BMW R1200GS Adventure Bike Overview
The flagship GS, the R1200GS Adventure, takes the original go anywhere GS attitude and super-sizes it with a bigger fuel tank, longer-travel suspension for the roughest roads, larger serrated off-road style footrests and a whole host of rider comfort features.
If you’re after the ultimate long-range bomber that’s tougher than a Tonka toy, this is it.
The boxer-twin powered GS has been around in various guises since 1980 so large, rugged dual-purpose bikes are well ingrained in the GS DNA.
It’s a long evolution that has resulted in a bike that while unique to ride has a massively broad appeal with all manner of riders favouring the GS, from dispatchers to commuters, to touring types and fire-road fanatics. Along with the standard GS, it’s been dubbed the ‘two-wheeled Range Rover’ with good reason.
A 300+ mile tank range means London to Edinburgh in one hit is feasible, and with a plethora of high quality luggage solutions available from brands such as Touratech as well as genuine BMW options, this really is a bike built to live up to its name with a pedigree like no other adventure bike.
Some of the GS’s success is doubtless thanks in part to the inspirational televised exploits of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman and the duo’s the epic Long Way Round and Long Way Down adventures, but in the main the sheer ability of this rugged German has won it a lot of fans, all over the world.
Models have evolved over the years with liquid-cooling from 2013 and ever-increasing electronic rider aids finding their way onto later bikes.
Early Adventures have aged well, both in terms of condition and styling with 15-year-old bikes still looking good and running well. Expect to pay around £5,500 for a high-mileage early model up to around £15,000 for a fully-loaded year-old machine.
Find out more about the BMW R1200GS Adventure now…
BMW R1200GS Adventure Bike Spec
- Capacity1170cc
- Top speed120mph
- Weight203kg
- Average fuel consumption36mpg
- Seat height850mm
- EngineFour stroke, 4v
BMW R1200GS Adventure Bike Insurance
BMW R1200GS Adventure Bike Gallery
Owner Reviews
Pros
The bike handles superbly and goes like the Clappers! It is a five in one, the riding / Suspension modes are brilliant like having five different bikes in one.
Cons
The paint finish on the frame / centre stand could be much better!
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Great for long rides, great riding position.
Feels bulletproof.
Stops on a sixpence.
Superb power delivery handling.
High oodles of power on command wrung rings round sportier bikes.
Servicing at main dealer is a bit on the expensive side.
Pros
When You ride you feel very safe, looks big and heavy but is light and easy to ride. Good bike for all roads, wouldn't buy a different one.
Cons
Fuel level information
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Very easy in corners even with luggage and passengers
Strong, reliable
Fuel level information
Good German job
Pros
Sheer road presence of this bike is great, LED running lights and fogs along with the size of this bike just say "get out of my way"! Comfort is exceptional and the ability to carry enough gear to fill a Kardasian size suitcase and still have plenty power on tap make for a very capable machine. I already know that my next bike will be a GSA. Moving from a sports bike and feeling like a "bear shagging a rabbit" if you can pardon my bluntness? I have found the GSA'S to be a revelation, comfortable, responsive, well made (in my experience). I am 6ft 2" and built like a Geordie out door lavatory so the size of the GSA is perfect for me, I have toured the UK and Europe on these bikes and wouldn't want to do so on anything else.
Cons
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The GSA is heavy when stationary but is so well balanced that at times it feels like a super moto in the twisty's. Various suspension modes allow you to adjust to find your preference.
Lots of torque and never felt lacking in power, the engine remap modes are useful at times. Gear box is industrial but not enough that it detracts from the bike.
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I have heard mixed opinions from others but I always look after and maintain my bikes and cannot fault the quality or the support of the BMW brand.
Brakes are Brembo and are first class even when coming down the side of a mountain fully loaded.
Pros
Great bike , will happily get another one
Cons
The satnav months obscures the Speedo and taco, also the Speedo is difficult to read
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Electronic suspension, set it up and just ride
125bhp more than enough
The satnav months obscures the Speedo and taco, also the Speedo is difficult to read
No problems at 2 years old, still looks nice and shiny
Good breaks, but you do need to change the OEM tyres as the Michelin Anike 3s are crap in the wet
Pros
Does what it says on the tine. Easy to ride and good looking bike.
Cons
Maybe cheaper service costs, as I do high miles and it's serviced every 6k soons adds up.
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Love the quick shift up and down saves a lot of messing around in London traffic
1200cc fast enough for a commuting bike
Maybe cheaper service costs, as I do high miles and it's serviced every 6k soons adds up.
No problems as yet...
8k of the back brake pad and still on the same front from new at 11k
Pros
Good tank range enables me to catch up with my mates when they refuel. A very comfortable bike that gives a good riding position and provides good protection from the elements - it also has good presence on the road due to its overall size.
Cons
Better rust protection for the frame.
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Better rust protection for the frame.
The frame has a tendency to rust and needs painting
Pros
Its versatility. A wonderful workhorse with a massive amount of load carrying capacity, brilliant for commuting, holidays and bike days
Cons
A little bit more load carrying capacity.
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A little bit more load carrying capacity.
Pros
Excellent formula for a bike
Cons
Speedo could be clearer. Gears a bit clicky to begin with.
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Comfort all the way
Bullet proof
Speedo could be clearer. Gears a bit clicky to begin with.
Good but not as good as Honda
Stops every time
Pros
This is the best bike I have ever owned. Every other bike is a compromise….can't go off road, not great on road, can't carry big loads, not comfortable on long journeys…..the R1200 GSA literally does it all. Really well.
Cons
Honestly, I can't think of anything I would change! I really love this bike.
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It's a heavy bike... until it's moving. Then it is light, agile and can climb mountains. The clutch is amazingly light.
All the horses you can use.
Honestly, I can't think of anything I would change! I really love this bike.
Have only had the clutch slave cylinder replaced under warranty. BMW have been brilliant.
Brembo brakes with superb stopping power. It inspires confidence.
Pros
Tried many alternative adventure bikes, but none come close to the best in class. Go anywhere in comfort. All day touring.
Cons
BMW optional tank bag is poor compared to previous model. It is not waterproof.
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BMW optional tank bag is poor compared to previous model. It is not waterproof.
Pros
I love the stability of the bike. I found it very easily to control it on the corners. I'm using it daily to commute to work (180 miles round trip), when I'm going in holiday and I love it. I will recommend it for long or short trips. It's an excellent bike.
Cons
Power. The 08 adv is not as power full as the new ones. A bit of more ph will be nice to have
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Excellent
Will be nice to have a bit more power. As well, sometimes I feel that has an hesitation when you accelerate.
Power. The 08 adv is not as power full as the new ones. A bit of more ph will be nice to have
Excellent
Good brakes