BMW R 1200 GS and BMW R 1200 GS Adventure put to the test

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BMW R 1200 GS and BMW R 1200 GS Adventure in a comparison test

Is the Adventure the better GS?

With a one year delay, the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure also received the water-cooled boxer engine. More flywheel mass on the crankshaft and a torsional damper in the cardan drive should make it more off-road. Is the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure even the better GS?

Would you have guessed it? Around half of all BMW R 1200 GS models are currently rolling off the assembly line in the Adventure version. In the past few years, the share of BMW had increased R. 1200 GS Adventure leveled off at around 30 percent. Anyone who derives a new trend towards more off-road enthusiasm among GS clientele from this development may still be wrong. Because while the basic version of the GS was completely overhauled last year, the Adventure edition had to wait until this season for the vertical, water-cooled engine.

BMW R 1200 GS and BMW R 1200 GS Adventure in comparison test

Is the Adventure the better GS?

R 1200 GS Adventure, which has been mandatory for years, such as wire wheels, a larger tank and longer spring travel, it differs from the standard GS in two additional details: the crankshaft received 950 grams more flywheel mass and the cardan shaft a torsion damper.

Like a super tanker next to the Queen Mary

Not particularly spectacular at first. Because the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure owes both features to its extended range of off-road applications. The additional flywheel mass is supposed to tame the power input in low-traction terrain, the torsion damper smoothes the uneven running of the drive train, which is created by the 20 millimeter longer spring travel and therefore narrower articulation angle of the cardan joints. Measures that still make many owners of a 2013 GS prick up their ears. Because it is undisputed that with the new development the BMW technicians have succeeded in creating a travel enduro that is formidable in the sum of its properties. But quite a few GS drivers find the emphatically lively engine to be too aggressive and the resonance vibrations of the drive train, which are perceptible as a dull roar and which occasionally occur during overrun, as annoying and unworthy of a high-priced bestseller.

Which begs the question: is the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure perhaps the better GS? First of all, it is the more expensive one. A surcharge of EUR 1500 applies for the adventure edition. With the predominantly ordered equipment (Dynamic ESA, luggage system), it skips the 21,000 euro hurdle, and with this tariff puts all travel enduros and most of the tourers in the shade. And it is the heavier one. The Adventure weighs 272 kilograms. A remarkable 22 kilos more than its 250 kilo basic version – even if almost eight of them are due to the additional fuel supply in the 30-liter tank (standard GS: 20 liters). Which is why it is also the larger R 1200 GS. Because with the imposing fuel barrel, its three centimeters wider knee joint (390 instead of 360 millimeters), the crash bars, the 42 millimeter higher seat and the high standard windscreen, the Adventure looks like a super tanker compared to the already anything but slim basic GS the Queen Mary. Pilots under 1.80 meters tall will take a good breath before the first ascent.

Enduro

BMW R 1200 GS Adventure in the driving report

Dynamism that leaves you spit away

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The better is the good enemy

To breathe a sigh of relief already after the first few meters. Because while driving, the duo behave as if they had left a hundredweight of ballast in the garage. The BMW R 1200 GS Adventure and BMW R 1200 GS leave their tracks spotlessly and inspire with significantly improved feedback from the Telelever front end compared to the earlier GS models. There is, of course, a reason why the colleagues feel almost identical in terms of handling, despite the considerable weight difference. With a steering angle that is one degree steeper and seven millimeters less caster – thanks to a modified trailing arm – the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure skillfully compensates for the effects of its extra pounds. She only has to show her colors in alternating curves, and demands stronger thigh pressure than her sister when swiveling.

Anyone who now fears that the fat man will have to buy their polished handling with nervousness on the highway is wrong. It remains to be seen whether the steering damper would actually have been used or not, but the fact is: the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure is like the proverbial board even when loaded at top speed. According to BMW, the fact that the standard GS – the only significant modification to the 2014 model – was also given a steering damper is due to the simplified production process of both models. That sounds plausible, since the 2013 model, which is equipped with no steering damper as standard, behaved uncritically in this regard.

