Comparing my VFR800 5th Gen to mates BMW 1300S

Over the last couple of years have looked at the BMWs K1300R & S as possible replacements to my current 5th Gen so during a half day ride was happy when given the chance to swap bikes with a mates K13S for about 50 miles and thought I'd share some observations between it and my VFR800.




Similarities

The riding position is pretty similar although find the VFRs bars are maybe a touch higher and the foot pegs slightly forward to give a little more comfortable riding position although would rate the stock BMs seat perhaps a bit better.

Though they're obviously not pure Sports bikes both the VFR and K13S weights vanishes quickly and are fall off a log easy to ride. Off the mark the K13S is amazingly smooth and tractable, no issues pulling away without any FI glithches when slowly accelerating from 2.5K rpm, FI VFRs on the other hand don't like being under 3.5K and while mines stills smooth enough doesn't have the same well oiled feel and crispness of BMWs engine.

Fairing coverage is similar on both (read excellent), although found once up to Highway speeds preferred the BMs Touring Screen to my Double Bubble which was bought cheap so might change to a proper Touring screen later.


Suspension

Riding slow through the first country town the BMWs Duolever front suspension coped well on choppy roads in the ESA " Normal " mode and being a non demanding rider found it coped well in all conditions encountered my 50 miles including a fun 5 mile section of smooth flip flopping coastal hugging tight sweepers. Like the VFR this is no R1GixerBlade but like the VFR it can be made to hustle along very briskly with the Ks longer wheelbase mitigated by his bikes excellent Sports tires the Dunlops Sportsmarts Vs my VFRs slower turning Michelin R3s. What makes the BMW better is it doesn't have the slight clumsiness I sometimes feel when pushing hard due to my 13 yro OEM suspension, at least it has reminded me to save for that new Ohlins rear shock.....





Differences

Have already covered the BMs pegs feel a little rear set and less roomy compared to my VFRs but what is noticeable in its absence is even though no rubber there is no vibration in them, guess it's something to do with the shaftdrive. Speaking of vibration, while both have some transient bar vibration have never found the VFRs annoying at any distance wheres as the BM's IL4s while mostly smooth has an annoying tingle at exactly our 110kph/69Mph speed limit in 6th gear, although the tingle's not so noticeable at 100kph/62mph or 120kph/75mph so must be a typical IL4 resonance.

The BMW K13S has shaft drive and rate it it pretty good the only time found back lash noticeable was at slow speeds around 2500rpm in first like when we got caught going up a steep hill behind a row of cars up a country lane cutting behind a very slow moving weed sprayer, would be interesting to compare it back to back against the VFR1200s Shaft drive.

Talk about Woosh, only let my throttle hands discipline slip once when stuck behind a bunched up group of 4 cars behind a small truck doing 80kph in a 100kph Zone coming onto a straight, the Bimmers pickup in 4th rolling on from 4/5K to 9K was mind blowing ( even feeling quicker than a GSXR1000 I'd ridden last year ) , I've never felt my VFR800s been short of Power rarely revving it above 9.5K but the K13S with its 50% more HP and double the torque is in an altogether different league and briefly turned the Speedo into a Tacho the way the 10kph increments rapidly swept by.


Negatives

Not much really although the Sound with its full Akrapovic system and deep Carbon end can while not bad there's no mistaking it for a IL4 and when following my bike with Carbon ARROW was loving its sound more. The only small thing I didn't really like about the BMW was its thin side stand which is a bit fiddly but admit would get used to.


Would I buy one ?

If in the market for a new bike I'd certainly look closely between the K13S and VFR1200 as effortless Hyper Tourers to swallow good distances on Country backroads although when the time comes to retire my current ride in a few years would rather buy my 5th Gen as a new bike again. :smile:

 

Any comment on fuel economy and range? My perception is that the BMW K bike is like most liter+ ST's: a pig at the pumps.

 

Thanks for the good write up. I've always liked the RS bikes. This is one is totally new and didn't know anything about it per se. You've basically confirmed that it is in line with what BMW believes what a sport tourer is supposed to be. Definitely a bike worth looking at for putting down the miles.

 

Thanks for the report John, great write up.....:thumb:

 

Yes and no.

Have done a few 1000 to 1500 mile 3-4 day trips since he's had it and found most of the time the actual mpg is similar to mine in our metric terms usually within 0.2 litre per 100kms, longest stop between pumps with him has been 300k's / 187miles. The main difference's are his tank is only 19 litres to my 21 and the K does suck a serious load more juice whenever he runs off ahead to play with another mate on an '04 R1. :biggrin:

Biggest problem he had during the first 5 or so months early last year was it using 600mls of oil per 1000kms ( 1.3 US pints / 625miles ) with us providing helpful comments at Country GAS stops like " didn't know BMW sold 2 strokes " and " think I can just see your oil tanker support vehicle coming " it was a pain to watch him seat off balancing ( no center stand ) the bike to determine the correct level while topping it up. With no joy from his selling dealer his Oil use problem was eventually solved after a Dyno session at a local motorcycle shop..