BMW R 1200 R versus Honda CL 500

BMW R 1200 R

Naked

Honda CL 500

Scrambler

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

Test of Honda's new and affordable A2 Scrambler

Honda is now also sending an A2-class Scrambler into the race in 2023 with the CL500. What are the differences to Honda's other 500s and what makes the CL 500 stand out? Tanja and Dietmar have a tour... weiter

Honda CL 500 im Test

Gallery

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2007 bis 2017

Built von 2023 bis 2025~

RRP 13.100 €

RRP 6.650 €

Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de
Weiteres Video von Motorradtest.de

Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de

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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:

very accessible, easy-to-ride motorcycle
manoeuvrable and agile handling
Easy to use, sit on it and drive off

Cons:

not cheap
Windbreak underground

Cons:

Footpegs in the way
dark display
Lever not adjustable within reach

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.515 mm
Length : 2.165 mm Height : 1.300 mm
Seat : 790 mm
Weight : 232 (max: 450 ) kg

Wheelbase: 1.484 mm
Length : 2.153 mm Height : 1.137 mm
Seat : 790 mm
Weight : 192 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: Reihentwin 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 471 ccm
Hub: 67 mm
Hole: 67 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

Performance: 47 HP at 8.500 U/Min
Torque: 43 NM bei 6.250 U/Min

Tank contents: 12 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 333 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

Front suspension:
Telescopic fork 41 mm (travel 150 mm)

Rear suspension:
Stereo shock absorbers (travel 145 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm

Tyres at the front: 110/80R19M/C 59H
Rear tyres: 150/70R17M/C 69H

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 276 mm)

Front brake
Single disc, two-piston caliper (∅ 310 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, single-piston floating caliper (∅ 240 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.

Result

The Honda CL500 is an easy-to-ride and very accessible bike that is a lot of fun to ride. It is simply equipped, does not pose any puzzles to the driver and works very well. As usual with A2 bikes, you shouldn't expect any performance miracles. The CL500 is more of a leisurely bike with which you consciously enjoy every kilometre.

The test machine was kindly provided to us by motofun . motofun is a large Honda dealer in Kaltenkirchen, north of Hamburg. There, the CL 500 is a demonstrator - and almost every other current Honda can also be test-driven there. Let's go to motofun!