Top seller test comparison

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Top seller test comparison

Autumn Master

This autumn ride was not about winning. Because each of the motorcycles had already won before: in the favor of the public, which made them the best-selling of their brand.

Sometimes they slip out, these pointless super-superlatives? best selling, most loved. And sometimes this nonsense becomes more correct. For example, if it has been the case for years-
to name the lasting success of a BMW R 1150 GS or a Suzuki GSF 1200 Bandit briefly and aptly. This year, too, these two "best-selling" bikes were so far behind all other motorcycles that they came in sixth overall
the FZS 600 Fazer or that eighth of the
Z 1000 only suffice for the grammatically correct predicate "most successful Yamaha" and "best-selling Kawasaki". This puts you in the same registration statistics, but in a different league. Not to mention the Fireblade, which became Honda’s bestseller in Germany in 2003 without making it into the top ten.
Which gives rise to the success of one and the even greater success of the other-
MOTORRAD wanted to examine it while driving. As long as the autumn sun still had the strength to dissolve morning frost and dew into haze and create double-digit midday temperatures. As long as the Black Forest was not yet white and the high altitude of the Vosges was still free of snow. At a closed meeting over a thousand kilometers. Five drivers, five motorcycles, a photographer as a companion, nothing else.
It was much more difficult for the pilots to deal with the harsh light-dark contrasts of the low autumn sun during their tour than getting used to the frequent motorcycle swaps. That means something, because who from the high seat of the GS to crouch on the Fire-
blade descends or from the low-rev, bubbling two-cylinder boxer to the revving 600cc four-cylinder, the Fazer climbs a whole octave up the speed ladder, gets quite a bit-
to feel the differences. Nevertheless, despite all the differences, the five successes have one thing in common-
models that contribute to their popularity. They are, each in their own way and in
Relation to their direct competition, very accommodating, instill confidence spontaneously or after a few kilometers. To try again to switch from GS to Fireblade: someone can perceive this switch as a culture shock; anyway the fire-
blade is the most accessible of the super athletes.
The BMW, the Suzuki and the Yamaha, all of them representatives of a classic driver’s attitude, opened up spontaneously. In other words, a sitting position that is only moderately bent with a knee angle that is not too acute and not too close to the steering head. She avoids extremes, restricts movement-
freedom and helps the driver,
to stay focused in a relaxed way and to keep track of narrow, winding mountain passes. At the same time, this posture decouples up to
to a certain extent on the reactions of the front wheel to the road surface, which creates a natural serenity and is also perfectly fine, because driving on the racetrack and at the limit is not an issue with the three of them anyway.
The BMW once again proves to be the queen of fast gliding, with its Telelever at the forehead, in conjunction with the rear Paralever, very sensitively ironing away bumps without, on the other hand, getting into the punch due to insufficient damping. As a bonus, the Metzeler Tourance rear tire has completely got rid of the slight bending that was previously noticeable in a lean position. Full
Road holding and high steering precision are the result, every line always seems to be drivable immediately. Even when in the entrance-
area of ​​a downhill left-hand bend just a few hand’s breadth next to the autumn carpet of leaves. When the street width is used in this way, the easiest to play along is those who are currently on the Fazer. She also drives on rather narrow tires? in front she wears one of the rare ones-
become 110s ?? and offers-
easy handling. However, it does benefit a little from the autumn coolness.
The damping weakness of the fork is hardly noticeable with oil that is more viscous due to the temperature. In addition, the Dunlop D 207 in J specification are made for cold asphalt. Self-selected-
rejected standard D 207 critics,
the Dunlop has long since put the D 208 to the side, the series must-
Fazer tires attest very good adhesion.
The gang of five has not yet left the Black Forest, curving around in the high altitudes above Bad Peterstal when they begin to ponder the Suzuki’s chassis. Surely the bandit liked it spontaneously, the seating position is also good for it, the
Bearish engine even more. But this somewhat stubborn turning behavior, the indifferent feeling in the further course of the bend, as if you were always slouching a few millimeters to the left and right of the desired line. Not bad, but the others, including the Honda, which demands a lot of effort from the driver in the winding terrain, lead-
ben more pleasing and more focused on the topic. And that means cornering. So fully preload the fork springs. With this recipe from the top test from 2001, which the autumn drivers next-
If it was found that the brake discs had 182 holes, the cornering stability was better, but the turning behavior was not. With relaxed springs, the result is the other way round, and none of the extremes and no intermediate levels really fit. In the end, it was agreed to concentrate on the engine with relish and to name the tires as the main responsible for the slightly clouded joy of the chassis. Because the doughy ride-
The testers had a feeling of mediocre grip on other engines with the Macadam 100 X tires-
wheels observed. After all, Michelin has long since favored the unequally bes-
Let our Pilot Road run out. A modernization that the bandit should use for itself.
