Comparison test BMW F 700 GS Vs Kawasaki ER-6f Vs Yamaha Tracer 700: on the road !
To complete our first test of the Tracer 700, Yamaha’s new mid-capacity roadster, Site measured it with the BMW F700GS road trail and the Kawasaki ER-6f streamlined roadster… Comparative test.
Road trail, more or less streamlined roadster…
Parked next to each other, our three motorcycles take the sun while waiting to hit the road … or rather "the" roads that will constitute our route of about 400 km: cities, national, highways, departmental, even " special "rally … Site does not intend to spare its mounts !
But for the moment, the three bikes are wisely placed on their side stands. Only the BMW can, as an option, park on a central. To maintain the Kawasaki and Yamaha chain, it will be necessary to manage differently (expensive workshop stand, hazardous wooden block …). We note in passing that the chain of the GS is a little more accessible, because posted on the right side of the bike.
Fans of beautiful mechanics will also appreciate the presence of braided brake hoses and a bent valve – "cast" in a stick! – on the front rim. Curiously, the rear rim does not benefit from the same appendage, while the large disc (265 mm) does not facilitate access to the inflation hose..
In terms of presentation, the F700GS is not without flaws. Unlike her two Japanese opponents of the day, the German, for example, does not have brake discs cut into petals which would nevertheless stick well to her backpacker look….
Even more annoying, the two front brake discs of "our" little GS show numerous traces of rust, which is particularly "task" on a Premium brand machine! The BMW’s speedometer may display four times more kilometers than those of its competitors, this is not an admissible excuse..
The "Behème" partially makes up for it on the subject of the commodos: its own seem less basic than those of the other two, its buttons are well placed and one of them allows you to scroll through the information on the dashboard, which does not is not the case on the Kawa nor the Yam (see page Practical aspects and equipment).
In terms of instrumentation precisely, the Tracer 700 takes advantage of its young age to eclipse its rivals: entirely digital, the panel of the MT-07 "quite simply" integrates all the necessary information and displays them clearly, except the engine speed. On the F700GS, it is less easy to estimate its speed on the analog speedometer.
Finally, on the ER-6f, it is impossible to know which gear you are in … unless you buy the witness produced and produced by the Healtech company, available in the official Kawasaki accessories catalog (120 €). Functional if not elegant, the system has been previously validated by MNC (read our).
Of the three cockpits, the most rudimentary is that of the BMW: faithful to the trail spirit, the German does not bother with trim that complicates any tinkering on the sides of the road or path. On the Kawasaki, a few pods spoil the view of the pilot a little while the Yamaha plays the most opulent.
The Tracer is more "pinch" when it comes to lever settings: only the front brake can be adjusted on the Yam ‘and, even set to the minimum, remains a bit too far away for tiny hands. The controls of the other two motorcycles do better by adapting to all body types.
If all three have rubber on their footrests, the F700GS allows bikers who would like to venture into the paths to remove it. Be careful, however, because the ground clearance of the trail – very – road is hardly greater than that of the two roadsters – more or less – faired !
The BMW also stands out with its nose screen whose tiny size accentuates the unbalanced line of the machine: short and high at the front, low and wide at the rear because of the tank, installed not between the legs of the pilot but under his buttocks !
Much larger, the screen of the Kawasaki is adjustable in three notches, but it requires the use of a key and a little time because the screen must first be removed to modify the height of its mounting brackets. Suddenly, MNC kept the "medium" setting chosen by Kawasaki France (instead of the "high" tested during a previous one).
On the Yamaha, the bubble is both thinner (oh …) and higher (ah!) Than on the Kawa, and its change of position is achieved this time without tools and to the nearest millimeter. The MT borders on perfection on this point: we only regret having to stop to unscrew and serenely screw back the two adjustment knobs.
The Tracer 700 continues to flatter the ego of its owner by showing off pretty non-radial but polished calipers and in stars (as on the very first R1 and then many Yam!), A specific aluminum swingarm of very good craftsmanship and a metallic paint that brilliantly reflects the sun’s rays, especially in red.
The ER-6f does not defend itself badly, despite its much more rudimentary calipers (those of the BMW are branded Brembo, please). The swingarm of the Kawa is also more basic (two steel tubes) but has the merit of matching its frame, while the green color (2016) is cleverly inspired by the livery .
Entrusted to Site in its gray color, the F700GS looks much duller next to its two rivals, or the next versions of F700GS available in orange or white with a red frame! We note in passing that the absence of paint on the mudguard is excused on the GS, because it could possibly get scratched with brambles on nice trails. It is much less on the Tracer !
Before taking the handlebars, MNC takes a look under the saddle … This time, the disappointment is also great on the BMW and the Yamaha: unlike the Kawasaki which can accommodate a U of respectable size, they allow everything just take the regulatory yellow vest on board. You said little ?
With its seat height limited to 805mm, the ER-6f is also the easiest bike to ride ahead of the F700GS (820mm) and Tracer 700 (835mm). However, we should not rely on the figures alone: thanks to the smoothness of its saddle, the BMW is closer to the Kawa than to the Yam in terms of accessibility..
Compared to the roadsters – more or less – faired, the BMW trail almost gives the air of small displacement with its on-board console mounted on a puny fork crown and overhung by a large and flat handlebar. But the weight (all full facts) is felt when putting the German straight !
The Kawasaki offers a feeling of heaviness slightly accentuated by its lower and significantly narrower handlebars: 76 cm measured from one flyweight to another by MNC, against 84.5 cm for the BMW and 74 for the Yamaha. And the distance between the hands is even less between each stalk (respectively 43.5 cm, 53 and 46.5).
In comparison, the lightweight Tracer 700 requires much less effort to be lifted off its side stand. Maneuvering with the engine off are also much easier on the Yam, which also benefits from the better turning diameter: 4.95 m according to MNC measurements against 5.15 for the BMW and 5.28 for the Kawa.
At the end of this first round of observation, the Tracer 700 therefore takes a very slight advantage over the heavier and a little less well-equipped ER-6f, but with greater carrying capacity (especially with the two suitcases!) . The advance is clearer on the F700GS, accessible and well thought out certainly, but disappointing in terms of finish…
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