Video summary

Welche A2 Reiseenduro bietet das beste Paket? 5 Adventure Bikes im Vergleich

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product reviewed / compared

The video compares five A2 adventure/enduro-touring bikes (all “fully fueled” with rider-like setup) to determine which offers the best overall package depending on the use case.

Bikes mentioned:

  • BMW F 450 GS (Trophy / includes mention of EasyRide clutch)
  • KTM 390 Adventure Air
  • Honda NX500 (with “Easy Ride/E-Clutch” centrifugal/electronic clutch system)
  • Kawasaki KLE 500 SE
  • QJ Motor SRT450 RX (Chinese brand; multiple mentions of vibrations/control issues)

Overall verdict (concise)

  • Best all-around / most balanced: BMW F 450 GS Wins most categories tied to “overall package,” engine feel, chassis/handling, and mixed riding.

  • Most off-road capable (within segment): KTM 390 Adventure Air Best for moderately challenging terrain and hardcore-ish obstacles (notably suspension/ground clearance).

  • Best for relaxed riding / stop-and-go city: Honda NX500 Very smooth clutch behavior and low rider fatigue.

  • Best value highlighted outside the main 5: CFMoto 450 MT (and also Royal Enfield Himalayan) Argued to be better value than BMW/KTM in the broader market context—though they weren’t part of the main test.

Key features and what the testers liked/disliked

1) Bike selection by rider height / seating & ergonomics

  • Tall riders (190 cm+):
    • KTM (chosen by one tester): praised for great ground clearance, high seat, and relaxed knee angle.
    • Kawasaki (supported by another tester): praised for highest handlebars and a very suitable standing/sitting tourist position; handled tall riders well even with a 19-inch wheel.

Takeaway: Tall-ergonomics preference splits between:

  • KTM: ground clearance + seat height
  • Kawasaki: cockpit/handlebar height

2) Stop-and-go commuting (“valley traffic”)

  • Winner: Honda NX500
    • Super smooth clutch / “Easy Ride/E-Clutch” described as active at start and in super-slow range.
    • Transitions around 3000 rpm (centrifugal system).
    • Smooth gear changes because the clutch assists every gear change.
    • Low fatigue due to narrower handlebars.
    • Additional note: some smoothing/weaving through traffic helped; learning may be needed for first-time riders.

Implied con: Requires learning/adjustment for first-time riders using this clutch approach.

3) Long-distance cruising / country roads at constant pace

  • BMW picked (with caveats):

    • Strong praise for ergonomics/seating position and overall touring feel.
    • Comfort suspension (not adjustable) and wind protection (claimed best among the group).

  • KTM close, but single-cylinder smoothness criticized:

    • Single-cylinder “cannot offer this smooth running.”

  • Honda downside: helmet turbulence / wind protection not great.

Takeaway: BMW wins long-distance mainly via wind protection + rider comfort, with Honda/KTM not far off elsewhere.

4) Best engine / smooth power delivery / overall power package

  • Winner: BMW

    • Even with 420cc, described as having strong, present torque throughout the range.
    • Can pull from low revs into low-end torque, then still rev when needed.
    • Repeated credit for BMW’s torque curve + well-chosen gearing.

  • Honda and Kawasaki: not “bad,” but geared “too long,” so in mountains they can feel like “nothing is happening” outside the top rev range.

  • QJ and KTM criticized:

    • QJ: vibrations, not-perfect short-ratio gearing, and struggles with engine control/details.
    • KTM: vibration/single-cylinder smoothness issues contrasted with BMW.

5) Chassis/suspension for bad asphalt and rough paved roads

  • Contested but BMW and KTM both praised; lean toward BMW for confidence:
    • One tester: BMW extremely good on bad asphalt; noted firmer/sportsier suspension giving confidence.
    • Another tester preferred KTM for sporty performance and compliance:
      • Longest suspension travel: 230 mm front & rear
      • Excellent absorption over broken paved sections.

Summary: BMW praised for stability/line-holding on faster curves; BMW acknowledged as having less “leeway” than KTM on very bad roads.

6) Twisties / curves

  • Winner: BMW
    • Testers agree it’s the most coherent overall package.
    • BMW has by far the best brakes in the group.
    • Discussion includes wheel setup: 19-inch wheels improving road comfort vs 21-inch.

