Intro: ONE CONEPT, FOUR BIKES
We chose four leading touring bikes to see how they fared against one another over 1500km of highways and byways between Nantes and Paris: the Aprilia Caponord, the BMW R1150 GS, the Triumph Tiger 955i and the Yamaha TDM 850. The distance gave us the chance to look at the bikes from all angles. The aim was to ride for pleasure, the essence of motorcycling! (Jessica Paupinat)
Esthetique: EACH TO HIS OWN
The latest bike to appear on the market is the Aprilia Caponord. Of the four, this is the one that stands out in terms of style, bearing an unmistakeable resemblance to the Honda Varadero. The motorcycle's angular lines give it an imposing look. Love it or hate it, it's hard to remain indifferent. The R1150 GS also sports a daring, almost avant-garde look. The Triumph is less flashy than the Caponord but it's the size of the British bike that is impressive. Any rider under 1.75m tall will be thankful for a curb at the traffic lights. The smallest of the bunch, the Yamaha TDM seems quite slight standing beside the others. Having graced the market for ten years now, the bike has an air of simplicity. It was the Yamaha that helped start the new wave of touring bikes that appeared in the 90's. The instrument panels are comprehensive. However, the lack of hazards on the Italian bike is a disappointment. On the Japanese model, they are austere but functional. Both stripped-down and sophisticated, the BMW's instrument panel matches its personality. The Triumph has a classic look not without charm. However, the position of the clock could be improved. In terms of protection, the Caponord leads the field, tailed by the Tiger,TDM and BMW.
Motorization: THREE AGAINST ONE
On the engine front, three two-cylinders line up against the famous Triumph three-cylinder, which delivers 105bhp at 9500rpm, the powerhouse of the pack. The bike's length makes it a real treat to look at. The TDM carries the least powerful engine but proffers impressive pep and pizazz. Not much competition from the others in that department. The BMW R1150 GS and the Aprilia Caponord have the largest cylinder capacity, 1130cc and 997cc, respectively. These two-cylinders deliver almost the same torque at 99 and 98Nm. The Aprilia's V2 comes out on top in terms of acceleration, with the BMW's flat twin offering the smooth serenity that we have come to expect from the German manufacturer.
On the road: STUCK TO THE ROAD
The Yamaha TDM 850 offers surprising handling and comfort both on the road and in urban areas while providing impressive protective features. The Caponord is happiest on the open road. In traffic, the Aprilia's size makes handling awkward and the engine lacks suppleness below 3000rpm.
The BMW R1150 GS has a very low centre of gravity, providing outstanding manoeuvrability, boosted by wide handle bars and an amazing turning radius. As expected the BMW's brake system is a benchmark for other manufacturers.
The Triumph Tiger nears perfection in terms of road holding and the brakes are reliable, though the bike's high centre of gravity is a bit of a handicap.
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