Versys 650, V-Strom 650, Tracer 700 and F 750 GS
Crossover motorcycles in comparison test
Crossover motorcycles such as the Kawasaki Versys 650, Suzuki V-Strom 650, Yamaha Tracer 700 and BMW F 750 GS pair the enduro look with sports touring genes. We tested the 4.
Crossover means the mix of styles. Under two-wheelers, the upright enduro look means a lot of game overview, supplemented by sports tourism aspects and 17-inch rims, because the next adventure is on the road. Strictly speaking, BMW’s new F 750 GS and Suzuki’s V-Strom 650 don’t fit into this grid. A 19-inch device rotates at the front. In both cases, however, its pure road profile clearly points in one direction, which does not allow for rough terrain. So everything is fine with the newcomer from Bavaria and the evergreen from Hamamatsu in this circle, which also includes Kawasaki’s Versys 650 and Yamahas Tracer 700 fellows.
Versys 650, V-Strom 650, Tracer 700 and F 750 GS
Crossover motorcycles in comparison test
Sitting position, space, comfort
The BMW F 750 GS welcomes its rider. Slightly leaning forward dynamically, the hands grip the broad handlebars, the low-lying notches relax the knee angle. The comfort of the 830 millimeter high chair fits. This also applies to the Kawasaki Versys 650. Its handlebars stretch a little more towards the rider on long risers, but padding, knee angles and space are just as easy for collecting kilometers. Do you need more space? The Suzuki V-Strom 650 has it on offer. Your knee angle forces your legs into a more sporty basic posture because of the higher notches, but the rest is right under all respects. Tight knees, cozy but firm padding, upright seat: where do you go to the end of the world? And then it tweaks beforehand, the rump calls in. The straight sitting position behind the large tank is to blame. Together with the handlebars, which curve far back, the Suzuki driver sits comfortably but inactive in it. The great amount of weight on the buttocks cannot bed the best cushion like a litter in the long run. It’s a shame, there would be more.
The Yamaha Tracer 700 is more active, but only for people up to 185 cm. The Tracer is stingy with space, offers comfort, but little space to slide back and forth to change your sitting posture. This is okay for normal people, but it is difficult for longer ones.
Cruise control, throttle response, transmission
Thanks to cruise control, which is part of the BMW touring package, the F 750 GS scurries to the next stop with a relaxed driver. The others do without the speed controller.
It’s amazing how smoothly the Suzuki hangs on the gas and swims casually in traffic even in high aisles. The Yamaha masters this on a similar level, the Kawasaki only roars powerfully at speeds between 2,000 and 3,000 turns, is tame, but a little unmotivated, sometimes jerks slightly when applying the gas. Loud and a little rough, BMW can do that too under these conditions. Your motor grinds and rattles fervently with the timing chain, and your drive sometimes twitches at speeds of around 2,000 revolutions. Two steps forward, one backward – that’s what it feels like. Then it is better to shift down a gear with a well-functioning blipper – included in the dynamic package.
Since the gears are already being discussed: All of them are reliable. The BMW scores with the automatic gearshift for upshifting and downshifting, and it also pampers you with a finely adjustable clutch. With the Versys 650, one finger is enough to disconnect the frictional connection, the pressure point is good, but the switch box requires a strong foot. V-Strom 650 and Tracer 700 are just as impeccable overall, offering a high level of clutch and shift comfort.
Straight-line stability, performance, wind protection
On Autobahn 7, the focus is on straight-line stability. The BMW and Yamaha swiftly swept up the BAB driveway. With 78 and 75 hp, their engines set the tone in this field. Versys 650 and V-Strom 650 are content with 69 horsepower. Since all four are equipped with suitcases, the travel speed levels off at the recommended 130 km / h. Just a little sprint now and then spices up the stage.
Immovable, the BMW and the Suzuki suck meters under their wheels. With wheelbases of more than 150 cm, they run ahead without commuting. Deliberately initiated suggestions via the handlebars quickly fade away. The wheelbases of Kawasaki and Yamaha show what they want: to scurry, not to run straight ahead. 1,415 millimeters separate the front and rear wheels on the Kawasaki, 1,450 mm on the Yamaha. In addition, the undercarriages of both are comfortably tuned and have few reserves. If you want to, you get a lot of movement in both of them. So it’s better to go on comfortably. The wind protection behind the height-adjustable windows is consistently good for the Japanese at motorway speeds. It’s a bit turbulent behind the Suzuki windshield, depending on the size of the driver – it’s definitely better than on the BMW. Their micro-disks do not relieve the strain. The only thing that helps is crouching.
Handling, chassis, engine
Two hours later the pictures are in the box, the photographer hisses on towards the hotel in Paderborn. The rest of the way follows the L 755 out of Altenbeken. Finally curves. As if by themselves, Versys and Tracer find the tight line, scurrying effortlessly around the great bends in the route. The F 750 GS and V-Strom 650 demand clearer impulses. The wheelbases make themselves felt again. They are not as handy as Kawasaki and Yamaha. But their big hour is yet to come. The chassis of the BMW and the Suzuki easily make up for the extra effort through stability, precision and the successful chassis settings. The Kawasaki and Yamaha spin easily when load or gear changes are pending. Close the tap and brake before the bend – both of them collapse slightly. The Yamaha also acknowledges fast downshifts with a stamping rear wheel. The Versys masters this with ease thanks to the slipper clutch. But it is also not really quiet when the focus is on curvy driving pleasure. The switch to the Suzuki and the BMW immediately reveals this. The F 750 GS in particular drives much more confidently. The spring base of the semi-active, electrically adjustable dynamic ESA suspension is raised to the level of “person plus luggage”, the damping is adjusted to “dynamic” – and the BMW rushes through the angular work as if it were built up. The Suzuki can do that almost as well. Only her fork swings slightly after the braking phase. But it shines with the greatest freedom of inclination.
