BMW R 1150 GS Adventure versus Ducati Desert X
BMW R 1150 GS Adventure
Adventure
Ducati Desert X
Reise-Enduro
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Built von 2005 bis 2005
Built von 2022 bis 2024~
RRP
RRP 16.790 €
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Competitors
Pros:
- Comfort
- Processing
- Off-road capability
Pros:
- adult appearance
- technically (almost) fully equipped
- Engine with pressure and character
- wonderful suction noise
- drives equally well on road and off-road
- Long warranty and service intervals
Cons:
- High weight
Cons:
- Quickshifter smooth only at higher speeds
- Accessories sometimes very expensive
- Heated grips not standard
- moderate wind protection
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: 1.608 mm
Length : 2.390 mm Height : 1.425 mm
Seat : 875 mm
Weight : 223 kg
Length : 2.390 mm Height : 1.425 mm
Seat : 875 mm
Weight : 223 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: 937 ccm
Hub: 68 mm
Hole: 94 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 937 ccm
Hub: 68 mm
Hole: 94 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
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: 240 km/h
Performance: 110 HP at 9.250 U/Min
Torque: 92 NM bei 6.500 U/Min Tank contents: 21 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 375 km
Performance: 110 HP at 9.250 U/Min
Torque: 92 NM bei 6.500 U/Min Tank contents: 21 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 375 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:
KYB USD 46 mm, fully adjustable (travel 230 mm) Rear suspension:
KYB Monoshock, fully adjustable (travel 220 mm)
Rear suspension:
Alu two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 90/90-21
Rear tyres: 150/70R18
Tubular space frame (steel) Front suspension:
KYB USD 46 mm, fully adjustable (travel 230 mm) Rear suspension:
KYB Monoshock, fully adjustable (travel 220 mm)
Rear suspension:
Alu two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 90/90-21
Rear tyres: 150/70R18
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
Double disc, Brembo monobloc calipers (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, Brembo two-piston caliper (∅ 265 mm)
Double disc, Brembo monobloc calipers (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, Brembo two-piston caliper (∅ 265 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
Ducati has achieved a great success with the Desert X. The machine can do a lot, but is not exactly a bargain. Whether so much technology has to be in an off-road travel enduro is certainly not without controversy. There will be both parties, namely those who say: "Too much stuff" and those who say: "Cool, finally modern technology on a real terrain machine".The test bike was kindly provided by Ducati Hamburg . There is the Desert X as a demonstrator and may be very gladly driven by you. Or you just drop by Ducati Hamburg and enjoy the beguiling sight of Italian motorcycle building art. You will certainly stop in front of the Superleggera. Take coffee, enjoy it and check your account balance! And remember: We only live once and life is damn short.
