Adventure Bikes 2013 | Tests | Motorcyclenews.com

[@DVDA83]

I've owned three BMWs and never had a problem with any of them. They've been nothing short of fantastic. I can only speak for myself, however.

[@chasearchibald2039]

The Super Tenere has no electronics?!? I've owned one, and it has superb traction control and ABS. MCN is always poo pooing the Super Tenere, and for no good reason.

[@robinjameshartley7673]

Time has told the story best. They say the Tigers shaft drive will do about 50k, the GS will be due a shaft drive replacement on BMW at 36k, the Tenere shaft drive will last forever. So beyond 50,000 miles, like me and my 2010 just passed the 100k mark...who's laughing now?

[@mattheginger]

I love the way they talk up the BMW ownership 'experience'. Pretty much every beemer rider ive talked to has had nothing good to say about the reliabilty, servicing, and wallet gouging theyve received.. You want the best bike? Go with the KTM! Most character? ?..go with the Triumph. Best reliabilty? Go with the yammy..

[@arezesonwheels4119]

Bmw gives two joys. First, when you buy it...and second, when you sell it. :D

[@ldcrallye]

You are right. I have been also robbed by BMW with a K 1200 RS, the last flying brick. a car pushed the bike over the side stand, and the drive lifted it and let it fall on the other side. Result: 7800€ Plastics damage, which is far more than the bikes value. If you need just 3 month to make 10.000km, BMW is the worst choice in Germany, due to astronomic maintenance costs. This should also be considered in these tests. Take a new bike and ride it is one side, but far not all...

[@adriangarza4217]

Thanks for watching, this promotional test was brought to you by BMW.

[@redneckon2wheels529]

Every time I watch review by big channels on adventure bikes the BMW always wins but when it's from a smaller channels it's a toss up

[@gokhandemirhan]

Due to the pricing policy of the BMW distributer in Turkey, GS costs 7.635 Euros more than the Yamaha here! (15.565 Euro for Tenere, 23.200 Euro for GS)

[@williamrae9954]

2021...Yamaha can be bought for around £10k(11.500 Euro). How much is a GS now??

[@luisoliveira8321]

Thats not the Adventure R like you said in the description.. Is the normal version, the 1190 Adventure

[@rossagge]

I agree with MCN that the leader ADV bikes are the GS and KTM Adv 1190. I had a chance to ride the new GS and it is an outstanding bike. Well balanced and feels lighter than it is. Very nimble. I ride my 800GS 50% off-road and the only issue in 3500 miles is a broken internal shifter. (only 3500miles!) I still dig it's capabilities. If you ride less than 70% off road, get the GS. If you ride more off-road than 70% get the KTM. Most don't, so I see why the Beemer is the winner in most reviews.

[@lamilumag]

the triumph is not a real dualsport, the ktm has too many problems to be solved in it's first version, the bmw is nice, but for me it's too mainstream and costs too much - it's about 20,000€ here in austria whereas the yamaha is indestructable, does good offroad and onroad, has over 400km range and offers suspension that has no need for electronics - it just works perfect on- and offroad. cost for the worldcrosser? 14,800€ - simply the best package here atm. looking forward to the new xtz850 too

[@richardperth2002]

the back disc on the GS has problems when under heavy breaking it has cracking problems were it connects to the drum i see a problem not talked about in the BMWs gs models it is a elephant in the room no one talks about in the BMWs.

[@jvisser57]

One bike missing: the Ducati Multistrada. Having ridden in the company of one recently, and having also a brief ride on it it I think it would have been a worthy contender to the BMW and KTM as a tourer, even if the off-road experience would be lacking...

[@smathers6713]

Notice that they left out the v-stroms? Probably the best bang for your buck, most reliable dual sport/adventure bike out there. Super bikes and do not cost an arm and a leg.

[@MikeBreenidleidolidyll]

Qualifying this, I live in NZ and when we do Adventure rides, it is often 30% sealed road, 30% gravel road or 4WD track and 40% farmland or bush. For Europe you might realistically only need the 19" frt wheel std model as most riders are likely to do 70% road and 30% off road or something similar.

[@tomdewsbury9456]

my suzuki vstrom 650 has none of these fancy electronic gizmos and i love it ..

