First pictures of all-new GS

These are the first official pictures of the all-new BMW R1200GS.

The bike is claimed to be the lightest and fastest incarnation of the imposing off-roader, with a new 1170cc Boxer engine. And MCN is heading out to South Africa this week for the world’s first test of the bike.

The new bike is 29kg lighter than the 1150GS it replaces, weighing in at 199kg dry. Most of the weight-loss comes from the new three-section chassis, which includes a steel trellis-style front section and rear subframe, with the engine itself making the third part of the structure. The front and rear suspension has also been on a diet, and features new geometry to improve handling.

Every R1200GS produced until September will come with ABS as standard. Anyone wishing for a non-ABS version will have to go for the current R1150GS, which will remain on sale, until around 2005. The R1200GS with ABS and free immobiliser will cost £9275 when it goes on sale in the UK.

You can read more about the bike in MCN out on Wednesday, January 14. Our first full test report will appear in the January 21 issue. But we’ll bring you our first impressions on this site, direct from the test, later this week.

If this sets you thinking about trading in your R1150GS, you’ll be excited to know we’re changing the way you can buy and sell on motorcyclenews.com. With prices of new and used bikes set to rise, this could be the time to move up to the new R1200GS.