BMW R1200GS

BMW R1200GS &
R1200GS Adventure

Standard R1200GS fitted with optional Vario panniers
Manufacturer BMW Motorrad
Production R1200GS since 2004
Adventure since 2005
Predecessor BMW R1150GS
Engine 1,170 cc, 2-cylinder boxer, air/oil cooled
Bore / Stroke 101 × 73 mm (4.0 × 2.9 in)
Compression ratio 12.0:1
Power 81 kW (109 hp) @ 7,750 rpm[1]
Torque 120 N·m (89 ft·lbf) @ 6,000 rpm[1]
Transmission 6-speed, shaft drive
Suspension Front: BMW Telelever
Rear: BMW Paralever
Optional electronic adjustment
Brakes Front: Twin floating 305 mm discs, four-piston fixed callipers
Rear: Single 265 mm disc, two-piston floating calliper
Optional ABS
Tires Front: 110/80VR19
Rear: 150/70VR17
Spoked or alloy, tubeless wheels
Wheelbase 1,507 mm (59.3 in)
Dimensions L 2,210 mm (87 in)
W 935 mm (36.8 in)
H 1,450 mm (57 in)
Seat height 850 mm (33 in)
895 mm (35.2 in) - Adventure
Weight 203 kg (450 lb)
Adv: 223 kg (490 lb) (dry)
229 kg (500 lb)
Adv: 256 kg (560 lb) (wet)
Fuel capacity 20 L (4.4 imp gal; 5.3 US gal)
Adv: 33 L (7.3 imp gal; 8.7 US gal)

The BMW R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure are motorcycles manufactured in Berlin, Germany by BMW Motorrad, part of the BMW group. It is one of the BMW GS family of dual sport motorcycles. Both motorcycles feature a 1,170 cc, 2-cylinder boxer engine with 4-valves per cylinder. The Adventure features a larger capacity fuel tank and longer travel suspension.

Contents

History

At its launch in 2004, the R1200GS was 30 kg (66 lb) lighter than the R1150GS it replaced,[2] and produced 100 bhp (75 kW), an increase of 19%. BMW continued to produce the R1150GS Adventure, releasing a final run-out special edition model,[3] before launching the R1200GS Adventure at the end of 2005, for the 2006 model year.[4]

In 2007, upgrades were made to both models for the 2008 model year. Power was increased to 105 bhp (78 kW), a new Integral ABS II anti-lock braking system was released without servo assistance and new options were added including electronic suspension adjustment (ESA) and the Automatic Stability Control (ASC) traction control system.[5][6]

In 2010 model year, both models had a revised cylinder head with double overhead camshaft, increased redline limit to 8,500 rpm, and an exhaust flap to give the exhaust a different tone. Power is increased to 110 hp (82 kW) @ 7,750 rpm.[7]

Popularity

The R1200GS is the best selling motorcycle that BMW has built, on 3 August 2007 it produced the 100,000th model.[8] In 2006, the R1200GS was the best selling motorcycle in the United Kingdom. The two models had combined sales of 2,227 units, compared with the next best selling bike, the Honda Fireblade which sold 2,067 units.[9] Nearly one third of the 100,000 units sold by BMW Motorrad worldwide in 2006 were R1200GS.[9] In 2008, the R1200GS was once again BMW's best selling motorcycle, with 22,845 standard models and 12,460 Adventure models being delivered.[10]

In 2007, the bike was popularised by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, who used the Adventure model for a trip from John o' Groats in Scotland to Cape Agulhas in South Africa.[11] The trip was documented in a book and television series Long Way Down.

The R1200GS was featured in several episodes the BBC Two television programme The Hairy Bikers' Cookbook, ridden by chefs Dave Myers and Si King.[12][13]

