RE: PH2 Ridden: BMW R1200GS Adventure
Tuesday 17th April 2012
BMW's mighty GS is more than a phenomenon - it's an institution. Despite first appearing way back in 1980, the GS (which stands for Gelaende/Strasse, the German words for off-road/on-road) continues to top the sales charts. Last year the GS sold 1,070 units over here while 867 Adventures were also snapped up. In the UK, which is traditionally a sports bike haven, we only bought 1,121 Fireblades and that was enough to make it the best selling bike in its class. But why is this? What sets the GS aside and drives its popularity? PH2 spent a few weeks with an R1200GS Adventure Triple Black to try and discover what it is that is so special about this iconic machine and see what makes it the benchmark by which all adventure bikes are still gauged.
German touring rider's bike of choiceTraffic buster
There is no disguising the fact the GS is a big old machine. Fully fuelled with 33 litres of unleaded sloshing around in its tank the Adventure tips the scales at 256kg. Compared with the standard the GS, which has a 13-litre smaller tank and weighs 27kg less, the Adventure model feels more imposing. Paddling it around a car park can be a bit concerning - when one of these starts to go over you had better just jump clear rather than try and prop it up. And if you are shorter in the leg it can be a tricky bike to manhandle at low speed (BMW does a special 790mm low seat height option which helps) but once you get going the weight is far less of an issue.
Optional foglights good for filtering trafficThere must be something very eye catching about the GS because drivers seem to go out of their way to, well, get out of the way. The additional fog lights (£290) help, but the BMW seems to forge a path through traffic far better than a sports bike. Although this could be helped by the riding position. As well as being remarkably comfortable, the GS's riding position is very upright and high, giving you a great view of the road ahead and allowing you to plan your path through the traffic several cars in advance.
Built-in racks make load carrying a cinchPackhorse
A trip to Gatwick for a bike test on foreign shores meant testing the GS's load carrying. A 20kg kit bag full of leathers would usually mean dusting off the mighty 2CV but the GS shrugs off such a load. The trellis style subframe and built-in pannier mounts are perfect for ratchet strapping huge amounts of kit to it's a five-minute job to get the GS loaded up and ready to go. You can begin to see why people love them so much.
Signature boxer engine is better than everWhat's the secret?
After spending two weeks with the GS am I any closer to discovering the big BMW's magic formula for success? It's quite simple really - there isn't actually anything this bike can't do. It can go on or off road, be loaded up with luggage, battle traffic, ease a commute and even avoid continual fuel stops. Where some bikes specialise at one thing at the compromise of others the GS is good at everything. It may not be better at touring than a dedicated tourer, but for 90 per cent of the time it will be as good. A sports bike will be faster on a twisty road, but the GS won't be far behind. And a naked bike may be easier to commute on, but the GS can still get through a congested city with ease. Why does the GS continue to sell in huge number? Because it is bloody good - a jack of all trades with a cracking reputation behind it.
PH2 Ridden: BMW R1200GS Adventure
Just what is it that makes the GS so good?
German touring rider's bike of choice
There is no disguising the fact the GS is a big old machine. Fully fuelled with 33 litres of unleaded sloshing around in its tank the Adventure tips the scales at 256kg. Compared with the standard the GS, which has a 13-litre smaller tank and weighs 27kg less, the Adventure model feels more imposing. Paddling it around a car park can be a bit concerning - when one of these starts to go over you had better just jump clear rather than try and prop it up. And if you are shorter in the leg it can be a tricky bike to manhandle at low speed (BMW does a special 790mm low seat height option which helps) but once you get going the weight is far less of an issue.
Battling rush hour M25 you might assume the GS's wide bars - admittedly making for a wonderfully comfy riding position - might make filtering tricky. Not a bit of it. They may feel wide, but when you have brush guards protecting your levers from catching errant wing mirrors and giving you extra confidence it is amazing how narrow a gap the GS can slip through. Even more surprising is the reaction from car drivers.
Optional foglights good for filtering traffic
Mile muncher
A steady 60 miles or so at motorway speeds was a thoroughly pleasant experience too. The drone of the boxer twin has been replaced by a more pleasing raw edge since BMW made it a twin-cam head a few years ago and comfort is never an issue, as past experience of three days riding a GS around Moscow proves. And should your hands start to get a bit cold you can just flick on the heated grips to take the edge off. Certainly a big contrast from the sports bikes I've been riding of late though the fuel economy isn't perhaps quite as good as one would hope, the optional onboard computer (£155) showing 45mpg. Gentle riding can get this figure to nearer 55mpg - unfortunately I'm not very good at gentle.
