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Driving report BMW R 1200 GS rally

Go blue

The BMW R 1200 GS rally complements – all in blue – the popular series of large enduro bikes with the motto "Saddle up and drive off – no matter where, whether asphalt or gravel."

The BMW R. 1200 GS Rallye is not the first GS that has to be asked the crucial question. Since 1980, when BMW initiated the travel enduro segment with G / S, the motorcycle world has been discussing: Are tourers in Crocodile Dundee outfit even off-road? Are they not too high for the bumpy terrain, too corpulent, too expensive and anyway too good?

Driving report BMW R 1200 GS rally

Go blue

BMW R 1200 GS rally

But the story is only now getting really interesting. The key words: sports suspension and Dynamic ESA "Next generation". Above all, this duo – both only available in combination and for a total of 1090 euros surcharge – should keep Africa Twin and Co. at a respectful distance from the BMW R 1200 GS Rallye. While the sports suspension, i.e. the struts of the Paralever swingarm and Telelever fork, are already known from the Adventure and have two centimeters longer spring travel and tighter springs, the Dynamic ESA is breaking new ground. At least at BMW. As in the Aprilia Caponord (supplier: Sachs) and the Triumph Tiger Explorer (WP Suspension), the spring travel sensors on the BMW R 1200 GS Rallye combo supplied by Sachs also register the load and automatically adjust the spring preload. The icing on the cake of the high-tech chassis is the link between the damping settings and the various driving modes.

So no more pushing the ESA buttons, instead climb onto the 870 millimeter high bench with swing – and off you go. The fact that the rear of the BMW R 1200 GS Rally begins to level itself after a few wheel revolutions cannot be felt while driving. In two-person operation or with luggage, the electric motor can raise the spring base by up to two centimeters. Instead, the drive is remembered. As with the 2017 standard GS (see MOTORRAD 23/2016), the torsional damper installed in all boxer models in the output shaft cuts the load peaks, reducing the switching shocks that were often violent in the past to a tolerable level.

The BMW R 1200 GS Rally feels tight. The harder springs and the relatively thinly padded bench replace the litter-like driving experience familiar from the basic GS. As compensation, the BMW R 1200 GS Rally provides feedback from this concept that has not been known so far. Or is it the changed steering geometry? Finally, the front suspension strut attaches to a modified trailing arm of the Telelever. Five millimeters less caster and an eleven millimeter shorter wheelbase should allow the BMW R 1200 GS Rallye to swing through the bends a little more nimbly. Without a direct comparison, the difference can only be guessed at.

With the coarse-treaded Metzeler Karoo 3 raised on the test bike anyway. Speaking of coarse-beers. How was it? The signs point to offroad. Right hook. Turn 90 degrees onto the gravel road. Gutters washed away by the water force you to stand up. The one-piece seat is noticeably narrower in the area between the knees, making the BMW R 1200 GS Rally appear lighter than the standard version. In the MOTORRAD test it weighed 251 kilograms with a full tank. With the somewhat heavier spoked wheels, the rally shouldn’t weigh much more.

Still enough to have enough foresight in the loose terrain. Nevertheless: The boxer’s buttery soft performance and the low center of gravity add up to a stable combination. The Enduro mode gives the rear wheel enough slip to climb gravelly climbs, but also skillfully tames a too wild throttle hand. Only advanced skiers should switch off the assistance systems (traction control and ABS) completely off-road, which are dependent on the slope for asphalt use. Above all, the anti-lock device works first-class in gravel.

And so all you need to do in the soft sand is to relieve the front section staggering through the sheer mass with a little gas. In any case, the suspension neatly puts away the quicker line and only comes through at the aforementioned angular transverse channels. Tip: The ESA control in these situations using the handlebar switch from "automobile" we "Max"-Zap position, i.e. the maximum spring preload. At least at the rear, this increases the positive suspension travel and thus ground clearance and bottom-out reserves considerably.

The BMW R 1200 GS Rally will certainly do its job of closing the flanks against the competition. The only risk: With its pleasing appearance and slimmer waist, it could steal a few fans from the monstrous Adventure, which weighs more than 270 kilos.

The BMW R 1200 GS fleet

With the BMW R 1200 GS Rally, BMW is now launching the fourth variant of the bestseller R 1200 GS. An overview of the similarities between the model variants and their differences.   

