BMW’s GS platform has been credited with saving the company’s bacon back in the early 1980s, putting the Bavarian company back in good graces with riders, dealers, media and adventurers who didn’t know what they were missing until they threw a leg over the R80G/S (Gelände/Strasse, which means off-road/road). Since then more than half a million GS bikes have been sold. The BMW R1200GS is more of a road-going machine, designed for spirited touring and off-road excursions.
The BMWR1200GS is powered by a 1,170cc air/liquid-cooled, four-stroke flat-twin, shaft-drive engine, the R1200GS puts out 125 hp at 7,7450 rpm with 92 ft-lb of torque. Additional features include electronic fuel injection with ride-by-wire throttle system, constant-mesh six-speed gearbox with helical cut gears, cast aluminum 19-in front/17-in rear wheels, ABS, adjustble seat height, 5.3-gallon tank, and BMW's own Telelever front suspension with hydraulically-adjustable spring preload and rebound damping.
The BMW R1200GS is priced at $16,695 (including ABS), and comes in four colors: Black Storm Metallic, Light White, Lupin Blue Metallic, and Espresso Metallic.
“The most amazing thing just may be the progression of the BMW’s powerplant from a torque-laden sleeper into a peppy, responsive powerhouse that not only matches the Yamaha but ups the game in the twin-cylinder adventure market. It picks up better, and gives a hand-to-rear-wheel connectivity that almost makes you forget it is ride-by-wire. Riders of any oil-cooled Boxer, even the latest twin-cam, will not be impressed. They’ll be blown away.” Jimmy Lewis - Contributor, Cycle World Magazine