7) Light off-road / dirt course (moderately challenging terrain)

  • Winner: KTM for moderate terrain

    • Called a very light motorcycle that’s easy to place/control.
    • Advantage of being able to run knobby tires (mention of 21/18-inch capability).
    • Mud + ruts favored KTM.

  • Runner-up viewpoints: BMW / Kawasaki

    • One tester still prefers BMW for best engine + chassis but felt KTM’s terrain advantage still matters.
    • Another tester strongly favors Kawasaki for the most comfortable standing position, citing 21-inch front and longer suspension travel.

Takeaway: KTM wins when terrain includes ruts/mud and tire choice matters; BMW/Kawasaki win on comfort/overall engineering feel.

8) Electronics off-road (intuitive / deactivatable ABS & traction modes)

  • Winner: BMW (with very close runner-up)
    • KTM mentioned as second/close because electronics can be deactivated clearly, and traction control works even in light off-road.
    • Honda criticized: cannot deactivate ABS and offers no riding modes (less flexibility).
    • Kawasaki criticized: handling changes needed; ABS deactivation described as limited by at least one tester.
    • QJ: electronic logic described as “strange” and constrained by menu/button workflow; includes discussion of:
      • deactivating rear off-road mode
      • “farmode” (normal vs sport throttle response)
      • turning off traction control

BMW praised for:

  • easy-to-navigate operating concept
  • similar instruments/system philosophy to larger BMW GS models

9) Rocky edges: best rolling over stones

  • Winner: KTM

    • Cites 230 mm suspension travel, 21-inch tires, and under 180 kg weight.

  • BMW close: agreement that larger wheels help on hardcore terrain; wheel discussion includes cast vs spoked.

Cons for BMW spoked wheels:

  • spoked wheels are hard to get (delivery delays; not normally available in configurator)
  • substantial surcharge considered a negative

10) Steeper descent / confidence when braking downhill

  • Winner: BMW (confidence/braking feel)

    • Better “pressure point” and braking behavior on road.
    • Some criticism of KTM front softness/vague feel.

  • QJ and KTM notes:

    • QJ: described as having “unbelievable digital” braking behavior (either not braking or braking to the limit).
    • KTM: downhill steering/ergonomics acceptable but control may be less ideal for beginners depending on ABS setup.

Debate detail: ABS usage

  • Kawasaki: “forces you to completely deactivate ABS,” which can be risky for beginners.
  • Honda: forces ABS to stay on (positioned as safer for A2 beginners needing immediate front control).

11) Uphill vs downhill ergonomics (standing riding)

  • Going uphill preference: BMW (one tester)

    • Low engine/low handlebars make active standing easier.
    • Wheelies and confidence cited.

  • Downhill preference: Kawasaki (one tester)

    • Very high handlebars; “almost hanging off them” helps downhill.

  • KTM standing: workable but described as “bending far forward.”

  • Honda:

    • narrower bars feel strange during trail input
    • heels can bump the exhaust

  • QJ: standing position makes sense, but criticized for:

    • weaker engine feel
    • strong vibrations
    • not as smooth as BMW / “50 GS-like smoothness”

12) Mixed tour (50/50 asphalt & dirt)

  • Winner: BMW

    • “Most balanced overall package.”

  • If road share increases (80–90% paved + some dirt tracks): Kawasaki still credible due to coherent on-road behavior and not falling apart off-road unless conditions get very rough.

  • If terrain becomes rougher (e.g., Balkans with rock edges): KTM should be favored.

Price-performance ratio (numerical prices included)

BMW is explicitly noted as the most expensive in Austria. (German/Swiss pricing referenced separately in the description.)

Prices mentioned (Austria)

  • BMW F 450 GS (Trophy with EasyRide): just under €75,000

    • plus €835 stated as an extra
    • (video also implies “€8300 and a bit more,” wording unclear, but BMW is clearly highest)

  • Honda NX500 i Clutch (Trophy variant implied): ~€7900 (subtitle shows “7900”)

  • Kawasaki KLE 500 SE: ~€7900

  • Kawasaki KLE 500 (standard): ~€7100
  • KTM 390 Adventure Air: ~€7800
  • QJ SRT450 RX: ~€6590 (just under €6600)

Price-performance winner (within the 5)

  • Winner by vote: KTM (vs BMW)
    • KTM is cheaper and offers many options spanning road to rough terrain.
    • Still: BMW is argued to be the most coherent all-around despite the price.