The good thing about it: Even under the aspect of comfort, the stable suspension settings of BMW and Suzuki do not mean any losses, both reach the level of the soft damping Kawasaki, the Yamaha even has to be clearly behind them. Despite its slightly gummy nature, it inspires time and again with its engine. It can really do everything, a great unit, just like the V2 of the Suzuki. If necessary, it turns fluffy upwards, where the BMW two slowly runs out of breath. At medium engine speeds, the Kawasaki twin signals: This is my home. Only: it spices up every revving over 5,000 turns with increasing vibrations. An electric eel that is easy to turn. After all, the Versys’ responsiveness is impeccable in this area. So let the twin cheer again. The next bend is already in sight, but why is the VW Bulli up there in the field so strange? The local law enforcement officers want to earn money on motorcycle fun. Time for the hotel.
At 15 liters, the BMW has the smallest tank – there is a risk of ebb in the fuel tank after 357 kilometers, despite the low 4.2 liters consumption. When it comes to consumption, the four don’t give each other much, with a full 21 liter tank capacity, the Kawa marks the top of the range in terms of range and would theoretically only have to return to the petrol pump after 525 kilometers.
Related articles
-
Discovery – A new rendezvous for classic motorcycles in Paris –
Versys 650, V-Strom 650, Tracer 700 and F 750 GS Crossover motorcycles in comparison test Crossover motorcycles such as the Kawasaki Versys 650, Suzuki…
-
Comparison test Kawasaki Z900, Suzuki GSX-S750 and Yamaha MT-09: Election of the best Japanese maxi-mid-size roadster In 2017, Kawasaki further…
-
Autumn trip: with endurance test motorcycles
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…
-
Motorcycles – Video test of the new Triumph Speedmaster – Used TRIUMPH
Comparison test between Kawasaki GPX 600 R and Suzuki GSX 600 F Signs of aging What they may lack in youthful resilience after more than ten years of…
-
Comparison test of naked bikes from Japan
Comparison test of naked bikes from Japan Nippon naked bikes Strong, undisguised motorcycles have a long tradition in Japan. In the meantime, Nippon’s…
-
Motorcycles – New from Triumph: the future Daytona 765 burnt out in full test – Used TRIUMPH
Comparison test KTM 620 LC4 EGS-E against MuZ Baghira against Suzuki DR 650 SE against Yamaha TT 600 E Flight lesson Will the KTM LC 4 fly away from the…
-
Which A2 motorcycle to choose from Kawasaki? Test of Z900 70 kW, Ninja 400 and company… In 2018, Kawasaki launches two new motorcycles compatible with…
-
2016 Honda Integra review: complete, but incomplete… Bringing together the qualities of a motorcycle and a scooter: such has been the ambition of the…
-
Zero S and FXS electric motorcycles test: 15 horsepower … and more with electricity Leader of the – microscopic – electric motorcycle market, Zero…
-
Comparative test of six-cylinder motorcycles
Exit with six-cylinder motorcycles Six six-packs from Benelli, BMW, Honda, Horex and Kawasaki The fascination of the six-cylinder is alive. After four…
Related articles
-
Crossover motorcycles put to the test
Versys 650, V-Strom 650, Tracer 700 and F 750 GS Crossover motorcycles in comparison test Crossover motorcycles such as the Kawasaki Versys 650, Suzuki…
-
Discovery – The Paris Moto Show will continue in 2007 –
BMW R nineT Pure and Triumph Bonneville T120 Black Pressure therapy against daily grind If you are looking for the beautiful in life, you have to take a…
-
Paris Motor Show – Cars and motorcycles in the same Paris Motor Show: what advantage for visitors? –
Cars and motorcycles in the same Paris Motor Show: what an advantage for visitors ? Emmanuel and his son made the trip to Paris from Merville, near Lille…
-
Discovery – Everything you need to know about the Paris Motorcycle Show –
Cross-over test Auffi Muass I The mountain calls. Following in the footsteps of Luis Trenker, the MOTORRAD team was looking for the best machine for…
-
Discovery – Motorcycles, bikes, planes, sledges: Guy Martin’s new challenges! –
BMW S 1000 RR old versus new in the test All things new. But also better? The BMW S 1000 RR came, saw and won. She successfully defied all attempts to…
-
Discovery – Bike Shed Paris 2015: the Carreau du Temple celebrates motorcycle preparation –
BMW G 310 R and Yamaha MT-03 in comparison The new little motorcycles With a displacement of just over 300 cc and a cost price of around 5,000 euros, the…
-
Discovery – Zero Motorcycles at the 2013 Paris Motorcycle Show – Occasions ZERO MOTORCYCLES
BMW R 1200 GS, Honda CBF 1000, Kawasaki Ninja 250 R, KTM 990 Adventure , Suzuki Gladius, Triumph Daytona 675, Yamaha FJR 1300 Wanted: the best street…
-
Lobbying – Petition against the ban on pre-2000 motorcycles in Paris –
Harley-Davidson Model 11F and Indian Twin Model F Close to the beginning Content of Two old irons demand justice: The Indian Twin Model F, built in 1914,…
-
Lobbying – New mobilization against the return of the ban on motorcycles in Paris –
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited and Indian Roadmaster in comparison Full-cabin sofa cruiser People learn to sail on old ships, as the saying…
-
Lobbying – Demonstration against paid parking for motorcycles in Paris –
Hanko Yamaha XSR 700 Nobody can do it like the carpenter Wood as a material on a motorcycle is unusual, even on a custom bike. The Hanko Yamaha XSR 700…