Adventure-Touring Comparison

Adventure-touring comparison test: BMW R1200GS vs. KTM 990 Adventure vs. Yamaha Super Tenere. We head out to see how the big boys stack up against each other side by side.

Read the full story in the special "Big Adventure" February, 2012 issue of Cycle World Magazine.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• BMW
• R1200GS
• KTM
• 990
• Adventure
• Yamaha
• Super
• Tenere
• ADVrider
• ADV
• comparison
• test
• large
• displacement
• big-bore
• 2012
• motorcycle
• reviews
• dirt
• street
• touring
• adventure-touring
• off-road
• dual-purpose

[zdalmau]

What about the Tiger 1200?

[cycleworldmagazine]

@zdalmau We haven't been able to get our paws on that one yet, but looking forward to it!

[BrendonKoch]

And what about the R1200GS Adventure? Yes, it is very similar to the "regular" GS, but there are noteable differences between the two. The GSA has a shorter 1st gear, and higher ground clearance.

How about throwing the GSA into the mix as well?

[cycleworldmagazine]

@BrendonKoch That would have been great to see how much closer to the Tenere it was off-road. Perhaps a Tenere/GSA direct comparo is next? We always have to balance what's the most useful for the most amount of readers and far more folks are going to buy the non-Adventure model, but your idea is sound, thanks Brendon.

[cagyap]

it seems this summer i will upgrade my beloved Yamaha TDM900 to elder brother XT1200 Z..

[NotAnotherClinton]

Finally a decent review of the Tenere. Thank you.

[simeli94]

@cycleworldmagazine And the new Honda crosstourer?

[Shawnallenkitchen]

My wife and I took a 50-60 mile ride on a GS this last weekend, and I'm absolutely gobstopped at how much I liked it. The GS may very well be EXACTLY the motorcycle I've been looking for, but never really considered until recently.

I won't even consider the Tenere because of Yamaha's asinine policy requiring a sight-unseen deposit (or so the local dealer tells me). Completely ridiculous, and enough for me to never consider a Yamaha product again. If I can't ride it first, I won't buy it.

[nakturk]

For me,GS is the ugliest. 990 looks superb and makes me really excited.

[maxutley]

love the wheelies btw.

[maxutley]

All the maintenance tips on our website at ----- bigbiketrip . net ---but #1 advice for real adventuring (ie on every surface and condition Planet Earth has to offer) filter the fuel before it goes in the tank to look after filter and EFi. Not some amateurish sock, but a proper filter. make sure low octane mapping is selected in most of Africa. Change oil often and use Synthetic Motorex 10W-60 oil..... perhaps 20W-60 for deserts.