(Values are expressed in percentage points)

10-Point Questions

Engine: User Friendliness
Warm-up, drivability, accessible power, vibration, carburetion and throttle response.
1. BMW: 98
2. Duc: 86
3. Suz: 84
4. KTM: 79
5. Buell: 76
6. Capo: 68

Engine: Open-Road Performance
Judge overall power characteristics during performance riding. Overall power, throttle response (smooth vs. abrupt) and predictability (linear power delivery vs. spikiness).
1. Suz: 89
2. Duc: 85
3. BMW: 80
4. KTM: 80
5. Buell: 70
6. Capo: 68

Transmission/Clutch
Ease of shifting, positive gear changes, neutral access, clutch modulation and durability.
1. KTM: 94
2. BMW: 88
3. Capo: 80
4. Duc: 78
5. Suz: 78
6. Buell: 72

Handling/Chassis
Stability, turning speed, confidence, chassis design.
1. Duc: 92
2. Buell: 84
3. BMW: 80
3. Suz: 80
5. KTM: 78
6. Capo: 64

Suspension
Comfort, ability, adjustability, ease of adjustments. Overly soft? Overly stiff?
1. Duc: 90
2. BMW: 88
3. KTM: 82
4. Buell: 80
5. Suz: 74
6. Capo: 64

Brakes
Power, initial bite, ease of modulation, fade, feel and added features (ABS, linked braking, etc.).
1. Duc: 96
2. BMW: 84
2. KTM: 84
4. Suz: 74
5. Capo: 72
6. Buell: 68

Appearance
Design elements, relation to competitors, overall package and cool factor.
1. Duc: 92
2. KTM: 90
3. BMW: 88
4. Buell: 72
5. Suz: 56
6. Capo: 42

Features
Something that gives it an edge over competitors like unique components, desirable aspects.
1. BMW: 98
2. Duc: 80
3. KTM: 72
4. Suz: 68
5. Buell: 66
6. Capo: 54

Ergonomics/Riding Position
Overall comfort, adjustability (levers, seat, etc), legroom, handlebar bend, seat padding, control placement, mirror effectiveness, wind protection, etc.
1. BMW: 95
2. Suz: 84
3. Capo: 74
4. Duc: 72
5. Buell: 70
6. KTM: 66

Instruments/Cockpit
Legibility, attractiveness, special features (lap timer, fuel gauge, clock, trip meters, thermometer, gear-position indicator, etc.) and simplicity.
1. BMW: 92
2. Capo: 76
3. Duc: 74
4. Suz: 72
5. KTM: 70
5. Buell: 70

User-friendliness
Bungee hooks, storage, luggage rack, suspension adjustment accessibility, cold starting, engine access, valve adjustment intervals, headlight effectiveness, ABS and fuel access.
1. BMW: 95
2. Buell: 78
3. KTM: 76
4. Suz: 72
5. Capo: 68
6. Duc: 66

Grin Factor
Fun to ride, whether easy, challenging or just simply capable; makes a rider feel special.
1. Duc: 88
2. KTM: 86
3. BMW: 80
3. Buell: 80
5. Suz: 66
6. Capo: 46

Value
Balance of price against overall "goodness" of motorcycle in comparison with similar machines.
1. Suz: 90
2. Buell: 76
3. Duc: 74
4. BMW: 72
5. KTM: 70
6. Capo: 58

Fit & Finish
Inspires pride of ownership. Quality of paint, decals, components and welds. Judge details and bodywork alignment.
1. BMW: 96
2. Duc: 92
3. KTM: 78
4. Buell: 76
5. Suz: 72
6. Capo: 64

Off-road Capability (20 points)
Feedback in loose conditions, ability to handle larger bumps, controllability at low speeds, engine tractability, gearing, ground clearance, ability to ride standing up.
1. KTM: 93
2. BMW: 77
3. Buell: 60
4. Suz: 52
5. Capo: 51
6. Duc: 43

Passenger accommodations (5 points)
Seat position, seat comfort, grab rails, peg placement, vibration.
1. Buell: 88
2. BMW: 80
3. Suz: 76
4. Capo: 72
5. Duc: 60
6. KTM: 24

Total Score (weighted)
1. BMW: 86.5%
2. KTM: 80.0%
3. Duc: 77.6%
4. Buell: 73.3%
5. Suz: 72.8%
6. Capo: 62.8%


Return to the 2006 Adventure Touring Comparo.