BMW R nineT Urban G/S versus Kawasaki Versys 1000 S

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW R nineT Urban G/S

Retro
Kawasaki

Kawasaki Versys 1000 S

Crossover

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2017 bis 2023
Built von 2020 bis 2024~
RRP 14.750 €
RRP 14.795 €
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Pros:
  • Engine
  • Handling
  • Brake
  • Chassis
  • Impression of quality
  • Optics
Pros:
Cons:
  • missing indicators for fuel level, engine speed and gear
  • Travel possibilities and wind protection not at GS level
Cons:

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.527 mm
Length :
2.175 mm Height : 1.105 mm
Seat :
850 mm
Weight :
221 (max: 430 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.520 mm
Length :
2.270 mm Height : 1.490 mm
Seat :
840 mm
Weight :
257 (max: 459 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: Boxer 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.170 ccm
Hub: 73 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Öl-Luft
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6
Motor design: Four-stroke in-line four-cylinder 4 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.043 ccm
Hub: 56 mm
Hole: 77 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: O-Ring Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 220 km/h
Performance: 110 HP at 7.750 U/Min
Torque: 116 NM bei 6.000 U/Min
Tank contents: 17 Litre
Consumption:
5 l
Reach:
321 km
Maximum speed: 226 km/h
Performance: 120 HP at 9.000 U/Min
Torque: 102 NM bei 7.500 U/Min
Tank contents: 21 Litre
Consumption:
5 l
Reach:
404 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Lattice tube (steel)
Front suspension:
Telescopic fork 43 mm (travel 125 mm)
Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 140 mm)
Rear suspension:
Paralever
Tyres at the front: ZR
Rear tyres: ZR
Frame type:
Double profile frame (aluminium)
Front suspension:
43 mm upside-down fork (travel 150 mm)
Rear suspension:
Horizontally arranged back-link gas pressure central strut (travel 152 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
Rear tyres: 180/55ZR17M/C (73W)

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Disc ( 265 mm)
Front brake
Double petal brake discs. Brake caliper: Double radially mounted, monobloc, opposite 4 pistons ( 310 mm) Rear brake
Single petal brake disc. Brake caliper: Single piston ( 250 mm)

Conclusion - what sticks

Without question, Urban G/S is beguiling. Our tester Markus let himself be carried away to the remark that in his eyes it is currently the most beautiful motorcycle on the market. It is also a typical boxer child and high-quality workmanship from front to back. For those who do not constantly commute between Germany and Mongolia, the Urban G/S may even be better suited than a normal GS, because the Urban G/S is handier and weighs significantly less.
 
The test bike was provided to us by Bergmann & Söhne in Pinneberg for this test. There is exactly this bike as a demonstrator and is looking forward to a lot of test riders. So, let's go to Pinneberg near Hamburg!

Price/availability/colours/years of construction

  • Price: 14.320€
  • Used (3 years old): 12.000€
  • Years of construction: since 2017
  • Colours: black-red, blue, white

Conclusion - what sticks

Driving pleasure, tour suitability, reasonable price-performance ratio and anything else? To be honest, there are hardly any points of criticism for us. The bike rides really extremely pleasant and smooth. The upright Adventure sitting posture in combination with the supple row quad is a great combination, which brings a lot of advantages on longer tours.

The optics can be discussed as always, but that's also a matter of taste here. By the way, the machine is available in the two color combinations Pearl Storm Gray / Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Flat Spark Black & Emerald Blazed Green / Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Flat Spark or in short Gray / Black & Green / Black. We find both successful and appealing.

Only a 19" front wheel instead of the 17 incher would be Dietmar and me perhaps still a concern. But even there, the spirits are divided, because the 17 inches in front of course ensure a good steering behavior. Either way, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 S is an excellently successful travel machine and Kawa does not promise too much! "Every street - At any time" we can sign with a clear conscience.

The test machine was provided to us by Heller & Soltau.

Price/Availability/Colors/Years of Construction

  • Price: from 14.595 €
  • Years of construction: from 2021
  • Availability: from 2021
  • colours:

    Pearl Storm Gray / Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Flat Spark Black &

    Emerald Blazed Green / Metallic Diablo Black / Metallic Flat Spark