BMW R 1150 R versus Ducati Monster 821

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW R 1150 R

Naked
Ducati

Ducati Monster 821

Naked

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2005 bis 2006
Built von 2014 bis 2020
RRP
RRP 11.490 €
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Pros:
  • easy and manoeuvrable to drive despite size and weight
  • used relatively cheap
  • is also suitable as a tourer
  • wonderful boxer with sound
  • sufficient power, powerful torque
Pros:
  • Chassis
  • Powerful motor
  • Brake
  • Service
Cons:
  • vulnerable ABS system
  • fiddly battery removal
Cons:
  • Pillion comfort

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.487 mm
Length :
2.170 mm Height : 1.220 mm
Seat :
800 mm
Weight :
238 (max: 450 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.480 mm
Length :
2.154 mm Height : 1.061 mm
Seat :
785 mm
Weight :
213 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: 821 ccm
Hub: 68 mm
Hole: 88 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 197 km/h
Performance: 85 HP at 6.750 U/Min
Torque: 98 NM bei 5.250 U/Min
Tank contents: 21 Litre
Consumption:
5 l
Reach:
446 km
Maximum speed: 225 km/h
Performance: 109 HP at 9.250 U/Min
Torque: 87 NM bei 7.750 U/Min
Tank contents: 18 Litre

Chassis

Frame type:
Three-part frame concept consisting of front and rear frame with supporting engine (steel)
Front suspension:
BMW Motorrad Telelever; Standpipe diameter 35 mm (travel 120 mm)
Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 135 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum cast single-arm swingarm with Paralever
Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 170/60 ZR 17
Frame type:
Lattice tube (steel)
Rear suspension:
Mono-featherleg

Brakes

Front brake
Four-piston fixed caliper double disc brake ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Two-piston fixed caliper brake ( 276 mm)
Front brake
Double disc Rear brake
Disk

Conclusion - what gets stuck

The BMW R 1150 R is a grateful bike that offers riders a confident and safe riding experience even with high mileage. There are many used machines of this type, most fortunately in uncrafted original condition. But old machines are not really cheap either: 1150s are hardly available in good condition under 4,000 euros. To answer the opening question: Yes, it is still worth buying a 15-year-old motorcycle today. At least if it is a BMW R 1150 R.

Price/Availability/Colours/Years of Construction

  • Price new (2003): 9,000€
  • Used (15 years old): 4,500€
  • Years built: 2000 - 2006
  • Colours: black, blue, silver

Expensive, but good

All peace, joy and flourishing landscapes? Except for the moment of setting up in curves and the feeling that it could get a bit hot in the summer thanks to the curvature on the right knee, there is one more point. The bags of the monster buyer should be deep and well filled, because on the price tag are 11,200 euros. This is cheap, but only in monster circles. A performance-comparable Kawasaki Z 900 costs 9,596 euros, 9,099 euros the Yamaha MT-09.

At this point, the objectivity of the tester begins to get thin. I would take the Duc and console myself with the fact that it saves 6,290 euros compared to the 1200s. That's nonsense, I know. But it's almost as stupid as motorcycling at all.
Gorgeous.

The test bike was provided to us by Ducati Hamburg.

Price / Availability / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: 11.200€
  • Used (3 years old): 8,000€
  • Years of construction: since 2014
  • Availability: good
  • Colours: red, special model Stealth: matt black