BMW's R1200GS - Rode Test
Maverick - Jun 3, 2010

Many motorcycles today are marketed as the “be all end all” of motorcycles;  not all of them are. However the BMW R1200GS comes close. It’s combination of power, technological features, agility, and weight makes this motorcycle ideal for almost any ride. 

If the R1200GS could only change its outward appearance (as in chameleon) to be compatible with any brand or category of motorcycles, perhaps this would be the motorcycle to measure up to the “be all end all” standard.  

I would not recommend using the R1200GS for a cross-country tour of the U.S., or any other country for that matter, although you could use it that way if necessary. There are many motorcycles built for touring, and to tour on one not necessarily built specifically for touring would be wrong.  The point here is that if a rider has settled into an modus operandi of touring, then there are motorcycles manufactured exclusively for that purpose.   

None of this is to call out limitations of the R1200GS. The core application for this motorcycle is adventure: its adaptability to any terrain, any riding condition, and any load: i.e., up to 970 lbs. of course, is unparalleled. 

BMW began retailing it’s GS family of specialized dualsport bikes in  1980 and over 500,000 have been produced and marketed to date. The designation GS is an acronym of the German words Gelände/Strasse, which mean offroad/road – highlighting the bike's dual sport design.

GS motorcycles can be distinguished from other BMW models by their longer travel suspension, an upright riding position, and larger front wheels – typically 19 to 21 inch.

So, if you as a rider are considering a route following the flight of a crow, the R1200GS could be just the bike for such an adventure.

Features and Highlights of the R1200 GS

                                                   

• Engine: Air/oil-cooled flat twin ('Boxer') 4-stroke engine, two camshafts and four radially aligned valves per cylinder, central balancer shaft
• Electrical system: Alternator – three-phase alternator 720 W and Battery 12 V/14 Ah, maintenance free
• Fame: Two-section frame consisting of front and rear sections, load- bearing engine-gearbox unit
• Front wheel: BMW Motorrad Telelever, central spring strut, 5 position mechanical adjustment
• Rear wheel: Cast aluminum swingarm with BMW Motorrad Paralever, spring pre-load hydraulically adjustable at handwheel, and rebound damping adjustable
• With switchable ABS (optional), adapts from road to off-road conditions instantly.
• Shaft drive means low maintenance
• Warranty – 36,000 miles/3 years
• Base MSRP - $14,750

Optional Equipment - $5,568 approx.

Heated grips, ABS, Saddle Bag Mounts, On-Board Computer, Hand Protectors, Enduro Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA), Low Suspension, Enduro ASC (traction control), Tire Pressure Monitor, Anti-Theft Alarm, Cross-Spoke Wheels, Chrome Exhaust, Hard Side Bags, and Top Case. 

BMW’s R1200GS is versatile

                                                   

On road or off road, throw a leg over this bike and go. Optional ESA and ASC enhance rider control and bike management on a variety of road surfaces. Change the tires to accommodate the primary purpose of your ride: i.e., on road, off road, dirt, paved, etc., and the bike will carry you through journey to destination. 

If you tend toward paved road use, you can default to reducing tire inflation pressure for trail and cross-country occasions to increase traction. Simply carry a CyclePump to add tire pressure as needed. 

I would be remiss not to mention that the bike is like a mule on wheels. With payload capacity of 465 lbs., riders can pack for extended trips without compromising their motorcycles’ capability. 

Now, I have much respect for mules. A recent 18 mile round trip from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim to Phantom Ranch and back to the South Rim on a mule named Johnson, gave me new appreciation and respect for the strength, endurance, and temperament of mules. 

Johnson could have made the trip without any input from me with one exception: i.e., the intermittent use of “The Motivator,” otherwise known as a whip. Johnson new precisely how close he could go to the edge of the trail and he understood precisely when to make his turns on the switchbacks.

While the R1200GS cannot be given the rein like Johnson could, all things considered, I would love to take the R1200GS to Phantom Ranch.  

                                                   

The R1200GS is powerful and responsive

At 504 lbs., this is a lightweight motorcycle with a lot of power (110 hp and 88 ft-lb of torque). Easily move into your path of travel, into traffic, and out of traffic, and onto trail. 

