2011 Adventure-Touring Weigh In
Monday, August 22, 2011
Motorcycle-USA’s five-bike 2011 Adventure-Touring Shootout is officially underway. Our planned route (alright, it’s semi-planned…), has us rambling through the high country of the Intermountain West for the rest of the month. Half-assed Google-Map estimates calculate 2500 miles, give or take a couple hundred depending on our mood and the consequences of unpaved detours… Should give us ample time to determine a favorite. In the meantime, we’ve conducted the initial weigh in on our Intercomp scales.
First, some explanatory notes: All the test bikes have been altered from stock form, with dirt and touring accessories, including various luggage configurations. We weighed the fully-fueled bikes with luggage attached, then measured again with luggage removed.
|
Curb Weight |
Curb Weight with Luggage |
| Tiger 800 XC |
508 |
548 (panniers, top case, tank bag) |
| Ducati Multistrada |
526 |
561 (panniers, top case) |
| BMW R1200GS |
540 |
564 (panniers) |
| KTM 990 Adventure |
538 |
573 (panniers, top case) |
| Yamaha Super Tenere |
605 |
636 (panniers, tank bag) |
The portly Super Tenere stands out as the only bike to crest the 600-pound mark, a full 65 pounds more than the nearest unladen rival – the BMW GS. Add the Super Ten’s tank bag and panniers, it’s 63 pounds heavier than the nearest competitor, KTM’s 990 Adventure Dakar (the Austrian bike features a heavier luggage ensemble too, with panniers and top case. The KTM’s luggage, by the way, is easily the most intuitive to operate. We’ll deliver first impressions on the luggage functionality tomorrow after we fully burden these AT mules with at least 10 days of travelling kit).
The Beemer, Ducati and KTM didn’t surprise us on the scales, as they match up with previous comparison weights. This time around, however, the scales dip tip somewhat heavier owing to the accessories – like crash bars and skid plates, as well as luggage brackets.
Triumph’s little Tiger may be the bantamweight in terms of displacement, but the cc disadvantage doesn’t exactly crossover on the scales. The XC is two thirds the engine size of the Ducati, but take off the bags and it’s just 18 pounds lighter. Once the Trumpet adds its 40 pounds of luggage, with hefty panniers and both a tank bag and top case, the disparity with the Duc drops to 13 lbs.
Rear wheel horsepower stats are soon to come (still tinkering on the dyno…). More more updates to come all week long, with first impressions and tour updates. Keep checking back.
Post Tags: adventure touring comparison, AT shootout
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