Built-in racks make load carrying a cinch
A trip to Gatwick for a bike test on foreign shores meant testing the GS's load carrying. A 20kg kit bag full of leathers would usually mean dusting off the mighty 2CV but the GS shrugs off such a load. The trellis style subframe and built-in pannier mounts are perfect for ratchet strapping huge amounts of kit to it's a five-minute job to get the GS loaded up and ready to go. You can begin to see why people love them so much.
Fuelling a bike is a pain, breaking the journey and inevitably meaning you end up fiddling with your gear and ending up with a draught for the rest of the journey. But the GS swallows up big distances like the run from Guildford to Peterborough and back to Gatwick - 250 miles in total and bloody brilliant, the £42 bill to refill the tank slightly less so.
Back road blasts
Semi off-road tyres and long travel suspension aren't a great combination when it comes to having a spirited ride on the road, but that doesn't stop the GS. I've tried and you can get your knee down on a GS. It's a pretty stupid thing to do but it can be achieved and highlights just how competent the GS is when it comes to handling. Despite feeling a bit heavy through fast direction changes, get on a smooth road and the GS can be hustled along at a good pace. The extra weight pins it to the road and in updating the GS from the old 1150 to the new 1200 BMW has chopped 25kg off its weight, vastly improving its sporting side. Obviously a sports bike will leave it in the bends, but the GS won't be that far behind.
You can if you like, as many world travellers have demonstrated. I don't feel much urge to go off-road and so, like many GS owners, I limit my off-road to a gravel drive and the occasional dirt track. If you want to try something more extreme try the BMW off-road skills course, you will be amazed at what they can make a GS do!
Signature boxer engine is better than ever
After spending two weeks with the GS am I any closer to discovering the big BMW's magic formula for success? It's quite simple really - there isn't actually anything this bike can't do. It can go on or off road, be loaded up with luggage, battle traffic, ease a commute and even avoid continual fuel stops. Where some bikes specialise at one thing at the compromise of others the GS is good at everything. It may not be better at touring than a dedicated tourer, but for 90 per cent of the time it will be as good. A sports bike will be faster on a twisty road, but the GS won't be far behind. And a naked bike may be easier to commute on, but the GS can still get through a congested city with ease. Why does the GS continue to sell in huge number? Because it is bloody good - a jack of all trades with a cracking reputation behind it.
However there could be a dark cloud on the BMW's horizon and it comes in the shape of the Triumph Explorer. PH2 will be testing one very soon, could it finally topple the mighty GS's supremacy?
BMW R1200GS Adventure Triple Black
Engine: 1,170cc, air-cooled, flat-twin
Power: 110hp@7,750rpm
Torque: 90ft lb@6,000rpm
Top speed: 135mph (est)
Weight: 203kg (dry)
MPG: 45
Price: £11,775
Discussion
I like them but it does make me laugh that some folk who remain strictly on road plump for an adventure over the standard GS.
When my mate did his DAS he went straight out bought an 1150 Adventure (which is fecking heavy) and proceeded to drop it almost every outing. Still it proves the aluminium panniers can take a hell of a beating and leave the bike mostly intact.
When my mate did his DAS he went straight out bought an 1150 Adventure (which is fecking heavy) and proceeded to drop it almost every outing. Still it proves the aluminium panniers can take a hell of a beating and leave the bike mostly intact.
Well they're better than most other 256kg bikes off road. Have you seen Long Way Round? The cameraman riding rings around them on a smaller Russian bike they bought after his GS broke down was quite funny
As for why people buy the Adventure, I considered one mainly for the 300+ mile fuel range as I was doing 150 miles a day at the time. Decided it was more sensible to buy a far cheaper bike in the end though.
As for why people buy the Adventure, I considered one mainly for the 300+ mile fuel range as I was doing 150 miles a day at the time. Decided it was more sensible to buy a far cheaper bike in the end though.
Kawasicki said:
I'm also confused...how can a 256kg bike be good at off roading? My 113kg KTM EXC has me struggling (and failing) to hold it up.