Enduro

Endurance test interim report BMW R 1200 GS (2014)

How does it look after 35,000 kilometers?

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Enduro

BMW R 1200 GS in the top test

Model 2013 and 2012 in a comparison test

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Buy the BMW R 1200 GS on markt.motorradonline.de

The Adventure’s torsional damper is superior

In contrast to its drive train. The muck especially in the two-person vote of the ESA, in which the spring base is raised by 20 millimeters. The cardan joints grind loudly in the sprung state or in solo operation. A phenomenon which, for whatever reason, did not appear to this extent on the 2014 test GS – and not at all on the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure. Regardless of the setting, the torsional damper smooths the technically unavoidable run of the cardan shaft effectively, and the standard GS is clearly superior, not only in this respect. Because the aforementioned drone in the drive train is also significantly reduced. Maybe also because the larger flywheel mass of the motor provides additional support. Especially in the lower speed range between 2000 and 3500 rpm, the adventure engine runs noticeably more evenly, turns more smoothly and cultivated on turns, without appearing sluggish. With this character, he hits the golden mean between the good-natured air-cooled boxer and the lively current version.

The adventure engine hardly knows the constant jerking in the low speed range, which some of the BMW R 1200 GS customers complained about. To save the honor of the standard GS: Compared to the 2013 endurance test machine from MOTORRAD, the 2014 GS behaves better in this regard. The technical background remains in the dark here as well. The improvement suggests a mapping that has been optimized in the meantime or other non-communicated model maintenance measures.

Enduro

Travel enduros in comparison test part 1

Travel enduros with 19-inch front wheels tested

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Comparison test of travel enduro bikes, part 2 – Sporty 17-inch fun bikes

Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring, Kawasaki Versys 1000, Triumph Tiger 1050 Sport

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Enduro

Travel enduro comparison – grand finale

BMW R 1200 GS in comparison test

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Huge dimensions, terrific weight

Be that as it may, the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure definitely plays a league higher than the GS when it comes to wind protection and suspension comfort. The combination of the huge window and the side wind deflectors offers weather protection at touring level. Which also applies to the chassis of the Adventure. As if the spring elements of the GS weren’t already brilliant, the two centimeters longer spring travel and the fluffy bench of the Adventure completely pulverize every pothole. It couldn’t be much more comfortable. The fact that the mighty Adventure achieves only marginally poorer performance and a minimally higher consumption (0.2 liters / 100 km) ennobles its impressive appearance all the more. Because with its successfully modified engine and the damped cardan shaft, the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure has two strong arguments. Whether it is therefore the better R 1200 GS is still an individual decision in view of the enormous dimensions and the horrific weight. However, anyone who hopes that the standard GS for model year 2015 will also be equipped with the engine and drive train of the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure is wrong. BMW has not made this step – at least not so far.

Data and measured values

engine

  BMW R 1200 GS Adventure     BMW R 1200 GS
type design Two-cylinder four-stroke-
Boxer engine		 Two-cylinder four-stroke-
Boxer engine
Displacement 1170 cc 1170 cc
power 92.0 kW (125 PS)
at 7750 rpm		 92.0 kW (125 PS)
at 7700 rpm
Torque 125 Nm at 6500 rpm 125 Nm at 6500 rpm

Dimensions + weight

  BMW R 1200 GS Adventure    BMW R 1200 GS
wheelbase 1510 mm 1507 mm
Steering head angle 65.5 degrees 64.5 degrees
trailing 93.0 mm 100.0 mm
Front / rear suspension travel 210/220 mm 190/200 mm
Seat height¹ 890-910 mm 850-870 mm
Weight with a full tank¹ 272 kg 250 kg
Payload¹ 208 kg 200 kg
Tank capacity / reserve 30.0 / 4.0 liters 20.0 / 4.0 liters
price 15,900 euros 14,400 euros
Price test motorcycle 20,675 euros² 18,590 euros³
Additional costs 390 euros 390 euros

