Eicma: BMW R 1200 GS

Stronger, livelier and more agile ­ more driving enjoyment on- and off-road.

With the new BMW R 1200 GS, BMW is writing another chapter in the success story that started in 1980 with the BMW R 80 G/S. The new, comprehensively reworked R 1200 GS meets all the requirements that an ideal travel enduro should meet. It offers superb performance, maximum comfort and a wide range of use on the longest trips and, with even better acceleration and agility, guarantees maximum enjoyment on twisting country and mountain roads. The optimised chassis and suspension properties guarantee the best possible handling both on and off-road.

The predecessor model ­ the R 1200 GS presented in 2004, of which over 75,000 were produced ­ already embodied an incredibly synthesis of off-road and on-road characteristics. And yet the new version outstrips its predecessor (still acknowledged as outstanding) in every major respect.

A torsion-proof chassis, the front wheel suspension with the unique BMW Telelever and rear wheel suspension with the BMW Paralever still offer first-class, safe handling. Extremely efficient brakes combined with the BMW Motorrad Integral ABS ensure maximum safety, even in critical driving situations. Excellent environmental compatibility is achieved through cutting-edge exhaust purification with a regulated three-way catalytic converter.

The proven maintenance-free cardan drive means that there is no need for scheduled maintenance work, which can be inconvenient and time consuming on extended trips and long-distance tours. As is traditional, BMW is again offering a reliable, ingenious luggage system for the new R 1200 GS, plus further made-to-measure accessories and special equipment.

The new engine ­ more powerful, higher revving and more dynamic

In terms of design principle, basic structure, power transmission and mixture preparation, the engine in the new R 1200 GS is based on that of the R 1200 R. However, improvements have been made to the engine management for use in the R 1200 GS with regard to the special requirements a large-volume travel enduro has to meet.

While the 1170cm3 boxer engine of the predecessor model offered superb power development in all conditions and situations, the new R 1200 GS can give much more. With a power output of 105HP, the maximum engine speed has increased to 8,000 rpm and provides an even wider engine speed range and completely revised transmission ratios. The result is that the R 1200 GS is even more dynamic than before, with more acceleration in the upper half of the speed range, and even better traction over the whole range.

In combination with the reworked six-gear transmission, the R 1200 GS thus offers the most dynamic performance of all the travel enduros.