Safety issues

The R1200GS has been affected by a number of safety issues since launch. The United Kingdom Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has issued nine separate vehicle recalls covering the front brakes,[14] anti-lock braking system,[15][16] throttle cable,[17] fuel pump,[18] clutch,[19] final drive assembly,[20] brake pipes,[21] and gearbox.[22] Similar recalls have been issued in other countries.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "R1200GS Data Sheet" (PDF). BMW Motorrad. http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/_common/jsp/download.jsp?file=http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/_common/pdf/bike/BMW_R1200GS_Datasheet.pdf. Retrieved 18 February 2010. 
  2. ^ Ash, Kevin (14 February 2007). "Lightweight boxer packs a heavy punch". Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorbikes/2726676/Lightweight-boxer-packs-a-heavy-punch.html. Retrieved 2009-01-07. 
  3. ^ "BMW Adventure special". Motorcycle News. 20 May 2005. http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/archive/86493/87362/87444/87450/?&R=EPI-87450. Retrieved 2009-01-08. 
  4. ^ "THE NEW BMW R1200 GS ADVENTURE". 29 October 2005. http://www.biker247.com/News/4106.asp. Retrieved 2009-01-08. 
  5. ^ "Traction control comes to the street from an unlikely source: BMW". American Motorcyclist Association. 13 July 2006. http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2006/BMW_ASC.asp. Retrieved 2007-08-31. 
  6. ^ Kevin Ash, BMW ASC traction control, http://www.ashonbikes.com/bmw_asc, retrieved 2010-01-03 
  7. ^ "2010 BMW R 1200 GS: Now With Dual Overhead Cams!". webBikeWorld. 5 November 2009. http://www.webbikeworld.com/BMW-motorcycles/2010-bmw-r-1200-gs/. Retrieved 15 December 2009. 
  8. ^ "BMW's 100,000th R 1200 GS". webBikeWorld (from BMW press release). 3 August 2007. http://www.webbikeworld.com/BMW-motorcycles/bmw-r1200-gs.htm?fromrss=1. Retrieved 2009-02-03. 
  9. ^ a b Ash, Kevin (2 February 2007). "Egos go for off road cred". Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorbikes/2745494/Egos-go-for-off-road-cred.html. Retrieved 2009-01-07. 
  10. ^ "BMW positive about sales figures". motorcycle.com. 22 January 2009. http://www.motorcycle.com/news/bmw-positive-about-sales-figures-87856.html. Retrieved 2 February 2009. 
  11. ^ Rayner, Tom (4 May 2007). "Long Way Down". Motorcycle News. http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2007/May/may-1-to-may-6/may0407longwaydown/?&R=EPI-90987. Retrieved 2008-12-28. 
  12. ^ "Two Hairy Bikers and one lucky winner". World of BMW. 31 May 2006. http://www.worldofbmw.com/content/article.asp?article=529&artDate=31/05/2006%2014:08:37. Retrieved 2009-01-09. 
  13. ^ Welch, Andy (18 August 2008). "Crumbs - more hairy moments". Manchester Evening News. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz/s/1063073_crumbs__more_hairy_moments. Retrieved 2009-01-09. 
  14. ^ "Recall RM/2008/019". VOSA. 12 June 2008. http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/expand.asp?uniqueID=2FB2C9140B693C4980257448004A4385&freeText=Blank. Retrieved 2009-01-07. 
  15. ^ "Recall RM/2006/020". VOSA. 14 March 2006. http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/expand.asp?uniqueID=7802F713BF36E6898025713B003ECCD2. Retrieved 2009-01-07. 
  16. ^ "Recall RM/2006/021". VOSA. 14 March 2006. http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/expand.asp?uniqueID=3931D4B7E0CCF9208025713B003F3828&freeText=Blank. Retrieved 2009-01-07. 
  17. ^ "Recall RM/2005/015". VOSA. 18 March 2005. http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/expand.asp?uniqueID=971223298BFD22C9802570450036D627&freeText=Blank. Retrieved 2009-01-07. 
  18. ^ "Recall RM/2005/016". VOSA. 4 February 2005. http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/expand.asp?uniqueID=A5DDA35C0000D4C8802570450037D9C0&freeText=Blank. Retrieved 2009-01-07. 
  19. ^ "Recall RM/2006/023". VOSA. 14 March 2006. http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/expand.asp?uniqueID=3EEE463E2EDBA5438025713B004149C9&freeText=Blank. Retrieved 2009-01-07. 
  20. ^ "Recall RM/2006/037". VOSA. 12 September 2006. http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/expand.asp?uniqueID=1E7A9935686A555A802571F1002D99D0&freeText=Blank. Retrieved 2009-01-07. 
  21. ^ "Recall RM/2008/048". VOSA. 12 September 2006. http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/expand.asp?uniqueID=040430B075E1C5DB802575070033B8DA&freeText=Blank&tx=VOSA. Retrieved 22 May 2009. 
  22. ^ "Recall RM/2008/050". VOSA. 12 September 2006. http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/expand.asp?uniqueID=50F3CCDB41A85603802575070034FC71&freeText=Blank&tx=VOSA. Retrieved 22 May 2009. 

External links