[@superblastpressurewashing.7256]

KLR 650 Kawasaki is a great bike for mountain riding as well. I took mine 2000 miles last year going from Shenandoah National Park all the way to Tellico Plains TN

[@Merudo]

In the interests of fairness however, some people's requirements include a bike a bit more lively and faster than a KLR. Not that there's anything inherently wrong with a KLR, my partner rode her WR250R over 5000km on our last trip - but bikes are more than a sum of their parts. It's what you personally want. I do wonder the likelihood of said electronic glitch, though. If us riders were worried about what MIGHT happen, we probably wouldn't ride to begin with

[@jonathanevans6547]

It may take a lot to convince a BMW rider to change to a KTM but I can say with total confidence you will never convince a KTM rider to change to a BMW because it is simply an inferior bike.

[@ZeZeZoom1]

One thing I can tell you: before purchasing the KTM 1190 Adventure, I owned a BMW. Not a GS, though. In fact, it was a scooter, the C650GT, and I loved it. I ride on road all the time. When I decided I would change bike (my C650GT had already 21.000 kms in less than 18 months) I test rode the new R1200GS and liked it a lot; the dealer proposed me a very good deal. But the experience of test riding the KTM had been overwhelming and I chose the KTM. 5 months and 6.700 kms later I can only say it was a great decision. Brand issues aside, I honestly find the KTM a beter bike than the GS (which is also a great bike, just not as refined and accomplished as the KTM). Just my 2 cents.

[@AIBETTSYIA75]

Last year i remember all the other reviewers saying the triumph couldn't go off road very well but oh well its MCN...

[@thesighbored]

Could not hear clearly a single word that was said by the presenter at the beginning of the video. Other than that, nice video.

[@munaki33]

I love the GS and i love beemers, but someone explain me please why BMW is still betting for the telelever suspension in front??? why not a good pair of inverted forks that can give you more feel and feedback, specially offroad!!! i will like to hear opinnions...

[@takingoutthetrash1512]

forget what all the other bikes have, Yamaha have quality and it will outlast the others

[@randomrides]

I enjoyed this video all these years later. And also of the 4 bikes I ended up with the Triumph Tiger Explorer as it was that or the BMW, and I'm not keen on the bulk of the boxer engine. 👍

[@kyleturner6829]

They also left out the awesome Moto Guzzi Stelvio. I do not own one, but I know it really kicks ass in many ways. If you're shopping for this style of motorcycle, consider this review null, void, and incomplete.

[@Grassholm14]

Don't rush out and buy the Stelvio. I spent a day on my friend's bike and it's cumbersome & weird. He didn't keep it for long as he had a lot of mechanical problems too

[@derrickmurphy9988]

Yamaha definitely the most reliable

[@BFD15i]

It always amuses me how the "BMW-haters" come crawling out of their caves when there's a comparison including a beemer. I've ridden all of the bikes in this test. Which one you pick basically just depends on your personal favour. I decided to buy the GS but I would never say that the beemer is superior to the KTM. However, those two are superior to the rest of this class of motorcycles. Anyway: Go out, take a ride and have fun and be safe!

[@MrMojoRisin22]

Far from a deal maker or breaker, but a nice add on if you go in that direction. I'm a Ducati owner, but the BMW dealership I checked out was top notch. It obviously wasn't enough to sway me from Ducati, but was still a nice extra

[@bampie1]

To quote the commentator the best bike here is probably the KTM because it is better off road quicker better handling easier to ride costs less but we plump for the BMW which from his comments is not the best bike so how did he arrive at this conclusion. Was it advertising revenue by any chance. What a popointless conclusion

[@UltrasabersVideos]

That's not what he said. He said "on paper" the KTM looks like the best bike, but *"from the saddle the BMW had refinement and trust that the KTM can't match"*. What you feel when riding means alot more than what's on paper.

[@bampie1]

UltraSWG Watch the video again he did say the KTM was the best bike in all departments but he then stated that the BMW had to be the better bike because it moved the game on and the "trust" factor. If the KTM is quicker, handles better, is better off-road and has all the electronics that you could ever wish for how from that can the BMW which cannot match the KTM in any category be a better bike. When he said trust I don't recognise that phrase when applied to a BMW. They have major quality and reliability issues and repair and servicing costs are horrendous. They have a loyal following who continue to buy their bikes despite the inflated costs and poor reliability

[@TheKilab]

Very true, KTM over the years has established itself too as a top shelp brand and is synonymous with quality products. So given this track record of hardy no nonsense bikes add in that its cheaper, lighter, nimbler, slimmer, way faster and sounds better in my opinion...the KTM is the winner in my book.

[@mattheginger]

Brian Mauka bampie1 Personally I wouldn't trust either BMW or KTM if you plan on riding outside first world borders.

[@bampie1]

I'm with you on that one

[@steve955smith]

Yamaha's Super Tenere came out 3 years ago? How did I have one in the early 90s then?

