Equally at home off road and on, the BMW R1200GS reinvents itself…again.
Having virtually invented the adventure-touring category of motorcycling, BMW
would be inclined, one might think, to sit back and rest on the immense success
of the GS series. Far from it. The German bike maker, which garnered four
victories in the bike-destroying Paris-Dakar Rally during development of the
early GS models, has an all-new motorcycle for 2005: the BMW R1200GS.
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Like a
trusty Swiss Army knife, the GS has always enjoyed a militaristic functionality
with regard to its looks and design. For the 2005 GS, some sleek bodywork
alterations add a more aerodynamic feel without sacrificing any of the machine’s
tough good looks, bringing a sense of refinement to its powerful character.
However, the engineers at BMW have gone a lot deeper than mere cosmetics.
Owing to its overall weight and top-heaviness, the old GS always felt a little
unwieldy off-road—even a tad intimidating on off-camber single-track trails or
during slow maneuvering in muddy conditions. BMW carved a remarkable 66 pounds
off the new bike, bringing the weight down to 440 pounds, and moving more of it
down low in the process. The result is a 1200cc motorcycle that is a lot more
inviting to take off-roading.
Along with the welcome weight reduction came
an increase in engine performance. Adding 18 horses, bringing the total to just
shy of 100 hp, and finding 85 ft lbs of torque makes the lighter GS very
exciting to ride. BMW has cured the twin-cylinder engine of its sluggish
response in the very low rev range, and managed to produce a crisp hit from the
slightest twist of the throttle. The boxer-style motor incorporates
counter-stabilizing engineering to eliminate the inherent side-to-side vibration
when the throttle is rolled on while standing still.
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