BMW R 1200 GS 2017 vs. Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2018

BMW R 1200 GS 2017

BMW R 1200 GS 2017

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2018

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2018

Loading...

Overview - BMW R 1200 GS 2017 vs Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2018

The BMW R 1200 GS model year 2017 is equipped with a boxer engine, which provides a mature and well-established concept. The engine has a bore of 101 mm and a stroke of 73 mm, resulting in a powerful output of 125 HP and a torque of 125 Nm. The transmission is a prop shaft, which ensures smooth and efficient power transfer. The bike has 2 cylinders and a displacement of 1170 ccm.

In terms of suspension, the BMW R 1200 GS features a strut front suspension with preload adjustment and a single swing arm rear suspension with preload adjustment. The frame is made of steel, providing a sturdy and reliable structure. The front brakes are double disk, ensuring powerful stopping capabilities.

The dimensions and weights of the BMW R 1200 GS include a 19-inch front tire diameter, a 170 mm rear tire width, and a 17-inch rear tire diameter. The wheelbase measures 1507 mm and the seat height is 850 mm. The kerb weight, including ABS, is 238 kg. The fuel tank has a capacity of 20 liters.

BMW R 1200 GS 2017

BMW R 1200 GS 2017

On the other hand, the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports model year 2018 is equipped with an in-line engine. The bore measures 92 mm and the stroke is 75.1 mm, resulting in an engine power of 95 HP and a torque of 98 Nm. The transmission is a chain, providing efficient power transfer. Similar to the BMW, the Honda has 2 cylinders and a displacement of 998 ccm.

The suspension of the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports consists of an upside-down telescopic fork front suspension with compression, preload, and rebound adjustment, and a swing arm rear suspension with compression, preload, and rebound adjustment. The frame is also made of steel, ensuring durability and stability. The front brakes are double disk, providing reliable braking performance.

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2018

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2018

In terms of dimensions and weights, the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports has a 21-inch front tire diameter, a 150 mm rear tire width, and an 18-inch rear tire diameter. The wheelbase measures 1580 mm and the seat height is 900 mm. The kerb weight, including ABS, is slightly higher than the BMW at 243 kg. However, the Honda has a larger fuel tank capacity of 24.2 liters.

In terms of strengths, the BMW R 1200 GS 2017 offers a mature concept, a strong engine, easy handling, powerful brakes, adjustable modes and traction control, an extensive equipment range, and a good image and value retention. On the other hand, the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2018 has a powerful and unagitated engine, a comfortable chassis, a comfortable seating position, superb looks, good brakes, a large fuel tank, performance modes, and an optional DCT.

However, the BMW R 1200 GS 2017 does have some weaknesses, including the fact that many features come at an extra cost and the boxer engine may be exposed in really tough terrain. On the other hand, the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2018 has some weaknesses such as not quite optimal wind protection, the absence of cruise control, a high saddle that may be difficult to climb for smaller riders, and the inability to switch off the ABS on the front wheel.

Technical Specifications BMW R 1200 GS 2017 compared to Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2018

BMW R 1200 GS 2017
Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2018

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeBoxerEngine typeIn line
BoreBore101 mmBore92 mm
StrokeStroke73 mmStroke75.1 mm
Engine powerEngine power125 HPEngine power95 HP
Rpm at Max. PowerRpm at Max. Power7,700 rpmRpm at Max. Power7,500 rpm
TorqueTorque125 NmTorque98 Nm
Rpm at TorqueRpm at Torque6,500 rpmRpm at Torque6,000 rpm
Clutch TypeClutch TypeAntihoppingClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bath
TransmissionTransmissionProp shaftTransmissionChain
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
CylindersCylinders2Cylinders2
StrokesStrokes4-StrokeStrokes4-Stroke
CoolingCoolingAirCoolingliquid
Can be restricted for A2 licenceCan be restricted for A2 licenceYesCan be restricted for A2 licenceYes
DisplacementDisplacement1,170 ccmDisplacement998 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionStrutFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic fork
AdjustmentAdjustmentPreloadAdjustmentCompression, Preload, Rebound

Suspension Rear

SuspensionSuspensionSingle swing armSuspensionSwing arm
AdjustmentAdjustmentPreloadAdjustmentCompression, Preload, Rebound

Chassis

FrameFrameSteelFrameSteel

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk
PistonPistonFour pistonsPistonFour pistons

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
PistonPistonDouble pistonPistonSingle piston

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre widthFront tyre width120 mmFront tyre width90 mm
Front tyre heightFront tyre height70 %Front tyre height90 %
Front tyre diameterFront tyre diameter19 inchFront tyre diameter21 inch
Rear tyre widthRear tyre width170 mmRear tyre width150 mm
Rear tyre heightRear tyre height60 %Rear tyre height70 %
Rear tyre diameterRear tyre diameter17 inchRear tyre diameter18 inch
LengthLength2,207 mmLength2,340 mm
WidthWidth953 mmWidth930 mm
WheelbaseWheelbase1,507 mmWheelbase1,580 mm
Seat HeightSeat Height850 mmSeat Height900 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)Kerb Weight (with ABS)238 kgKerb Weight (with ABS)243 kg
Fuel Tank CapacityFuel Tank Capacity20 lFuel Tank Capacity24.2 l
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

BMW R 1200 GS 2017

BMW R 1200 GS 2017

For over 35 years, BMW has continued to expand the boxer range and is consistently working on the evolution of the GS. In addition to the EURO4 update of the engine with new catalytic converter and mapping, there are now even more features such as the Dynamic ESA Next Generation with automatic riding position compensation, which further improves stability and comfort for the rider. With its subtle colour scheme, the Exclusive version is intended for friends of a neat and subdued appearance and, unlike the flashier Rallye variant, is designed more for the road. Many features are at extra cost, but GS customers usually don't care - 90 percent are ordered with full equipment.

Mature concept

strong engine

easy handling

powerful brakes

adjustable modes and traction control

extensive equipment range

good image and value retention.

many features at extra cost

boxer exposed in really tough terrain

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2018

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2018

For many, the new Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports is the true Africa Twin, which, with a larger tank, longer suspension travel and higher windshield, takes the long journey even more seriously than the normal Africa Twin already does. The chassis works like a litter, the seating position allows hundreds of kilometres at a stretch - according to Honda 525 on one tank of fuel. However, the agility and manoeuvrability of the normal Africa Twin suffer. With the more attractive appearance of the Adventure Sports, Honda has hit the bull's-eye again: there is currently no more beautiful adventure bike.

powerful, unagitated engine

comfortable chassis

comfortable seating position

superb looks

good brakes

large fuel tank

performance modes

optional DCT

Not quite optimal wind protection

no cruise control

high saddle difficult to climb for smaller riders

ABS on front wheel cannot be switched off

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price BMW R 1200 GS vs Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports

There are a few key differences between a BMW R 1200 GS 2017 and a Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports 2018. There are the same number of bikes of both models available on the 1000PS.de marketplace, specifically 84. It takes less time to sell a BMW R 1200 GS with 72 days compared to 112 days for a Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports. Since model year 2005 1000PS.de editors have written 98 reviews for the BMW R 1200 GS and 14 reviews for the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports since model year 2018. The first review for the BMW R 1200 GS was published on 1/20/2004 and now has more than 19,100 views. This compares to more than 91,900 views for the first review on Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports published on 11/6/2017.

Price BMW R 1200 GS

Model year
Current average market prices

Price Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin Adventure Sports

Model year
Current average market prices

Alternative Comparisons

1000PS Partner

LOUISContinental MotorradreifenSchuberthcalimoto GmbHMotorex AG