BMW R 1200 GS 2009 vs. Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

BMW R 1200 GS 2009

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Overview - BMW R 1200 GS 2009 vs Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

BMW R 1200 GS 2009

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Technical Specifications BMW R 1200 GS 2009 compared to Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

BMW R 1200 GS 2009

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

BMW R 1200 GS 2009

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

Engine and Drive Train

Engine type	Engine type	Boxer	Engine type	In line
Bore	Bore	101 mm	Bore	92 mm
Stroke	Stroke	73 mm	Stroke	75.1 mm
Engine power	Engine power	105 HP	Engine power	95 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	7,500 rpm
Torque	Torque	115 Nm	Torque	98 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	5,750 rpm	Rpm at Torque	6,000 rpm
Starter	Starter	Electric	Starter	Electric
Transmission	Transmission	Prop shaft	Transmission	Chain
Cylinders	Cylinders	2	Cylinders	2
Strokes	Strokes	4-Stroke	Strokes	4-Stroke
Cooling	Cooling	Oil-air	Cooling	liquid
Displacement	Displacement	1,170 ccm	Displacement	998 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspension	Front suspension	Strut	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork
Adjustment	Adjustment	Preload	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound

Suspension Rear

Suspension	Suspension	Single swing arm	Suspension	Swing arm
Adjustment	Adjustment	Preload	Adjustment	Compression, Preload, Rebound

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Double disk	Type	Double disk
Piston	Piston	Four pistons	Piston	Four pistons

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc
Piston	Piston	Double piston	Piston	Double piston

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre diameter	Front tyre diameter	19 inch	Front tyre diameter	21 inch
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch	Rear tyre diameter	18 inch
Length	Length	2,210 mm	Length	2,335 mm
Width	Width	915 mm	Width	875 mm
Height	Height	1,450 mm	Height	1,475 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,507 mm	Wheelbase	1,575 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	850 mm	Seat Height	850 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	20 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	18.8 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A	License compliancy	A

Pros and Cons in comparison

BMW R 1200 GS 2009

Either it was a stroke of luck or the best developers were at work - handlebars, geometry, seat, knee angle, footrests - it just fits really well for the majority of Central Europeans. All in all, there is still no motorbike that can kill the GS.

Optimal wind protection

comfortable seat

good posture

positive ergonomics

weather robust

quiet chassis.

Seat a little too low.

Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 2018

The new Africa Twin has come exactly as fans expected: Well controllable, unagitated and a wonderful travelling companion. The fact that it also looks extremely good was a pleasant bonus. So there is no reason to fundamentally change the Africa Twin, what was good remains good on the new one - and much has been improved. Thanks to Ride by Wire, you can now also enjoy performance modes on the Africa Twin, and the traction control can be adjusted 7-fold (instead of 3-fold previously) and switched off. The optional DCT is still a big hit and a lot of fun, but it also costs a lot.

Reliable engine

comfortable seating position

well-tuned chassis

good looks

good brakes

optional DCT

performance modes

not quite optimal wind protection

no cruise control

ABS on front wheel cannot be switched off