One number says it all: 47,000. It is understandable that the Bavarians groomed the fur of their cash cow with so many GS models sold in 2016 with devotion. After the staggered update of the various variants, the series will be put on the same technical basis again for the 2017 season.

In addition to the adjustments for Euro 4 homologation, this means one thing above all: In all GS models, a torsional damper on the gearbox output shaft now cuts the load peaks and thereby reduces the gear shift shocks. A revised star gear as well as modified gear shafts and bearings improve gear changes. All models also have minor retouching on the front and tank panels in common. The basic version of the BMW R 1200 GS is in the price lists for 15 150 euros.

The recently presented BMW R 1200 GS Exclusive is more of a color than a model variant. It differs from the standard version in its gray and brown metallic paintwork, gold-colored brake calipers, a radiator cover made of stainless steel instead of aluminum and a GS logo on the tank. Surcharge 330 euros (basic price: 15,480 euros).

For the BMW R 1200 GS rally, the surcharge is 590 euros (base price: 15,740 euros).

The front runner of the family is the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure. Longer suspension travel, spoked wheels, crash bars, engine protection and a 30 liter tank characterize the massive flagship. The Adventure costs 1,350 euros more than the entry-level model, i.e. 16,500 euros.

BMW R 1200 GS Rally: the differences to the basic GS

engine

  • no changes

landing gear

  • One-piece bench
  • Spoked wheels
  • Radiator grille
  • Frame protection
  • Jagged footpegs
  • Low windshield
  • Radiator cowling in front
  • made of stainless steel

miscellaneous

  • Color scheme (body
  • blue-white-red, engine and drive train black,
  • Brake calipers golden)
  • Tank with GS logo
  • Rally package (see list above): 590 euros
  • Sport suspension as an option: 300 euros, but only in conjunction with Dynamic ESA: 790 euros
  • Suspension travel 20 mm longer
  • Springs 5 ​​N / mm harder
  • Trailing arm changed (caster 95 mm instead of 100 mm, wheelbase 1496 instead of 1507 mm)

Data: BMW R 1200 GS Rallye *

Engine: Air / water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke boxer engine, one balancer shaft, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, rocker arm, wet sump lubrication, injection, 2 x Ø 52 mm, regulated catalytic converter, 620 W alternator, 12 V / 12 Ah battery, hydraulically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch (anti-hopping), six-speed gearbox, cardan shaft, secondary ratio 2.910.
Bore x stroke: 101.0 x 73.0 mm
Displacement: 1170 cc
Compression ratio: 12.5: 1
Rated capacity: 92.0 kW (125 PS) at 7750 rpm
Max. Torque: 125 Nm at 6500 rpm

landing gear: Bridge frame made of tubular steel, telescopic fork, Ø 37 mm, hydraulic steering damper, electronically adjustable spring base and damping [adjustable spring base], two-joint single-sided swing arm made of aluminum, central spring strut, directly hinged, electronically adjustable spring base and damping [adjustable spring base and rebound damping], double disc brake at the front, Ø 305 mm, four-piston fixed calipers, rear disc brake, Ø 276 mm, double-piston floating caliper, traction control, partially integral brake system, ABS.
Spoked wheels with aluminum rims: 3.00 x 19; 4.50 x 17
Tires: 120/70 R 19; 170/60 R 17

Dimensions + weights: Wheelbase 1507 [1496] mm, steering head angle 64.5 degrees, caster 100 [95] mm, spring travel front / rear 210/220 [190/200] mm, seat height 870–890 [850–870] mm, empty weight 244 kg, permissible Total weight 460 kg, tank capacity / reserve 20.0 / 4.0 liters.
Guarantee: two years
Color: blue
Price: 16,830 * [15,740] euros
Additional costs: 390 euros

Used BMW R1200GS Rallye in Germany

1000PS marketplace app

The rally impresses with its blue paintwork.

Compared to the standard R1200GS, the BMW R 1200 GS Rally is a real rarity on the used market. The selection is still broad, so that there should be the right GS for everyone. However, the used prices differ depending on the installed equipment. Here is a price comparison: used BMW R1200GS Rallye in Germany.

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