Comparison test: Streetfighters 1000

If you've looked at the cover again as you read the introduction and made sure you're really reading Auto Magazine, we don't blame you. A little fun and some word games won't hurt. But erotica has many philosophical explanations, and, believe me, pornography is not among them. This is primarily about love, or rather, about the pursuit of love. And we are sure that you will fall in love with at least one of these six motorcycles too! Of course, if you are looking for something new and want to keep up with the world of motorcycles.

These simplistic roadsters, some of which are also called streetfighters (although they are mostly converted bikes), are becoming more popular as they combine the power, brakes, performance of a sports bike and everyday usability in a single motorcycle. which is almost never seen in supercars. They are also fresh, modern and full of interesting details. Therefore, given the increasingly dense traffic on our roads and strict speed limits, we are also very enthusiastic about them. In our western and northern neighbors, they are slowly but steadily crowding out fully-clothed supersport bikes that move from the roads to the race tracks they actually belong to, if we think that is the only place where they show everything they know (and this is not a small quantity) Safe conditions for the driver. In practice, it happens that on a supercar at 130 km / h it seems that you can hardly move, but on a roadster due to the wind, such a speed is already on the verge of a comfortable ride. At speeds above 200 km / h, due to the lack of wind protection, movement is possible only in a fully curved position, that is, only for a short time.

But lest you think that proven motorcycles are slow! The fastest is the BMW K 1200 R with a final speed of 265 km / h, followed by the Yamaha FZ1 with a maximum speed of 255 km / h, the Aprilia Tuono 1000 R with 247 km / h, and the KTM 990 Superduke. from 225 km / h, Ducati Monster S2R 1000 from 215 km / h and Moto Guzzi Griso 1100 from 200 km / h. This is more than enough for fun on the race track and on the road.

And we can really confirm this first-hand, as we rode with them along the roads and city streets, as well as in our only racetrack Mobiikrog in Cerklje na Dolenjskem. The race track itself is now a little more suitable for motorcycles, since they have the most equipped excursion zones, otherwise it is better to release adrenaline where a tractor that occupies half of your lane will not drive up to you. Let's start with the look, it is very important.

All motorcycles received very high marks for appearance and equipment. On each of them we find many interesting details and we must admit that European motorcycles have an advantage over the sole Japanese representative of Yamaha. There is no doubt about its appearance, as they look black with the FZ1's appearance, only a little lame in equipment. We left out precious details that others have in abundance. In this category, the absolute winner is BMW, as in addition to the aggressive design, it also offers a suspension with ABS and ESA (at the touch of a button, you can choose three suspension settings: sporty, normal and comfortable, as well as top, regardless of whether you ride in alone or in pairs). Slightly behind the BMW, we rated the KTM, which scored higher than the Aprilia and Ducati just because of the Akrapovic mufflers. Apart from the look, they also provide a much better engine sound. Aprilia impressed with both appearance and equipment. Adjustable suspension, Brembo radial brakes, steering damper, lightweight sports wheels are just part of a quality build. There's also Ducati and Moto Guzzi, both great examples of fantastic Italian design. Ducati impressed overall with its exposed dry clutch cover and carbon fiber parts. The Griso has a macho image, as it boasts the widest handlebars and flashy looks. But since the appearance was not yet enough for victory, it was the turn of skating. And what a pure adrenaline rush!

First we'll tackle BMW, which is, to put it mildly, the most brutal, most aggressive, most terrifying and of course the most powerful. It can withstand up to 163 "horses", which is the maximum figure in this class of motorcycles. It is releasing wildlife at an alarming rate and is currently second to none in this category among roadsters. Not that BMW is content with a victory in acceleration from just 0 to 100 km / h, it dominates to the final speed, where none of the competitors comes close to it, moreover, in the end it is completely alone. He defeats them with real cruelty. Therefore, this is a motorcycle for experienced and sober riders. It is not uncommon for him to turn a tire into a gap during acceleration. The Yamaha FZ1 owes its powerful four-cylinder engine, lent to it by its sporty sister R1, for second best acceleration. The engine puts out a whopping 150 "horsepower" that sends power to the bike continuously enough to keep things from spiraling out of control. With a slight edge over Aprilia, it boasts the Superduke, which has increased torque, horsepower and power curves with an Akrapovic exhaust (it can produce 120 "horsepower" as standard). It should not be forgotten that the KTM has short gear ratios and therefore a slightly lower final speed, but accelerates faster around corners. With 133 horses, Aprilia does a very good job with its competitors, and the updated engine from the sporty RSV Mille R gives it the ability to compete at the very top.