Value beyond the test (not included in the 5)

  • CFMoto 450 MT and Royal Enfield Himalayan are argued to offer better value.
  • CFMoto specifically described as having fewer “problem areas” than QJ while costing roughly €6000–€6500 (exact subtitle value unclear; described as “€6 to €65”).
  • Claim: CFMoto/Himalayan can compete on value even if BMW/KTM deliver more refined performance.

Pros / Cons (as stated across the review)

BMW F 450 GS

Pros

  • Best/well-rounded engine torque + gearing
  • Best wind protection (best for touring comfort)
  • Best brakes in the group (noted “by far”)
  • Most coherent overall package for road + mixed tours
  • Confident chassis/handling with precise front feel
  • Electronics concept praised; operating is easier; same high-end instruments

Cons

  • Most expensive in the lineup
  • Spoked wheels availability issues (delivery delays/not in configurator; high surcharge)
  • Ergonomics for taller riders downhill may be less ideal (handlebar height “too low” for one tester)
  • One rider wanted stiffer suspension control on front feel when pushed (not fully demonstrated)

KTM 390 Adventure Air

Pros

  • Best for off-road/moderately challenging terrain and ruts/mud
  • Excellent obstacle compliance: 230 mm suspension travel, light weight
  • Good ground clearance; can run knobby tires (wheel-size advantage)
  • Electronics can be deactivated reasonably clearly

Cons

  • Single-cylinder smoothness criticized vs BMW
  • Vibrations mentioned
  • Front feel/softness potentially odd on downhill for at least one tester

Honda NX500

Pros

  • Best in stop-and-go via advanced clutch behavior
  • Smooth shifting/gliding in slow traffic
  • Narrower handlebars reduce fatigue
  • ABS behavior kept on (can help beginners with predictable front control)

Cons

  • Electronics flexibility limited: ABS deactivation not possible and no riding modes
  • Wind protection criticized (helmet turbulence)
  • Standing/trail input issues: heel bumping exhaust; narrow bars “strange” under active input
  • Reverse/rollback behavior during hill stopping discussed (rear-brake holding strategy + clutch behavior)

Kawasaki KLE 500 SE

Pros

  • Comfortable standing and relaxed sitting for some riders
  • High handlebars good for downhill ergonomics
  • Balanced for gravel/mixed tours without major road shortcomings
  • Good wind protection claimed by at least one tester (not universal)

Cons

  • For commuters/twisties vs BMW/Honda: less top pick
  • Electronics criticized around ABS handling (one tester says it forces complete deactivation)
  • Some gearing/engine pacing issues compared to BMW in mountains (felt “too long”)

QJ SRT450 RX

Pros

  • Few strong positives; one rider felt standing position made sense.

Cons

  • Engine vibrations and control “finer details” criticized
  • Short ratio gearing and engine smoothness issues
  • Digital/inconsistent braking behavior on downhill
  • Weak engine feel and not as smooth as higher-end alternatives

Comparisons emphasized

  • BMW vs KTM: BMW best overall road + mixed; KTM best for off-road capability and rough terrain absorption.
  • Honda vs BMW: Honda wins commuting via clutch smoothness; BMW wins touring (wind protection, chassis, brakes, torque delivery).
  • Kawasaki’s role: shines for relaxed gravel/adventure touring and strong downhill ergonomics, but loses top ranking in key “feel/overall package” categories.
  • QJ’s position: frequently contrasted negatively against Japanese/German bikes for vibration, control, braking, and refinement.

Speakers / testers (who said what)

The video includes multiple testers with largely aligned views, but some category-specific differences:

  • “Wolf”

    • Multiple technical/electronics and engine/chassis arguments
    • Voted KTM for tall pilots
    • Voted Honda for commuting
    • Repeatedly supports BMW as overall best
    • Also discusses BMW spoked wheel availability and downhill braking/ABS logic

  • “Bernt Himer” (champion rider)

    • Often supports BMW for touring/engine/chassis/twisties
    • Votes KTM for moderate dirt terrain and weighs wheel-size tradeoffs

  • Other tester(s) contributed points such as:

    • Kawasaki excellent for tall riders due to handlebars
    • KTM best for rocky edges and suspension travel
    • BMW steering/braking confidence

Subtitle name tags are unclear in the source, but the above are the most consistent named voices.

Original video