The Z 1000 and Fireblade demonstrate what can be called modern, not just in terms of tires. Quite different in handlebar width, handlebar height and other ergonomic details, the two have a lot in common. Wide tires and almost identical chassis geometry, for example. And they force their drivers forward, placing them almost above instead of behind the steering head. As if you had to play their greed for curves by adopting a forward-looking posture. Serenity is less conveyed here, certainly not through the hoarse sound of the kawa, but something of the aggressive confidence with which one should attack a steep mogul slope while skiing. Instead of tackling the curves in as long as possible turns, which would be possible without any problems thanks to the largely neutral steering properties, when driving enthusiastically you tend to brake on a sharp line, aiming at the next straight line very slowly at the apex , but narrowly and with a considerable incline. Then straighten the motorcycle as quickly as possible, fold down your wrist and arrow yourself forwards and outwards with everything that the powerful four-cylinder units can provide. That’s quite a lot for the bumpy roads either-
ten through the Kaiserstuhl and later for
the various balloons in Alsace over there,
actually too much.
Because the next bend is bound to come there, and it is approaching quickly. So the journey turns up and down the pace-
to an experience that is great fun, but more strenuous than sliding on the other three. Even if the powerful four-cylinder from Kawasaki and Honda can really show what they can do on better roads like the Col de la Schlucht. If the 600 is the fazer in the highest-
the boxer cheered after the tones
seems overwhelmed and in what for him
means the upper speed range,
vibrates pithily. If only the energetic
The bulbous bandit can keep up and even find the friendliness to suffocate their equally powerful vibrations in rubber bearings.
Honda and Kawasaki, it becomes clear in such moments, stand for the fierce, intense, rather short-lived pleasure. It goes with the fact that the Z 1000 because of insufficient empire-
more than two times without fuel, which the Fireblade could barely avoid. Led into the drought by GS, Bandit and Fazer with 22, 20 and another 22 liter tank volumes. Then they were finally allowed to lead the group and specify the fuel stops.
In addition, the accessories that are indispensable for a longer tour? Luggage rolls, rucksacks, tank bags ?? focus on this very compact engine-
not transporting bikes as comfortably and inconspicuously as on the others. Those who tackle a pass descent with the rucksack on their back with the Fireblade can look forward to a strong, easy-to-use brake, but when straightening up they can easily get into a clinch with the luggage roll. So he prefers to stay stooped and in the evening at the latest he feels exactly what the arm muscles had to do during the day. Driving the super sporty Honda, in particular, suffers from the many layers of clothing that protect against the cold, but restrict mobility. In a more decoupled sitting position like on the three classics or with the help of the wide handlebars on the Kawasaki, that doesn’t matter. The Fireblade, on the other hand, can only develop its full sportiness in interaction with a flexible driver in supple clothing.
It is also an exception among the five front runners of its brands in another respect because it is the only one that cannot also lead the market segment in which it competes. Against the stronger Suzuki GSX-R 1000, which had been extensively revised for the 2003 season, the Fireblade could do little, let alone achieve its own result from the previous year. Although her name has a long tradition and a good sound, she has to accept that the half-life of Great athletes generally seems to be shorter than that of other motorcycles. It is no coincidence that three of the four other top sellers in this field are not only old acquaintances in terms of their model names. Even to Modifi-
cations such as the switch to double ignition on the GS or the facelift
the Fazer they are rightly not perceived as completely new motorcycles.
This long market presence in connection with their style-defining qualities in driving meant that motorcycle enthusiasts almost inevitably think of BMW GS when the term
Big or travel enduro falls. Even more so in their home country. Almost automatically
the Suzuki GSF 1200 Bandit appears as the epitome of the classic naked bike with large displacement, which curiously even applies to the half-faired S version. Especially since it is popular with its unpretentious nature and its low price far beyond its circle of buyers. The Bandit can also be found likeable as the owner of a Yamaha XJR. In competition-
competing for the buyer’s favor in the long run is just as important as tangible technical advantages.
Accordingly, the small Fazer embodies almost ideally the continuously reliable middle-class all-rounder, who combines a good portion of reason and solidity in a most charming way with nimble, almost cheeky dynamics. Perhaps that’s why the proportion of women is
unusually high among Fazer buyers at around 30 percent. The Honda Hornet 600 with its playful high-
The drawn exhaust system on the one hand and the almost painfully sober welded frame on the other hand draws the short straw against the Fazer.
If you use the examples mentioned to make it clear that not only the factors that can be influenced from the start, such as technology, design, price, and driving characteristics are important for sales success, but also continuity and a good feel for what matters , then the performance is the To assess the Kawasaki Z 1000 correctly: out of nowhere in the top ten, the extinct one
Tradition of building strong motorcycles with a streetfighting man image, rekindled it after more than a decade and creating a very good machine in the process ?? Respect. Nice and
It is only logical that the new season continues unchanged. A privilege that she is the only one to be granted, apart from the surprisingly announced retrofitting of a U-Kats for the Suzuki Bandit. The other three motorcycles
this year’s bestseller autumn exit will be in spring 2004 at best
still exist as new machines. The after-
Follower of Fazer is already at the
Dealers, the new Fireblade is coming in the middle
M.arz on the market, and the BMW R 1200 GS will likely be presented in April. If this then becomes more successful than the »best-selling« R 1150 GS, the superlative nonsense will have to be continued next autumn. One more syllable would work: best-selling.