The 1000cc Monster S2R Ducati has a superb 95 "horsepower" twin-cylinder engine that impresses with its agility and continuous acceleration, but has had to yield victory to its sharpest rival. It's the same with the Moto Guzzi, which is the weakest in terms of engine and therefore the least adrenaline-pumping, but its 88 horses is definitely enough for anyone who likes to drive smoothly and fast, but not very sporty.

The Griso itself is also the quietest of the six, with its ride quality already a bit like a touring bike, or better yet, a chopper cruiser. Its weight, which is 243 kilograms with a full fuel tank, cardan transmission and a very upright seating position, makes it his own. However, it is true that he is true to his home tradition, and despite his looks and roadster, he is still a typical Moto Guzzi. We appreciate it too, because that is why it is recognizable and different from competitors who are competing for customers with sportier driving ambitions. We just wanted more efficient brakes.

Equally heavy (with a full fuel tank on the 247 kilogram scale) and BMW, which is noticeable when driving and braking. But we still can't talk about a cruiser here. The 1200 R rides the quietest, there is no steam in long corners, a little worse (cumbersome) only in very short and slow corners. Thanks to the excellent ergonomics of the driver's and front passenger's seats, it can be said that BMW is the most suitable for travel. It even works well with the original side cases. So everyone who loves to travel, be careful. ... this motorcycle is for you! With heated levers and ABS, even if you wonder about bad weather anywhere in the Alps, it will sovereignly live up to BMW's reputation.

Third in severity - Yamaha FZ1. With a full tank, it weighs 215 kilograms, which is closer to true sportiness. Its geometry and therefore driving performance are very close to this. We missed a little more agility and lightness in corners, but above all a suspension with a little more feedback about what happens to the wheels and the asphalt underneath. Due to the upright seat, wide handlebars and rather poor aerodynamics (strong wind blows straight into the chest), the bike becomes hectic at higher speeds, and perhaps the suspension itself isn't even that much to blame for these observations.

The scales also showed over 200 kilos in the Aprilia, 211 kilos to be exact, but the weight doesn't feel that much here. Tuono rides very briskly and at the same time lies securely in the corners, as if it were a racing superbike. Without hesitation, we can say that this bike is the closest to the ideal or a compromise between sportiness and comfort. But this applies to one passenger. The passenger in the back seat will suffer greatly on a longer journey - like Yamaha and KTM. However, Ducati is "unbeatable" in this category. In the back seat (which is actually not the case), the passenger will be squeezing and holding onto the driver all the time (hmm, maybe that's not even a bad thing), and, above all, she will have to really love motorcycles. a lot to enjoy.

Ducati, which weighs 197 kilograms, rides reliably and always in the right direction, but if the driver requires it, it can also drive sporty, but this requires a little more effort than, for example, Tuon or Superduk. The latter, that is, KTM, is the lightest and most frisky. In addition to the "sharp" geometry, the smallest overall mass contributes a lot to this. 195 kg is light compared to BMW. Nevertheless, he does not know annoying restlessness, performs well both fast and slow turns, and at the same time allows even supermoto mischief.

But, as it usually happens in life, what excites you, on the one hand, pays off elsewhere. Literally! KTM is most thirsty, as it "drank" nine liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers, which is the highest among competitors. In addition, it has a small fuel tank of 15 liters, which means that you will often visit the gas station. We drove from 150 to 160 kilometers with a full tank of fuel. The most economical was Aprilia, which consumed 6 liters per 5 kilometers and could travel a good 100 kilometers before the next gas station. The Ducati also has a low consumption (280 liters), but since it has a small 6-liter fuel tank, it can drive a little over 8 kilometers non-stop. In terms of consumption, it is somewhere in the middle between two extremes: the BMW, which consumes 14 liters, the Griso with the same consumption and the FZ200 with a consumption of 8 liters per 6 kilometers. Yamaha and BMW can drive about 1 kilometer without stopping, and Guzzi has driven just under 8. So what does money mean after all this?

