The BMW R1200GS is a classic tourer in its truest form

For the first time, the BMW K1600GT touring motorcycle was presented at the international exhibition Intermot in 2010. But sales of the stylish and powerful bike began only in March 2011. The flagship touring motorcycle, as planned by the manufacturer, was to become the main competitor to the popular GL 1800 Gold Wing model from Honda. The main goal of the BMW brand was to release a technologically advanced and modern model that would provide dynamics and comfort.

Model development history:

Presentation of the K1600GT bike (2010).
Launch of sales of the BMW K1600GTL and GT motorcycle (2011).
Introduction of the Keyless Ride system into the model, providing keyless access (2014).
Release of the K1600B modification (2016).

The premium class bike was based on the K1200LT (luxury tourer) and K1300GT (sport tourer) models. BMW has released several modifications of its flagship:

Model K1600GT. This is the standard version, equipped with side cases. The main differences are the sporty placement of the steering wheel and footpegs, and a two-piece seat.
Modification K1600B. A motorcycle intended for the American market. The model does not have a trunk, but has straight exhaust pipes and inclined saddlebags equipped with brake lights.
Motorcycle K1600GTL. This is a premium version, equipped with a central trunk with armrests and backrest, wide footrests, an audio system, a one-piece seat and a chrome muffler.

The K series touring bike is the epitome of speed and comfort.

How did you find a compromise?

The BMW R1200GS is a touring enduro that has recently undergone a rejuvenation procedure. The Bavarian developers faced a difficult task - to update the archaic model, but in such a way as not to scare away fans of the “old school” models and at the same time attract the attention of potentially new customers who would gladly purchase an “adventure BMW”, but technically more equipped competitors “suppress their appetite” "

A solution was found - as a result, the motorcycle remained virtually unchanged in appearance, but its internal components underwent significant changes. For example, instead of air cooling, the engine received a liquid-oil system, and the intake and exhaust system was changed almost completely.

Power in every situation

The use of a liquid cooling system (similar to the one used by the BMW team in Formula 1) made it possible to significantly increase the power and torque of the engine. As a result, the power of the two-cylinder boxer BMW R1200GS increased to 125 horsepower. But an additional cooling system called Precision cooling made it possible to “relieve stress” from those engine elements that were previously subjected to significant load, but could not be cooled by the oncoming flow.

BMW S1000XR 2021 chassis

BMW S1000XR 2020

The new frame and swingarm are 2 kilograms lighter, bringing the total weight of the BMW S1000XR to 226 kg. The new chassis uses the engine somewhat more heavily as a loaded element, and the lighter double-sided swingarm reduces unsprung weight. The 2021 BMW S1000XR features the latest version of Dynamic Electronic Suspension Adjustment (Dynamic ESA). Also optionally available will be Dynamic ESA Pro, equipped with two smoothing modes and automatic adjustment to load.

Electronic filling of the updated enduro

The BMW R1200GS Adventure motorcycle is fully equipped with electronics. Five engine operating modes – “asphalt”, “rain”, “dynamic mode” and two versions of driving in off-road conditions; ABS and electronic throttle, as well as cruise control and a remote suspension control system - all this provides the most comfortable conditions for an imposing ride. The BMW motorcycle, the photo of which eloquently demonstrates its desire to travel, is equipped with an innovative system called Dynamic ESA - this option allows the computer to analyze the speed of the motorcycle, the condition of the road surface and independently adjust the shock absorbers in Live mode.

Engine BMW S1000XR 2021

The updated 2021 BMW S1000XR engine, based on the inline four from the S1000RR, is, oddly enough, not equipped with the ShiftCam variable timing system. BMW's stated power output is 162 hp. at 11,000 rpm and 114 Nm at 9,250 rpm, and the company also reports linear torque distribution across the rev range.

sports-touring motorcycle will receive new, longer gear ratios in fourth, fifth and sixth gears , which reduces noise and improves the motorcycle's efficiency at high speeds. In addition to the slipper clutch, the BMW S1000XR is equipped with electronic brake torque control (MSR), which prevents the rear wheel from spinning out during sudden downshifts or opening the throttle.

Who is the BMW R1200GS for?

By combining engine and suspension settings, you can achieve several engine modes, each with unique characteristics. This in turn means that a beginner will have to test the motorcycle repeatedly in different conditions. However, the best touring enduro is the BMW motorcycle. The photo clearly demonstrates the harmonious shape of the bike, which slightly resembles the outline of a bird. Perhaps that is why among motorcyclists he received the name “Big Goose”.