Empirical values

What was particularly noticeable on this year’s autumn tour? no matter whether positive or negative.

Two factors ensured that none of the autumn riders could settle down permanently on their favorite motorcycle: the cold and the heated grips of the BMW. They work so well, especially in connection with the handcuffs, that everyone liked to use them to warm their hands and thus keep the lively exchange of motorcycles going – if you ignore the ABS of the GS or the deceleration reserves of the Fireblade, which are only usable on the racetrack, that is For everything that came up on the autumn trip, the Fazer’s brake was the most popular. The Z 1000 showed a sharp increase in consumption and a high-performance driving style. Moderately agitated, it can cover 321 kilometers on one tank of fuel. But because the engine was challenged more and only 16.9 liters of the 18 liters in the tank can be used, the tide was ebb once after 250 and once after 230 kilometers. Maybe Kawasaki wants to prevent you from sitting in a wolf on the angular bench. The photo of the Suzuki and the driver bending down to look for the adjustment options is typical. It could have been done with the other pilots too. However, no setting was really satisfying. What helps is in the large MOTORRAD tire test (issue 6/2002): Bridgestone BT 020 or Metzeler ME Z4.

04/10 – From seasonal license plate drivers and Pitbull evasors.

From seasonal license plate drivers and
Pit bull dodging.

