BMW R1200GS - Review

Heading back to Las Vegas through Red Rock Canyon for the last time at the end of our two-day ride, I settled into the comfortable seat and dialed the engine on the magical 4000-rpm mark. The ride was smooth and the scenery breathtaking.

I had ridden the new BMW R1200GS more than 500 miles through some seriously tough conditions. Blasting through high-speed corners, howling along open highways, or flying over rocks and gravel in the desert, it had performed flawlessly in every situation. A dirt bike, touring bike and sport bike in one, with such sophistication as heated grips, adjustable seats and anti-lock brakes, the new BMW R1200 GS might just be the world's most versatile motorcycle?

BMW R 1200 GS - SPECS

Engine - 1,170cc, flat twin, four-stroke, four valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke - 101 x 73mm
Claimed Power- 100hp (74kw)
Claimed Torque - 115N-m (85 lb-ft)
Induction - Electronic Fuel Injection
Clutch - Dry single plate
Transmission - Six speed
Final Drive - Shaft
Frame - Tubular space frame, load bearing engine
Front Suspension - BMW Telelever, 190mm of travel
Rear Suspension - BMW Paralever, 200mm of travel
Wheelbase - 1,519mm
Front Brakes - 2 x 305mm discs
Rear Brake - Single 265mm disc
Tyres - 110/80-19 (F) - 150/70-17 (R)
Length - 2,210mm
Width - 915mm at the mirrors
Seat Height - 810 to 890mm
Dry Weight - 199kg
Wet Weight (full fuel tank and lubricants) - 225kg
Fuel Capacity - 20 litres
RRP - $21,000
Warranty - Two years, unlimited kilometres

A history lesson - The progression of the GS BMW

1980–1987 R 80 G/S - 797 cc ohv 37 kW (50 bhp)
1988–1990 R 65 GS - 649 cc ohv 20 kW (27 bhp)
1996 R 80 G/S Basic - 797 cc ohv 37 kW (50 bhp)
1987–1996 R 100 GS - 980 cc ohv 44 kW (60 bhp)
1987–1996 R 80 GS - 797 cc ohv 37 kW (50 bhp)
1990–1995 R 100 GS Paris-Dakar - 980 cc ohv 44 kW (60 bhp)
1993–1999 R 1100 GS - 1,085 cc hc 59 kW (80 bhp)
1999–2000 R 850 GS - 848 cc hc 51 kW (70 bhp)
1999–2003 R 1150 GS - 1,130 cc hc 63 kW (85 bhp)
2002 R 1150 GS Adventure - 1,130 cc hc 63 kW (85 bhp)
2004 R 1200 GS - 1,170 cc hc 72 kW (98 bhp)