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Whats
new on the 2010 Model?
• More dynamic engine with two overhead camshafts per
cylinder and valves in radial arrangement.
• Increase in engine output to 110 hp at 7,750 rpm and
maximum torque to 88 lb-ft at 6,000 rpm.
• Increase in maximum engine speed from 8,000 to 8,500
rpm with an even wider power band.
• Electronically controlled exhaust flap
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The BMW
R1200 GS Adventure
"For a machine of this size and weight, the agility
it attains is truly astounding."
The distance one can cover and the level of comfort is what makes
this bike, the ultimate Adventure touring motorcycle.
Craig Marshall - Rider |
Test
Ride Location
To be fair on this long distance Adventure
Touring legend, we gave it a 1600km run over 4 days including
the mountains passes of Mosselbay, Attaquaskloof Pass, Cloetes
Pass, Robinson Pass, Montagu Pass, Rooiberg Pass, Gysmanshoek
Pass, as well as the Seven Passes road between George and Knysna.
Based at Bonniedale
Holiday Farm in the Attaquaskloof, we journeyed out
daily to put the big beast through her passes, and she delivered
each time surprising me with her agility.
The variety of gravel roads and tarred passes in the region
makes it a fantastic test ride location.
Long tarred sections are a blast on the BMW R1200 GS and the
R1200 GS Adventure. We don't advocate traveling at speeds in
excess of 160km / H - but what the hell its sure is a great
way to get to the next gravel section right?? |
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| Engine
type |
Air/Oil
Cooled 4Stroke Twin-cylinder Boxer Engine. Four
radical valves per cylinder, double overhead camshaft,
central balance shaft. |
| Displacement |
1170cc |
| Bore
x stroke |
101
x 73 mm |
| Performance |
81
kW 110 hp @ 7750 rpm |
| Max.
torque |
120
Nm @ 6000 rpm |
| Compression
ratio |
12.0:1 |
| Starter/Battery |
BMS-K
/ electric |
| Fuel
System |
Electronic
intake pipe injection/digital engine management:
BMS-K with overrun fuel cut off, dual ignition |
| LubricationPrimary
drive |
Shaft |
| Cooling |
Liquid |
| Clutch |
Single
plate dry clutch, 180 mm diameter. Hydraulically
operated |
| Gearbox |
6
Speed |
| Gear
Ratios |
1.583
/ 1.259 / 1.033 / 0.903 / 0.903 / 0.805 |
| Frame |
Tubular
space frame, engine load-bearing |
| Front
suspension |
BMW
Motorrad Telelever;stanchion diameter 41 mm, central
spring strut, spring pre-load 9-times mechanically
adjustable |
| Rear
suspension |
Die-cast
aluminium single-sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad
Paralever; WAD strut (travel-related damping), spring
pre-load hydraulically adjustable to continuously
variable levels by means of handwheel, rebound damping
adjustable |
| Suspension
travel front/rear |
210mm
/ 220mm |
| Front
brake |
2x
305mm discs 2 piston calipers |
| Rear
brake |
Single
265mm disc 1 piston caliper |
| Tyres,
front/rear |
110/80
R19 / 150/70 R17 |
| Top
speed |
200.6
km/h |
| Seat
height |
890
/ 910 mm adjustable |
| Tank
capacity |
33
Litres |
| Fuel
Consumption |
16.8
km/lit |
Dry-Weight
/ Wet Weight
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223
kg / 256 kg |
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2010
BMW R 1200 GS Adventure
Download
Brochure 
Download
Rider's Manual |
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Electronically
Controlled Exhaust Flap
The exhaust system features
two manifolds with the same design, length
and diameter as the previous model, while
a modified interference pipe regulates the
change in vibration conditions in the exhaust
system. Featuring an exhaust flap controlled
by an electric motor as well as opening and
closing cables, the new 2010 BMW R
1200 GS Adventure provides a particularly
throaty boxer sound naturally in full compliance
with legal standards.
To reduce ram pressure and improve the sound
of the engine even further, the rear silencer
remains the same in design as on the former
model and comes with a completely new interior
structure. |
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Double
Over Head Cam (DOHC)
The new flat-twin engine is the same as
the Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC) engine
on the BMW HP2 Sport. In
its latest generation, the engine has been
updated and optimized for the R
1200 GS Adventure, tailored to
the specific requirements of a Adventure
riding in any variety of conditions and
temperatures. |
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Fuel
Economy:
On
the dash the fuel calculation ratio
hardly moved from 6.2L/100km. Only when sitting at prolonged
high speeds in excess of 140km/h on tarred sections, did
the consumption change to a max of 7.2L/100km.
