I swear you people are deaf. Right at the beginning, he says that each of those bikes is the best all-rounder in their respective classes. Those classes being large supermoto, sport bike, sport tourer, and adventure tourer. They took these "best picks" from each of their respective classes, and then pitted them against each other. Why is this so complicated?
Mugs. My brother used to mince absolutely everyone at the track days on a VFR VTEC because he had complete faith in it. The combined brakes allowed him to out brake everything into the corners and proper use of the VTEC like a powervalve pulled everything out of the corners. Ok on the straight my RSV had him but he just kept on passing every one...
NADASPAPAJAY I've ridden both my 2005 VTEC VFR and my 1999 gear driven cam VFR on the track. They both were fun and I have to agree, the linked brakes allow deep late braking! Even trail braking hard into turns presented no issues whatever.
Of the bikes on test the VFR is the best all rounder, I owned one afew years back, great machine, but in my book the best all rounder is without question the Honda CBR1100xx Superblackbird
I own a gen 5 VFR, Gixxer 1K, and a 950SM. The KTM is my favorite all-rounder. It can smoke the Gixxer on tight canyon roads and almost matches the VFR for comfort. My 2 cents.
Cool comparo. As a past owner of a 2004 VFR and current owner of a V-Strom 650 (with upgraded suspension) I agree the VFR is very heavy and would be my last pick in that group. Despite what many VFR fans say, I think the legroom is poor and it sucks on bumpy roads. I'm sure the GSXR is a blast but is too narrowly focused for this old man (41 years old). I've ridden the big GS and LOVE it. Never ridden a 990 SMT but I bet I'd love it even more. It is my dream bike.
Bought myself a VFR800 in May as my first bike. Albeit, I went for a 1999 pre-VTEC. I've nothing to compare it to but it's plenty quick enough for a new rider. "Old man's bike", my boss reckons.
The best all rounder motorcycle is the Kawasaki GT550, 20 year production run, Didn`t change a thing, They got it right from the start, Build quality, Reliability, Fuel economy, Surprisingly good handling, Shaft drive, Electronic fuel and warning display, Easy to service and work on, That`s a lot of equipment for the price, And with cheap parts and low insurance, Probably the most motorcycling per pound you can get, Mind you, the youngest one now, Is nearly a decade old !
I'd venture to say that maybe across the pond an "all-rounder" refers to a class that we would refer to "sport cruiser." You know a bit more comfortable seating positioned bike with a nicely powered engine and decent suspension (not over the top or even adjustable but sporty). I am having a tough time with the GSX-R750 being in this category.
I owned a GSXR 750 and the only reason I gave it up was because it was so hard to do long miles on it. No, it is not an all-rounder. A superb bike, yes. nay, a fantastic bike! I wish I still had it. VFR800 is probably a better all-rounder, if you didn't plan on going to the track.
I have a gsxr750 k8 and it is an all rounder..I had a couple of 4 hour trips on it and didn't feel any discomfort or pain when got off it..I'm doing about 80-90 minutes trips and back the same day,once every two weeks..and when I get home I have no problem taking it for a spin the same evening..I had a gsxr1000 k8 before and 750 is more comfy for sure..But motor wise gsxr750 feels like gs500 when you ride it after gsxr1000..But if I was 55 or so,I'd probly choose something like this KTM or BMW..
Why is that so funny? The Gixxer 750 is the best all-rounder in its class, so too is the GS 1200... not so sure about the VFR 800 though. I agree there are a lot of bikes missing there, such as the honda CBF 1000, DL1000 V-Strom amongst many others.
KTM Adventure 990 R, try these bikes on a bit of loose.. all rounder would include this for me. touring, sunday on the twisties and a bit of track and rough.. take a vfr or gsx on a dirt road.. even the bm is a too heavy when its really muddy,
I highly doubt a VFR will take out a KTM SMT on track. Its an ancient bike with an aging suspension system. The KTM did a 54.4 second lap at Brands Hatch and the VFR did it in 1:02. I doubt simply lowering the front end 5cm will make up 8 seconds on a 1 minute lap track!!! What if you lowered the KTM also, I bet it would be much faster still.