My mates in Texas all had GS's- even on a relatively heavy KLR650 I'd leave them for dead as they wallowed around on them off road. The only time I've ever seen one ridden properly has been on the telly. 
That said I'd rather have been on a BMW when it came to actually getting there.
On the road, or part tarmac/gravel/crumbling mountain roads not (off road) they are so capable, and surprisingly fast, massive grunt made it hard for my friends on super bikes to get away on normal roads. The only bike i've owned that was better is the Triumph Speed Triple. I was always surprised that the boys Ewan and Charley choose them for the long way round et al. equally, the amount of gear they took with them, considering they had support vehicles - Respect due for such an epic effort and adventure.
I would buy a GS, but the new Triumph could capture my heart quite easily, and by jove it's British.
I would buy a GS, but the new Triumph could capture my heart quite easily, and by jove it's British.
I'd like to see it up against the new Honda CrossTourer? Reviews have been very good, but couldn't find a direct double review.
Would love to know. To me however, these bikes are like the SUV's of bikes. The look like they can go off road, and some can, but 99% of them never will, their owners like them for the high overview position and big luggage.
Would love to know. To me however, these bikes are like the SUV's of bikes. The look like they can go off road, and some can, but 99% of them never will, their owners like them for the high overview position and big luggage.
Motorrad said:
I like them but it does make me laugh that some folk who remain strictly on road plump for an adventure over the standard GS.
At least the extra weight is less of a disadvantage!Most people choosing the big GS makes me laugh
.As for filtering - sure, 'most any bike is fine on the M25 thanks to the very wide lanes.
Take it into tight town filtering and it's a rather different matter. I've done the same commute through some pretty tight congested rush hour traffic on various bikes including my KTM690Enduro and a variety of sports bikes. The 690 was on average slower than the others thanks to the wider bars - and it's got a good bit less weight and thinner lower down than the big boxer beemer.
Ok, you don't get quite as good view on the GSXR1000 which I got to do my commute with, but when it means I can actually fit through traffic rather than seeing ahead that you can't get through, that's not something I'm worried by.
Said KTM can also take 20kg on the back easily enough - had a good chunk more than that, though really load it up and the handling does suffer a bit if you don't have an easy preload adjuster.
I've got the Safari long range tank on the KTM.
I did my first Hare and Hounds on the KTM and managed to finish when a good proportion of the field, many more experienced than me, were dropping out due to the arduous conditions that day.
Also done 3000 miles + around Europe on the KTM including plenty of off-road, some I certainly wouldn't have gone near on something like the BMW - dropping a bike down a steep rocky hill when riding solo is much less of an issue when you just need 20 seconds manouvering to get it up again.
I've taken my ratty zx9 down a greenlane and it did fine - nick sanders has managed to go around the world including plenty of off-road on an R1 and a more heavily modified R1 has placed very well in the Erzburg prologue.
The big attraction I see for the BMW is it's styling and perceived status from those that don't really know.
I do find these types of discussion largely academic.
Yes, a sports bike is faster and better at handling. Yes, a dedicated off-road bike is better off-road and yes, a tourer is better at touring. But people buy these types of thing based on image and perceived need.
And whether we like it or not, they do work and people buy them in the thousands.... Lots of worthy bikes could actually be better, but lots and lots of people buy them. Right or wrong.
Yes, a sports bike is faster and better at handling. Yes, a dedicated off-road bike is better off-road and yes, a tourer is better at touring. But people buy these types of thing based on image and perceived need.
And whether we like it or not, they do work and people buy them in the thousands.... Lots of worthy bikes could actually be better, but lots and lots of people buy them. Right or wrong.
ZesPak said:
To me however, these bikes are like the SUV's of bikes. The look like they can go off road, and some can, but 99% of them never will, their owners like them for the high overview position and big luggage.
Superbikes are like the Supecars of bikes. They look like they could win a Superbike Race, but 99% of them never will, their owners like them for looking like they can, especially if they wear the full power rangers leathers.
off_again said:
Yes, a sports bike is faster and better at handling. Yes, a dedicated off-road bike is better off-road and yes, a tourer is better at touring. But people buy these types of thing based on image and perceived need.
I see what you're trying to say but......have you ever ridden one??
Leaving the style/image/wannabe stuff to one side, you can't get away from the fact that the GS is a very easy bike to ride (comfortable, manouverable, neutral handling, reliable, blah, blah...).