[@TheKilab]

The XTZ1200 came out in 2010

[@ilhansad12345678]

U guys should have also use the kawasaki versys 1000

[@kloppskalli]

Triumph was the surprise winner of last years comparison? on the race track?

[@MikeBreenidleidolidyll]

I consider the KTM 1190 Adventure a road bike. The R model is the true Adv bike. Therefore a test of the 19" wheeled Adventure vs any other Adv bike is not relevant.There's only a small price difference between the std and R models so people like myself looking for a real all round ADV bike are likely to go fo the 21: wheel bike. Once I see a test in ALL conditions of the Adventure R vs all the other big Adv bikes, I'll be happy.

[@cristianorhazam]

Get Neevesey to present all MCN videos!

[@jefferyknudsen4028]

Why no Multistrada to round out the group?

[@George196207]

They are not off road bikes. They are long haul adventure bikes meant for the odd gravel road . DR200 ,DR400 , DR650 or KLR650 are made for off road riding when you have to get there on the road. If you want to go really off road get a pick up and truck your two cycle dirt bike there. Compromise can only go part way.

[@dogiedaddy3067]

This is one of the worst reviews I've ever seen, no hard numbers, no facts, just their impressions. My guess is that if they actually discussed numbers, HP, weight, MPG, etc, BMW wouldn't look so good. Add to that BMW reliability, (not), price, and smaller dealer network, and the only way BMW can come out on top is for reviewers to ignore the truth.

[@johnnyViDeO]

Very good video! Next time, include the Multistrada, the Versys 1000, and the V-Strom. The Super Tenere is way behind and heavier that it needs to be, so fugghettaboutit.

[@505197]

I suppose it was BMW's turn to win. Taking any of these bikes off road is pretty silly. They simply cost too much and are too heavy for most people to toss about playing. What these bikes to is give you room for comfort, sit up and be able to see the world. No one really needs 150 hp, the 60 hp of my R/100/GS has given me 125,000 miles enjoyment. I haven't fallen in love with telelever front ends either, they feel very strange when you're braking.

[@YosafatNugraha]

BMW and KTM maybe had more toys, but Triumph is just drop dead gorgeous.

[@McBrappin]

"which is the better bike" "the GS because of the dealership and community" ... so KTM it is then. :)

[@auscurrymaster]

Interesting isn't it? I reckon the KTM is the better bike in that it speaks to my heart and "stirs my soul" (ffs!) more than the BMW and is technically better. I'd buy one in a heartbeat. However, the pillion experience is very poor I'm led to believe, and although I would not be spending all my time with the missus on the back, it may be enough to sway me towards the BM. I wanna do some big trips.

[@MrMojoRisin22]

If they did that, all the GS and Tiger owners would cry when all the writers loved it and say it's not a real adventure bike. Even though the MTS can do everything these bikes did in the video.

[@furyrc7201]

Could you take a bike like the Yamaha WR125R off road/on some smaller jumps like in the end of the video? Thanks.

[@slowny_random]

Was the audio/voice over run thru a soup can before being added to the video?

[@hillkiran]

Nicely done, short, to the point, and informative. I'd like to see you do one including the Africa Twin

[@BlimpPromo]

the only two to consider are the BMW and KTM, The others are big road bikes with some off road styling! Its the Beemer for me, but I do think that too much electrickery will be the ultimate downfall, great till it breaks!

[@DeusRides]

Will be a video coming for the Crosstourer? I can't find any good reviews of except yours, but it is 2012 review on your site. Would love to see it on a vid. Great work on the vids. Keep them coming. :-)

[@bampie1]

I can't remember how many times I have watched a review by these guys and they state, as in this case, that another bike is better in all areas than the BMW but the BMW wins. They argue that reliability and dealers clinch it. The last GS was unreliable electronics issues, drive shaft issues and if you had the electronic suspension and the shock failed that was the best part of £2400 for a replacement. They rob you for accessories, upgrades and their servicing costs are eyewatering.

[@erasmouzcanga]

Las nuevas motos estan saliendo al mercado con muchas innovaciones, pero con precios muy elevados, deverian ajustarlo para que esten al alcanse de todos los moteros apasionados por este modo de transportarse.

[@cgpubli]

one thing you forgot to mention..."sponsored by BMW"

[@gopher1471]

True it only weighs 507 lbs fuelled but it is top heavy and if it has full panniers etc its going to be even worse to pick up...yr 640 is a lot lighter and doesn't carry as much fuel...yours is the better bike for off roading and has better balance. My biggest problem as already said is the cost of these bikes and the fact that you will drop them not maybe drop them. KTM as shown costs over £15000.If you want to tour get a tourer if off road then get something light and nimble.

