Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128165
Adventure-Touring Impression that realm). We were also a little overly enthusiastic on our initial plans of "keeping it adventure-touring real" by eschewing hotels in favor of camp spots during the ride. We did end up tenting it in Death Valley's remote Panamint Springs Campground, but were prevented by campground-clogging spring breakers from roughing it on our other overnights (given the hot weather and our sweaty states at the end of each day, we didn't protest too hard while checking into hotels). ObViously, these compromises could have been avoided by a bit more pre-ride planning (I.e., ordering more-aggressive tires and making campground resetvations), but that would have fit neither the Cycle News style nor the authentic, seat-of-thepants spirit of adventure touring. As the baboon-butt appearance of our own post-ride seats substantiated, we got that spirit just right. eN On these motorcycles, riders tend to eschew big freeways and instead look for the smaller lines on a map. This is Nine-Mile Canyon Road, but we were wishing It was 99 miles. BMW Rl150GS ABS DM640W4 Shoot a quick glance at BMW's 1150 GS, and even grandma can tell this is one bike that doesn't play by "traditional" engineering rules. From its Telelever front suspension to the horizontally opposed twin cylinders, the mighty GS begs to be different - and different it is, both on the road and off. Throwing a leg over the surprisingly tall and heavenly comfortable seat, I was impressed by this bike's ergonomics. Unlike the rest of the models in this test, handlebar height is right where '" - .~ . ' .. '" it should be - high -, ~ .,~ •. enough for standing off-road control, but not so high as to compromise all-day, high-speed comfort. A difficult-to-shift, five-speed transmission offers a wide range of gear selections to take full advantage of this bike's healthy 85 hp. Creature comforts abound, with heated grips and two 12-Volt, DC outlets for plugging in your portable GPS and heated vest. The two easily detachable hard cases are just the right size to accommodate a week's worth of clothes and accessories, without being burdensome in tight conditions (like splitting L.A. traffic or slipping past narrow trees). The fully featured GS also sports an instrument panel that would even make its regal auto kin, the state-of-the-art BMW 745 II, nod with approval. And while I found the GS to shine brightest on the not-so-twisty open road, it's also more-than-capable of handling light-tomedium off-road antics. From old mining roads to the uncharted open desert, the GS' capable suspension and balanced geometry allow it to be quite the Panzer when venturing into the unknown. On the downside, at 586 pounds (wet), dumping the GS is out of the question. Additional dumping concern comes from the dual exposed cylinder heads (although our bike came with optional, shin-jabbing "roll cages"). The double threat of damaging the engine and slipping a vertebrae while attempting to right the bike builds copious incentive to not lose control of this elegant German super-tourer. More brute than pixie, the GS is the motorcycle eqUivalent to the SUV. But unlike its gas-guzzling, four-wheeled cousin, this two-wheeled SUV is more "go" than "show" when it comes time for real-world adventure. Add it all up, and you get a bike that boasts wellbalanced on- and off-road manners, excellent ergonomics and bona-fide, around-theworld construction. For me, the 1150 GS is easily the most capable all-around bike in this test and the one I'd grab if hungry for real adventure. -Andrew Juskaitis Ad"enture 46 JULv31, 2002' eye. _ n __ lIS The KTM Adventure is the oddball of this group. KTM initially didn't even want its 640cc single in company with big 10001150cc multis - kind of apples (, oranges, ya know? IronicaUy, it turns out to be practically the most fun, competent and desirable bike of this particular comparison! But ... about that CENTERSTAND - a miserable and totally incompetent design that utterly tarnishes a superb motorcycle. Let me explain: Every time you want to stop (a frequent occurrence when out exploring and, well, "Adventure Touring"), you'll have to shut off the engine, pull out the kickstart lever, and with a deliberate and purposeful heave-ho, pull this 400pound monster back onto its un-centered centerstand (the design leaves the bike frontheavy, so pulling off the front wheel pitches your Austrian beauty onto its nose). Of course, you also must be on level ground - often not available when you're, well, "Adventure Touring." A sidestand is available as an option, but bikes are supposed to come standard with sidestands, with centerstands optional. The other negative is the vibration factor. The courageous single doesn't incorporate a counterbalancer, so on freeway riding the Katoom keeps things from getting dull by thoughtfully sending you a constant buzz through the handlebar, pegs, seat and fuel tank. Oh, by the way, the trick headlight is merely okay. Adventure bikes should bum a hole in the night, whereas this baby kind of lights a path. But! You know what? Unless I was going down smooth, flat interstate, the vibes didn't bother me one bit. In fact, as long as I was off-roading or riding the twisties, I liked the feel and responsiveness of this unique motorcycle just fine. If you really want to adventure (instead of just tour), she works quite well. Now the good stuff: The great seating and standing position kills the other pigs except for the Beemer. Good brakes, fantastic motor, maybe a little suspension work (though still fine stock), gearing and trans ratios that are spot-on, and most of all, a total coolness factor make this "alternative" bike one of the most desirable units on the market. Anyway, if I were to pick any bike in this group to do it all again with, the KTM suits my definition of "Adventure Touring" far better than anything else. The only bike even close would be the Beemer, but it's the size of the Bismarck. And I want to ride - not pilot a ship! -Joe BonneUo