Read about this in MCN.. nice to see a video about it. :D If only the KTM990 had more fuel range.. although i don't think i could get on with a supermoto styley thing.. out of these 4 i'd probably buy the gixer
Here's a list of bikes and reasons why they are or are not all-rounders. Hornet 600. Sporty all-rounder. Bandit 650. All-rounder. Monster 696. Not really an all-rounder cuz you wouldn't want to to take it out in the winter with all the salt that our councils put on the road. And, all-rounders are more likely to do high mileage commuting so sevicing costs are important. FZ6 Fazer. Sporty all-rounder. FZ6R/Diversion. all rounder. OK, it wasn't easy to define.
The test should be between like minded bikes...The BMW 1200GS and the KTM 990SM-t seem to be a fair comparison... Would have been interesting to see a 1100 V-Strom and a Ducati Multistrada in the mix as well. I have a GS, but I'm waiting for the 990 SM-t to come to the U.S. in 2010...I love my GS though :)
(continued from below) An all-rounder must be good at a number of things. Commuting through the town and countryside, being reasonable over distance and having fun. Commuting, in Britain, usually involves plenty of filtering(lane splitting), so bikes that are very big and heavy, like tourers, are not all-rounders. Same with cruisers. (cont above)
I think its interesting to pit different style bikes against another seeing that any bike could be an "all rounder". I'm sure the VFR is a great bike but at my size it doesn't matter how good it is, the seating position kills my wrists and crunches up my legs. If I could fit it, I'd have one. KTM fits great but is pricy. Not old enough for the beemer and if I cant fit on a VFR, forget about the GSXR. Ninja1000 maybe?
I've never been on a farm but I know how to choke a chicken. Seriously though GSX-RXXX seems like an all out sport bike. Hell than a CBR XXXRR could be an allrounder according to these loose standards. Try taking the GSX-R on a long trip your arms will be hurting very quickly. Compare it to the BMW.
Killer.Being one of the few people on here who comment and does have a bike i understand the test.The gsxr would be great with a set of heli bars.The GS realy isnt my style.I love the BMW, but i,m going to hold out for the new k1200s.Both the VFR and the GSXR750have won and been praised by many.I would love the KTM.Ride safe my bros.Haters keep hateing, yah might get a bike and become a true rider one day.
"All-rounder" is a Brittish term for a kind of bike. It's fairly simple to define. It doesn't include off-road because there is virtually no where in Britain that you can legaly ride off road. All the hiking areas/mountain trails are privately owned estates that don't allow motorised vehicles. Sport'sbikes(GSXR, CBR RR etc) are not all-rounders. Maybe the CBR600F blurs the lines a little but IMO it's really just a sports bike that's not as sharp as the latest hot shit. (cont- above)
So what I got from this was that the bikes can go around corners and their quarter mile times. You know why you don't have the money for the ktm ? it because this test is worthless.
I like MCN but this test is nonsense... a gsxr an allrounder !? Just two other serious allrounder bikes for comparison? Maybe the KTM is the best indead, but this comparison doensn't apply that.
Best in class mate. The GSXR is representing race reps. All four bikes are completely different. I would argue the GSXR 1000 is a more comfortable bike but not everyone wants the warp speed engine, hence the all rounder tag. The 750 is most things for most people.
"All great all-rounders in their class...". How can a class have an all-rounder? Another crap video from MCN, this is not a comparison it's just a jolly for the lads.
Hornet 600 ? o my good but has a shity suspension way toooo soft and...you can't make it stifer . When you change the oil be careful not to crack the oil bath they are fragile after 4-5 years.
The Gsx R allrounder ??! ...what a joke. The Vfr with the front lowered 5 cm will beat all the bikeson track in the test except the Gixx , For mid class allrounder VFR all the way !!
Would be nice to ride bikes all day long on other peoples money, and get paid to say what's in the script, before ever being started.... BTW what bikes do you guys own, I mean pay for ?
Why would the GSX-R even be tested in this comparison? It's not the bike anyone considers when they want all-rounder capabilities. It has major wanker factor for any 22 year old dipshit who wants to wheelie up and down the block, but never ventures further than the next town. Come on MCN, quit wasting our time with these bullshit shootouts.