Braking the motorcycle is advanced with the capacity to adjust to load and terrain suspension, and disc brakes front (4-piston fixed calipers) and rear (double-piston floating caliper). Add optional ABS and you will safely brake in all riding conditions and circumstances.

The R1200GS is agile and maneuverable

Weight, power, center of gravity, suspension, and brakes all contribute to agility, control, and maneuverability of this motorcycle. You can ride in control at slow speeds when conditions, circumstances, and environment dictate doing so. 

With a top speed of over 120 mph, a R1200GS rider can get on down to road or trail pretty quickly, and I am talking about 0 to 60 and thereafter. The down side is that you have more power than is necessary for most riding meaning you can get into trouble fairly quickly. 

                                                   

Technical Specifications Detail

• Type-Air/oil-cooled flat twin ('Boxer') 4-stroke engine, two camshafts and four radially aligned valves per cylinder, central balancer shaft
• Bore x stroke-101 mm x 73 mm
• Capacity-1,170 cc
• Rated output-110 hp (81 kW) at 7,750 rpm
• Max. Torque-88 ft-lb (120 Nm) at 6,000 rpm
• Compression ratio-12.0:1
• Mixture control/engine management-Electronic intake pipe injection / BMS-K+ digital engine management with overrun fuel cut-off, twin spark ignition
• Emission control-Closed-loop 3-way catalytic converter, emission standard EU-3

• Maximum speed-over 120 mph (200 km/h)
• Fuel consumption per 100 km at constant 90 km/h-City: 43.4 mpg (4.3 l Euro)
• Fuel consumption per 100 km at constant 120 km/h-Highway: 57.4 mpg (5.5 l Euro)
• Fuel type-Unleaded super and premium, octane number 91-93
  

• Alternator-three-phase alternator 720 W
• Battery-12 V / 14 Ah, maintenance-free

• Clutch-Single dry plate clutch, hydraulically operated
• Gearbox-Constant mesh 6-speed gearbox with helical gear teeth
• Drive-Shaft drive

Chassis / brakes

• Frame-Two-section frame consisting of front and rear sections, load- bearing engine-gearbox unit
• Front wheel location/suspension-BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 41 mm, central spring strut, spring preload with 5-position mechanical adjustment
• Rear wheel location/suspension-Cast aluminum single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever; WAD strut (travel-related damping), spring pre-load hydraulically adjustable (continuously variable) at hand wheel, rebound damping adjustable
• Suspension travel-front/rear 7.5/7.9 inches (190/200 mm)
• Wheelbase-59.3 inches (1,507 mm)
• Castor-101 mm
• Steering head angle-64.3°
• Wheels-Cast aluminum wheels
• Rim, front-2.50 x 19"
• Rim, rear-4.00 x 17"
• Tires, front-110/80 R 19
• Tires, rear-150/70 R 17
• Brake, front-Dual disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 305 mm, 4-piston fixed calipers
• Brake, rear-Single disc brake, diameter 265 mm, double-piston floating caliper
• ABS-Optional extra: BMW Motorrad Integral ABS (part-integral), can be switched off

• Length-2,210 mm
• Width (incl. mirrors)-915 mm
• Height (excl. mirrors)-1,450 mm
• Seat height, unladen weight-33.5/34.2 inches (850 / 870 mm), low seat 32.3" (820 mm), lowered suspension 31" (790 mm)
• Inner leg curve, unladen weight-1,890/1,940 mm (low seat 1,820 mm, lowered suspension 1,760 mm)
• Unladen weight, road ready, fully fuelled-504 lbs (229 kg)
• Dry weight-447 lbs (203 kg)
• Permitted total weight-970 lbs (440 kg)
• Payload (with standard equipment)-465 lbs (211 kg)
• Usable tank volume-5.3 gallons (20 l)
• Reserve-approx 1 gallon (4.0 l)

Final thoughts…

                                                   

The BMW R1200GS has the strength, endurance, and temperament to ascend any mountain trail, descend to any valley, and traverse any terrain with aplomb. 

This motorcycle will challenge the best motorcyclists due to its capability in almost any riding experience or adventure.