BMW R 1200 GS (K50) versus KTM 125 Duke

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW R 1200 GS (K50)

Adventure
KTM

KTM 125 Duke

Naked

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2013 bis 2018
Built von 2011 bis 2024~
RRP 15.300 €
RRP 5.499 €
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Pros:
  • has neat Wums
  • extensive electronic helpers
  • significantly more off-road capability than the standard version of the GS
Pros:
  • Processing
  • High-quality components
  • Weight
  • Economical engine
Cons:
  • Price mainly with full equipment
Cons:
  • Pillion comfort

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.507 mm
Length :
2.207 mm Height : 1.412 mm
Seat :
850 mm
Weight :
244 (max: 460 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.367 mm
Length :
2.029 mm Height : 1.090 mm
Seat :
830 mm
Weight :
143 (max: 282 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: Boxer 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.170 ccm
Hub: 73 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Luft
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Motor design: 1-cylinder, 4-stroke engine 1 Cylinder
Displacement: 125 ccm
Hub: 47 mm
Hole: 58 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 219 km/h
Performance: 125 HP at 7.700 U/Min
Torque: 125 NM bei 6.500 U/Min
Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption:
5 l
Reach:
403 km
Maximum speed: 115 km/h
Performance: 15 HP at 10.500 U/Min
Torque: 12 NM bei 8.000 U/Min
Tank contents: 13 Litre
Consumption:
2 l
Reach:
554 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Bridges, motor supporting (steel)
Front suspension:
Telescopic fork 37 mm (travel 190 mm)
Front suspension:
Shock
Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 200 mm)
Rear suspension:
Single-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70 R 19
Rear tyres: 170/60 R 17
Frame type:
Tubular space frame, powder-coated (chrome-molybdenum)
Front suspension:
WP Apex Upside-Down Ø 43 mm (travel 142 mm)
Rear suspension:
WP-Apex Monoshock (travel 150 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm, aluminium box swingarm
Tyres at the front: 110/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 150/60 ZR 17

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc ( 305 mm) Rear brake
Disc ( 376 mm)
Front brake
Four-piston fixed radial caliper, brake disc ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Single-piston floating caliper, brake disc ( 230 mm)

Conclusion - what gets stuck

No, our high expectations were by no means disappointed – not even a bit! The R 1200 GS Rally not only made us very good, but it makes it really difficult for us to find criticisms. Well, it's quite expensive. But quality has a price. And if you look at the prices on the second-hand market, you have to say that gs keeps its value quite long. In addition, it is of course up to everyone to decide whether they really need all the equipment packages. Clearly all do their tasks reliably and well, however, drive up the price again neatly. And already in the basic equipment we have to deal with a mature, great bike!

Price/Availability/Colours/Years of Construction

  • Price: 15,000-20,000€ depending on the equipment
  • used so far only marginally cheaper
  • Years built: 2017-2018
  • Availability: from 12/2017
  • Colors: Rally design in blue, silver, red, black

The opponent in his own stable

After the test, it is quickly clear why the KTM 125 Duke is such a sales success: it is the most grown-up motorcycle in its class. The high-quality components as well as the close relationship to the 390 Duke play their part.

If you have an open driving licence, you may like the 125 class as a newcomer, but not for long. For this purpose, the range of services is simply too low and the price-performance ratio too poor. The KTM 125 Duke costs 4,728 euros. This makes it even cheap in its class. As with the Yamaha, you are struggling with the competition in-house: the KTM 390, its technical relatives, is on the price list with 5,550 euros, so the gap is too small.

The test bike was provided to us by Motorrad Ruser in Haseldorf.

What can I do with the A1 ticket? This is precisely what the legislator has specified:

1. Motorcycles (also with sidecars) with a cylinder capacity of up to 125 cubic centimetres, an engine power not exceeding 11 kW, where the ratio of power to weight does not exceed 0.1 kW/kg
2. Three-wheeled motor vehicles with symmetrically arranged wheels and a cylinder capacity of more than 50 cm3 for internal combustion engines or a maximum design speed of more than 45 km/h and with an output of up to 15 kW.

The minimum age for this driving licence is 16 years, the training takes place normally in a driving school.
If you are at least 25 years old and have had a driving licence for five years, you can achieve a significant abbreviation of this training. This abbreviation is called B196.

The legislator has defined as training for B196:
Theory: 4x motorcycle theory lessons 90 minutes each
Practice: 5x motorcycle driving lesson 90 minutes each
Examination: No theory or practical examination

Price / Availability / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: 4.728€
  • Used (3 years old): 3,300€
  • Years of construction: since 2011
  • Availability: good
  • Colours: orange, white