Frankly, I think they're ugly but I'm now on my 2nd GS and have covered over 120,000 miles on them over the past 5yrs. I have considered other bikes but nothing even comes close as a decent all-rounder.
M
_g_ said:
At least the extra weight is less of a disadvantage!
Most people choosing the big GS makes me laugh.
The big attraction I see for the BMW is it's styling and perceived status from those that don't really know.
I know this is the interwebz and its impossible to like 2 different things but it IS possible to be a proper enthusiastic on and off-road biker and still like, and yes even own the big GS. Most people choosing the big GS makes me laugh
.The big attraction I see for the BMW is it's styling and perceived status from those that don't really know.
Your statement about the BMW and image could be said about ANY bike of ANY category: Harley Davidson, 600cc supersports, GSXR1000, BMW S1000RR, Ducati 1199, Aprilia RSV4, Kawasaki KLR650. Anything.
The only person who doesn't care about style is the bloke who rides all year on his Honda CB250 with a milk crate for a topbox. All the rest of us do care about style, image and perceived quality/reliability. If everyone rode the same thing, that would be sortof boring wouldn't it?
i'm not a GS owner, I'm 28 and into sportsbikes but I'd love to own a GS one day. I've been on a test group ride with the 2006 BMW R1200GS (non-Adv) when it came out and it was great great fun. So much character and I've never had that much pleasure going slowly before. In the last few places I've lived: Ireland, Canada, and America all the GS riders I see are serious enthusiasts who do a lot of touring on their bikes, and who aren't fazed by a bit of bad weather. Perhaps in London, you see more of the Boorman-wannabes who buy a GS Adv to commute 5 miles into town from Chelsea and Kensington.
And, original round-the-world rider Ted Simon used a BMW R80GS which weighed about 200kg stock. The BMW R1200GS weighs the same and the Adv is about 230kg dry. Yes you can adapt an R1 to go around the world but you can also ride a motorbike when its -25C but most people wouldn't want to for obvious reasons.
Mad Jock said:
Superbikes are like the Supecars of bikes. They look like they could win a Superbike Race, but 99% of them never will, their owners like them for looking like they can, especially if they wear the full power rangers leathers.
+1. I've been on TDs in the UK before (well okay just 2) and some of the guys who have been riding for 20 yrs and who ride superbikes are shockingly bad, and I say that as the worst rider of my generation! I'll never ever understand the hate that spews from some people for a particular marque or model. The guys here in Indiana who ride their Harlies lidless at 35mph to the local bar and back may not be my cup of tea but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate Harley Davidsons for what they are. The Bike isn't the rider and vice versa. Not every Ducati owner is a rich w
ker who doesn't know what Desmodromic valves are, and not every Harley owner is a RUB with a pirate fetish. I've seen guys here in the States who ride ape-hanger equipped Harlies lidless with bandana, bring their Blades to trackdays and be shockingly fast in the advanced group. Conversely I've seen AGATT 20-yrs of exp superbike riders not understand the basic principles of countersteer. Sorry for the OT rant but can't we all just learn to get along and love each other?!
BlackPrince said:
600cc supersports, GSXR1000, BMW S1000RR, Ducati 1199, Aprilia RSV4, Kawasaki KLR650.
These at least generally offer 'something' over other bikes or are similar to the competition which does, though the KLR is rather questionable apart from on price (and yes, I have owned one.)As for not caring about style I present you this and [url=http://gees.zenfolio.com/p114454765/h11f95a0c#h11f95a0c] this
. But then I wasn't specifically stating it was a bad thing choosing mostly on style, even if it was implied.While the 1200 is listed as a fair bit better on weight, it's spec still pales when put next to the KTM990 adventure which is a significantly more capable dirt bike in that weight category.
Plenty of GS owners do do big miles I don't deny. Most however would seem to do just as well or better on a road biased tourer - or, hell, a GPZ500S with some panniers
._g_ said:
At least the extra weight is less of a disadvantage!
Most people choosing the big GS makes me laugh.
As for filtering - sure, 'most any bike is fine on the M25 thanks to the very wide lanes.
Take it into tight town filtering and it's a rather different matter. I've done the same commute through some pretty tight congested rush hour traffic on various bikes including my KTM690Enduro and a variety of sports bikes. The 690 was on average slower than the others thanks to the wider bars - and it's got a good bit less weight and thinner lower down than the big boxer beemer.