Now the road is bear again. Us, the one and only. The ice rioters, downpours and motorcycle self-pickers. Which are neither influenced by the weather nor by trends. Tough women and real guys who increase the statistical annual mileage per bike for all the pothole dodgers, knee sliders and roundabout indicators. Because the license plate with the chubby addition in the upper right corner seems en vogue. Almost 60 percent of all motorcyclists send their two-wheelers into early winter retirement. Of course it’s colder in January. And sometimes slippery on the streets. In the worst case, you have spicy-rusty salt contact. What the winter fun dodgers don’t care. They are in the same boat with all the pretzel salt scrapers, shower gel warmers and motif sock wearers who gather around the motorcycle-with-toothbrush-cleaners in the evening to exchange experiences. Nevertheless, a note at this point: It is getting warmer, dear Season license plate driver. Researchers mourn melting polar ice caps, last summer showed off heat records, and maybe December and February will present us with a happy 15 degrees and sunshine. Then we will think of you. We are glad that we do not have to waste a greeting to every fear-nipple-keeper. And ask us what you actually bought for the 200 euros you saved. A herringbone remover? Or a nose hair clipper? Was it really worth it? Rolf henniges

Technical data: Yamaha FZS 600 Fazer

Water-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, wet sump lubrication, constant pressure carburetor, Ø 33 mm, transistor ignition, no exhaust gas cleaning, electric starter. Bore x stroke 62.0 x 49.6 mm displacement 599 cm3 Rated output 70 kW (95 PS) at 11500 rpm Max. Torque 61 Nm (6.2 kpm) at 9500 rpm Pollutant values ​​(homologation) CO 4.69 g / km, HC 2.79 g / km, NOx 0.19 g / km Power transmission Mechanically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, O-ring Double loop frame made of tubular steel, telescopic fork, stanchion diameter 41 mm, adjustable spring base, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum profiles, central spring strut with lever system, adjustable spring based and rebound damping, double disc brake at the front, floating brake discs, Ø 298 mm, four-piston calipers, Ø 245 mm, disc brake at the rear Two-piston caliper. Tires 110/70 ZR 17; 160/60 ZR 17 tires tested Dunlop D 207 J Chassis data Steering head angle 66 degrees, caster 88 mm, wheelbase 1415 mm, spring travel f / r 120/120 mm. Dimensions and weights Seat height * 800 mm, weight with a full tank * 217 kg, payload * 180 kg, tank capacity / Reserve 22 / 3.6 liters.Warranty two years with unlimited mileageColors blue, silver, yellowPrice 6990 euros Additional costs 145 euros

Technical data: Suzuki GSF 1200 S Bandit

Air / oil-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, rocker arms, wet sump lubrication, constant pressure carburetor, Ø 36 mm, transistor ignition, secondary air system, electric starter. Bore x stroke 79.0 x 59.0 mm displacement 1157 cm3 Rated output 72 kW (98 PS) at 8500 rpm Max. Torque 92 Nm (9.4 kpm) at 6500 rpm Pollutant values ​​(homologation) CO 7.19 g / km, HC 1.18 g / km, NOx 0.11 g / km Power transmission Hydraulically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch, five-speed gearbox, O-ring Double loop frame made of tubular steel, screwed right down beam, telescopic fork, stand tube diameter 43 mm, adjustable spring base, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum profiles, central spring strut with lever system, adjustable spring base and rebound damping, double disc brake at the front, floating brake discs, Ø 310 mm, six-piston brake discs rear, Ø 240 mm, two-piston caliper, tires 120/70 ZR 17; 180/55 ZR 17 tires tested Michelin Macadam 100 X Chassis data Steering head angle 64.4 degrees, caster 104 mm, wheelbase 1430 mm, spring travel f / r 130/125 mm. Dimensions and weights Seat height * 790 mm, weight with a full tank * 247 kg, payload * 208 kg, Tank capacity / reserve 20/3 liters. Two-year guarantee with unlimited mileageColors black, blue, silverPrice 8,130 euros additional costs around 140 euros

