BMW R1200GS (2017 - 2018) Review

If you decide you fancy a 2017-2018 BMW R1200GS adventure bike, you’d better be prepared to do some serious research first. There are versions upon versions to choose from. In the road-biased side, you can opt for the standard model, a TE or a TE Exclusive. If you fancy tackling the dirty stuff, there’s the Rallye and the Rallye TE.

Then of course there’s the BMW R1200GS Adventure, which comes in a bewildering choice of five different spec levels of its own.

The standard BMW GS 1200 comes with hand-guards, pannier fastenings and switchable riding modes. If you step up to the TE you get electronic suspension (ESA), cruise control, ABS, dynamic traction control (DTC), better onboard computer and a whole host of other goodies. The TE Exclusive has the same spec as the TE, but comes in “Iced Chocolate” paint and gold calipers (a staggering £305 addition).

The Rallye is the off-road biased version of the R1200GS and comes with sporty upgrades to the pegs, seat, screen and wheels. You also get automatic stability control (ASC), radiator and frame guards and knobbly tyres.

The Rallye TE gets you all of that, plus DTC, LED lights… still reading? There’s a complete list of features in the ‘Equipment’ section of the review.

The next generation ESA and DTC both increase comfort and safety, while the automatic pre-load adjuster will make a huge difference if you’re always adding luggage or a pillion. Just when you think the GS can’t get any more advanced, it does. BMW have improved on perfection, and made their flagship GS smoother and more refined than ever.

The Rallye version takes the fear out of off-roading and bridges the gap between the standard GS and the big Adventure. It goes as well as it looks, is superbly purposeful and looks set to be hugely popular with adventure riders but in full spec it’s an expensive bike to risk riding over rocks.

In 2018 the R1200GS went off sale, replaced by the BMW R1250GS.

For 2017 BMW added clever self-levelling next generation ESA and improved the DTC. Previously you could change the damping on the move to soft, medium and hard but now the damping is adjusted automatically, adapting to your riding by reading numerous sensors such as lean angle, brake pressure, speed, pitch and more.

In basic terms the ESA is always re-adjusting automatically and keeping the bike level. Brake heavily into a turn and it will increase damping at the front; accelerate hard and it will increase damping on the rear. Over bumps and imperfections, the ride is truly impressive.

You have two choices: the standard road version or the off-road version, which means opting for off-road biased rubber. You can then add sports suspension, with increased spring rate, longer struts and extended travel that push the seat height to 900mm, 20mm higher than standard.

The taller Rallye with sports suspension increases the ride height and improves the bikes off-road abilities. You have to make allowances for the off-road rubber and tall stance on the road, but it makes perfect sense off-road.

The new self-levelling ESA suspension means all the damping is done automatically and pre-load is automatically adjusted (at a standstill). Off road the new GS Rallye compliments the average rider while more inexperienced riders can rely on the clever off-road biased rider aids.

However, if you ride hard enough, the ESA makes it hard to feel the tyres working in corners. But you soon learn to trust the cornering ABS or excellent DTC, which is now lean angle sensitive.

The partially water-cooled Boxer motor remains unchanged for 2017 despite now being compliant with Euro 4. This mean peak power is still 125bhp@7700rpm with peak torque of 92.2 ftlb@6500rpm.

With its excellent fuelling and drive BMW made a big step with the Boxer engine when they updated it in 2013.

Re-sale values are high because BMW’s reliablity and service are top level. This GS continues their high level of quality, feeling robust and secure.

Our BMW R1200GS owners' reviews show some very fond owners, but also those who say the bike itself and looking after it are too expensive.

In June 2017 BMW made a change to fix a fault with the GS 1200's fork stanchions. Bikes built before this should have been fixed under warranty when a recall was issued.

At just over £15,500 the GS TE Exclusive came fully loaded and the styling and colours gave an even greater impression of sophistication.

The base Rallye started at £12,730, which was good value for money, but our test bike was priced at a staggering £18,318 on the launch event – that’s an expensive bike to bounce over rocks.

Group test: BMW R1200GS vs Ducati Multistrada 950 vs BMW F800GS Adventure vs Ducati Multistrada 1200 vs KTM 1090 Adventure R

First published on 6 September 2017 in MCN by Adam Child

In 2017 we carried out an adventure bike mega test to crown our bike of the year in that category. It means pitting the BMW R1200GS against its F800GS stablemate, the Ducati Multistrada 950 and 1200 siblings and the KTM 1090 Adventure R.

The sheer breadth and depth of its versatility and skills means that the KTM 1090 Adventure R is our adventure bike of the year. It dominated the off-road sections and it didn’t let itself down on the tarmac, either. It’s light, fun and punchy, has excellent brakes and is reasonably comfortable.

At just over £12,000 it’s not smashing the budget either. Second spot goes to the Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro. It has more gadgets, more power and more rider aids as standard, but is also the most expensive on test.

Close behind is the BMW R1200GS in third. It’s great for touring and easy to ride on and off-road. Then comes its smaller brother, the F800GS. – it’s punchy, roomy and easy to ride with real off-road potential. And that leaves the Multistrada 950. It may have won its class shootout, but was out-gunned in this test.

At £15,564 the TE Exclusive we tested comes fully loaded with a new style package, Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic ESA, LED headlights, keyless ignition, daytime riding lights, hill start control, on-board computer, shift assist, Dynamic riding modes, GPS preparation, chrome exhaust, heated grips, tyre pressure control, cruise control, hand guards, LED indicators, ABS Pro and fairing fasteners.

The standard Rallye comes with radiator and frame guards, wide enduro pegs, single seat, sports windscreen, cross spoked wheels, riding modes, ASC, hand guards and fairing fasteners.

The Sport comes with additional Dynamic traction control, LED headlights, daytime riding lights, hill start control, additional dynamic riding modes, chrome exhaust, heated grips, tyre pressure control, LED indicators and ABS Pro.

Our Rallye test bike had also been ridden through the accessories catalogue and was equipped with the additional premium package (£1645) which includes Dynamic ESA, keyless ignition, on board computer Pro, GPS bracket and cruise control.

Furthermore, the sports suspension adds £290 and the lovely sounding Akrapovic exhaust adds another £860. Then add the engine protection (£322), cylinder head covers (£188), headlight guard (£87), adjustable back brake lever (£111), milled HP levers up front (£95 each) and it’s starting to look pricey.

The standard model starts at a more palatable £12,730 but our test bike was spec’d to the value of £18,318!