The range of the tank is rated at around 550km on a full
tank, despite this the range indicator on the onboard computer
will show up to 640km if the tank is filled up to the plastic
insert under the fuel cap.
The piece of mind knowing you can cross vast tracks of land
without needing to re-fuel is extremely calming.
Seat Height and Comfort:
The
overall height of the 1200 GS Adventure is a minimum of
890mm and can be adjusted to 910mm for really tall riders.
Most will find the seat on the lowest setting to be perfect.
The comfort is fantastic and its narrow enough at the tank
to not bother your knees when standing up. The Pillion seat
is easily removable, making a nice flat space for strapping
on a kit bag if you don't want to use the panniers.
Weight:
Taking
into consideration the super sized fuel tank of 33 litres
and the oil coolant capacity of around 4.5 litres - the
wet weight is 256kg. This weight is not a factor to the
handling of the bike due to its low centre of gravity -
unless you encounter very soft sand. Lets face it there
has to be some limitation
with any bike of this size. The 1200GS Adventure handles
like a bike of two thirds its weight.
Wind Protection:
The
standard Adventure wind shield is superbly addequate. At
speeds of even 160 - 200km and above, the rider is perfectly
protected behind the
screen. The windshield is fitted with larger hand-bolts
for better grip for adjusting its position.
Vibration:
What
vibration? The only noticeable vibration was my heart rate
at speeds over
160km/h
- the TKC 80 knobbles are rated to a maximum speed of 160km/h
and the front end will vibrate over these speeds.
Gravel, Mud, Slippery Surfaces:
ABS
Must be switched off
ASC Must
be switched off
If you accidentally forget to de-activate the
ASC (Anti Skid Control) on
gravel or loose slippery muddy surfaces -
you will immediately notice the engine spluttering and the
yellow warning on the dash as the rear wheel begins to slip.
Stop and switch the ASC off before any surface other than
tar.
Off Road Handling & Suspension:
You have to take charge and ride
this bike as if it is a normal size. Forget the fact that
its 256kg, because it certainly doesn't feel that heavy.
The low center of gravity make handling superb, even in
the most challenging of terrain and slippery surfaces.
The addition of the Enduro ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment)
of the BMW R1200GS Adventure, offers both an on road
and off road mode by choosing specific settings for the
spring base and damping, the rider is able to adjust the
suspension even more precisely to specific needs and requirements.
When riding off road, this ensures a far smoother ride without
the disadvantages otherwise experienced on road, such as
shorter negative spring travel or greater seat height.
Road Handling:
Away
from all the had core gravel roads and rocky river crossings,
the big 1200 GS Adventure is an extremely smooth and powerful
motorcycle. This attribute is what
makes up the other half of any great
touring bike. The ability to cover vast distances in a short
space of time gives you plenty of options when planning
long distance cross country routes.
I did not find any section, even 150km legs on the N2 to
be boring or tiresome. Touring is after all about covering
distance and discovering new places.....
In fast sweeping bends and mountain pass situations the
hard sport suspension setting give maximum road holding
whilst providing rigidity for stable low angle cornering.
Be sure to take care if riding on full knobbles |
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General
Opinion:
Having been a fan of smaller lighter bikes for so many years,
I never thought I would have enjoyed riding such a large
bike as much as I did over the 1600km test ride in the Gravel
Mountain Passes of the Western Cape - I Have been re-educated
by the agility, comfort, smoothness, and shear awesome long
distance touring ability of the BMW R1200 GS Adventure.
There are many misconceptions about a 1200cc bike as an
adventure touring motorcycle. But all one has to do is actually
spend a few hundred or preferably, a few thousand kilometers
in the saddle of this bike and you too will come to the
same conclusion - An all round bike that can do the distance
in comfort as well as handle its self when the tar ends.....
is what we all want to be riding.
In actuality the only thing I found the big 1200GS
Adventure didn't like was of course soft sand.
But its a matter of accurate route planning and having the
correct sand riding technique - just encase you encounter
a few kilometers of soft sand. The rest of the planet is
perfectly ridable on the BMW R1200 GS Adventure.
. Craig
Marshall |
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