BMW S 1000 XR versus KTM 125 Duke

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW S 1000 XR

Crossover
KTM

KTM 125 Duke

Naked

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2015 bis 2024~
Built von 2011 bis 2024~
RRP 19.690 €
RRP 5.499 €
waveform
waveform
Pros:
  • Seating position fits small and big people
  • High-revving motor
  • Strong brakes
  • Very good standard equipment
Pros:
  • Processing
  • High-quality components
  • Weight
  • Economical engine
Cons:
  • You just always want to step on the gas
Cons:
  • Pillion comfort

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.541 mm
Length :
2.156 mm Height : 1.460 mm
Seat :
850 mm
Weight :
227 (max: 450 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.367 mm
Length :
2.029 mm Height : 1.090 mm
Seat :
830 mm
Weight :
143 (max: 282 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: Number 4 Cylinder
Displacement: 999 ccm
Hub: 50 mm
Hole: 80 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
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: 250 km/h
Performance: 170 HP at 11.000 U/Min
Torque: 114 NM bei 9.250 U/Min
Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption:
6 l
Reach:
323 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:
Aluminium composite bridge frame, motor supporting (aluminium)
Front suspension:
Upside-down 45 mm (travel 150 mm)
Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 150 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 190/55 ZR 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 brake, 4-piston fixed caliper ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc brake, 2-piston floating caliper ( 265 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

Man, we had fun with the XR! The standard electronically adjustable ESA suspension really irons everything smoothly and yet this bike still gives you the necessary feedback about the road condition for sporty driving. That's the biggest difference between XR and GS: The XR is always sporty on the road, even if the 4-cylinder can purr at least theoretically like a kitten, that's not what you want as a driver! Better to throttle and loseprint like a cheetah. GS on the other hand: Rather quiet as a lion.
 
Whether the sportiness of the XR has a lasting effect or rather annoys, every driver has to decide for himself. What is clear, however, is that it travels more pleasantly on a GS, because you drive rather relaxed and there is no constant driving jerking or chain care.

The test motorcycle was provided to us by Bergmann & Söhne Pinneberg. There she stands as a guide and is happy about every test driver.

Price/Availability/Colours/Years of Construction

  • Price: 17.000€
  • Used (1 year old): 15,000€
  • Availability: since 2020
  • Colours: red, silver, colorful

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