The BMW GS series has always set the standard for adventure motorcycles. It does this with a combination of reliability, performance, and plain, simple ability to be enjoyable no matter where they’re being ridden, or by whom. While earlier the flagship GS bikes enjoyed this, the statement stands true for all GS bikes today. Yes, even the middleweight F 900 GS duo.
However, all of this comes at a premium MSRP, and since you rarely get base model BMWs, the price rises even higher for the optional equipment. So if you’re not brand loyal and want something that will get the same job done, we suggest you look at some alternatives. Happily, there are oodles of them, thanks to the popularity of ADVs today. On that note, we’re going to look at one such adventure bike that beats the BMW GS for thousands less.
The Aprilia Tuareg Rally Is The Adventure Bike That Beats The BMW GS For Thousands Less
The Tuareg is Aprilia’s sole bearer of the off-road flag in the lineup right now, but boy, does it set a high standard. Aprilia has always developed its products through motorsport, and they’ve always felt at their best flying along the chosen course at flank speed. The Tuareg Rally is tuned to tackle any non-tarmac situation with the highest sophistication. Its pricing makes it a great value, too, which is why it is the adventure bike that beats the BMW GS for thousands less.
Aprilia Tuareg Rally Price: $13,799
The Tuareg Rally’s price places it nearly $1,400 below the BMW F 900 GS Adventure. But that is a gap that widens when you realize that the Tuareg Rally is a top variant with all the bells and whistles, while the BMW’s price is for the base variant with zero options. It’s a strange feeling, but the Aprilia is the one here that is value for money without skimping on features or performance!
A Trusty Parallel-Twin Engine With V-Twin Character
The Tuareg Rally shares its engine with the regular Tuareg, but has a different tune to it despite identical peak power and torque figures. You get the same 270-degree parallel twin engine that displaces 659 cc, and makes 80 horsepower at 9,250 RPM and 51.6 pound-feet at 6,500 RPM. The difference lies in the mapping. A snappier throttle helps not just when you’re trying to go quickly; it will also help you raise the front wheel more easily to clear obstacles, and to kick the tail out to turn on dirt. A six-speed manual transmission is the only option, and it uses a chain final drive. There is a standard assist and slip clutch, and a two-way quickshifter.
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Upgraded Suspension For Off-Road Prowess
Just like the engine, the Tuareg Rally’s chassis doesn’t seem different from the regular Tuareg on paper. It has the same steel trellis frame with an aluminum bracket and uses the engine as a stressed member. The 43 mm Kayaba forks and progressive linkage Kayaba rear shock are fully adjustable at both ends, and have the same 9.5 inches of travel as the standard Tuareg.
The difference is in the internals, though. Out go the more comfortable progressive springs, and in come single-rate springs. While these are better for off-road use at speed and for jumps, at low speeds, they will offer a harsher, less refined ride than the regular Tuareg’s suspension.
Aprilia has also subtly upgraded the wheels and tires. They remain the same size as the regular Tuareg, but the Ergal 21/18-inch spoke wheels are made of aerospace-grade aluminum, require tubes, and aggressive Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires are standard. Finally, the Brembo 300 mm twin discs at the front with two piston floating calipers and a 260 mm rear disc with a single piston floating caliper provide the braking power. Braided metal hoses are present all around.
Aprilia Tuareg Rally Dimensions
The Tuareg Rally’s stiffer overall suspension gives it a higher ground clearance (9.5 inches) and seat height (a skyscraper-tall 35.9 inches). The wheelbase remains identical to the standard Tuareg, as does the length at 87.4 inches. It is a full 10 pounds lighter than the stock Tuareg, though (439 pounds wet). That is mainly thanks to the SC Project exhaust!
Switchable ABS And Intuitive Electronic Aids Make The Tuareg Rally Safe As Ever
A 5-inch bonded TFT display is used for instrumentation, and it offers access to the customization of the APRC electronics, besides the usual Bluetooth connectivity and navigational capability. These electronics comprise four ride modes, cornering engine brake, cornering traction control, and cruise control. At the same time, not only is the cornering ABS switchable, but you can set it to one of three levels of intervention, and there is rear wheel lift mitigation, too.
Aprilia has also given the Tuareg Rally a much more serious aluminum engine skid plate, a longer kickstand to cope with the new ride height, and a new chain guide. It looks different, too, thanks to the Dakar-inspired graphics, the rally-style front fender, a larger windscreen, and better hand guards, all of which are standard equipment on the Rally.
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Aprilia Tuareg Rally Competition
The Tuareg Rally doesn’t really have any real competition from the other big brands. Sure, there are the very capable KTM 890 Adventure R ($16,299) and Ducati DesertX ($18,995) that could be quicker, but they are priced like premium European ADVs that are a half class above the Aprilia. You could seek out value in the Japanese brands: the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE ($11,799) and Honda XL750 Transalp ($9,999) are very competent products.
They aren’t designed to take on off-road conditions as harsh as the Tuareg Rally can, so we’ll have to discard them, too. It’s a crying shame that the Yamaha Tenere 700 ($10,999) doesn’t have the World Rally version in the US market, else we’d have a very different conversation here.
We’re therefore left with two specialist products from niche manufacturers. The AJP PR7 ($13,999), for intents and purposes, is a Dakar Rally competitor that has been civilized just enough to be street legal. It has a single-cylinder engine and is light enough to give large dual-sport bikes a run for their money. If you prefer the twin-cylinder layout, the Kove 800X Rally ($12,999) also has the chops on the spec sheet to fight the Tuareg Rally with its light weight, great power, and incredible price. It will be a while until it proves its reliability, though.
Of course, there is the BMW F 900 GS Adventure. We know it is extremely capable off-road with the F 900 GS, and the company offers off-road tires for the Adventure as well as electronic suspension, both of which should make it more capable in a wider range of situations. However, these are both add-ons that will drive the price much higher than the $15,195 base price, thus making it compete with the full-size adventure bikes rather than something like the Tuareg Rally.
Aprilia Tuareg Rally Vs BMW F 900 GS Adventure
|
Model |
Aprilia Tuareg Rally |
BMW F 900 GS Adventure |
|
Price |
$13,799 |
$15,195 |
|
Displacement |
659 cc |
895 cc |
|
Power |
80 HP @ 9,250 RPM |
105 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
|
Torque |
51.6 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
68.6 LB-FT @ 6,750 RPM |
|
Quickshifter |
Standard |
Optional |
|
Curb Weight |
439 pounds (wet) |
542 pounds (wet) |
Source: Aprilia USA