Anyone able to point me to a motorbike show that actually gives you proper information? MCN is bollox.. Lets go test a Pan European, ohh i know race track perfect place!! What about a CB 125cc,, i know a race track!!! How about a Vespa, oh i know.. a race track!!!! I wish they'd just be honest and say they are only horny about Supersport bikes and not waste my time with these pointless videos.
I think its most likely more to do with nationalistic pride than anything else in most of these reviews, that or some people have had one of the bike before and have a set opinion.
I swear you people are deaf. Right at the beginning, he says that each of those bikes is the best all-rounder in their respective classes. Those classes being large supermoto, sport bike, sport tourer, and adventure tourer. They took these "best picks" from each of their respective classes, and then pitted them against each other. Why is this so complicated?
I bought KTM 990 SMR , Best all around fun !
Lol I never thought a best all-rounder bike test would mainly involve a track.
All that said, I still bought a VFR. Best bike ever. :)
DAMN IT KTM!!!! Bring the 990 SM-T to the U.S. Market !!! I will trade in my 1200GS (which I love) for the SMT
Mugs. My brother used to mince absolutely everyone at the track days on a VFR VTEC because he had complete faith in it. The combined brakes allowed him to out brake everything into the corners and proper use of the VTEC like a powervalve pulled everything out of the corners. Ok on the straight my RSV had him but he just kept on passing every one...
NADASPAPAJAY I've ridden both my 2005 VTEC VFR and my 1999 gear driven cam VFR on the track. They both were fun and I have to agree, the linked brakes allow deep late braking! Even trail braking hard into turns presented no issues whatever.
Of the bikes on test the VFR is the best all rounder, I owned one afew years back, great machine, but in my book the best all rounder is without question the Honda CBR1100xx Superblackbird
I own a gen 5 VFR, Gixxer 1K, and a 950SM. The KTM is my favorite all-rounder. It can smoke the Gixxer on tight canyon roads and almost matches the VFR for comfort. My 2 cents.
mcn's videos have improved exponentially; sound and picture quality is real good now! keep up the motoloving, guys! :)
Cool comparo. As a past owner of a 2004 VFR and current owner of a V-Strom 650 (with upgraded suspension) I agree the VFR is very heavy and would be my last pick in that group. Despite what many VFR fans say, I think the legroom is poor and it sucks on bumpy roads. I'm sure the GSXR is a blast but is too narrowly focused for this old man (41 years old). I've ridden the big GS and LOVE it. Never ridden a 990 SMT but I bet I'd love it even more. It is my dream bike.
where is the Ducati Multistrada?
Bought myself a VFR800 in May as my first bike. Albeit, I went for a 1999 pre-VTEC. I've nothing to compare it to but it's plenty quick enough for a new rider.
"Old man's bike", my boss reckons.
The best all rounder motorcycle is the Kawasaki GT550, 20 year production run, Didn`t change a thing, They got it right from the start, Build quality, Reliability, Fuel economy, Surprisingly good handling, Shaft drive, Electronic fuel and warning display, Easy to service and work on, That`s a lot of equipment for the price, And with cheap parts and low insurance, Probably the most motorcycling per pound you can get, Mind you, the youngest one now, Is nearly a decade old !
I'd venture to say that maybe across the pond an "all-rounder" refers to a class that we would refer to "sport cruiser." You know a bit more comfortable seating positioned bike with a nicely powered engine and decent suspension (not over the top or even adjustable but sporty).
I am having a tough time with the GSX-R750 being in this category.
Throw a VFR750F in that comparison instead of the VFR800!
Thanks Adrian, my sentiments EXACTLY.
gixxer looks like its having the most fun :P
I owned a GSXR 750 and the only reason I gave it up was because it was so hard to do long miles on it. No, it is not an all-rounder. A superb bike, yes. nay, a fantastic bike! I wish I still had it. VFR800 is probably a better all-rounder, if you didn't plan on going to the track.
