All Comparisons – Comparison R1200GS 2013 Vs Tiger Explorer XC Vs XT1200Z Super Tenere – The future is on …

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Comparison R1200GS 2013 Vs Tiger Explorer XC Vs XT1200Z Super Tenere

All Comparisons - Comparison R1200GS 2013 Vs Tiger Explorer XC Vs XT1200Z Super Tenere - The future is on ...

Even more powerful, the 2013 BMW R1200GS has on paper only to lean to cap the crown of maxi-trails motorcycles. But before pronouncing her coronation, MNC confronted her with the Triumph Tiger Explorer and the Yamaha Super Tenere.. Comparative test.

The future is on…

Then comes the moment to fiddle with the buttons to wake up all the on-board electronics on these three stilts mounted road cars. Forget the simplicity (and lightness …) of the original trail Yamaha 500 XT style: today to shine, the category requires at least a configurable anti-slip, an ABS, an electronic accelerator and an on-board computer (see our Practical aspects and equipment table on the penultimate page).

Taking advantage of its automotive know-how, BMW has taken a further step towards this ruthless sophistication: the R1200GS inherits for the first time configurable injection maps (three for the road, two for the off-road) which influence both on the way the Boxer delivers its 125 hp and 125 Nm of torque (15 hp and 5 Nm more than in 2012) and on the traction control and ABS intervention thresholds.

The icing on the cake: these different "mappings" also intervene electronically on the hydraulic setting of the suspensions, offering the bike a more or less firm damping agreement depending on whether the mode is selected (gas cut and disengaging to validate) the mode. "Rain", "Road" and "Dynamic" in road use.

All those microchips tickle the "Geek" in you? In this case, warn your banker, because the note goes up very quickly: apart from the ABS, the coupled braking and the electronic accelerator, the R1200GS does not offer any of these standard assistance. Yes, even the injection maps fall into the juicy field of the option … To our knowledge, this is quite simply a world first in motorcycle production. !

Like its predecessor, the Bavarian is paying ruby ​​on the nail for the slightest equipment, from LED indicators to cruise control, hand guards, traction control, ESA Dynamic, LED front lighting ( including an additional daytime running light or 100% LED optics) or the on-board computer…

On the other side of the Channel, the philosophy is quite different: equipped as standard with a regulator, anti-slip, ABS braking (not coupled), a 12V socket and a computer Ultra-complete on board – but moderately intuitive to use – the Tiger Explorer plays the card of over-equipment! In its "XC" version tested here, the Englishwoman adds a sturdy aluminum shoe, hand guards (optional on the standard version), engine guards, 55W fog lights and wire wheels..

As for the Yamaha, it comes standard with two injection maps ("Touring" or "Sport"), non-disconnectable ABS, coupled braking (from rear to front, the reverse of the BMW), hand guards and well-supplied instrumentation. A little austere in its presentation, this dashboard would benefit from adopting a gear indicator engaged and a handlebar control to scroll through all its information, as on its competitors.

Too bad also that a tool is needed to adjust the height of the screen, which is also the least effective of the three in terms of protection. On the BMW, the screen goes from its high to low position (and vice versa) without even having to stop, simply by turning a clever control placed on the right of the instrumentation.

The Triumph’s windshield also has manual adjustment, but its more complex handling via two notched knobs can only be operated when stationary. In terms of air deflection capabilities, the GS and the Explorer are on a par.

The Englishwoman opposes the BMW with a smoother saddle, the softer of the three, far ahead of that of the Super Tenere which is too hard and too narrow on its front part. The Explorer finally scores big points by being the only one of the three to be able to carry an approved U-lock in its trunk.

But it loses valuable because of the slippery and slightly sloping nature of its pilot seat: when braking, it is not rare to come into contact with the tank, which is not particularly pleasant….

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