All Duels – BMW Duel: the new 2013 R1200GS facing the old one – BMW renews its maxitrail

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BMW Duel: the new 2013 R1200GS versus the old one

All Duels - BMW Duel: the new 2013 R1200GS facing the old one - BMW renews its maxitrail

After a first test of the 2013 BMW R1200GS in South Africa this winter, the editorial staff of Site wanted to compare the new big German trail to the old 2012 model. Will the segment benchmark remain so? ? Fratricidal Duel !

BMW renews its maxitrail

The BMW R1200GS was thoroughly revised in 2013 to retain the advantage it has over its competitors, more and more likely to challenge it (read our MNC comparative tests:, and).

"For 32 years, "GS" has been the benchmark in its segment and has proven to be the ideal companion for any motorcycle adventure."Says the German manufacturer on its official website."BMW Motorrad now embarks on a new chapter in its success story and has further perfected its icon".

Behind this meticulously developed marketing discourse hides an important background work, which the Site allowed you to discover during the at the Intermot show in Cologne, then during its (read in particular our)

During the first test of the R1200GS 2013, we were able to appreciate the tremendous health of the very last version of the Boxer, the very first to be – partially, about 35% – water cooled! "Power anytime", swears Behème. Site readers – who, as everyone knows, are a little luckier than others – know that the promise has been kept.

Because like sports motorcycles, maxitrails are now embarking on a fierce arms race, where the engine plays a key role. In terms of maximum power, the Multistrada (150 hp), Explorer (137 hp) and Crosstourer (129 hp) had overshadowed the German reference (110 hp for the R1200GS from 2010-2012).

Thanks to the new BMW R1200GS, the Germans are getting back in touch: in the free world, their flat-twin produces no less than 125 horsepower and develops a maximum torque of 125 Nm.

Delivered in "107 horsepower" version on our territory, it was therefore interesting to compare the strikes of the two Boxers in this configuration. On paper after all, the air / water mill only beats the air / oil one by 5Nm in terms of max torque (browse our Technical Sheet on the last page).

Among its new "weapons", let us remember that the new GS 2013 inaugurates an electronic "ride-by-wire" accelerator which can be doubled, as an option, with a system of choice of maps: "Dyna", "Road", " Rain "or" Enduro ". "There is a fifth called "Enduro Pro", but it is only activated if the bike is fitted with nipple tires.", warns the BMW head of press motorcycles.

Electronics, it is also about the cycle part – again! – refined of the R1200GS 2013: the suspensions can be fitted (optional, naturlich), with the latest generation ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) which actively contributes to the impression of "absolute control"promised by the manufacturer to the future customer.

To simplify the pilot’s task, ESA such as ASC (Automatic Stability Control or traction control, optional) and ABS (standard since last year) model their operating mode on that of the engine.

Did you choose "Rain" mode, for example? Then the ESA automatically shifts to "Soft", the ASC intervenes early, the response to acceleration is smooth and the ABS continues to watch over both wheels (on the front wheel only in "Enduro" mode).

Another discovery of the BMW engineering geeks: the new "ESA Dynamic" continuously modifies the hydraulic settings of the two front and rear shock absorbers! The preload can only be changed when stationary, as was the case on the old GS.

Electronic ta GS

Despite thinner fork sleeves (37 mm against 41), BMW ensures that the rigidity and heading of its "Telelever" front axle remains perfect. At the rear, the new GS benefits from a longer "Paralever Evo" … and reversed compared to the previous models fitted to the GS, RT and R !

Thus, the single-sided arm passes to the left of the motorcycle and the pot on the right side, which reduces the risk of burns when tilting on the control unit or during maneuvers with the engine off: mostly right-handed, motorcyclists naturally position themselves to the left of their motorbike to push it.

Fortunately, the German engineers did not reverse the positions of the selector and the rear brake control in the operation, which is more practical to jump directly from one model to another and compare their behavior. !

More powerful and more accomplished, the 2013 R1200GS is also heavier than its predecessor: 238 kg against 229. Could these 9 kg cancel out the performance gains of the 2013 engine? Will they be felt while driving? The first test of the "neoufelle ford-esse" had left us a very good impression, but in direct opposition, what is it really? ?

In addition to this weight gain, the new GS presents itself against its predecessor with tires which, too, have inflated: 170/60 on a 17-inch rim at the rear and 120/70 at the front, still on a 19-inch rim and not 17 as on the most sporty "trails" (Multistrada or Tiger 1050 for example).

Our test model was fitted with the latest tires. And this precise point allows us to introduce – with all due honor – the reader who kindly lent us his 2012 R1200GS (BMW Motorrad France no longer has this model in its "press park") and accompanied us throughout this duel.

The one we will nickname "GSman" has indeed decided to mount Next on his own BMW maintained at, in Boulogne-Billancourt (92). "I was satisfied with my Tourance Exp with which I did 15,000 km, but in anticipation of my 15-day and 5,000 km trip to Portugal, I preferred to replace them", he tells us.

"My old tires had perhaps become a little square with force", recognizes our traveling companion,"but the difference in behavior of my bike with the Next goes beyond that. It has become more lively and the handling is demonic: I took angles like never before with these Next !"

And the boy speaks knowingly: after having made his first kilometers on the handlebars of a Versys 650 (7,000 km in less than a year), GSman quickly mounted a 2004 R1200GS with which he swallowed 50,000 terminals : "I have it, we can do anything with a GS !"

"I only encountered one problem with the bridge, at 45,000 km, it was a hassle because I was on vacation and no longer under warranty", he confesses to us."But other than that, nothing". Or rather everything: work every day, shopping on weekends (supplies at the supermarket or entertainment at the Magny-Cours Superbike), trips to Italy, Morocco and Wales…

It is for "all" that besides that GSman signed again for a GS at the beginning of 2012: "this time, I cracked. I bought a new model Triple Black edition "Full Option" with alarm, top case, suitcases and everything … 17 320 euros of which I do not regret the slightest penny !"

Will this conclusion be the same at the end of our 100% BMW duel, R1200GS 2013 Vs R1200GS 2012? "GSman" will he put his motorcycle on sale to buy the latest model, invoiced at € 18,550 in the version of our test with "Dynamic pack" (ASC, ESA, LED, computer, etc. at € 2,155) , "essential pack" (regulator, hand guards, heated grips, ground floor, etc. at € 1070) and anti-theft alarm (€ 215) ?

In general, do owners of the old GS necessarily have to replace their motorcycle with the new one, when their 2012 model (2011 or 2010) was, until a few weeks ago, the best maxitrail available on the market? ? Answer in the following pages !

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