In order to master all the intricacies of the engine, you will have to drive hundreds of kilometers. But it’s worth it - sufficient engine power and its responsiveness evoke extremely positive emotions from the trip. In any case, a smart computer minimizes the likelihood of gross violations.

It cannot be said that the BMW R1200GS is suitable for long-distance driving - due to poor protection from the oncoming wind, long-distance rides are contraindicated. However, other qualities are quite consistent with the “tourist” class.

I want to make it clear right away that reviewing motorcycles is not my strong point, and in general there are few models today that really interest me. Therefore, you will not find deep technical details here, but there will be a lot of beautiful photos, elaborate text and personal impressions. As the owner of a BMW R1200RT 2011 blower, I really wanted to try the new BMW R1250RT 2021, so to speak, to experience ten years of progress. In view of my photographic activities, I have some acquaintances at the representative office of a Bavarian company and managed to get a new guy for a test drive. Unfortunately, due to my main job I had to hand over the motorcycle ahead of schedule, but in a couple of days I managed to ride about 400 km in various modes and form an opinion. The RT concept itself suits me very well, it’s a big motorcycle on which I (TTX 180/90/Puziko) don’t look like a bear on a bicycle, solid wind protection, comfortable seat, roomy panniers, both for photography and for travel, I have almost no problems in in the city due to its size, but on the highway it is a fabulous machine with minimal fuel consumption and even a cardan, so the new model already fits perfectly into my needs, which is not surprising.

I got a handsome one in sports colors, of course I wanted to get white with a brown seat, but the blue one is just as gorgeous. The 2021 silhouette is quite familiar, with a loaded front that makes the wheel look a little small and a rear that is better hidden with panniers; by the way, I only got the motorcycle with side ones.

The Bavarians put a new predatory “face” on the proven silhouette and I frankly like it, a sort of symbiosis of angelic eyes and Ducatev’s grin, not without a drop of Japanese kawaiiness. The optics themselves are LED, and even have the ability to highlight turns.

Let's get behind the wheel and see what's new and interesting. The motorcycle has keyless entry, which is not new to the market, I had something similar on the Ducati Multistrada, but then it worked crookedly, but now there are no complaints, except for one thing.

There are not very many buttons on the right remote control, just like in my airship. An engine start key combined with a killswitch, a driving mode selection button, there are 4 of them (RAIN, ROAD, DYNAMIC, ECO) and a central locking button. You press and the trunks with glove compartments close or open themselves, which is super convenient and you don’t have to run around the motorcycle with the key before going to the store or gas station.

On the air, the place of these buttons is taken by the control for heating the handles and the driver's seat, which in my opinion is more logical and does not distract from the road, but now, as I understand, they can be assigned to the functional buttons on the left side of the plastic, where the radio control used to be, but in + I didn’t check it was 35 degrees outside.

There are zero questions about the left remote control: turn signals, menu selection button, window height adjustment, cruise control control, which is equipped with an adaptive function. We managed to test it on the track and it’s really cool, you set the cruise speed and the distance to the car in front, the motorcycle will accelerate and decelerate depending on the behavior of the vehicle in front, and in case of absence, keep the previously set speed. The option itself is most likely suitable for long straight roads, for example the USA, but I also found a use for myself, for example, you can more comfortably take off and put on gloves on the go, stretch your hands on a long journey, drink water, grab a snack or sit on Instagram (just kidding ). And yes, I almost forgot about the traditional BMW torque washer; as always, it is convenient and multifunctional.

Speaking of Instagram, the front is equipped with two glove compartments, a regular one on the left for storing small items and a functional one on the right. You can put your phone in it using the built-in clip, and wireless charging will replenish the battery, but the coolest thing is that the Bavarians did not forget about heating the device and installed cooling for this glove compartment; if you stick your hand in, you can feel the ventilation well. There is also a USB connector, but it was not possible to listen to music; due to global problems with the supply of semiconductors, the motorcycle did not have an amplifier, which will soon be sent to the factory and installed by a local dealer, which is already practiced on client motorcycles. We live in amazing times.

The motorcycle tank also has keyless access, which in my opinion, on the one hand, is convenient, but on the other hand, the implementation of opening is such that I was able to do it only with the help of two hands, it requires skill. The tank itself is 25 liters, we’ll talk about consumption below.

