BMW R 1150 R versus Honda CL 500

BMW R 1150 R

Naked

Honda CL 500

Scrambler

Is it still worth buying a BMW R 1150 R today?

The BMW R 1150 R was built from 2000 to 2006 and is therefore anything but a modern motorcycle. Nevertheless, it is worth taking a look at this beautiful machine - especially since there is hardly any other boxer model from BMW that is available used at a similarly low price.... weiter

BMW R 1150 R im Test

Gallery

Test of Honda's new and affordable A2 Scrambler

Honda is now also sending an A2-class Scrambler into the race in 2023 with the CL500. What are the differences to Honda's other 500s and what makes the CL 500 stand out? Tanja and Dietmar have a tour... weiter

Honda CL 500 im Test

Gallery

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2005 bis 2006

Built von 2023 bis 2024~

RRP

RRP 6.400 €

Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de

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Competitors

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:

very accessible, easy-to-ride motorcycle
manoeuvrable and agile handling
Easy to use, sit on it and drive off

Cons:

vulnerable ABS system
fiddly battery removal

Cons:

Footpegs in the way
dark display
Lever not adjustable within reach

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.487 mm
Length : 2.170 mm Height : 1.220 mm
Seat : 800 mm
Weight : 238 (max: 450 ) kg

Wheelbase: 1.484 mm
Length : 2.153 mm Height : 1.137 mm
Seat : 790 mm
Weight : 192 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: Reihentwin 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 471 ccm
Hub: 67 mm
Hole: 67 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

Performance: 47 HP at 8.500 U/Min
Torque: 43 NM bei 6.250 U/Min

Tank contents: 12 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 333 km

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

Front suspension:
Telescopic fork 41 mm (travel 150 mm)

Rear suspension:
Stereo shock absorbers (travel 145 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm

Tyres at the front: 110/80R19M/C 59H
Rear tyres: 150/70R17M/C 69H

Brakes

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

Front brake
Single disc, two-piston caliper (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, single-piston floating caliper (∅ 240 mm)

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.

Result

The Honda CL500 is an easy-to-ride and very accessible bike that is a lot of fun to ride. It is simply equipped, does not pose any puzzles to the driver and works very well. As usual with A2 bikes, you shouldn't expect any performance miracles. The CL500 is more of a leisurely bike with which you consciously enjoy every kilometre.

The test machine was kindly provided to us by motofun . motofun is a large Honda dealer in Kaltenkirchen, north of Hamburg. There, the CL 500 is a demonstrator - and almost every other current Honda can also be test-driven there. Let's go to motofun!