Ok, you don't get quite as good view on the GSXR1000 which I got to do my commute with, but when it means I can actually fit through traffic rather than seeing ahead that you can't get through, that's not something I'm worried by.
Said KTM can also take 20kg on the back easily enough - had a good chunk more than that, though really load it up and the handling does suffer a bit if you don't have an easy preload adjuster.
I've got the Safari long range tank on the KTM.
I did my first Hare and Hounds on the KTM and managed to finish when a good proportion of the field, many more experienced than me, were dropping out due to the arduous conditions that day.
Also done 3000 miles + around Europe on the KTM including plenty of off-road, some I certainly wouldn't have gone near on something like the BMW - dropping a bike down a steep rocky hill when riding solo is much less of an issue when you just need 20 seconds manouvering to get it up again.
I've taken my ratty zx9 down a greenlane and it did fine - nick sanders has managed to go around the world including plenty of off-road on an R1 and a more heavily modified R1 has placed very well in the Erzburg prologue.
The big attraction I see for the BMW is it's styling and perceived status from those that don't really know.
I agree I wouldn't choose something as big and heavy as a 1200GS if I wanted primarily an off roader, but then I don't think they are really intended to be used that way.Most people choosing the big GS makes me laugh
.As for filtering - sure, 'most any bike is fine on the M25 thanks to the very wide lanes.
Take it into tight town filtering and it's a rather different matter. I've done the same commute through some pretty tight congested rush hour traffic on various bikes including my KTM690Enduro and a variety of sports bikes. The 690 was on average slower than the others thanks to the wider bars - and it's got a good bit less weight and thinner lower down than the big boxer beemer.
Ok, you don't get quite as good view on the GSXR1000 which I got to do my commute with, but when it means I can actually fit through traffic rather than seeing ahead that you can't get through, that's not something I'm worried by.
Said KTM can also take 20kg on the back easily enough - had a good chunk more than that, though really load it up and the handling does suffer a bit if you don't have an easy preload adjuster.
I've got the Safari long range tank on the KTM.
I did my first Hare and Hounds on the KTM and managed to finish when a good proportion of the field, many more experienced than me, were dropping out due to the arduous conditions that day.
Also done 3000 miles + around Europe on the KTM including plenty of off-road, some I certainly wouldn't have gone near on something like the BMW - dropping a bike down a steep rocky hill when riding solo is much less of an issue when you just need 20 seconds manouvering to get it up again.
I've taken my ratty zx9 down a greenlane and it did fine - nick sanders has managed to go around the world including plenty of off-road on an R1 and a more heavily modified R1 has placed very well in the Erzburg prologue.
The big attraction I see for the BMW is it's styling and perceived status from those that don't really know.
Have you ever had a proper ride on one, on road and in different conditions?
then you need to get riding more, where do you live, you should try enduroland for some practive, i have a 450 exc and its a doddle to handle
Kawasicki said:
I'm also confused...how can a 256kg bike be good at off roading? My 113kg KTM EXC has me struggling (and failing) to hold it up.
I have had a few GS's in my time
I have been across Africa, off roading, on the road, on dunes etc etc on one
They are heavy and difficult to handle in certain circumstances. Fire tracks, flat tracks etc these are great but heavy stuff like ruts then it's hard going.
They are multi purpose and tbh not really a true off road bike; they built the HP2 enduro and this was never an off roader either.
I now stick to the the road on it and have a dedicated bike for off road stuff; horizontal twins are crap in ruts :-)
They are comfy, have a decent distance tank, their good for two up and carrying sheds loads of gear; someone mentioned that the 990 Adventure was better suited for such off roading tasks, I have met quite of few on my travels that suggest otherwise ;-)
I have been across Africa, off roading, on the road, on dunes etc etc on one
They are heavy and difficult to handle in certain circumstances. Fire tracks, flat tracks etc these are great but heavy stuff like ruts then it's hard going.
They are multi purpose and tbh not really a true off road bike; they built the HP2 enduro and this was never an off roader either.
I now stick to the the road on it and have a dedicated bike for off road stuff; horizontal twins are crap in ruts :-)
They are comfy, have a decent distance tank, their good for two up and carrying sheds loads of gear; someone mentioned that the 990 Adventure was better suited for such off roading tasks, I have met quite of few on my travels that suggest otherwise ;-)
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