BMW G650GS / G650GS Sertão
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Price: $9,300/$10,250
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Engine Liquid-cooled: four-stroke
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Displacement: 652 cc
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Transmission: Five-speed
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Wheel size (F/R): 19/17; 21/17 in.
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Susp. Travel (F/R): 170/165
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Weight: 192 kg
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Fuel capacity: 14 l
The G650GS had several upgrades in its 2011
return, including cast wheels with a wider rear rim to accept a 140/80-17 tire.
Bodywork had a subtle redesign with new, asymmetrical headlights. Optional
two-channel ABS can be deactivated. Power is still provided by a fuel-injected
652 cc single which delivers thrifty fuel economy. The G650GS Sertao is
reminiscent of the old Dakar model and adds long-travel springs, wire-spoke
wheels with a 21-inch front, skid plate, black luggage and exclusive white/blue
color scheme.
BMW R1200GS / Adventure
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Engine Air- and liquid-cooled: four-stroke
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Displacement: 1,170 cc
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Transmission: Six-speed
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Wheel size (F/R): 19/17 in.
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Susp. Travel (F/R):190/200; 210/220 mm
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Weight: 238 kg
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Fuel capacity: 20 l
The iconic, do-it-all R1200GS is a new
generation model for 2013, with a significant update to its Boxer engine
highlighting the changes. For the first time the flat twin is partially liquid
cooled, but to minimize weight gain, it is only around those engine parts where
temperatures are highest, while air-cooling via fins handles the rest. The
transmission is now integrated with the crankcase, there is a new clutch and
final drive and swing arm are now on the left side. Adventure (pictured) and
90th Anniversary models are also coming.
Ducati Multistrada 1200 / Touring /
Pikes Peak / Gran Turismo
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Price: $18,495—$22,995
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Engine Liquid-cooled: four-stroke
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Displacement: 1,198.4 cc
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Transmission: Six-speed
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Wheel size (F/R): 17/17 in.
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Susp. Travel (F/R): 170/170 mm
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Weight: 196-217 kg
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Fuel capacity: 20 l
The Multistrada may be popular but that
doesn't mean there wasn't room for improvement. The engine’s intolerance of
low-speed running has been addressed by aiming the fuel injectors directly at
the intake valves, adding a second spark plug and including a secondary air
system. The Touring, Pikes Peak and Gran Turismo models all have the new
Skyhook suspension system, which uses sensors to identify changing road
conditions and relay information to the computer, which automatically adjusts damping
settings on the fly.
Honda CB500X
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Price: $6,799
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Engine Liquid-cooled: four-stroke
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Displacement: 471 cc
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Transmission: Six-speed
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Wheel size (F/R):17/17 in.
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Susp. Travel (F/R): 125/108 mm
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Weight: 197 kg
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Fuel capacity: 17 l
The new CB500X is a close sibling to
Honda's CBR500R and CB500F sport models, using the same liquid-cooled,
parallel-twin engine, 17-inch wheels, and 320 mm front and 240 mm rear brake
discs. The 500X's role as an adventure touring machine dictated a fork and
shock with slightly longer travel, a larger fuel tank, and taller seat height.
The windshield is adjustable through a 40 mm range and guards have been fitted
to protect the engine and exhaust from rock and road damage.
Honda NC700X
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Price: $8,999
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Engine Liquid-cooled: four-stroke
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Displacement 670 cc
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Transmission: Six-speed
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Wheel size (F/R): 17/17 in.
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Susp. Travel (F/R): 153.5/150 mm
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Weight: 214 kg
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Fuel capacity: 14.1 I
Honda markets it’s NC700X as a go-anywhere
machine just as suitable for urban battle as highway travel or off-road
adventures. It is powered by a fuel-injected 8-valve, liquid-cooled parallel
twin-cylinder engine. Brakes are a single front 320 mm disc with two-piston
caliper, and a 240 mm rear. Long-travel suspension, generous ground clearance
and ABS are standard features of the NC, as is a 21 liter storage compartment
that was made possible by positioning the fuel tank low in the chassis.
