Menus
- 30 years of reign.
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- In the city
- Motorway and expressway
- Departmental
- Cycle part
- Braking
- Comfort / Duo
- Consumption
- Conclusion
30 years of reign.
Marketed for the first time in the fall of 1980, during the heyday and legend of the Paris-Dakar, the trail R 80 GS (Gelande Strasse), heavier than its single-cylinder competitors of the time but far more efficient, both for the motorization with its famous flat twin that by its cycle part, the adventurer from Munich will win her first title of the African event in 1981…
It is already his extraordinary versatility that ensures him success both in competition and with bikers who love long distance trips. Subsequently declined in R 100 GS, the trail appears transfigured in 1994 by the adoption of a 4-valve boxer unit of 1100 cc but also of a revolutionary cycle part: the rear paralever is seen associated with a Telelever system at the ” front, principle of anti-dive guidance which sets then and still today new performance and safety benchmarks because also complemented by ABS braking !
This latest development, however, came at the expense of the GS’s off-road capabilities. The weight as the template weighing on the handling, the trail will then evolve into 1150 then 1200 cm3, BMW improving with each evolution the qualities of its most recognized and best-selling models. In 2004, the R 1200 GS developed again in depth with a new even sportier flat twin engine of more than 100 hp and 11.5 m / kg of torque, but also significant work on weight and size: engine, gearbox, new cardan arm, new cycle part (larger tubular trellis frame)…. in total, more than 15 kilos lost and an extreme liveliness testify to the progress made: 230 kilos in working order.
A slight restyling in 2008 boosted the aesthetics of the myth by giving it a more virile image. But faced with the appearance in the segment of ever more powerful competitors, the Bavarian multi-road benchmark raised the tone and in 2010 adopted the double camshaft cylinder heads of the very high-end HP2 models..
Discovery
Everything about the R 1200 GS lives up to its legend: its size, its apparent bulk, its design. Adjustment of plastic elements, quality of welds, equipment…. here too, the GS ensures its reputation. Height-adjustable screen, high-quality hand guard, luggage rack combining passenger grab handle and tie-down hook for tensioners … everything seems to be devoted to efficiency. Only its non-metallic tank can call for a criticism but the in-house luggage (optional) ensures the transport of large loads.
The asymmetrical headlight optics and duckbill give the front its uniqueness, which first appeared in 1994 and has been aesthetically softened since..
In the saddle
Surprise: the narrow saddle gives a comfortable seat and allows the rider the fairest in height to still benefit from good stability when stationary, even if riders under 1.70 will be limited to barely touching the ground with their feet . The particularly wide handlebars ensure full maneuverability and the feeling of weight balance is amazing.
The commodos are to BMW standards (right and left turn signal on each handle and recall on the right). The mirrors offer a large field and hardly vibrate at high speed.
The model tested also includes options: heated grips, ABS but also ASC, anti-skid system which prevents lateral drifts and stalling from the rear in the event of strong acceleration, as well as control of untimely lifting of the front wheels… .for stunter, you will have to disengage these safety devices on the handlebars by pressing the appropriate button.
Another electronic adjustment: ESA controls the suspensions according to 3 modes: sport, comfort and normal, transforming the trail in turn either into a "tracker" on quality roads, or into a flying carpet on degraded roads. Another menu button scrolls through the information on consumption, odometer, totalizer, autonomy.
These indications are found on the counter unit, in the LCD window that more classic tachometer and analog tachometer overlook. Everything takes place in the fork crown holder in aluminum tube.
Conctact: the twin coughs a little and roars suddenly! Also new for 2010, the GS features an exhaust valve that gives it a metal-rock singer voice. Going from the well-known hiss to throat singing is quite amazing.
In the city
The trail sets off very smoothly and astonishes at its balance: it is the flat twin effect which, like the bar of a balancer, provides unparalleled stability. The large lever arm of the handlebars increases the ease of positioning in traffic. The maneuvers are easy and the comfort real.
The gearbox allows you to shift gears with precision, without noise and without the slightest false neutral point. The truth is also sometimes difficult to find.
The Telelever front suspension cancels any diving and guides the bike very precisely. The flexibility of the engine is one of the key arguments: it is possible to operate on a trickle of gas at 1,500 revolutions in 5 °, or 40 km / h.
Motorway and expressway
The 1200 cc boxer breaths hard and revs even faster with its new HP2 type cylinder heads. Stalled at 130 km / h at 4,500 revolutions in the last gear, the screen placed in the low position preserves the neck while leaving a flow of air to the head and shoulders.
The liveliness of the chassis has a slight setback: the GS seems more sensitive to the wind and a slight sway may occur than usual and the kilometers will quickly annihilate.
