News – New BMW R 1200 GS 2013: technological shift – Reinventing the benchmark …

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New BMW R 1200 GS 2013: technological shift

News - New BMW R 1200 GS 2013: technological shift - Reinventing the benchmark ...

BMW unveils this morning at the Cologne Intermot Show the new 2013 R 1200 GS, eagerly awaited by bikers around the world and especially in France. On the program: mixed air / liquid cooling and several technological innovations.

Reinventing the benchmark…

Difficult to change a recipe that works … This is however the bet of BMW this year with the new R 1200 GS 2013, spearhead of the big trails for nine years (reread in particular our).

"Sold in more than 170,000 units, the R 1200 GS is the most popular and best-selling travel trail in the world", rejoices BMW, specifying that"in comparison, it remains the benchmark in its segment and convinces with its excellent overall concept and innovative technology"(read in particular our comparative tests facing the, then facing the and finally facing the).

125 horsepower at 7,700 rpm

While waiting for its full test on MNC, the new BMW R 1200 GS 2013 reveals serious advantages in the face of increasingly sharp competition: its displacement remains exactly the same as since the start of the 1200 era in 2004 (1170 cm3) , but its power increases to 125 hp (92 kW) at 7,700 rpm (instead of 110 to 7,750) and its torque increases to 125 Nm at 6,500 rpm (instead of 120 to 6,000).

A moment announced with a, the flat twin of the new R 1200 GS always does "mainly using air cooling"but now uses a glycol / water mixture instead of engine oil."As this coolant has a higher thermal absorption capacity, the new system is characterized by a more efficient heat dissipation.". It further helps to"keep the typical boxer look" because "both radiators are small and barely visible", explains BMW.

Other changes to note: the gas flow in the cylinders is now vertical (instead of horizontal) "in order to improve the filling of cylinders", while the dry clutch of the previous model gives way to an oil bath clutch with anti-dribble function. As for the cardan shaft, it is now placed on the left side of the motorcycle.

Electronic accelerator and electronic cruise control

But the new GS especially adopts for the first time an electronic accelerator, which made it possible "a marked improvement in gas dosage and engine responsiveness", rejoices the German manufacturer who also offers as an option on its large road trail five different driving modes: Rain, Road, Dynamic, Enduro and Enduro Pro. Still optional, future buyers will also be able to benefit from a cruise control electronic.

"ASC (Automatic Stability Control) traction control, configured specifically for enduro, is coupled with these modes", continues BMW:"when this option is chosen, BMW Motorrad ABS, ASC and, if so equipped, semi-active suspension, are adapted to the use profile of these five modes".

9 kg more

Side cycle part, the continuous perimeter frame frame in steel tubes is "completely new in design with its bolt-on rear frame". With the new Telelever front and Paralever EVO at the rear, this frame allows"significantly increase torsional stiffness and hence directional stability and precision", assures the manufacturer. The handling would also be optimized"thanks to the refined basic geometry of the chassis", while a longer swing arm"improves traction, especially off-road". It is also perched on wider tires: 120/70 R19 at the front instead of 110/80 and 170/60 R17 at the rear instead of 150/70.

On the braking side, the new R 1200 GS adopts Brembo monobloc calipers in radial arrangement at the front and a larger disc at the rear. And safety obliges, it is naturally equipped with ABS BMW Motorrad series "in its partially complete version".

Safety always, the new GS 2013 is also "the first motorcycle in the world"fitted (optional ex works) with an LED headlight with integrated daytime running light which"maximizes the illumination of the road, which translates into additional safety gain both day and night. It uses an innovative LED technique incorporating a clever cooling and demisting system", specifies BMW.

Finally, the new R 1200 GS receives the onboard network of and (with different partitioning"which uses CAN bus (Controller Area Network) and LIN (Local Interconnect Network) bus technology, and therefore requires fewer cables than conventional systems. The multi-controller now available on the GS, housed on the handlebars on the inner side of the left grip, allows the pilot to be "less distracted when choosing a function"and leave your hand on the handlebars.

The handlebars can be turned upwards in a jiffy to make the rider more comfortable standing on the footrests in off-road mode, while the seat height is the same as on the previous model ( adjustable between 850 and 870 mm). The rider seat can now be adjusted in height and inclination, while the passenger seat is also adjustable on the longitudinal axis for an optimal distance between the rider and his passenger.

The new R 1200 GS shows in passing an overweight of 9 kg compared to the previous one, since it now displays a "curb weight in running order (all full)"238 kg (with ABS) instead of 229.

Eric MICHEL

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