BMW R1200GS

BMW R1200GS

R1200GS, 2013 model with Akrapovič HP titanium exhaust
Manufacturer BMW Motorrad
Production R1200GS (2004–12)
R1200GS Adventure (2005–)
R1200GS (LC) (2013–)
Predecessor BMW R1150GS
Engine

1,170 cc (71 cu in) boxer twin:

Bore / stroke 101 mm × 73 mm (4.0 in × 2.9 in)
Compression ratio 12.0:1
12.5:1 (LC)
Top speed 130.8 mph (210.5 km/h)[1]
Power 81 kW (109 hp) @ 7,750 rpm[2]
70.42 kW (94.43 hp) (rear wheel)[1]
92 kW (123 hp) @ 7,750 rpm (LC)[3]
Torque 120 N·m (89 lbf·ft) @ 6,000 rpm[2]
97.38 N·m (71.82 lbf·ft) (rear wheel)[1]
125 N·m (92 lbf·ft) @ 6,500 rpm (LC)[3]
Transmission 6-speed, shaft drive
Suspension Front: BMW Telelever
Rear: BMW Paralever
Optional electronic adjustment
Brakes

Front:

  • Twin floating 305 mm discs, 4-piston fixed calipers
  • Twin floating 305 mm discs, 4-piston radial calipers (LC)

Rear:

  • Single 265 mm disc, double piston floating caliper
  • Single 276 mm disc, double piston floating calliper (LC)ABS (optional before 2013)
Tires

Front:

  • 110/80 R 19
  • 120/70 R 19 (LC)

Rear:

  • 150/70 R 17
  • 170/60 R 17 (LC)Spoked or alloy, tubeless wheels
Wheelbase 1,507 mm (59.3 in)
1,510 mm (59 in) (Adv)
Dimensions L:
2,210 mm (87 in)
2,240 mm (88 in) (Adv)
W:
953 mm (37.5 in)
990 mm (39 in) (Adv)
H:
1,450 mm (57 in)
1,525 mm (60.0 in) (Adv)
Seat height 850 mm (33 in)
895 mm (35.2 in) (Adv)
Weight 203 kg (448 lb)
229 kg (505 lb) (LC)
223 kg (492 lb) (Adv) (dry)

229 kg (505 lb)
238 kg (525 lb) (LC)
256 kg (564 lb) (Adv) (wet)
Fuel capacity 20 L (4.4 imp gal; 5.3 US gal)
33 L (7.3 imp gal; 8.7 US gal) (Adv)
30 L (6.6 imp gal; 7.9 US gal) (Adv LC)

The BMW R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure are motorcycles manufactured in Berlin, Germany by BMW Motorrad, part of the BMW group. It is one of the BMW GS family of dual sport motorcycles. Both motorcycles have an 1,170 cc (71 cu in), two-cylinder boxer engine with 4-valves per cylinder. The Adventure has a larger capacity fuel tank and longer travel suspension. As of 2012, BMW's R1200GS bikes are their top-selling models.[4]

History

Rear view of motorcycle fitted with panniers, top box, and extra soft luggage
An R1200GS Adventure equipped for touring in Greece
Black and yellow BMW R1200GS motorcycle, being ridden around a corner on a race track by a rider in a blue and grey suit
A dual purpose bike can be used on track as well as off road

At its launch in 2004, the R1200GS was 30 kg (66 lb) lighter than the R1150GS it replaced,[5] and produced 100 bhp (75 kW), an increase of 19%. BMW continued to produce the R1150GS Adventure, releasing a final run-out special edition model,[6] before launching the R1200GS Adventure at the end of 2005, for the 2006 model year.[7]

Upgrades for model year 2008 included increased power to 78 kW (105 bhp), a new Integral ABS II anti-lock braking system was released without servo assistance and new options were added including electronic suspension adjustment (ESA) and the Automatic Stability Control (ASC) traction control system.[8][9]

In 2010 model year, both models had a revised cylinder head with double overhead camshaft, an increased redline limit to 8,500 rpm, and an exhaust flap to give the exhaust a different tone. Power is increased to 82 kW (110 hp) @ 7,750 rpm.[10]

At the 2012 Intermot, BMW announced that the 2013 model would have water cooling, deliver an additional 11 kW (15 hp), and weigh approximately 9.1 kg (20 lb) more than the outgoing model.[11]

Although the 2013 model has since proved itself, it had a somewhat shaky start. In the UK, the R1200GS has been subject to various DVSA vehicle recalls covering the front brakes, anti-lock braking system, throttle cable, fuel pump, clutch, final drive assembly, brake pipes, and gearbox;[12] and similar recalls have been issued in other countries. Early journalistic reports described the bike as having a front end "head shake" or speed wobble,[13][14] and deliveries of the motorcycle were halted while BMW revised the front end geometry.[15][16]

For the 2014 through 2016 model years, there were incremental annual updates, including adjustments to road handling, and adding options such as LED headlights, keyless ignition, a quickshifter, an anti-theft system, and another lower seat option. A new ABS mode available as a software update allows safer braking while cornering.

