BMW R 1150 GS Adventure versus Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom

BMW R 1150 GS Adventure

Adventure

Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom

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

The Queen of the Alps?

2 years in a row (2005 and 2006) the V-Strom 650 won the coveted title at the Alpen-Masters of MOTORRAD. We check on a model from 2011 whether the travel enduro has earned the laurels. Does you see and hear a bit about what owners of a SUZUKI DL650 V-Strom... weiter

SUZUKI DL650 V-Strom

Gallery

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2005 bis 2005

Built von 2004 bis 2016

RRP

Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de

Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de
Weiteres Video von Motorradtest.de

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Competitors

Pros:

Comfort
Processing
Off-road capability

Pros:

A lot of motorcycle at a manageable price
ABS as standard from 2011
easy handling

Cons:

High weight

Cons:

67 hp in pillion mode a bit little

Dimensions & Weight

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

Wheelbase: 1.560 mm
Length : 2.290 mm Height : 1.405 mm
Seat : 835 mm
Weight : 213 (max: 415 ) 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: 645 ccm
Hub: 63 mm
Hole: 81 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: 185 km/h
Performance: 71 HP at 8.800 U/Min
Torque: 62 NM bei 6.400 U/Min

Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 488 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 150 mm)

Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 159 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm

Tyres at the front: 110/80 R 19
Rear tyres: 150/70 R 17

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.

In fact, the V-Strom enjoys quite high popularity not only in the trade press but also among the rather demanding touring driver. And that's certainly not solely due to the attractive price of around €7,000. The lightweight and handy two-cylinder convinces with its advantages numerous touring drivers and also many newcomers. Without question: The SUZUKI DL650 V-Strom is rightly so popular and therefore one of the best-selling adventure bikes. It has been under construction since 2003. The official sales start was in 2004. The V-electricity was available in the colours: blue, black and silver at a price of 6990 €. In 2005 the switch for the stand and dipped light is no longer available and there is a red colour variant. In 2006 there are no technical changes but a two-colour coating in blue/silver replaces the unisilver version. From the 2007 model with ABS for 7390 € + additional costs.