BMW R1200GS
Encyclopedia
The BMW R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure are motorcycle
s 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.
and produced 100 bhp, an increase of 19%. BMW continued to produce the R1150GS Adventure, releasing a final run-out special edition model,
before launching the R1200GS Adventure at the end of 2005, for the 2006 model year
.
In 2007, upgrades were made to both models for the 2008 model year. Power was increased to 105 bhp, 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
.
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 @ 7,750 rpm.
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.
Nearly one third of the 100,000 units sold by BMW Motorrad worldwide in 2006 were R1200GS.
In 2008, the R1200GS was once again BMW's best selling motorcycle, with 22,845 standard models and 12,460 Adventure models being delivered.
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.
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.
(VOSA) has issued nine separate vehicle recalls
covering the front brakes,
anti-lock braking system
,
throttle cable,
fuel pump,
clutch,
final drive assembly,
brake pipes,
and gearbox.
Similar recalls have been issued in other countries.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s manufactured in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Germany by BMW Motorrad
BMW Motorrad
BMW Motorrad is the motorcycle brand of the German company BMW, part of its Corporate and Brand Development division. The current General Director of the unit is Hendrik von Kuenheim....
, part of the BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
group. It is one of the BMW GS family of dual sport motorcycles. Both motorcycles feature a 1,170 cc, 2-cylinder boxer engine
Flat engine
A flat engine is an internal combustion engine with multiple pistons that move in a horizontal plane. Typically, the layout has cylinders arranged in two banks on either side of a single crankshaft and is sometimes known as the boxer, or horizontally opposed engine. The concept was patented in 1896...
with 4-valves per cylinder. The Adventure features a larger capacity fuel tank and longer travel suspension.
History
At its launch in 2004, the R1200GS was 30 kg (66.1 lb) lighter than the R1150GS it replaced,and produced 100 bhp, an increase of 19%. BMW continued to produce the R1150GS Adventure, releasing a final run-out special edition model,
before launching the R1200GS Adventure at the end of 2005, for the 2006 model year
Model year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
.
In 2007, upgrades were made to both models for the 2008 model year. Power was increased to 105 bhp, a new Integral ABS II anti-lock braking system
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
was released without servo assistance and new options were added including electronic suspension
Suspension (motorcycle)
A motorcycle's suspension serves a dual purpose: contributing to the vehicle's handling and braking, and providing safety and comfort by keeping the vehicle's passengers comfortably isolated from road noise, bumps and vibrations....
adjustment (ESA) and the Automatic Stability Control (ASC) traction control system
Traction control system
A traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
.
In 2010 model year, both models had a revised cylinder head with double overhead camshaft
Overhead camshaft
Overhead cam valvetrain configurations place the engine camshaft within the cylinder heads, above the combustion chambers, and drive the valves or lifters in a more direct manner compared to overhead valves and pushrods...
, increased redline limit to 8,500 rpm, and an exhaust flap to give the exhaust a different tone. Power is increased to 110 hp @ 7,750 rpm.
Popularity
The R1200GS is the best selling motorcycle that BMW has built, on 3 August 2007 it produced the 100,000th model.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
Honda Fireblade
The Honda Fireblade is a family of sport motorcycles manufactured by Honda since 1992. The first model was designed by Tadao Baba.*CBR900RR, 1992–1995*CBR919RR, 1996–1999*CBR929RR, 2000–2001*CBR954RR, 2002–2003...
which sold 2,067 units.
Nearly one third of the 100,000 units sold by BMW Motorrad worldwide in 2006 were R1200GS.
In 2008, the R1200GS was once again BMW's best selling motorcycle, with 22,845 standard models and 12,460 Adventure models being delivered.
Ewan McGregor
Ewan Gordon McGregor is a Scottish actor. He has had success in mainstream, indie, and art house films. McGregor is perhaps best known for his roles as heroin addict Mark Renton in the drama Trainspotting , young Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy , and poet Christian in the...
and Charley Boorman
Charley Boorman
Charley Boorman is an English TV adventurer, travel writer and actor. He is well known for his association with motorcycles and enthusiasm for biking.-Education:...
, who used the Adventure model for a trip from John o' Groats
John o' Groats
John o' Groats is a village in the Highland council area of Scotland. Part of the county of Caithness, John o' Groats is popular with tourists because it is usually regarded as the most northerly settlement of mainland Great Britain, although this is not a claim made by the inhabitants...
in Scotland to Cape Agulhas
Cape Agulhas
Cape Agulhas is a rocky headland in the Western Cape, South Africa. It is the geographic southern tip of Africa and the official dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
in South Africa.
The trip was documented in a book and television series Long Way Down
Long Way Down
"Long Way Down" is a single by the Goo Goo Dolls from their breakthrough album, 1995's A Boy Named Goo. This song is often overshadowed by the low-key ballad "Name", which launched the band to household names...
.
The R1200GS was featured in several episodes the BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
television programme The Hairy Bikers' Cookbook
The Hairy Bikers' Cookbook
The Hairy Bikers' Cookbook is a BBC television cookery and travel programme, that has so far run for four series and a Christmas special...
, ridden by chefs Dave Myers and Si King.
Safety issues
The R1200GS has been affected by a number of safety issues since launch. The United Kingdom Vehicle and Operator Services AgencyVehicle and Operator Services Agency
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency is a non-departmental public body granted Trading Fund status in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Department for Transport of the United Kingdom Government.-History:...
(VOSA) has issued nine separate vehicle recalls
Product recall
A product recall is a request to return to the maker a batch or an entire production run of a product, usually due to the discovery of safety issues. The recall is an effort to limit liability for corporate negligence and to improve or avoid damage to publicity...
covering the front brakes,
anti-lock braking system
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
,
throttle cable,
fuel pump,
clutch,
final drive assembly,
brake pipes,
and gearbox.
Similar recalls have been issued in other countries.