Test: BMW R 1200 GS Adventure
Last year it was an adventure with our western neighbors. another best-selling motorcycle, just after the regular R 1200 GS. Not much worse, as the R 1200 GS name (along with Adventure) comes right after ten scooters, maxi scooters and the "popular" Honda CBF. Competitors (KTM 990 Adventure, Moto Guzzi Stelvio, Yamaha Super Tenere) are far away, the nearest one is Varadero, which ranks 25th among the most registered motorcycles and scooters.
What is the secret of the recipe for this seemingly inconsistent and technically outdated (I emphasize once again, protruding air-cooled rollers - at first glance, not quite synonymous with technical progress) motorcycle for honey? And don't apologize, please, on (otherwise very much) BMW marketingincluding, according to some fabricated stories, the Long Way Down and the Long Way Round (Ewan McGregor and Charlie Burman are said to have helped them on their adventures comparable to those on Dakar).
But what about all this mass of people traveling around the world - what about them, they have a set of keys in their suitcases, oil and spare bearings instead of a sleeping bag, tent, water and a spare "revolver"? The numbers don't lie – G.S. is the king of his class. But this does not mean that because of this, everyone should like him in turn.
For example, the owners of orange twin-cylinder bombers are the most critical of the GS. Basically they claim that their 990 Adventure is at least two classes better, that the GS is heavy, bulky, boring and, I know, more. However, I won't argue that this is somewhat false - as we found out in last year's comparison test, KTM and BMW are hardly comparable, because they are aimed at a completely different audience. LC8 with African roots for a more sporty (maybe even demeaning) GS for the more relaxed traveler... Especially when it comes to the Adventure version.
The meaning of the word does not need to be translated, but we will tell you how the Adventure differs from the classic GS: it has a larger fuel tank (33 instead of 20 liters), engine protection, cylinders and a fuel tank, two centimeters longer. suspension movement, eight kilograms more than the permissible load (219 kg) and 20 kilograms more weight compared to a "dry" motorcycle. Is this why driving is more difficult? Yes, Al, that sounds pretty crap to me. It looks like BT doesn't work for me either. Absolutely not.
Thanks to the excellent weight distribution, great feel on the throttle lever, and the friendly demeanor of the boxing machine, it's not difficult to navigate it between a standing tin snake in Trieste on a Friday at XNUMX pm. Everything is standing, and you are with suitcases at a snail's pace between them. It's nice, especially if the target is already somewhere in the south... The adventure is so big that the helmet of the motorcyclist is higher than the roof of the Renault Scenic while riding, but when the motorcyclist gets up, he can flirt with the students in the "troll". On wide and notched pedals, he stands steadily and relaxed behind a fairly high-mounted steering wheel.
Let's get down to business - how many SUVs are there in the 256-kilogram Brdavihow much weight are you ready to ride with a full tank of fuel? We went to the motocross track to try it out.
We removed the suitcases with lockable (possibly because they were still new) locks, pressed the ABS / ESA button to disengage the anti-lock braking system, and adjusted the suspension so that the mountain symbol and HARD lettering appeared on the digital dashboard. ... No screwdriver or spring wrench, just a button on the left side of the dashboard. In this mode, the electronics allows a slight rotation of the rear wheel at idle, which is impossible in other programs, and the motorcycle swallows holes more gently.
And off it went? Yes. Slowly otherwise, since the BMW suspension does not follow the ground on short successive bumps as we would like, we also made sure, with all due respect to Bavarian technology, that the wheels above the tables never get off the ground.
Adventure can do a lot, not just rage. For such purposes, an 800cc GS is better suited, and even better, a single-cylinder enduro or motocross rocket. With the latter, a good rider can complete a lap in Brnik in a minute and 40 seconds, while with Adventure (without a single jump and with calm right on the bumps!) it took him three minutes, a second up or down. So the SUV is definitely not.
But you walk the world with a "crossbow"!
text: Matevž Gribar photo: Aleš Pavletič, Matevž Gribar
__________________________________________________________________________________
Intense thirst
Compared to the conventional R 1200 GS, which consumes between five and six liters, the Adventure burns one liter more. Consumption in the test ranged from 6,3 to seven liters of unleaded gasoline. The reason is evident in the greater weight and larger area of the windshield due to the windshield and side housings. However, the range with a 33-liter fuel tank can be over 500 kilometers.
Test motorcycle accessories (prices in euros):
Safety package (RDC, ABS, ASC) 1.432
Equipment 2 (chrome exhaust system, ESU, heated levers, on-board computer, additional headlights,
white LED turn signals, suitcase holders) 1.553
Alarm device 209
Side case 707
Face to face: Urban Simoncic, happy owner, Suzuki V-Strom 1000
At first, I was terrified of how the hell I was going to manage such a big cow. But when I was driving, I was struck by the ease of operation. The feeling of bulkiness is instantly lost, and the motorcycle will undoubtedly come in handy in the city. The only downside, if you can even call it that, is that the wind protection is too good, as in the heat I let more drafts through my body. I would personally remove the two smaller plastics and that would be MY bike.
Brnik works!
After years of neglect, the motocross track is open again all days of the week except Mondays and is groomed at least once a week with beautiful landscaping. You can find it right at the Brnik and Shenchur exit from the Ljubljana-Kranj motorway. The contact person is supermoto racer Uros Nastran (040/437 803).
Basic data
Base model price: 15.250 €
Test model cost: 19.151 €
Technical information
engine: two-cylinder opposed, four-stroke, air / oil cooled, 1.170 cm³, 4 valves per cylinder, electronic fuel injection
Power: 81 kW (110 km) at 7.750 rpm
Torque: 120 Nm at 6.000 rpm
Energy transfer: 6-speed gearbox, chain
Frame: steel tubular, engine as a load-bearing element
brakes: front two discs Ø 305 mm, 4-piston brake caliper, rear disc Ø 256 mm, two-piston brake caliper.
Suspension: front telescopic arm, tube Ø 41 mm, travel 210 mm, rear parallel arm with aluminum swivel arm for one hand, travel 220 mm
Tires: 110/80R19, 150/70R17
Growth: 890 / 910 mm
Fuel tank: 33
Wheelbase: 1.510 mm
Weight: 256 kg (with fuel)
We praise and reproach
torque, power, engine response
Transmission
stability
ease of use
ergonomics
comfort
sound
clumsiness in the field
lockable locks on suitcases
price with accessories
