A Bike for Britain

[PhilSB]

The UK magazine Bike has been trying to decide which bike is the best all-rounder for British roads, with a range of bikes covering the variety of types available. Kawasaki Z1000SX Touring -an all-rounder: Triumph Tiger 800XC -adventure; Honda CBR600F middleweight sports; BMW R1200R Classic- traditional big naked; Suzuki GSX-R600sportsbike.
These were compared in typical areas of British biking life - points were awarded based on rider assessments. Track, B-roads, Urban, A-roads, Distance, Value. These were totalled and then averaged for each bike.
Triumph Tiger 800XC 415 total Overall average 69.2%
Honda CBR600F 387 64.5
Suzuki GSX-R600 378 63.0
BMW R1200R 377 62.8
Kawasaki Z1000SX 336 56.0

So the BMW came fourth, only just though . "The best city bike. Most efficient. Alarmingly good on track. Capableon A and B roads, and gushing with charm and character. A few people have benn surprised by the R1200R- not just by what it does , but by the fct that they like what it does. Whirring, floating and flicking easily, the way it rides is different to the way it looks and the image. But equally , a lot of the character stems from clunks and irregular manners, and ultimately the BMW distinctive behaviour, unique feel and lack of weather protection are an acquired taste. That said it's only 0.2% behind the GSX-R."
It did the best fuel consumption- 50.7mp(imp)gallon. It didn't fare well on depreciation losing £3000 in one year - £975 down to £6750. On weather protection, it had a BMW sports screen fitted which didn't seem to give the riders much protection. I e-mailed the guy who had been running this bike all year and told him that he should have fitted the touring screen which I find is fine. I'm sure the riders would have been much happier with this.
I was disappointed that it didn't come out of the comparison better, I think some guys had fixed ideas about the BMW before they started. As its carer said, "If it had a beak, tall screen and knobblies they(the other riders) would have been frothing at the mouth about how they could go round the world.....

The magazine also had the "spy" shots of the watercooled GS that have been doing the rounds for ages. On sale later this year as 2013 model, paralever on the left hand side. I wonder when the R version will be out? I hope that I don't die of old age before it comes out

Phil

[websterize]

"If it had a beak, tall screen and knobblies they(the other riders) would have been frothing at the mouth about how they could go round the world.....

[Woland]

Triumph Tiger 800XC 415 total Overall average 69.2%
Honda CBR600F 387 64.5
Suzuki GSX-R600 378 63.0
BMW R1200R 377 62.8
Kawasaki Z1000SX 336 56.0

Phil

I don't get the purpose of comparisons like this. Comparing "rather" different bike from a "bike for Britain" perspective tells me nothing, other than that the bikes are different. It all comes down to about 97% personal taste.

Like with my collegues V-Strom, I cant say my bike is better than his (even though it is), but I like my bike alot more than I like his, and thats all that matters to me

[mogu83]

Strange that a Brit (British Badged) bike came in first. God bless the Empire may it go on forever.

[Anyname]

Not surprising at all, the UK's secondary roads are narrow, twisty and often lined with hedges, walls etc. Triumphs are built for the local conditions.

[CRazyCam]

Not surprising at all, the UK's secondary roads are narrow, twisty and often lined with hedges, walls etc. Triumphs are built for the local conditions.

Are they? Well the Tiger 800XC?

As I remember, from forty years ago in Scotland, the place wasn't exactly full of dirt roads...... unlike Australia, but,...hey, if it sells magazines....<shrug>

regards,CrazyCam

[Martyn]

Triumph Tiger 800XC 415 total Overall average 69.2%
Honda CBR600F 387 64.5
Suzuki GSX-R600 378 63.0
BMW R1200R 377 62.8
Kawasaki Z1000SX 336 56.0

Phil

I don't get the purpose of comparisons like this. Comparing "rather" different bike from a "bike for Britain" perspective tells me nothing, other than that the bikes are different. It all comes down to about 97% personal taste.

Like with my collegues V-Strom, I cant say my bike is better than his (even though it is), but I like my bike alot more than I like his, and thats all that matters to me

I think the whole point was that they are different bikes. Often these tests are R6 v CBR600 v GSX etc., but these are different styles of bikes, each of which is used for a year as long term test bikes - so it's a valid comparison on UK roads to try them for day in, day out suitability.

[dcameron]

Being a displaced Brit - now living in Sonoma County - I'd take my 1200 on any of their roads and completely enjoy it, like I do here. The coast was beautiful yesterday except for the crowds. Whale watching season and all the parking areas were packed, vehicles everywhere. Did have a bit if a fright - passed a really slow moving cage ( doing 10 in a 35 mph zone) on an inside curve with good visibility, over the double yellow line, and just as I pulled back in, noticed the CHP officer staring very intently at me from across the road in a parking area. Made eye contact, slowed down and he didn't come after me. It was a cool pass on the crawling cage though. Gonna slow down in those areas in the future. Don't want to push my luck.

[SteelD]

I guess that the reason I have ordered an R1200R is because it isn't like any of the other bikes mentioned.

[Mg1200R]

Hi all. New to the forum, just today in fact and couldnt help but pass comment on the BIKE article.
First things first though. Ive just moved to Singapore and have ordered my new r12r which should be here in a month or so. It's my first BMW and I'm quite excited about it it. My bike at home in Australia is a hayabusa which is fine for the territory but here with mainly city riding and with the missus and the likelihood of a bit of touring the r12r with panniers seemed to fit the bill far better than a sports oriented bike.
As for the BIKE article: I read bike pretty regularly and while for the most part it's a pretty good read inmy opinion they have an incredible bias towards Triumphs. You don't have to look back through too many old issues to see comparos where an old Daytona beats the latest gsxr and so on with little more than the qualification that they think it's more fun! The OP was accurate but a bit generous because the one quote he left out was that one reviewer commented the BMW was "Charmless... " and that he would rather ride the gsxr because " at least no one will think I wear piss stained cords."
So yes opinions are like as**oles everyone has one and everybody thinks everyone else's stinks.
They also said the triumph tiger was the second best on the track; hard to believe frankly.
Let's not forget, it was bike for Britain ( unlike one of the other posters i doubt that any motorcycle is manufactured nowadays with specific local conditions in mind but rather global market penetration and appeal) so an adequate test would also be to leave each motorcycle in a slurry of snow and salt for six months and then ride it around in rain for the other six months, piss stained cords indeed and I don't even have my bike yet.
Cheers
Mg1200R