A slight rotation of the handle will make you cruiser serenely at 150 km / h and 5,000 revolutions and if the desire to test the top of the tachometer tempts you, you will be at 200 km / h in a short time at a speed of 7 000 rpm…. and still 1,500 revs from the red zone (i.e. 500 revs better with these new cylinder heads).
Being assured of the firm’s long-haul travel capabilities with the propeller on expressways, it is on the secondary network that the assessment of the non-standard road skills of the GT trail should be continued..
Departmental
This is where we get a better idea of the qualities of this model. Whatever the pace, whatever the road, whatever the weather conditions: handling is exemplary.
On tortured roads, we will stay on the 3rd gear for more sport but choosing a 4th or 5th speed will satisfy the more contemplative bikers while keeping an excellent engine approval, suitable for all overtaking or sustained relaunches..
Enjoy the landscapes at 90 km / h and 3,250 laps in 6 ° or more quickly: just follow your mood.
The HP2 effect feels particularly past 6,000 RPM or a turbo effect propels the trail into a powerful rumble while the tachometer needle spins to the right.
It’s hard to stay calm with such a mechanical athlete with a maximum power of 110 hp at 7,750 laps. It is also difficult to overcome the ground clearance, the footrests being high perched and the machine narrow. But while working on it, everything happens and Metzeler Tourance tires accept the most pleasant angles without flinching..
When the asphalt meanders are smoother, the GS becomes all the more imperial. The sprinter is a long-distance runner. We would still appreciate a handlebars perhaps a little less wide by one or two centimeters on both sides, because on these quieter roads, as on highways, a certain discomfort at the level of the shoulders can appear in the long run..
Cycle part
Balance is the key word: This trail forgives almost everything. If you get into a bend a bit quickly, just tilt the bike more and the mount "takes care" of the rest.
Lively and light, the cycle part makes the GS dance from one turn to another, effortlessly and follow the trajectories with extreme precision, despite a feeling of lightness from the front, of lack of feeling that can surprise the driver. First on board. This is the specificity of this BMW Telelever system and, once you get used to it, the efficiency is bluffing.
Braking
Ditto if you have to decelerate hard for an unforeseen event: the progressiveness and endurance of the braking system provide a very real feeling of safety, especially on stony roads where too much bite would be annoying. On this surface, the front axle absorbs the defects and erases the vagueness of the loose coating. ABS is only triggered when there is a real need and is not felt at all; the motorcycle remains stable on the angle when gripping the brakes.
Comfort / Duo
The saddle provides first-class comfort for both rider and passenger, which benefits from excellent grip at the handles and little or no vibration disturbs travelers.
The high torque (12.2 m / kg at 6,000 rpm) makes you forget the presence of additional weight whether it is that of a person or luggage, or both.
Consumption
The 20-liter tank provides approximately 300 km of range WITH the reserve. Indeed, an average consumption of 6.4 / 100 km and a rather sporty behavior do not guarantee any better. Consider purchasing the Adventure model for longer escapades (nearly 500 km with a 33-liter tank).
Conclusion
The undisputed queen of roads and trips, the R 1200 GS is however more and more road in its engine capacities and of cycle part of very first plan. If it still accepts highways effortlessly due to its contained weight and the balance of its masses, we are still further from the rally-raid champion. The GS has been able to adapt to changes in technology and biker behavior by becoming the benchmark for sales in the segment due to its unparalleled consistency (500,000 models produced since its creation). Its recent competitors are either too far in terms of use (new Ducati Multistrada 1200) or inferior in homogeneity / performance (Yamaha XT 1200 Z – Moto Guzzi Stelvio).
Small downside: gravel can come from the front wheel via the fork crown and hit the helmet: a mud shield generally attached to the fork sleeves could solve this occasional problem..
Its base price of 13,790 € is both not very demrocatic and almost tempting (with respect to the competition) but flies away with the options while you will not be able to ignore the ABS, heated grips, or even from ESA. The invoice will then quickly approach € 17,500…. the price of excellence and the assurance of easy resale and a very measured discount.
Often imitated, never equaled is the expression one could associate with it. Unstoppable is certainly the best adjective, the one chosen by the German firm.
Strong points
- engine performance and flexibility
- balance of the cycle part
- solo and duo comfort
- ability to do everything
- finishing
Weak points
- price with options
The R 1200 GS technical sheet
User tests on the
motorcycle test forum.
The opinions in the reviews and tests for the R 1200 GS
Competitors: Ducati 1200 Multistrada, Honda Crosstourer 1200, Honda XLV Varadero 1000, KTM 990 Adventure, Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200, Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200, Yamaha 1200 Super Tenere
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