For the 2017 model year the bike was given a facelift, with technical changes to meet European EU4 regulations. Side reflectors and an on-board diagnostic (OBD) indicator light in the cockpit to indicate a malfunction were added. Like the R1200GS Adventure, all liquid-cooled boxer models were given a damper on the transmission output shaft. The selector drum actuator, transmission shafts and transmission shaft bearing were revised. The GS was also given a new crash bar option, allowing cylinder protection covers to be mounted, as had been standard on the Adventure.

Sales

In 2004 the Adventure model of the bike was used by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman for an epic motorcycle road trip from London to New York City via Europe. Asia and Alaska; and the adventure was in the book and TV series, Long Way Round.[17] In 2007, the same pair used BMWs for a sequel trip from John o' Groats in Scotland to Cape Agulhas in South Africa,[18] this project being documented in Long Way Down. Ever since, the publicity from these episodes has enormously boosted sales of the BMW GS models, particularly in the UK.

As of 2007, the R1200GS was BMW's best-selling motorcycle, exceeding 100,000 units.[19] In 2006, the R1200GS was the best-selling motorcycle in the United Kingdom, with combined sales of 2,227 units. The next-best-selling bike, the Honda Fireblade, sold 2,067 units.[20]

Nearly one third of the 100,000 units sold by BMW Motorrad worldwide in 2006 were R1200GS.[20]

In 2008, the R1200GS was again BMW's best-selling motorcycle, with 22,845 standard models and 12,460 Adventure models delivered.[21]

In 2012, Cycle World called the R1200GS "the most successful motorcycle in the last two-and-a-half decades" and credited it for creating the adventure touring category.[22]

In popular culture

The R1200GS appeared in several episodes the BBC Two television programme The Hairy Bikers' Cookbook, ridden by chefs Dave Myers and Si King.[23][24]

Noted motorcycle journalist Kevin Ash died from injuries sustained in a crash while test riding the R1200GS at its 2013 press launch. An inquest give a finding of accidental death, but the UK coroner could not give full reasons "due to insufficient evidence". [13][25]

Drummer Neil Peart from the rock band Rush traveled North America on a 1994 BMW R1100GS after his wife and daughter died, subsequently authoring a book about his trip.[26]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Performance Index Winter '12/'13 Edition" (PDF), Motorcycle Consumer News, Bowtie Magazines, January 2013
  2. 1 2 "R1200GS Data Sheet" (PDF). BMW Motorrad. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  3. 1 2 "R1200GS Technical Data". BMW Motorrad. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  4. ↑ "Riding high on BMW's R1200GS Triple Black". Telegraph. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  5. ↑ Ash, Kevin (14 February 2007). "Lightweight boxer packs a heavy punch". Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
  6. ↑ "BMW Adventure special". Motorcycle News. 20 May 2005. Archived from the original on 10 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
  7. ↑ "THE NEW BMW R1200 GS ADVENTURE". 29 October 2005. Archived from the original on 11 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
  8. ↑ "Traction control comes to the street from an unlikely source: BMW". American Motorcyclist Association. 13 July 2006. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
  9. ↑ Kevin Ash, BMW ASC traction control, archived from the original on 17 January 2010, retrieved 2010-01-03
  10. ↑ "2010 BMW R 1200 GS: Now With Dual Overhead Cams!". webBikeWorld. 5 November 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  11. ↑ Dirck Edge (October 2, 2012). "BMW Unveils Water-Cooled R 1200 GS in Cologne". Motorcycle Daily. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  12. ↑
  13. 1 2 "2013 BMW R1200GS First Ride". Motorcycle-usa.com, Bart Madson, January 30, 2013.
  14. ↑ "2013 BMW R1200GS Review". Motorcycle.com, Kevin Duke, Jan. 29, 2013,.
  15. ↑ "Possible delays for delivery of 2013 BMW R1200GS". Canada Moto Guide, ZAC KURYLYK, MARCH 5, 2013.
  16. ↑ "2013 BMW R1200GS Deliveries Delayed to Fix Suspension Issue". Motorcycle.com, 04/03/2013, Dennis Chung.
  17. ↑ McGregor and Boorman initially asked KTM to supply bikes for the project. After the factory refused, BMW were only too happy to oblige.
  18. ↑ Rayner, Tom (4 May 2007). "Long Way Down". Motorcycle News. Archived from the original on 20 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-28.
  19. ↑ "BMW's 100,000th R 1200 GS". webBikeWorld (from BMW press release). 3 August 2007. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
  20. 1 2 Ash, Kevin (2 February 2007). "Egos go for off road cred". Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
  21. ↑ "BMW positive about sales figures". motorcycle.com. 22 January 2009. Archived from the original on 25 January 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2009.
  22. ↑ Steve Anderson (May 2012), "Triumph Tiger Explorer - A British bike with a German accent", Cycle World, [T]he BMW R1200GS ... the most successful motorcycle in the last two-and-a-half decades, sells so well it represents a very substantial chunk of BMW's production and has been the machine that both created and continues to define the adventure-touring category.
  23. ↑ "Two Hairy Bikers and one lucky winner". World of BMW. 31 May 2006. Archived from the original on 11 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  24. ↑ Welch, Andy (18 August 2008). "Crumbs - more hairy moments". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  25. ↑ Coroner's inquest
  26. ↑ http://andrewolson.com/Neil_Peart/motorcycle_hall_of_fame/motostars.htm

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