BMW R 1200 R versus Yamaha MT-03

BMW R 1200 R

Naked

Yamaha MT-03

Naked

BMW R 1200 R: The all-purpose weapon from BMW

The BMW R 1200 R (K27) from 2011 tested here still has the 110 hp boxer engine with air/oil cooling. This model was built from 2006 to 2014 and replaced the successful R 1150 R. In contrast to its predecessor, the 1200 is much more powerful and sporty on the road, without... weiter

BMW R 1200 R im Test

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 2007 bis 2017

Built von 2006 bis 2024~

RRP 13.100 €

RRP 6.749 €

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Competitors

Pros:

relatively light for a boxer machine
powerful engine with character
upgradeable as an agile tourer
no technical overload
safe driving experience

Pros:

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

Cons:

not cheap
Windbreak underground

Cons:

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

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.515 mm
Length : 2.165 mm Height : 1.300 mm
Seat : 790 mm
Weight : 232 (max: 450 ) 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: 220 km/h
Performance: 125 HP at 7.750 U/Min
Torque: 125 NM bei 6.500 U/Min

Tank contents: 18 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 363 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:
two-part frame concept consisting of the main frame and the rear frame bolted to it, supporting engine (steel)

Front suspension:
Upside-down 45 mm (travel 140 mm)

Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 140 mm)
Rear suspension:
Paralever

Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 180/55 ZR 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 (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 276 mm)

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

Conclusion - what gets stuck

Wonderful, this BMW R1200 R. Not only beautiful, fast and safe, but also potent enough for an Alpine tour. Of course, this requires a suitcase system, which goes quite well into the money at BMW. And just a touring disc, which is to be used in the secondary market (e.B. MRA) for about 150 euros. In the mountains you should ride the other bikers quite nicely around the ears, because the 1200s brings everything you need: strength, agility, agility and above all the feeling of security that you can't really do much with this 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.