teerex51
The Italian Scallion
Europe's leading bike rag, Motorrad, just published a 3-bike Sport Tourer comparo featuring the new Beemer K-GT, the 2006 FJR1300 and Honda's ST1300 (which BTW is called PanEuropean here in Yurrup).
Not surprisingly for a German magazine, the new Beemer came out first with a total score of 738, the Feejer a close second with 729 and Honda's bike last with 703.
The BMW motor totaled the most points, especially for top speed, acceleration and pure ponies. Driveline lash and jerkiness were mentioned but this did not penalize the score all that much. Honda's motor, however, was voted as the smoothest on test.
The K1200GT was ranked first for stability in curves and maneuvrability, while the FJR came out last for steering precision.
Ground clearance is not our FJR's strong suit (at least not with the OEM shock) and here the Beemer scored the first position.
Braking requires less effort on the K-GT but there's little feel at the lever with the BMW power-assist system.
In the end, the FJR and the BMW achieved nearly the same score here.
Riding comfort was the ST1300's forte, with the Beemer lagging in the third position.
Engine and transmission noise were also KO criteria for the German bike, with the FJR and the Honda scoring equal points.
Value-for-money went to the FJR1300, while gas mileage was a Honda-Yamaha tie.
The German magazine so concluded "Mission accomplished. The K1200GT picked up the FJR's concept and forcefully took it forward. In spite of several flaws, the Beemer made it first to the finish line.
Yamaha's FJR ( the uncontested winner of many such shootouts ) had to settle for second place. It still remains a first class Sport Tourer and the one with the sportiest touch.
The ST1300 is also a top-notch bike, smooth and comfortable, but lacks the top speed. If you need a bike to move fast on the Autobahn, pick another one."
Stef
Not surprisingly for a German magazine, the new Beemer came out first with a total score of 738, the Feejer a close second with 729 and Honda's bike last with 703.
The BMW motor totaled the most points, especially for top speed, acceleration and pure ponies. Driveline lash and jerkiness were mentioned but this did not penalize the score all that much. Honda's motor, however, was voted as the smoothest on test.
The K1200GT was ranked first for stability in curves and maneuvrability, while the FJR came out last for steering precision.
Ground clearance is not our FJR's strong suit (at least not with the OEM shock) and here the Beemer scored the first position.
Braking requires less effort on the K-GT but there's little feel at the lever with the BMW power-assist system.
In the end, the FJR and the BMW achieved nearly the same score here.
Riding comfort was the ST1300's forte, with the Beemer lagging in the third position.
Engine and transmission noise were also KO criteria for the German bike, with the FJR and the Honda scoring equal points.
Value-for-money went to the FJR1300, while gas mileage was a Honda-Yamaha tie.
The German magazine so concluded "Mission accomplished. The K1200GT picked up the FJR's concept and forcefully took it forward. In spite of several flaws, the Beemer made it first to the finish line.
Yamaha's FJR ( the uncontested winner of many such shootouts ) had to settle for second place. It still remains a first class Sport Tourer and the one with the sportiest touch.
The ST1300 is also a top-notch bike, smooth and comfortable, but lacks the top speed. If you need a bike to move fast on the Autobahn, pick another one."
Stef
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