Drove: BMW R 1200 GS
At first glance, the good old GS doesn't look much different from the last one that got a facelift two years ago. Unlike the refurbishment of the time, which was given only a few more aggressively styled plastic accessories in the style of the more rugged Adventure model and increased power from 100 to 105 “horsepower” with the help of engine electronics, this time the engine was not only refurbished, but also replaced.
In fact, to put it simply, they borrowed the engine from the R1200S sports model. The concept, of course, has remained unchanged, as the boxing engine is part of the legend and contributed most to the great Bavarian's success. But just as the competition continues, it is clear that BMW's development department is not idle either.
1.170-cylinder engine with a volume of 81 cc The air-oil-cooled CM has a new cylinder head with four valves per cylinder and is now capable of developing 110 kW or 7.750 "horsepower" at a moderate 120 rpm. But the power was not derived from the torque or the power curve. With 6.000 Nm of torque at XNUMX rpm, this is a very flexible motor!
I confess, if you list at least three of the differences in the appearance of the new GS, I'm paying for the beer! No kidding. Most will not separate the predecessor from the current model at all. But she will surely tear him apart when he hits the boxer with his deep, muffled bass.
The engine sound is clearly more masculine and even more pleasing to the ear, and, you won't believe it, it still pulls the bike to the right when you crank the throttle lever into place. But well, these are the features that you accept, and they make you sympathetic or so distracting that they distract from the motorcycle.
Even the distinctive and highly recognizable appearance, completely copied by all competitors, has either very loyal followers or none at all. There are very few riders who are in the middle and can't decide if they like the GS's look.
And the answer to the question of how much the new is better than the old becomes clear after the first few kilometers. The engine, which has received a lot of praise so far, pulls even better, its power is increased more continuously, which is further enhanced by the torque. While you can also be faster on the road with today's heavy traffic, it hardly matters anymore. More importantly, it is now even easier to drive a pleasant smooth ride and turn the string around the corner in a pleasant rhythm.
Driving the GS is just addictive, so you will drive over and over and over, from one pass to the next, and a little further into the Dolomites and the French Alps, and I could go on and on.
The GS penetrates under your skin as it pampers you with a very good connection between your right wrist and a pair of e-fuel injection nozzles. Gas dosing is gentle, without jamming and squealing.
A lot of power will also come in handy for anyone who travels a lot together and with luggage. When we first got to know the bike, we have not tested this yet, but it will be in more detail. Even in terms of fuel consumption, despite the higher power, we did not notice that the engine would feel more thirsty. In moderate driving, the computer showed 5 liters per 5 kilometers on an extremely saturated information display.
Additional peace of mind on the way was given by the distance indicator, which can still be driven with the remaining fuel. At 20 liters, it's a good long-distance traveler where you don't have to worry about where the next gas station is hiding around the corner, and you just enjoy the ride for a longer period of time.
The pleasure of the motorcycle is not only the result of a more powerful and flexible engine, but also an improved, partially integrated, switchable ABS and rear wheel skid prevention system. The test bike was equipped with everything from a wide range of dynamic safety accessories.
The brakes are top-notch and extremely powerful, and the ABS is the best we've tested so far in this large passenger class, although the four-bar calipers should fit well into the pair of front discs; Last but not least, such a GS with a full tank of fuel weighs almost 230 kilograms.
The suspension does its job well, too. We must say right away that it is not suitable for off-road adventures, except perhaps undemanding overcoming of a cart and paths made of rubble. And, undoubtedly, it is bought out on an asphalt road. Every BMW of the later era, when it comes to modern motorcycle, boasts a good position on the road, but this one is simply the best of the very good.
To date, he has not ridden a touring enduro that makes turns with greater precision, reliability, peace of mind, and predictability. The front arm and rear arm have been upgraded with the intelligent enduro ESA program. So, this is a well-known shorthand for BMW ESA, which has been adapted to some extent for use on touring enduro bikes, but it mostly has to do with pressing a button to determine what kind of suspension you want at the moment.
Perhaps softer, more suitable for off-roading, harder for a sportier ride, or for two passengers and luggage. In short, the choice is overwhelming as the ESA enduro offers six basic settings, followed by five more off-road settings. It is nothing new to write about the driving experience, they discovered a great formula here many years ago and we can only confirm that the feeling is great, very relaxed and the posture is not tiring.
Of course, a great seat also contributes by offering sufficient comfort to both the driver and front passenger. Wind protection above 130 km / h could be slightly higher, but this is also a well-known drawback, which, despite many positive features, is somehow pushed back.
Due to the price of 13.500 euros for the completely basic model, of course, we cannot talk about a bargain, as there are competitors that are much cheaper, but on the other hand, we also find more expensive ones in the price list. But when calculating, keep in mind that accessories are also worth something. For someone who can buy it in our time, we can afford it with all our hearts, but at the same time we admit that he "paints" us a little green. Ah, this Slovenian envy.
First impression
Appearance 4/5
The GS is interesting, still fresh, and different enough to grab attention. But there is certainly room for improvement.
Motor 5/5
This one deserves an excellent mark, after school they said "sit down, five"! It has more power and torque, is extremely flexible and pleasant to use. Pleased with a fairly moderate fuel consumption.
Comfort 4/5
Before the excellent rating, it exhausts some protection from winds above 130 km / h. Otherwise, we did not find a black dot when driving on country roads. Sits comfortably and rides comfortably.
Price 3/5
While you're only looking at what's on sale, forget about the GS - it's never had a major price cut in its entire history. It's not cheap, but on the other hand it offers a lot, especially if you're willing to deduct something more for accessories. Your list is very, very long!
First class 4/5
It could be perfect, maybe so, but at the moment these are not the best economic options, it is still unattainable for many, as it costs as much as a solid lower middle class car. Well, no matter what, we can only congratulate BMW on improving the best touring enduro on the market.
Petr Kavčič, photo: Aleš Pavletič, BMW
