Performance Numbers
60-80 MPH, 80-100 MPH
BMW: 3.10 sec., 3.28 sec.
Kawasaki: 4.28 sec., 4.74 sec.
Yamaha: 3.73 sec., 4.36 sec.
Top Speed
BMW: 152.3 mph
Kawasaki: 150.2 mph
Yamaha: 146.2 mph
Corrected Quarter-Mile
BMW: 10.69 sec. @ 130.5 mph Kawasaki: 10.52 sec. @ 130.5 mph Yamaha: 10.93 sec. @ 124.7 mph
| SR RATINGS | BMW KAWASAKI YAMAHA
K1200GT CONCOURS FJR1300 |
| Fun to ride | 7.3 | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Quality | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Instruments & controls | 8.3 | 8.8 | 9.0 |
| Ergonomics | 7.5 | 8.8 | 8.2 |
| Chassis & handling | 7.7 | 7.8 | 8.8 |
| Suspension | 7.7 | 8.8 | 8.7 |
| Brakes | 7.2 | 8.7 | 8.3 |
| Transmission | 7.8 | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Engine power | 8.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 |
| Engine power delivery | 7.7 | 9.0 | 8.3 |
| RATINGS TOTAL | 77.5 | 85.7 | 84.6 |
'08 BMW K1200GT ...
| '08 BMW K1200GT |
| TEST NOTES |
| + | Heated everything |
| + | Quick steering |
| + | Smooth power delivery |
| - | No feedback at all |
| - | Abrupt activation of the brakes |
| - | Almost $6000 more than the other two |
| | Lightest bike here, but somehow it feels
heavier than the rest. And what’s up with
that huge slab of a side fairing? |
'08 KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14 ...
| '08 KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14 |
| TEST NOTES |
| + | Good engine |
| + | Good brakes |
| + | Good seating position |
| - | Excessive bar inputs required for max lean |
| - | No heated grips |
| - | No adjustable seat/bars |
| | If Kawasaki fixes the front-end issue, they won't
have to change the bike for another 20 years. |
'08 YAMAHA FJR1300A ...
| '08 YAMAHA FJR1300A |
| TEST NOTES |
| + | Great handling, very agile |
| + | Strong engine |
| + | Useful mirrors! |
| - | Stiff throttle tires the wrist after long stints |
| - | Clunky transmission |
| - | Engine runs out of steam up top |
| | Who really needs six gears, anyway? |