BMW R 1200 GS (K50) versus Yamaha MT-03

BMW R 1200 GS (K50)

Adventure

Yamaha MT-03

Naked

The rally version of the BMW 1200 GS - not just pretty to look at.

Wild Bavarian woman in a smart rally dirndl The BMW R 1200 GS was a particularly eagerly awaited test object for us. And not only because the GS gave hope for numerous interested parties for our test report due to its popularity. No, above all, we were all really keen on... weiter

BMW R 1200 GS Rallye

Gallery

What can the "Dark Side of Japan" naked bike with 42 hp do?

The Yamaha MT-03 is the A2 machine in Yamaha's extensive MT range. It comes in the usual "Dark Side of Japan" style with a design that could come straight out of a Transformers movie. Guest moderation Tanja and Dietmar... weiter

Yamaha MT-03 im Test

Gallery

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2013 bis 2018

Built von 2006 bis 2024~

RRP 15.300 €

RRP 6.749 €

Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de

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Competitors

Pros:

has neat Wums
extensive electronic helpers
significantly more off-road capability than the standard version of the GS

Pros:

Light and manoeuvrable
Easy to use
also suitable for smaller pilots
lively row twin

Cons:

Price mainly with full equipment

Cons:

simple equipment
Below a bit mau
Cockpit easy to read, but a bit old-fashioned

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.507 mm
Length : 2.207 mm Height : 1.412 mm
Seat : 850 mm
Weight : 244 (max: 460 ) kg

Wheelbase: 1.380 mm
Length : 2.090 mm Height : 1.035 mm
Seat : 780 mm
Weight : 168 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: Number 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 321 ccm
Hub: 44 mm
Hole: 68 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: 155 km/h
Performance: 42 HP at 10.750 U/Min
Torque: 30 NM bei 9.000 U/Min

Tank contents: 14 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 367 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:
Bridges (steel)

Front suspension:
USD 37mm (travel 130mm)

Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 125 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm

Tyres at the front: 110/70-17M/C (54H) Tubeless
Rear tyres: 140/70-17M/C (66H) Tubeless

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 376 mm)

Front brake
Single disc (∅ 298 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 220 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!

Conclusion - what sticks

The Yamaha MT-03 met our expectations. Above all, it is a light machine with forgiving driving characteristics. You sit comfortably and can survive even longer tours painlessly. For two, the comfort is more like 1b, but we're also talking about a naked bike. In any case, we had a lot of fun with this beautiful Yamaha and Tanja - herself an A2 biker - was surprised how easy this machine is to drive over the course compared to her Kawa ER6N.

Many thanks to Tecius & Reimers from the Yamaha headquarters Hamburg for the loan. There in Hamburg-Eidelstedt - easily accessible via the A7 and A23 - the MT-03 stands as a demonstrator and waits eagerly for test drivers. And of course there are also a lot of other bikes from Yamaha and Zero - so let's go to Hamburg! Joachim and the team are happy to serve a coffee if you are nice.