Motorcycle specifications BMWR 1200 GS 2018 Menu changes for GS à la carte

whether you're heading for the Defense or the Ardèche, or even the savannah, BMW wants to offer you the most suitable motorcycle. And there are three versions to choose from: a Rally version, an Exclusive edition, and a Standard version. Even if the GS was already an exceptional tool for the three destinations mentioned above, this is "the first time that the customer can opt for a more enduro type or, on the contrary, for exclusivity", according to BMW Motorrad. To achieve such versatility, the Munich-based company has called on an even more comprehensive electronics package than ever before. On-board systems are more than ever at the service of behavior. You're no longer riding on the asphalt, but on a thick carpet of electronics. Let's present the copper wires of this thick fabric one by one, but beware: it's up to you to sew it according to your desires, and unfortunately at a certain cost. All new features are only available as optional extras. So you have :

- The "Pro riding mode" option, which includes: "Dynamic & Dynamic Pro" and "Enduro & Enduro Pro" modes. Dynamic" mode offers a more dynamic throttle response. The "Enduro" mode, on the other hand, is more suited to off-road riding. It accepts slippage and smoothes out ABS and traction-control intervention. The "Pro" versions differ in that they are fully customizable.

This option also includes "DTC" dynamic traction control, which is more precise than the original system and enables more rapid acceleration. Hill Start Control is also available.

-Next generation E.S.A. (Electronically Adjustable Suspension): its role is to adapt the suspension in real time to the conditions it faces. The new generation features automatic leveling. In "Dynamic" and "Dynamic Pro" modes, it firms up the suspensions by default, while in "Enduro" and "Enduro Pro" modes, it makes their behavior much more responsive and suited to off-road excursions. The "Next Generation" E.S.A. automatically adjusts the rear suspension setting according to the weight of the motorcycle at rest (passenger or suitcase). Preload is set to maximum or minimum by default.

- Since 2018, the dashboard can be upgraded by choosing"Connectivity". A 6.5-inch full-digital TFT matrix display. Gone are the needles and the small on-board screen, which can be replaced (for a handsome purse) by a techno display, including on-board functions and info, route guidance, Bluetooth connectivity, hands-free phone system and multimedia functions.
Emergency Call has also been added to the options list.

the new standard equipment is limited to "Rain" and "Road" driving modes, as well as ASC traction control, which is less advanced than DTC. The combination of the two provides optimum traction at all times, adapted to your mood and the conditions.
In "Rain" mode, ASC is more interventionist and throttle response is smoother, adapted to slippery, soggy roads.
The "Road" mode provides optimum torque and engine response.
The GS1200 has passed the EURO 4 test with flying colors: despite a new injection system and catalytic converter, power figures remain unchanged. That's 125 bhp at 7,750 rpm and 125 Nm at 6,500 rpm. Painless. Paradoxical as it may seem, the flat-twin engine is still "primitive" (sic), despite all this electronics. No changes have been made since it became a "modern" engine with the adoption of liquid cooling in 2013. The chassis hasn't changed either. It retains its Telelever fork, which separates the damping and steering functions, and its Paralever swingarm, which responds to the constraints of its universal joint transmission. All of this is supported by the same tubular frame with load-bearing motor. Reinventing yourself when you're at the top of your game, without risking a fall, is always a laborious and, above all, tedious exercise. In the years to come, we'll see what innovations Munich's engineers have to offer to replace this already avant-garde technology.

The aesthetics and ergonomics of the Standard version have undergone a few minor changes. Overall, the thorny angles are replaced by more truncated shapes, reinforcing the bike's impression of sturdiness. The front fender, for example, has been redesigned with two squarer cut-outs, rather than the characteristic three points. The shape of the fuel tank scoops, intake trunk covers and tank side fairings have also evolved. Particular attention has been paid to the ergonomics of the fuel tank, to facilitate off-road riding.

The GS1200 is more than ever a do-it-all machine. But a good chic one, which adapts to your every whim, as long as you get out the wallet. Its looks have not been revolutionized. Its outfit has just been fine-tuned to suit its new optional equipment and missions. No risk-taking, but confirmation through optimized electronic systems

Remima - Manufacturer's photos