I totally agree with you my friend.
best all rounder *IN ITS CLASS*
I have a gsxr750 k8 and it is an all rounder..I had a couple of 4 hour trips on it and didn't feel any discomfort or pain when got off it..I'm doing about 80-90 minutes trips and back the same day,once every two weeks..and when I get home I have no problem taking it for a spin the same evening..I had a gsxr1000 k8 before and 750 is more comfy for sure..But motor wise gsxr750 feels like gs500 when you ride it after gsxr1000..But if I was 55 or so,I'd probly choose something like this KTM or BMW..
Why is that so funny? The Gixxer 750 is the best all-rounder in its class, so too is the GS 1200... not so sure about the VFR 800 though. I agree there are a lot of bikes missing there, such as the honda CBF 1000, DL1000 V-Strom amongst many others.
KTM Adventure 990 R, try these bikes on a bit of loose.. all rounder would include this for me. touring, sunday on the twisties and a bit of track and rough.. take a vfr or gsx on a dirt road.. even the bm is a too heavy when its really muddy,
I highly doubt a VFR will take out a KTM SMT on track. Its an ancient bike with an aging suspension system. The KTM did a 54.4 second lap at Brands Hatch and the VFR did it in 1:02. I doubt simply lowering the front end 5cm will make up 8 seconds on a 1 minute lap track!!! What if you lowered the KTM also, I bet it would be much faster still.
Read about this in MCN.. nice to see a video about it. :D
If only the KTM990 had more fuel range.. although i don't think i could get on with a supermoto styley thing.. out of these 4 i'd probably buy the gixer
Here's a list of bikes and reasons why they are or are not all-rounders.
Hornet 600. Sporty all-rounder.
Bandit 650. All-rounder.
Monster 696. Not really an all-rounder cuz you wouldn't want to to take it out in the winter with all the salt that our councils put on the road. And, all-rounders are more likely to do high mileage commuting so sevicing costs are important.
FZ6 Fazer. Sporty all-rounder.
FZ6R/Diversion. all rounder.
OK, it wasn't easy to define.
The test should be between like minded bikes...The BMW 1200GS and the KTM 990SM-t seem to be a fair comparison... Would have been interesting to see a 1100 V-Strom and a Ducati Multistrada in the mix as well. I have a GS, but I'm waiting for the 990 SM-t to come to the U.S. in 2010...I love my GS though :)
(continued from below)
An all-rounder must be good at a number of things. Commuting through the town and countryside, being reasonable over distance and having fun.
Commuting, in Britain, usually involves plenty of filtering(lane splitting), so bikes that are very big and heavy, like tourers, are not all-rounders. Same with cruisers.
(cont above)
How do they figure a GSXR-750 is an all arounder? Seems to be a straight up sport bike to me
vfr all day everyday
Sounded fine to me ;-)
I think its interesting to pit different style bikes against another seeing that any bike could be an "all rounder". I'm sure the VFR is a great bike but at my size it doesn't matter how good it is, the seating position kills my wrists and crunches up my legs. If I could fit it, I'd have one. KTM fits great but is pricy. Not old enough for the beemer and if I cant fit on a VFR, forget about the GSXR. Ninja1000 maybe?
A GSX-R as an all rounder? Yes it is, only on a track.
Yes the new 2009, black red, 175 hp model..Like the one in my vid.
LOL did you see it pass those two bikes at around 1:40?
I've never been on a farm but I know how to choke a chicken.
Seriously though GSX-RXXX seems like an all out sport bike.
Hell than a CBR XXXRR could be an allrounder according to these loose standards.
Try taking the GSX-R on a long trip your arms will be hurting very quickly. Compare it to the BMW.
Looks the bizz to me... Willy
i would say all round is SV650
Killer.Being one of the few people on here who comment and does have a bike i understand the test.The gsxr would be great with a set of heli bars.The GS realy isnt my style.I love the BMW, but i,m going to hold out for the new k1200s.Both the VFR and the GSXR750have won and been praised by many.I would love the KTM.Ride safe my bros.Haters keep hateing, yah might get a bike and become a true rider one day.
VFR wins any day :)
Bandits are the best all rounders.
"All-rounder" is a Brittish term for a kind of bike. It's fairly simple to define.
