Manufactured in Berlin, Germany, the BMW R 1200 GS, all through its production period, flew the GS flag very high, as the bread and butter motorcycle series of the BMW Motorrad — the motorcycle brand of the BMW Group. Notably, its sales success wasn’t happenstance, as it is impeccably crafted, with the best of production technology in BMW Motorrad’s arsenal.
Launched in 2004 as the successor to the R 1150 GS, the R 1200 GS is built as a dual-sport motorcycle, making it street-legal and ideal for both on and off-road use. At some point, the model accounted for about 30% of BMW’s annual production, and it also remains one of its best-selling models ever. For its significance, we’ve highlighted some attributes that make the BMW R 1200 GS such a massive fan favorite.
9 Power Source
The R 1200 GS gets its power supply from a tested and proven air/liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder, four-stroke DOHC boxer engine with an output of 125 horsepower at 7,750 rpm. Displacing 1170 cc, this engine is fitted with a balancer shaft, wet-sump lubrication, and has a maximum torque of 92 lb-ft of torque.
The powertrain also features a 6-speed manual transmission. Also, the motorcycle uses electronic fuel injection with a ride-by-wire throttle system and has a top speed of 130.8 mph.
8 Riding Modes
The Ride Modes are also another great and interesting reasons why we love the BMW R 1200 GS. Available mainly as the “Rain” and “Road” as the standard modes, the Rain option makes the motorcycle cruise smoothly, while the Road option is more direct, adapting the acceleration and the traction control to the type of road.
Furthermore, the riding modes can be personalized to the motorcyclist’s preferred settings through the Dynamic, Enduro, and Enduro Pro mode options.
7 Dynamic ESA
There’s also the new Dynamic ESA generation which delivers more stability, performance, comfort, and safety during rides. Through the aid of sensors mounted both on the front and the rear wheels, the Dynamic ESA can determine the direction of the wheels, and help in the adjustment of the damping system.
Automatic load leveling is another feature of the new Dynamic ESA, and this helps to keep the R 1200 GS in the optimal riding position.
6 Safety & Ride Assist Features
Safety and ride assist components are essential in modern motorcycles, and the BMW R 1200 GS has a host of them. The engine kill switch is a particularly great feature — as an emergency safety feature, the kill switch is a knob fitted on the right handlebar and can be used to cut off power to the engine during an emergency.
The motorcyclist is also assisted by several indicators on the gauge cluster such as the fuel warning indicator, gear indicator, low oil indicator, and low battery indicator among others.
5 Exclusive Style
Screaming elegance, the goal of the Exclusive Style is simply for a visually appealing exterior demeanor. More of a showoff motorcycle, the Extreme Style is for GS enthusiasts who are constantly on the move, as it provides the rider with extra confidence courtesy of its alluring stance.
The style features an iced chocolate metallic finishing on the front wheel guard and tank cover, with GS lettering legibly inscribed on the tank. It has gold brake calipers, a gray frame, and a black drivetrain. Also, the seat is extra comfortable.
4 Rallye Style
The Rallye Style, unlike the Exclusive, is built to deliver a heightened off-road experience to every GS enthusiast. Finished stylishly in Lupin blue metallic, the Rallye Style offers unwavering off-road extras as standard or as optional features.
The color combinations for the Rallye Style are inspired by the BMW motorsport colors, and it also features black spoke wheels. Notably, the Rallye Style was inspired by feedback from several years of participation in BMW Safari and Safari Enduro events.
3 Hill Start Control
There are a plethora of riding assist features in motorcycles, however, the Hill Start Control in the BMW R 1200 GS is among the most enjoyable of them all. This feature heightens riding fun on inclined surfaces, and it’s ideal for mountain adventures.
While ascending or descending, the Hill Start Control partially engages the ABS brake system, which automatically holds the pressure in the rear brake. Thus, this eliminates the need to frequently actuate the brake lever, to stop the bike from rolling backward.
2 Dynamic Connectivity
The R 1200 GS is infused with the BMW Motorrad Connectivity feature, which gives the motorcyclist an amazing presence of mind and helps to keep tabs on the important details. Daily navigation is extremely easier with the BMW Motorrad Connectivity as it maximizes the use of multimedia through an innovative operation that connects the motorcycle, smartphone, and helmet via Bluetooth.
It’s also fitted with an upgraded TFT display for quick access to media, navigation, phone calls, and vital vehicle information.
1 Unique Equipment Packages
Furthermore, the BMW R 1200 GS is available in three unique equipment packages namely touring, comfort, and dynamic. The touring package incorporates the Dynamic ESA which makes it an ideal option for every touring adventure.
On the other hand, the comfort package focuses on riding pleasure and increased safety, by incorporating features like heated grips and tire pressure control (TPC). Lastly, the dynamic package ensures increased sporting character and riding agility with the Pro riding mode and Pro shift assistant.