Against Honda Cross Tourer and Kawasaki Versys 1000, had failed against the equally exceptional as potentially potent engines on the overall concepts. Against Britain and GS, the tiger of triumph, to explore strange new worlds ... to boldly go where no man has gone before. Also, they never arrived where they wanted to go, even if this first strike against the Bavarian fortress must be considered not only as a provocation, but as clean work of professionals. We have the GS do not compared to vehicles from other classes, but with vehicles in its class, and this is still defined and dominated by her.
GS defined and dominated.
Except for the overly strict charge policy - and this is assumed by the clients financially seemingly harmless - the Bavaria afford on their top sellers for a long time no more errors, so even sellers, for years the best-selling motorcycle over 500cc, worldwide. Whether cues and verbal abuse, contemptuous glances to this monument of granite they leave no trace. It waits for everyone, we also, to a fault, a small failure. Just because it tries to make us believe the advertising, and nobody needs to be perfection. We are all in search of irregularities, abnormalities and heterogeneity, expressed positively to diversity and character. From the latter, the GS was always enough for the boxers guaranteed with deep focus, unmatched pressure from below and the body and soul massaging vibrations. But overall, the GS is certainly true as the best friend of Dr. From and Mag to.
Engine, ergonomics and versatility had arrived with the last model of a point-of-no-return. Not going back, but forward is not good, keyword 'make worse'. So how to make the new generation of a 30 year old motorcycle concept to the wheels when the world has nothing to prove yourself and? Already 6 years ago BMW started to do exactly thought about it.
Cooling: technology from Formula 1
Boxer with precision cooling by liquid (35%) and air (65%), integrated gearbox under the engine in the engine block, standard slipper clutch. These things are not developed overnight and incorporates them the next morning. The air flows vertically through the cylinder, the concept to cool only the thermally highly stressed areas of the engine, derived from Formula 1 The new design of the motor with integrated gearbox had the Kardan soft, on the left side of the exhaust logically to the right. Disadvantage and the advantage is that no one is banal: you do not run when pushing more risk of burning yourself on the hot exhaust.
The performance of the boxer with 1170 cc was unchanged at 125 hp at 7,700 rev / min. and 125 Nm at 6,500 r / min. be raised. With a curb weight of 238 kilograms, including the standard Integral ABS enough power for a dominant performance on the road. The power is now accessed via drive-by-wire (electronic throttle), to improve throttle response and controllability. Today this is just like that, between rider and bike conveys the electronics. Which is also necessary if one reaches for optional accessories. As always, not cheap but worth every penny especially this time.
Who can draw on unlimited resources, which is the whole power of the GS available: ASC (Automatic Stability Control), Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) and 5 different driving modes allow the driver, engine characteristics, traction control, ABS and suspension to the respective agreed purpose. With a steeper steering head angle and a longer behaves the new neutral anyway, especially on gravel predictable and controllable, the electronic driver aids also provide an extremely high level of security.
Anyone who is not accustomed to having with the GS anno 2012, in our case in the hot Triple Black Edition really what to do. With the ABS of this generation is more likely to discourage road use, but the new one has now a firm grip on any situation. In the Enduro mode, it allows even a momentary locking of the rear wheel to initiate any drifts. (In Pro mode, the ABS is switched off completely backwards.) John also recommends to brake with ABS in off always front and rear. The chassis also reacts accordingly and keep the bike on track and on the ground. Tires in the dimensions 120/70 R19 or 170/60 R17 mounted wheels for extra charge.
Brembo monobloc. New braking level.
What was hinted in the field, was confirmed on the street. As the engine and chassis have also experienced a significant increase in performance brakes. The braking force of the radially mounted Brembo Monobloc calipers can dispense with the little finger to the point. Predicate: Attention, snappy! Not all driving modes of Rain and road, over to Dynamic Enduro and Enduro Pro could be thoroughly tested. Curious one must in any case be 1190 Adventure on the highway duel between BMW GS and KTM. The BMW R 1200 GS have presented probably the most athletic and versatile travel enduro 2 weeks, but since we knew not the GS. In Dynamic mode, the pace of the BMW namely athletic seriously. The chassis is super tight, the brakes strong, the motor sharp. So fast and so sure there was no GS, even at high speeds in the radius I gave her full confidence.
You just feel good, the ergonomics has been improved. The seat was narrower and is easily adjustable for driver and front passenger. At a height of 850-870 mm should not be far below 1.80, however, otherwise you have to order the low seat (820 mm) from the special accessories. The handlebar can be rotated for enduro operation. The wide handlebars, we have always liked and also the windshield not only looks good, but served its purpose. Visually, the Bavarians have clearly refilled, the dynamic line is fresh and fast, just a shame that it is only as an optional LED headlights with daytime running lights, a real highlight!
Photo Credit: © BMW