translates too long.

Comment chassis

The central chassis criteria are very different.
The Fazer relies above all on handiness, the K 1200 R Sport on stability. The feedback is practically non-existent on the BMW because of the Duolevers, and the lean angle on the Fazer is surprisingly low. Thanks to ESA, BMW collects from the Ein-
opportunities full points.
It also drives very well with a pillion passenger.

Comment everyday

As different as the concepts, as different as the ergonomics. Compact and gathered on the Fazer, where the wide tank disturbs the harmony a little. A little more stretched, but very relaxed on the K 1200 R Sport, which however falls off in the second row. The wind protection is better on the BMW because it is less turbulent. For that offers
the fazer better vision in the mirrors
and a main stand.

Comment security

Brilliant braking effect with modest controllability in the case of the BMW,
full effect with fine metering with the Yamaha ?? in this respect the Fazer is ahead. The ABS regulates this
the K 1200 finer, the kickback tendency is less.

Comment cost

A stalemate on a low level because this one
Boliden want to be entertained. The Yamaha is a little more economical, the BMW a little cheaper for inspections.

Comment value for money

Best price-performance ratio: The Yamaha as a price tip is really not surprising. Given its price, BMW would have had to get 1200 points in the 1000-point ranking to have a chance.

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