BMW R 1200 GS (K25)

Built:2004-12200420052006200720082009201020112012

The BMW R1200GS is undoubtedly one of the most popular bikes. That's why it's so common on our roads in a variety of model variants. The R1200GS is also the machine that has found its way into the clutches of our test team in MOTORRADTEST.de. This time we took a motorcycle from 2010 to our chest and try as always to uncover the strengths and weaknesses of this two-wheeled base for you.

Introduction

When BMW Motorrad introduced the R 80 G/S in the autumn of 1980, the biker community wanted to provide a machine that copes equally well on the off-road and on the road. This project can only be described as successful, because the GS in the name is still a guarantee for touring and off-road suitability, and without having to accept any compromises in everyday use. It was certainly not possible to foresee that this step could be maintained as a concept of success over several decades and could be carried on intensively. However, over the years, BMW Motorrad has always ensured that the advantages of the Boxer GS models are constantly being developed and transferred to newer BMW Motorrad series. The state of development of our test machine is that of 2010. Compared to the previous model, in addition to a slightly more dainty exterior, it brings a little more power and a little more torque.

significant technical changes and price developments of the GS from 2004 to 2010:

2004 Market launch, 98/100 hp at 7000 rpm, 115 Nm at 5500 rpm Colours: desert yellow, rock red, ocean blue metallic. Price: 11,500 Euro
2005 Low bench (810 mm) and white indicators available as optional equipment (SA). Price: 11700 Euro.
2006 Instrument combination with segmented display; Increase in permissible total weight (435 instead of 425 kg); Elimination of warning flashing system button; new color: granite grey metallic. Price: 12,050 Euro
2007 On-board computer with oil level Warner as SA; Loss of ocean blue metallic; new color: Night black. Price: 12,360 Euros
2008 Service date notice on display; from 2/08: model revision, 105 hp at 7500 rpm, 115 Nm at 5750 rpm, wider usable speed range (max. 8000 rpm); revised gearbox; new: aluminium handlebars, hand protectors, bench, cladding; Enduro-ESA as SA; new colors: titanium silver metallic, slate dark metallic matte, tansanite blue, Namibiaorange. Price: 12,500 Euro
2009 LED indicators as SA; Extension of the comfort and touring package with LED indicators; third vehicle key as standard. Price: 12,800 Euros
2010 Technical revision: DOHC boxer engine, 110 hp at 7750 rpm, 120 Nm at 6000 rpm, wider usable speed range (max. 8500/min), electronically controlled exhaust flap; new accessory headlights (LED); new colors: Ostra grau-Metallic matt, Alpine white, Magma Red, Sapphire Black Metallic. Price: 13,000 Euros

This is how she drives herself

Well, what do you think? Right - JUST PRIMA!!! Just as it should be for a GS, you feel at home on the machine quite quickly, despite your size and weight. Everything is clear, sensible and very valuable. But not only the seating comfort (you perch majestically over the road), but also the extra-class boxer sound convince us right away. And although you can probably see more retrofitted than original exhaust systems on the roads, the usually cost-intensive exchange is not absolutely necessary, at least from an acoustic point of view, especially with the 2010 model.

Like its predecessors, the 2010 GS offers an almost perfect synthesis of off-road and on-road properties. The torsion-resistant chassis, the front wheel guide with telelever and the rear wheel guide with Paralever ensure excellent and safe driving characteristics. The brakes also work reliably and, in conjunction with the optional Integral ABS, ensure the desired safety even in critical driving situations. Our test machine already has well over fifty thousand kilometers on the watch, which is by no means unusual after eight years. Nevertheless, the motorcycle still feels very good. There's nothing rattling, there's nothing slackened and there's nothing broken! Of course, all recalls were also completed. Of course, a GS also has your vulnerabilities, the fix of which is usually not cheap. Anyone who has, for example, had a repair of the ABS control unit or the replacement of the foil tank sensor (sometimes several times) is behind it, knows what we are talking about.