Kawasaki Versys 650 / 1000
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Price: $8,699/$13,999
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Engine Liquid-cooled: four-stroke
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Displacement: 649/1,043 cc
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Transmission: Six-speed
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Wheel size (F/R): 17/17 in.
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Susp. Travel (F/R): 150/145; 150/150 mm
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Weight: 181/239 kg
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Fuel capacity: 19/21 I
The Versys 650 is powered by a
fuel-injected parallel twin tuned for low-end power. It offers good
sport-touring potential with long-travel suspension, adjustable windscreen and
reinforced sub-frame suitable for aftermarket luggage. The new Versys 1000 has
a Z1000-derived inline-four engine and two selectable modes allow the rider to
soften the power delivery in sketchy conditions. Three-level traction control
and ABS are standard, and rider comfort is enhanced by the wide bar and
well-padded seat.
Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX ABS-ATC
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Price: $16,190
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Engine Air-cooled: four-stroke
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Displacement: 1,151 cc
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Transmission: Six-speed
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Wheel size (F/R): 19/17 in.
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Susp. Travel (F/R): NA
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Weight: 251 kg
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Fuel capacity: 321
The Stelvio returned in 2011 after a
one-year absence with improvements to stay competitive. New brake discs,
headlight, fairing, windshield, panniers, seat, exhaust system, alloy wheels,
Continental ABS, instrument panel and a larger fuel tank highlighted the
changes. The four-valve, fuel-injected V-twin generates a claimed 102 hp. A 45
mm fork with progressive springs is mated to a single shock adjustable for
preload and rebound. Power is driven to the 17-inch rear wheel via shaft drive.
Suzuki V-Strom 650
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Price: $9,099
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Engine Liquid-cooled: four-stroke
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Displacement: 645 cc
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Transmission: Six-speed
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Wheel size (F/R): 19/17 in.
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Susp. Travel (F/R): NA
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Weight: 214 kg
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Fuel capacity: 20 l
The V-Strom 650 was redesigned for 2012,
the year of its 10th birthday. To create a friendlier, lighter-looking and more
comfortable V-Strom, Suzuki focused on restyling the bodywork and improving the
saddle, and ratios from first through fifth gears in the revised transmission
were tightened up. ABS is still standard equipment, but the luggage-equipped
650ASE is no longer offered. The V-Strom 1000 is out of the line-up for 2013
but an all-new version is expected to be released for the 2014 model year.
Triumph Tiger 800 / 800XC
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Price: $12,299/$13,399
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Engine Liquid-cooled: four-stroke
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Displacement: 799 cc
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Transmission: Six-speed
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Wheel size (F/R): 19/17; 21/17 in.
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Susp. Travel (F/R): 180/170; 220/215 mm
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Weight: 210/215 kg
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Fuel capacity: 19 l
Triumph elbows into BMW F800 territory with
the Tiger 800 and Tiger 800XC models. Both are powered by a liquid-cooled,
inline triple with a claimed 94hp, and share a tubular steel trellis frame and
Showa suspension. The $12,299 Tiger 800 has a 43 mm fork but the off-road oriented
800XC has a 45 mm unit. The $13,399 XC also has spoked, larger wheels and
greater suspension travel. The standard 800 has cast wheels. ABS is now
standard on both Tigers.
Triumph Tiger Explorer
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Price: $17,499/$18,899
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Engine Liquid-cooled: four-stroke
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Displacement: 1,215 cc
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Transmission: Six-speed
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Wheel size (F/R): 19/17 in.
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Susp. Travel (F/R): 190/194 mm
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Weight: 259 kg
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Fuel capacity: 20 l
Aimed squarely at BMW's R1200GS, the Tiger
Explorer has an inline-triple cylinder engine which transmits a claimed 135 hp
via a two-part shaft drive. Traction control, cruise control and switchable ABS
are standard features, and the seat and windscreen are height-adjustable. For
$18,899 you can spring for the Launch Package which adds factory-installed
engine bars, aluminum sump guard, hand guards, heated grips, fog lights,
touring windshield, rubber tank pad and tire pressure monitoring system.
