BMW R 1150 GS Adventure versus Harley-Davidson Nightster
BMW R 1150 GS Adventure
Adventure
Harley-Davidson Nightster
Naked
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Built von 2005 bis 2005
Built von 2022 bis 2024~
RRP
RRP 14.995 €
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Competitors
Pros:
- Comfort
- Processing
- Off-road capability
Pros:
- High-revving engine with good taste
- Good driving performance
- Amazingly manoeuvrable
- Relatively lightweight, also suitable for beginners
Cons:
- High weight
Cons:
- Sound 1b
- Processing here and there a bit unloving
Dimensions & Weight
Wheelbase: 1.501 mm
Length : 2.180 mm
Seat : 900 mm
Weight : 287 (max: 460 ) kg
Length : 2.180 mm
Seat : 900 mm
Weight : 287 (max: 460 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.545 mm
Length : 2.250 mm Height : 1.140 mm
Seat : 705 mm
Weight : 221 (max: 418 ) kg
Length : 2.250 mm Height : 1.140 mm
Seat : 705 mm
Weight : 221 (max: 418 ) kg
Engine
Motor design: Boxer 4-stroke 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.130 ccm
Hub: 71 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Öl-Luft
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 1.130 ccm
Hub: 71 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Öl-Luft
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Motor design: V2 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 975 ccm
Hub: 66 mm
Hole: 97 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Riemen
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 975 ccm
Hub: 66 mm
Hole: 97 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Riemen
Aisles: 6
Performance
Maximum speed: 192 km/h
Performance: 85 HP at 6.750 U/Min
Torque: 98 NM bei 5.250 U/Min Tank contents: 22 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Performance: 85 HP at 6.750 U/Min
Torque: 98 NM bei 5.250 U/Min Tank contents: 22 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Maximum speed: 180 km/h
Performance: 90 HP at 7.500 U/Min
Torque: 95 NM bei 5.750 U/Min Tank contents: 12 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 229 km
Performance: 90 HP at 7.500 U/Min
Torque: 95 NM bei 5.750 U/Min Tank contents: 12 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 229 km
Chassis
Frame type:
Tubular space frame (steel) Front suspension:
Telelever (travel 210 mm) Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 220 mm)
Rear suspension:
Paralever single-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 110/80 B 19 TL
Rear tyres: 150/70 H 17 TL
Tubular space frame (steel) Front suspension:
Telelever (travel 210 mm) Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 220 mm)
Rear suspension:
Paralever single-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 110/80 B 19 TL
Rear tyres: 150/70 H 17 TL
Frame type:
Tubular space frame (steel) Front suspension:
Showa telescopic fork 41 mm (travel 114 mm) Rear suspension:
Stereo struts, spring base adjustable (travel 76 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 100/90-19 57H
Rear tyres: 150/80B16 77H
Tubular space frame (steel) Front suspension:
Showa telescopic fork 41 mm (travel 114 mm) Rear suspension:
Stereo struts, spring base adjustable (travel 76 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 100/90-19 57H
Rear tyres: 150/80B16 77H
Brakes
Front brake
Double disc brakes (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 276 mm)
Double disc brakes (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 276 mm)
Front brake
floating mounted single disc, Brembo, axial (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 260 mm)
floating mounted single disc, Brembo, axial (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 260 mm)
Cheap never, well mostly
MW driving has never been a particularly cheap pleasure. Although many specimens are around 20 years old and have collected correspondingly many kilometers, these GS are still not a bargain. It must be at least 5,000 euros, top-maintained specimens like our test bike like to scratch at the five-digit. You can understand this: The BMW R 1150 GS, if you don't catch a rocked-out model, is an almost ideal companion for the very big tour.
If you can do without cornering and agility, the GS is the ideal travel moped, where the road can be three steps below perfect.
As I said, a buddy for the good and the bad days.
Conclusion - what sticks
The Harley Nightster is a lot of fun! Especially on country roads, it turns out to be a surprisingly agile bike. The engine has decent power and feels just as surprisingly comfortable even in higher speed climes. The Nightster looks like a typical Harley, but is different in many ways. Better or worse? Matter of opinion! Real V2 steam hammer fans will not convince them, if only because of the restrained sound (90 dbA stationary noise). However, we believe that Harley wants to win new customer groups with the Nightster, and that should succeed.The test bike was kindly provided by Harley Davidson Kiel for this test. There is the Nightster as a demonstrator - among many other chic Harleys. A visit to HD Hiel is always worthwhile, if only because of the wide range of used machines. In addition, you can do a wonderful round around the Westensee - have fun!