[@BoatingBiker]

Having watched this and other reviews of so called 'Adventure ' bikes I have just one thing to say: Yamaha XT660Z .

[@sniffsnarff]

David Gough Not sold in the U.S., unfortunately. Probably has something to do with emissions or some other bogus claim made by Uncle Sam.

[@protectork9831]

Tenere 700

[@AntoniusRome]

Good review. Personally I wouldnt mind hearing how much each cost.

[@oistein74]

Great review! Looking to buy one of these..

[@ExperienceCounts2]

It isn't picking them up that's the problem, it's manhandling them when needed while they're still upright i.e. when the rear wheel breaks down the trail on a narrow, sidehill single track. I've got a 950SE and a '06 GSA and the weight on both is a problem. The SE is obviously a lot lighter, but it's a bigger problem because I end up having to horse it around in much gnarlier conditions than the GS. I love both bikes, but in weather like in that video, gimme the GSA _any_ day.

[@threepot]

Yeah,and my 96 900 Tiger..cost me £1300 two years ago. Been to France,and recently toured Scotland. 2000mls and 57mpg!! without all the 'electronic' nonsense.

[@exnihilo415]

Come on! Let's get the Ducati Multistrada in this mix.

[@mcmark22]

Gee,in the past I used a tricked up KLR650, fixable in the field, 58mpg at freeway speeds, ran many 8-900 days and super cheap compared to these. Value depends on your own requirements, not what others say is best. I would get another over an overly complex monster. Trying to find an electronic glitch in the pouring rain 100 miles from the nearest paved road really kills the adventure spirit. Just my 2 cents.

[@aTuWitty]

It makes tons of sense! Since it's a BMW, you'll be spending a LOT of time at the dealership waiting for them to finish bending you over, erm, I mean, finish fixing whatever the hell is wrong with your bike today, so you damn well want that dealership to be "posh"!

[@Fritser42]

A commercial for BMW ... shame on MCN.. A Posh dealer experience ... OMG

[@wwfww]

Total gangsta at the beginning of the video XDDD! I love this guy!

[@holdencaulfied7492]

Great video thanks.

[@chrigul1]

And the winner is: tataaa, surprise, surprise: BMW!! how could I ever think that BMW is not in first place?? Money rules the world..

[@BestRex]

Why is there no Honda Crosstourer?

[@steliantrofinnistor8991]

I'm a Yamaha owner as well but compared with a bmw it's game over, for me a adventure long distance bike it have to be good looking just like my girl :-) power, comfort, bad ass bike overall. ..on my opinion all the rest of these bikes on this video just don't have it...I have hade Hondas, kawasaki, ducatti and yamaha. ..but no thx.

[@mariosavva999]

So are you saying the Yamaha Tenere is the best choice?

[@gavinbrookes2818]

why no VFR1200x?

[@ossa60]

I've ridden it and it surely doesn't feel like a dirt bike...at least not nearly as a ktm feels. The bmw is great though and I wouldn't beat it in the dirt if it was mine anyway....I would only take it on street, fireroads and highway journeys.

[@333gew]

it would be so nice to actually understand what you were talking about

[@Spearfisher1970]

I am looking forward to others reviewers actually 'adventure' riding all four same bikes, yet in places that they do fall over, and in places that normal road bikes would fear to tread. Simply choosing bigger/heavier/more powerful over weight and bad-road suspension (even if only the paved, yet rutted, cindered and pot-holed, roads of Pennsylvania) seems like it's a 'normal' bike review, not an adventure bike review.

[@Skysoulpt]

there is no surprise to take BMW as winner, after all the bikes comes close, but after all is like Ferrari, is the past history or heritage, is not about the overall performance, , but saying that BMW is on the next level compared with KTM , i would like to have a better understanding of what makes it the winner ...

[@Satans6666]

Ducati Multistarda 1200?

[@denkmit]

There's 10 seconds of bad audio (because it's up a fucking mountain!!) and after that it's fine. Did you actually watch the video?!

[@terrycelestin1972]

i have kawasaki 650 klr it is the fist kawasaki i own i had lots of yamaha bike befor but i fall in love with kawasaki it is very comfortable

[@VonSteyr]

Does that mean that we should expect a new video review? :) (Tentar não custa...)

[@jd606w]

where's the multistrada?