From the cheapest Yamaha, which costs 2 million tolars and is also the smartest buy in terms of performance, looks and price, to the most expensive BMW, which costs 3 million tolars in the basic version, is as richly equipped as we are, they drove. me, but a good 3 million tolars is a difference of one and a half million. Looking at the money alone, among the expansion engines, the winner without hesitation is Yamaha. But for us, money is not the main criterion (it makes up only a fifth of the assessment), otherwise we would devalue the technical superiority, rich equipment and safety offered by BMW. As a result, BMW is ahead of Yamaha in the final overall standings, taking third and fourth places. They are followed by Ducati Monster in fifth place and Moto Guzzi Griso in sixth. The Monster is basically incredibly cheap (3 million tolars) and a great opportunity to get to Ducati. The motorcycle is something special, it carries the charm and soul inherent in the beauties with two cylinders from Bologna. With the accessories that adorned the test bike (clutch basket, exposed milled clutch cover and carbon rear fender), the price rose to 3 million tolars. Griso is a special bike, very macho and very Moto Guzzi. Many may not like this the most, but do not rush to conclusions. Arrange a test drive and try. Of all six test bikes, it rides the most comfortably at a leisurely pace, which might impress you if you don't expect a lot of sportiness from such a bike.

And how is it upstairs? All this time, only two of them fought with all their might for victory. Both are two-cylinder, similar in character and design. KTM and Aprilia, therefore. Already as a fully production model, KTM is more expensive. It costs a good 2 million tolars, and with Akrapovich's exhaust seven thousand less than three million. This was also the main reason he did not beat Aprilia, which offers the most for 7 million tolar. It has everything a modern roadster should have: power, superior handling, ease of use, great brakes and everyday usability. Only Aprilia has received the prestigious rating of 2, which affects only a few motorcycles in our country. Another proof that this is something special.

1. sad - Aprilia RSV 1000 R Tuono

Base car price: 2.699.990 SIT

Test car price: 2.699.990 SIT

Technical information

engine: 4-stroke, two-cylinder, liquid-cooled. 998 cm3, 98 kW (133 HP) at 9.500 rpm, 102 Nm at 8.750 rpm, el. fuel injection

Energy transfer: 6-speed gearbox, chain

Suspension and frame: front adjustable USD fork, rear single adjustable damper, aluminum frame

Tires: before 120/70 R17, rear 190/50 R17

brakes: front radial jaws 2 x disc diameter 320 mm, rear disc diameter 220 mm

Wheelbase:1.410 mm

Seat height from ground: 820 mm

Fuel tank / consumption per 100 km: 18 l / 6, 5 l *

Weight (with full fuel tank): 211 kg *

Representative: Representative: Auto Triglav, LLC

We praise

conductivity, brakes

versatility

engine power and torque

We scold

rear view mirrors

2nd place – KTM 990 Superduke

Base car price: 2.755.000 SIT

Test car price: 2.993.800 SIT

Technical information

engine: 4-stroke, two-cylinder, liquid-cooled. 999 cm3, 120 hp at 9.000 rpm, 100 Nm at 7.000 rpm, el. fuel injection

Energy transfer: 6-speed gearbox, chain

Suspension and frame: USD front adjustable fork, PDS rear single adjustable damper, Cro-mo tube frame

Tires: before 120/70 R17, rear 180/55 R17

brakes: front 2 reel with a diameter of 320 mm, rear reel with a diameter of 240 mm

Wheelbase: 1.438 mm

Seat height from ground: 855 mm

Fuel tank / consumption per 100 km: 15 l / 9 l *

Weight (with full fuel tank): 195 kg *

Representative: Motor Jet, Maribor (02/460 40 54), Moto Panigaz, Kranj (04/204 18 91), Axle, Koper (05/663 23 77), Motocenter Habat, Ljubljana (01/541 71 23)