Technical data: Kawasaki Z 1000

Water-cooled four-cylinder, four-stroke in-line engine, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, wet sump lubrication, electronic intake manifold injection, Ø 38 mm, engine management, uncontrolled catalytic converter with secondary air system, electric starter. Bore x stroke 77.2 x 50.9 mm, displacement 953 cm3, rated output 93.4 kW (127 hp) at 10,000 rpm, max. Torque 96 Nm (9.8 kpm) at 8000 rpm Pollutant values ​​(homologation) CO 3.09 g / km, HC 0.57 g / km, NOx 0.10 g / km Power transmission Mechanically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, O-ring Chassis, backbone frame made of tubular steel, load-bearing motor, upside-down fork, guide tube diameter 41 mm, adjustable spring base and rebound damping, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum profiles, central spring strut with lever system, adjustable spring base and rebound damping, double disc brake at the front, floating brake discs, Ø 300 mm, four-piston brake discs Rear disc brake, Ø 220 mm, single-piston caliper. Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 190/50 ZR 17 tires tested Bridgestone BT 019 / BT 012 Chassis data Steering head angle 66 degrees, caster 101 mm, wheelbase 1420 mm, spring travel f / r 120/138 mm. Dimensions and weights Seat height * 820 mm, weight with a full tank * 224 kg, payload * 177 kg, Tank capacity / reserve 18/3 liters. Warranty two years with unlimited mileageColors orange, green, blackPower variant 72 KW (98 PS) Price 9990 euros Additional costs 150 euros

Technical data: Honda Fireblade

Water-cooled four-cylinder oven-stroke in-line engine, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, wet sump lubrication, electronic intake manifold injection, Ø 42 mm, engine management, regulated catalytic converter with secondary air system, electric starter. Bore x stroke 75.0 x 54.0 mm, displacement 954 cm3, rated output 110 kW (150 hp) at 11300 rpm, max. Torque 104 Nm (10.6 kpm) at 9500 rpm Pollutant values ​​(approval) CO 0.92 g / km, HC 0.46 g / km, NOx 0.07 g / km Power transmission Mechanically operated multi-plate oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, O- Ring chain. Chassis Bridge frame made of aluminum profiles, load-bearing motor, upside-down fork, slide tube diameter 43 mm, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, two-arm swing arm with upper pulls made of aluminum profiles, central spring strut with lever system, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, double disc brake at the front, floating brake discs, Ø 330 mm, four-piston calipers, rear disc brake, Ø 220 mm, single-piston caliper. Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 190/50 ZR 17, tires tested Bridgestone BT 012 G chassis data Steering head angle 66.25 degrees, caster 97 mm, wheelbase 1400 mm, spring travel f / r 110/130 mm. Dimensions and weights Seat height * 800 mm, weight with a full tank * 199 kg, payload * 185 kg, tank capacity 18 liters.Warranty for two years with unlimited mileage.Colors: blue, yellow, red.Price: 12,740 euros; additional costs: 200 euros

Technical data: BMW R 1150 GS

Engine Air / oil-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke boxer engine, crankshaft lengthways, one high camshaft each driven by gear wheels and chain, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, bumpers, rocker arms, wet sump lubrication, electronic intake manifold injection, Ø 45 mm, engine management, double ignition, regulated catalytic converter, Electric starter. Bore x stroke 101.0 x 70.5 mm, displacement 1130 cm3, rated output 62.5 kW (85 PS) at 6800 rpm, max. Torque 98 Nm (10 kpm) at 5300 rpm Pollutant values ​​(homologation) CO 3.73 g / km, HC 0.12 g / km, NOx 0.03 g / km Power transmission Hydraulically operated single-disc dry clutch, six-speed gearbox, gimbal shaft. Chassis Load-bearing engine gearbox -Unit, screwed subframe, telescopic fork, Ø 35 mm, adjustable spring base, two-joint single-sided swing arm made of cast aluminum, central spring strut, directly hinged, adjustable spring base and rebound damping, double disc brake at the front, floating brake discs, Ø 305 mm, four-piston calipers, disc brake at the rear, Ø 276 mm, double piston caliper. 110/80 R 19 tires; 150/70 R 17 tires tested Metzeler Tourance chassis data Steering head angle 64 degrees, caster 115 mm, wheelbase 1509 mm, spring travel f / r 190/200 mm. Dimensions and weights Seat height * 850 mm, weight with a full tank * 263 kg, payload * 197 kg *, tank capacity / Reserve 22/4 liters. Two-year guarantee with unlimited kilometers. Colors yellow, black, graphite metallic, blue metallic / white Price 10950 euros Price test motorcycle ** 12530 euros Additional costs 263 euros

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