BMW R 1150 GS Adventure versus Suzuki V-Strom 1000

BMW R 1150 GS Adventure

Adventure

Suzuki V-Strom 1000

Adventure

In our series of used motorcycle tests, a classic is due today: The BMW R 1150 GS. The bike was provided to us by a visitor, it is in absolute top condition. This GS series was built between 1999 and 2003 – what can it do today... weiter

BMW R 1150 GS

Gallery

Good and cheap

You have to have this courage to fill the gap: Although it sold well, nobody could buy a Suzuki V-Strom 1000 in the years between 2007 and 2013. But it came back, and with success: Suzuki's travel enduro was deliberately not positioned at the top like... weiter

Suzuki V-Strom 1000 / V-Strom 1000XT 2018

Gallery

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2005 bis 2005

Built von 2002 bis 2019

RRP

RRP 12.599 €

Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de

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Competitors

Pros:

Comfort
Processing
Off-road capability

Pros:

Service
Comfort
Handling
Torque

Cons:

High weight

Cons:

no sports engine

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.501 mm
Length : 2.180 mm
Seat : 900 mm
Weight : 287 (max: 460 ) kg

Wheelbase: 1.555 mm
Length : 2.280 mm Height : 1.470 mm
Seat : 850 mm
Weight : 232 (max: 440 ) 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

Motor design: V 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.037 ccm
Hub: 66 mm
Hole: 100 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
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

Maximum speed: 210 km/h
Performance: 101 HP at 8.000 U/Min
Torque: 101 NM bei 4.000 U/Min

Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 417 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

Frame type:
Bridges (aluminium)

Front suspension:
Telescopic fork 43 mm (travel 160 mm)

Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 160 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm aluminum

Tyres at the front: 19 M/C x MT 2.50 110/80R19 M/C 59V
Rear tyres: 17 M/C x MT 4.00 150/70R17 M/C 69V

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc brakes (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 276 mm)

Front brake
Double disc (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
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's stuck?

What remains? Astonishingly, it is the on-board computer that characterizes the Suzi. Never before. The computer is clear: With a switch you can choose additional information such as range or temperature. With the second switch, the pilot chooses from three stages the intervention of the traction control - and finished. There is simply no more. If you feel like some competitors have purchased a mobile Playstation, there is nothing that would be further than the V-current.

Doesn't it sound like love at first sight? Maybe not, but the solid and trouble-free handling of the Suzuki V-Strom 1000, which we noticed already at the first encounter, describes the Suzuki everywhere and in every situation. If you want to ride a motorbike fast but relaxed, if you want to study the user manual, who likes the look and who likes to surf on the torque wave: Love does not always arise at first sight, give yourself the chance.

The test machine was kindly provided to us by Bergmann & Söhne in Tornesch. It can be purchased there as a guide for 10,690 € with about 2,500 km - good offer!