M.OTORRAD readings

  BMW R 1200 GS Adventure      BMW R 1200 GS
Top speed *  213 km / h 219 km / h
acceleration
0-100 km / h 3.7 sec 3.6 sec
0-140 km / h 6.0 sec 5.8 sec
0-200 km / h 14.5 sec 14.4 sec
Draft
60-100 km / h 3.7 sec 3.4 sec
100-140 km / h 3.9 sec 3.8 sec
140-180 km / h 5.6 sec 5.2 sec
Consumption country road / 100 km   5.0 liters 4.8 liters
Reach country road 600 km 417 km

* Manufacturer information; 1 MOTORCYCLE measurements; ²incl. Touring package (1740 euros), Comfort package (440 euros), Dynamic package (1020 euros), aluminum case (900 euros) and navigation system (675 euros); ³incl. Touring package (1340 euros), Comfort package (510 euros), Dynamic package (1020 euros), Vario case (645 euros), navigation system (675 euros).

Scoring

engine

  maximum number of points     BMW R 1200 GS Adventure     BMW R 1200 GS
Draft 40 31 32
acceleration 40 25th 25th
Top speed 30th 15th 16
Engine characteristics 30th 25th 25th
Responsiveness 20th 15th 15th
Load change 20th 13 13
Smoothness 20th 11 10
coupling 10 7th 7th
circuit 20th 12th 12th
Gear ratio 10 8th 8th
Start 10 9 9
total 250 171 172

landing gear

  maximum number of points     BMW R 1200 GS Adventure     BMW R 1200 GS
Handiness 40 27 29
Stability in turns 40 31 31
Steering behavior 40 27 27
feedback 10 6th 6th
Inclined position 20th 17th 16
Straight-line stability  20th 17th 17th
Suspension tuning in front  20th 16 15th
Chassis set-up at the rear   20th 16 15th
Adjustment options undercarriage   10 9 9
Suspension comfort 10 6th 8th
Driving behavior with a passenger 20th 16 16
total 250 191 189

everyday life

  maximum number of points    BMW R 1200 GS Adventure   BMW R 1200 GS
Ergonomics driver 40 35 34
Ergonomics pillion 20th 16 16
Windbreak 20th 15th 13
view 20th 10 11
light 20th 18th 17th
Furnishing 30th 29 29
Handling / maintenance     30th 20th 23
Luggage storage 10 6th 5
Payload 10 8th 7th
Tidy 30th 30th 27
processing 20th 15th 15th
total 250 202 197

security

  maximum number of points     BMW R 1200 GS Adventure    BMW R 1200 GS
Braking effect 40 30th 30th
Brake metering 30th 22nd 22nd
Braking with a passenger / fading
 20th 16 16
Righting moment when braking   10 8th 8th
ABS function 20th 16 16
Handlebar slapping 20th 18th 18th
Ground clearance 10 9 9
total 150 119 119

costs

  maximum number of points    BMW R 1200 GS Adventure    BMW R 1200 GS
guarantee 30th 17th 17th
Consumption (country road)  30th 19th 20th
Inspection costs 20th 17th 17th
Maintenance costs 20th 8th 8th
total 100 61 62
  maximum number of points    BMW R 1200 GS Adventure    BMW R 1200 GS
Overall rating 1000 744 739
placement 1. 2.
Price-performance note  1.0 2.7 2.3

Test results

1. BMW R 1200 GS Adventure: The modified engine and drive train make the Adventure a better GS – but only for those who can come to terms with the imposing dimensions of the adventurer.

2. BMW R 1200 GS: As the saying goes: the better is the enemy of the good. Because the Adventure systematically eliminates the few weak points in the GS, even the long-term test winner has to give in. At least the price-performance victory remains for her.

Database

Price comparison for used BMW R 1200 GS / Adventure

1000PS marketplace app

In Germany, the selection of used BMWs is very large.

Finding the right BMW should be quite easy, because the selection of used R 1200 GS on the motorcycle market is enormous. The R1200GS Adventure is rarer here, but the range is also sufficient. Here is a current market overview: used BMW R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure in Germany.

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