All Tests – 2013 R1200GS Test: BMW has no shortage of air! – Technology at the service of versatility

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2013 R1200GS test: BMW does not lack air !

All Tests - 2013 R1200GS Test: BMW has no shortage of air! - Technology at the service of versatility

Monster of balance and efficiency, the BMW R 1200 GS ruthlessly dominates the category of maxi-trail type motorcycles … And it is likely to last in 2013, because the very first air-cooled GS is more efficient and versatile than ever ! Test.

Technology at the service of versatility

Invulnerability: this is the common feeling when riding a BMW R1200GS. In addition to the driving position that allows you to dominate the traffic, the German maxi-trail has this unparalleled ability to reassure its rider thanks to its impeccable balance and predictable and frank reactions..

Second good surprise of this test: this feeling is still very strong in 2013 at the controls of this fifth generation of R1200GS! Does a bend suddenly close or the condition of the road deteriorates without warning? No stress: thanks to its Telelever front axle which dissociates the damping of the steering functions, the R1200GS accepts without flinching a resumption of the right lever on the angle and can absorb a succession of bumps in the middle of a curve without deviating from its trajectory.

This ability to overcome obstacles is particularly noticeable on the "Full options" model discovered during this test. Because this motorcycle invoiced more than 18,000 euros (15,150 € for the base R1200GS) notably receives the ESA Dynamic, the ultimate evolution of electronically controlled damping discovered on the S1000RR HP4 (read the "Electronics" part of our Technical point ).

Thanks to sagging sensors and motorized valves installed on the suspensions, this system is able to firm or soften the rebound and compression of the springs in real time, in order to improve comfort and limit trim movements. . The action of ESA Dynamic is correlated with the driving mode selected: Rain, Road and Dynamic on road and Enduro or Enduro Pro on off-road (read the "Electronics" part of our technical point).

In Dynamic mode (the sportiest), the efficiency of the device is quite simply devilish in curves, where the mass transfers generated by braking and acceleration seem to have no impact on the attitude of the "next generation R1200GS" "! We can then take advantage of the excellent braking of the bike, at the same time powerful, dosable and enduring, as well as the additional traction offered by the extension of the Paralever EVO single-arm..

Even at very high speed, this damping retains its qualities: not only does the motorcycle more gradually absorb sudden variations in topography, but it shows greater stability than the previous model. Despite its significant travel (190 mm at the front and 200 at the rear) and its very wide handlebars, the R1200GS literally remains riveted to the ground, even in long curves tackled at shameful speeds. !

It is also to wonder if a 100% road motorcycle would do much better in this chapter, as well as in the field of protection which has also progressed well. On the 2013 GS, the lower body is still well sheltered behind the side fairings and cylinders while the bust, shoulders and head benefit from the advancements made to the manually adjustable screen.

In the low position, it already deflects the air very correctly: only the top of the helmet and the shoulders are exposed. Raised to the maximum, the entire head is protected and no feeling of "push" in the back is felt. According to BMW, this screen developed in the wind tunnel would also reduce the aerodynamic noise of "5dB at 180 km / h in high position".

And it is a speed that is very easy to achieve thanks to the delightful fishing of the Boxer in the water! Capable of crossing a city at 60 km / h in sixth at 2000 rpm without a hiccup, this new engine has not lost any of its flexibility but its revs have gained in consistency. Especially between 3500 rpm (100 km / h in 6th) and 5000 rpm (140 km / h in 6th), where the relaunches are much stronger.

Despite its displacement equivalent to the previous model (1170cc), this twin now develops 15 hp and 5 Nm of additional torque (125 hp and 125 Nm), which is felt when accelerating. Less inert, the mechanics take their turns in an almost sporting way, letting out a more hoarse sound from its airbox..

After 7000 rpm, the flat loses a little of its force on the upper gears, but that does not prevent it from continuing to valiantly lengthen the pitch until the switch located at 9000 rpm. As an indication, we pushed it to more than 230 km / h in sixth at 8200 rpm, with the screen in the high position !

The typical twin overturning torque and vibrations are less sensitive than before, without being completely suppressed. On the other hand, the progress announced concerning the gearbox is less convincing: the presence of the anti-dribbler is certainly appreciable during "bleeding" downshifts, but the selection remains a bit rougher and noisier than some of the most successful competing devices.

Queen of the road … but not only !

Efficient and comfortable on the road, the 2013 R1200GS is also capable of venturing off the beaten track … To convince us of this, BMW took us several tens of kilometers of stony tracks in the vicinity of George, in South Africa. , before taking us to a much more technical section.

"Enduro" mode engaged, the new BMW R 1200 GS is more flexible on its suspensions, the response to the grip is smoother and the entry into action of the anti-skid and ABS is postponed. The result is frankly exciting, especially with regard to the very fine management of the front brake..

With the original tires, it is possible to maintain a surprisingly high deceleration capacity, even on a bed of gravel! The maneuverability of the bike and its very good traction are naturally appreciated in these conditions. Nevertheless, it is necessary to keep a careful reserve, given the size, the weight and the very important engine torque (too much off-road) of the German trail-GT..

Then comes the time to take the start of the short technical "special" with R1200GS fitted with notched tires and the "Enduro Pro" mode engaged. The anti-skidding then allows good skids under acceleration before very gradually regaining control, while the ABS is disconnected at the rear to allow drifting in the bends.

Here again, the responsiveness and efficiency of electronic aids are impressive: for a bit, one would almost take oneself for a good all-terrain pilot thanks to the safety net stretched by these learned chips. !

Verdict: the queen is dead, long live the queen !

The competitors of the BMW R1200GS

  • Ducati Multistrada 1200 : L-twin, 1198.4cc, 150 hp and 124.5 Nm of torque, 217 kg all full, € 16,690

  • Honda crosstourer : 4-cylinder in V, 1237cc, 129 hp and 126 Nm, 275 kg all full facts, € 13,990

  • Kawasaki Versys 1000: 4-cylinder in-line, 1043cc, 118 hp and 102 Nm, 239 kg all full, € 12,499

  • Moto Guzzi 1200 Stelvio: V-twin, 1151cc, 105 hp and 113 Nm, 257 kg empty, € 14,390

  • Triumph explorer : 3-cylinder in-line, 1215cc, 137 hp and 121 Nm, 259 kg all full, € 14,890

  • Yamaha Super Tenere 1200: in-line twin, 1199cc, 110 hp and 114 Nm of torque, 261 kg fully loaded, € 14,999

With this 2013 vintage, BMW achieves an impressive tour de force: making the R1200GS even more efficient, more comfortable and more versatile! On the other hand, there remains one area where the market benchmark has hardly improved: that of the provision of standard equipment….

Sold at a price of 15,150 euros with standard ABS (i.e. 750 € more than the 2012 model), the standard 2013 R 1200 GS is deprived of all the "ki-va-bien" electronic equipment such as the anti- ASC slip, the five driving modes, ESA Dynamic, cruise control or pneumatic pressure indicator (list of options in our technical sheet).

Its future owners will even be forced to dig into the catalog of options to afford the suitcase supports (!), The front LED optics, hand guards or the "multi-controller" command. But it is very likely that this is not enough to slow down the enviable (and envied!) Success story of the best-selling maxi-trail in the world !

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