It doesn't include off-road because there is virtually no where in Britain that you can legaly ride off road. All the hiking areas/mountain trails are privately owned estates that don't allow motorised vehicles.
Sport'sbikes(GSXR, CBR RR etc) are not all-rounders. Maybe the CBR600F blurs the lines a little but IMO it's really just a sports bike that's not as sharp as the latest hot shit.
(cont- above)
I'll be buying the BMW .... Alaska here I come.
@archigos He says that they are all rounders in their class at the start.
His lower back will be just fine, better than an upright bike, and I don't care what bike your riding your ass hurts after a couple hours...PERIOD
So what I got from this was that the bikes can go around corners and their quarter mile times. You know why you don't have the money for the ktm ? it because this test is worthless.
Great comment
Erm, don't you mean the K1300S???
Thats not all allrounders, where is K1300S ?
The GS is NOT an Adv... As an All Rounder, the BMW is the best, next is the KTM
GSXR 750 !!!!!
gsx is like the only good looking bike in that test maybe the ktm is the best allrounder but lacks in looks i think
In your opinion*... :/
Personally I think the best bike is a Ducati 996 but that's, again my opinion.
I'll take 2 vfr's for 10k thank you, not that you would need 2 , they last forever
KTM, simply the best... :p
where is the CBR 600F : )
KTM For the win ! Evidemment !
its an austrian bike - for big people - don'
@mertechperformance Indeed
I like MCN but this test is nonsense... a gsxr an allrounder !? Just two other serious allrounder bikes for comparison? Maybe the KTM is the best indead, but this comparison doensn't apply that.
Best in class mate. The GSXR is representing race reps. All four bikes are completely different. I would argue the GSXR 1000 is a more comfortable bike but not everyone wants the warp speed engine, hence the all rounder tag. The 750 is most things for most people.
"All great all-rounders in their class...". How can a class have an all-rounder? Another crap video from MCN, this is not a comparison it's just a jolly for the lads.
How much did KTM give you to make this statement? ...
@miyagimojo the type or corner in station
Das beste Motorrad für relativ wenig Geld mit der man alles machen kann........KTM 990 SMT
where is the Aprilia tuono ?
Gsxr allrounder? Get of the meth boys
Seems more like a paid advertisement for KTM....
Hornet 600 ? o my good but has a shity suspension way toooo soft and...you can't make it stifer . When you change the oil be careful not to crack the oil bath they are fragile after 4-5 years.
TIGER 1050
gixxer all the way
are you taking a mickey of this comparing? smth that NOT suppose to be compared all together...
The Gsx R allrounder ??! ...what a joke.
The Vfr with the front lowered 5 cm will beat all the bikeson track in the test except the Gixx ,
For mid class allrounder VFR all the way !!
BMW F800 ST............?????
Honda 919
Bikes are like women, yah might want that one, but that other is just as fun.Why settle for just one type.Ride safe bro.
Would be nice to ride bikes all day long on other peoples money, and get paid to say what's in the script, before ever being started.... BTW what bikes do you guys own, I mean pay for ?
lol... mcycle journo stdg there in his full race leathers to do an "all-rounder" test.
Yes its the best all arounder of those 4 but my God! its a ktm. Its a NoNo!!!
Tau
Why would the GSX-R even be tested in this comparison? It's not the bike anyone considers when they want all-rounder capabilities. It has major wanker factor for any 22 year old dipshit who wants to wheelie up and down the block, but never ventures further than the next town. Come on MCN, quit wasting our time with these bullshit shootouts.
If that isn't the most biased, arbitrary drivel that I've ever heard...
Michael Neeves is beginning to get on my nerves. I actually used to like the MCN videos.. But this is just absolutely incredible biased rubbish.
FAIL!!!!
Anyone able to point me to a motorbike show that actually gives you proper information? MCN is bollox.. Lets go test a Pan European, ohh i know race track perfect place!! What about a CB 125cc,, i know a race track!!! How about a Vespa, oh i know.. a race track!!!!
I wish they'd just be honest and say they are only horny about Supersport bikes and not waste my time with these pointless videos.
I think its most likely more to do with nationalistic pride than anything else in most of these reviews, that or some people have had one of the bike before and have a set opinion.