We praise

conductivity

engine power and torque

engine sound

We scold

fuel consumption, close range

3rd place – BMW K 1200 R

Base car price: 3.304.880 SIT

Test car price: 3.870.000 SIT

Technical information

engine: 4-stroke, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled. 1.157 cm3, 120 kW (163 HP) at 10.250 rpm, 127 Nm at 8.250 rpm, el. fuel injection

Energy transfer: 6-speed transmission, propeller shaft

Suspension and frame: front BMW Duolever, rear BMW Paralever with ESA, aluminum frame

Tires: before 120/70 R17, rear 180/55 R17

brakes: front 2 reel with a diameter of 320 mm, rear reel with a diameter of 265 mm

Wheelbase:1.571 mm

Seat height from ground: 820 (790)

Fuel tank / consumption per 100 km: 19 l / 8, 6 l *

Weight (with full fuel tank): 247 kg *

Representative: Auto Aktiv, LLC, Cesta to Local Log 88a, tel .: [phone]

We praise

cruelty and engine power

stability, adjustable suspension

We scold

price

lack of playfulness

4th place - Yamaha FZ1

Base car price: 2.305.900 SIT

Test car price: 2.305.900 SIT

Technical information

engine: 4-stroke, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 998 cc, 3 kW (110 HP) at 150 rpm, 11.000 Nm at 106 rpm, electronic fuel injection

Frame: aluminum box

Energy transfer: 6-speed gearbox, chain

Suspension: front adjustable telescopic fork USD, rear single adjustable shock absorber

Tires: before 120/70 R17, rear 190/50 R17

brakes: front 2 spools 320 mm, back 1x coil 255 mm

Wheelbase: 1.460 mm

Seat height from ground: 800 mm

Fuel tank (consumption per 100 km): 18 l / 8, 2 l *

Weight with full fuel tank: 215 kg *

Representative: Delta Command, doo, CKŽ 135a, Krško, phone: [phone]

We praise

price

aggressive appearance

capacity

We scold

ergonomics of the seat

suspension is not precise enough

5th place – Ducati Monster S2R1000

Base car price: 2.472.000 SIT

Test car price: 2.629.000 SIT

Technical information

engine: 4-stroke, L-twin, air / oil cooled, 992 cc, 3 kW (70 HP) @ 95 rpm, 8.000 Nm @ 94 rpm, electronic fuel injection

Frame: steel tubular perimeter

Energy transfer: 6-speed gearbox, chain

Suspension: front adjustable hydraulic telescopic forks UZD, rear single hydraulic shock absorber.

Tires: before 120/70 R17, rear 180/55 R17

brakes: front 2 reel with a diameter of 320 mm, rear reel with a diameter of 245 mm

Wheelbase: 1.440 mm

Seat height from ground: 780 mm

Fuel tank / consumption per 100 km: 14 l / 6, 8 l *

Weight with full fuel tank: 197 kg *

Representative: Nova Motolegenda, doo, Zaloska 171, Ljubljana, tel .: [phone]

We praise

I'm Ducati

base model price

Design

dry clutch sound

craftsmanship and details

We scold

ergonomics and back seat

6. Place – Moto Guzzi Griso 1100.

Base car price: 2.755.000 SIT

Test car price: 2.755.000 SIT

Technical information

engine: 4-stroke, two-cylinder, V-shaped transverse, air-cooled, 1064 cm3, 65 kW (88 HP) at 7.600 rpm, 89 Nm at 6.400 rpm, el. fuel injection

Energy transfer: 6-speed transmission, propeller shaft

Suspension and frame: front adjustable USD fork, rear single hydraulic shock absorber, steel tubular frame

Tires: before 120/70 R17, rear 180/55 R17

brakes: front 2 reel with a diameter of 320 mm, rear reel with a diameter of 282 mm

Wheelbase: 1.554 mm

Seat height from ground: 780 mm

Fuel tank / consumption per 100 km: 17 l / 8, 6 l *

Weight (with full fuel tank): 243 kg *

Representative: Representative: Motor Jet, doo, Ptujska cesta 126, Maribor, phone: [phone]

We praise

soft acceleration of the engine

comfortable seat

Design

We scold

brakes are weak

clumsiness in sports driving

striptease dancers: Pesho, Mek (guest from Croatia), Tomi, Peter, David and Matevj

text: Petr Kavchich

photo: Алеш Павлетич