[@alikebab1]

It's about allroad bikes, the multistrada clearly isn't a allroad.

[@decocatani]

I like very much all the MCN videos. But they DO have a problem with audio, ALWAYS! Hey guys, why don't you fix this? Almost 70% of your videos have crap audio and I can barely understand 2 or 3 phrases...

[@invinciblemotherfuk]

Suzuki Vstrom DL650? All the way!

[@08JRX]

In my opinion the triumph tiger looks by far the best. The BMW looks odd.

[@sinki19841984]

They are all-roads actually. Or dual purpose bikes. The adventure part is just a marketing gimmick aimed towards the dreamers.

[@Keldow]

Good video but the sound is abit off

[@sinki19841984]

Indeed, that's why i have the 4500euro KTM 950. When i drop it i laugh and pick it back up. To heavy? Riding a heavy bike offroad is actually allot of fun and requires some refinement control from the rider. Is a lighter 450 easyer? ofcourse, but the 450 is not that good for traveling around for a few days straight.

[@MFJBracken]

The KTM he says is better than the BMW in everyway than gives the win to the BMW, beause it has thicker carpet in their showrooms. WOW never seen a review ever decided on a showroom before.

[@ducati27012]

Where's the Stelvio?

[@n1tr0kt]

Seems a bit unfair to be comparing the KTM w/o saddle bags to the rest with..

[@LawAbidingPerson]

gr8 review sir....n indeed ktm is better.....

[@nokmuay1970]

LOL wtf is the KTM Pretender, its a hell of alot more capable then the 1200 GS.. Maybe you meant Contender ?!?!?!!?

[@AusExplorer]

Can't seem to reply to most posts these days so ... " Why is there no Honda Crosstourer?" Because its a heap of shit, unless you like heavy road bikes with off-road tires.

[@BluTrollPro]

Why on earth are they all litre+ bikes. Offroading is best with lighter bikes I would never recomend 700cc+ bikes for dual sport. Hell I use a 250 2 banger for touring (90s yamaha tdr 250) tops off at 90 and does a solid 6.5second 60mph. Simple engine thats easy to work on. Best part is you can pick them up imported for just over a grand low mileage.

[@sinki19841984]

Rather have a chain that's easy to replace then a shaft that breaks and costs allot of $

[@247DUDELY]

ktm looks less bulky and cleaner than the bmw that's why I would choose it

[@blendertool]

The video is to short to describe all big adventure bikes.

[@kashioable]

I just bought a BMW 1200 GS 2013 :-)

[@sinki19841984]

KTM 950 does the trick!

[@127069]

I wonder how they can call any 600lb bike good offroad, they are a menace as I found out today when one i was riding just sunk into the mud and I nearly had a heart attack draging it out , oh and the mud wasnt soup

[@reiingandreas1294]

great

[@ylism]

I think someone was was paid off, with this one ? Will have to let the forum decide if I am right, or even close ?

[@xfightcityx]

So the ktm is the best handling, best off road, fastest, and has tons of electronic goodies yet it lost to the BMW? Wtf

[@tarunkumar006]

Lovely !!

[@pedalingyak]

He does not give the edge to the BMW because of the dealerships. I have been in several BMW dealerships that are just the same as anywhere else. He gives the edge to them for the overall strides the bike has made in this latest model, and he give loads of respect to the KTM, and plenty to the Yamaha and Triumph too. I have a 2005 R1200GS, love it. I have a 2010 R1200GS, love that one too. I bet I would actually like all 4 of these bikes a lot, and it bugs me that there should be a "winner" at all. Ride what you like, don't beat up on what you don't like. The BMW is not ugly, no more than the KTM for that matter. I can say this about BMW, they stand by their product. I just had an issue with my 2005 GS, I am not the original owner, it is well out of warranty, and they paid for the labor to fix the bike. Yes, they paid my local shop for the labor on the work for a problem that should have been dealt with a long time ago. And it wasn't a recall thing either. I love BMW for that, and will always have a few of them around.

[@McBrappin]

If you're going to give a compa review winner based on stride how could it not go to the bike which went from no ETC, no electronic suspension, 33% less hp, no electronic selectable power adjustment to what the 1190 is? I call bullshit.

[@pedalingyak]

McBrappin Then buy a KTM, I'd love to try one of those myself, awesome looking bike too, and it comes from a company that knows how to do off road.

[@McBrappin]

pedalingyak I did :) I was just disputing the "strides" justification. The 1190 feels a decade ahead of my 990 (as far as tech and electronics are concerned).

[@nokmuay1970]

Agreeed 100%