Of course, we can’t help but talk about the beautiful big screen in front of our nose. It is visible in any weather, unlike my black and white screen, it has a huge number of functions and settings built into it, which you need to sit with for a couple of hours and figure out. I used it for its intended purpose when driving: tachometer, speedometer, motorcycle status and the daily and total mileage screen.

From the general information I learned an interesting detail: the mileage of the motorcycle was about 5,000 km, and the average consumption was 5.5 liters per hundred; on air I had 6.5 in the combined cycle. I know many motorcycle journalists and other bloggers and testers, and these guys don’t like to ride in vegetable mode, full throttle, wind in the mug, mouth open, hair back, fuel economy, but this is a complete surprise. It turns out that you can drive about 450 km on a tank in dynamic mode. not bad. I also failed to exceed this figure in my 300 km. Unfortunately, due to the lack of a headset, it was not possible to enjoy all the media functions of the device, such as a navigator, but the guys from the dealership promised to loan out the motorcycle for a couple more days.

The landing, the seat is super comfortable, it feels stiffer compared to mine in the air, but overall, the highest level. The passenger seat is just as comfortable with a more convenient and larger heating switch. My wife has such weight that she doesn’t even feel it on a single-seater scooter, so there’s nothing to say, I can seat a couple of them on this seat, all I have to do is find the second one and persuade the first one... I didn’t really like the lack of padding for the knees and internal parts in the base on the tank hips, but this is a thing that can be solved for 2 kopecks.

The engine is a song. An increase of about 40 horses compared to the air is super-cool, like a blow to the balls with a sickle, it changes the character of the motorcycle to a different steppe, I would even move the RT to the sports tourists section, but this, of course, is a very big stretch, but to pin half-bent tourists - It never hurts to have friends. The power reserve has never bothered anyone, except perhaps Scrooge McDuck when paying vehicle tax.

The brakes are combined; when you press one of them, the system redistributes the forces to both. On the caliper there is a beautiful BMW inscription, a manufacturer like Tokiko. There are no complaints about the system itself, it stops quickly, the ABS works.

The exhaust is quiet, just the way I like it.

The side cases seemed smaller than mine in the air, at least the photo bag fits in not so comfortably, but a full-face helmet can easily fit.

Their dimensions do not protrude beyond the dimensions of the rear-view mirrors, which is very comfortable for me when driving; on my air car it’s exactly the opposite, which makes me constantly think in traffic jams about food and karma if I rub the sides of polished cars.

Perhaps due to the fact that I’ve been riding RT for a long time, I don’t have a problem with my feet touching the panniers, unlike previous test drive participants, these scratches are from the bow-legged testers. Haha.

The quick-release system for the panniers is also convenient and does not cause any complaints.

And most importantly, the ride, the motorcycle feels lighter, more compact than its ten-year-old ancestor, the engine accelerates faster, the suspension works better, the “frame” holds long high-speed turns more stable, it’s a real pleasure to drive. I am especially pleased with the presence of a tank; my sportbike background still requires that the body hold on not only to the steering wheel, but also to the tank. For example, such a trick will not work on gold or cruises, and it is difficult to cope with habits developed over the years.

So, this is what I want to upgrade to, but in the era of global inflation, cheap mortgages and falling real incomes in Russia, I will postpone this issue for some time. It’s even scary to go into the configurator on the BMW website. I honestly still don’t know the cost (I didn’t look specifically), but I am completely sure that it is justified and the money will not be wasted. Yes, and you can wait a year, when the first owners will throw theirs into a trade-in and on commission to dealers.

Dry facts or basic technical characteristics

The four-stroke boxer engine has a power of 125 horsepower and this is with a volume of 1170 cc. The air-liquid cooling system is also equipped with an additional one, which significantly facilitates the operation of some engine elements.

The tubular steel frame provides sufficient strength to the entire structure itself, and as a result of the modification, it has even greater resistance to torsion, which means that the motorcycle is now distinguished by precise control and greater maneuverability. The ground clearance in the new model has been increased by 10 mm, which allows for proper control in off-road driving conditions.

The BMW R1200GS, whose price varies depending on the condition of the motorcycle and the year of manufacture, is ideal for touring enthusiasts. However, this does not mean at all that among sports models it will remain on the list of “outsiders” - BMW will give a head start in speed competition.

Sports tourer BMW R 1250 RS for new discoveries in the city and travel

It seems strange, but even for city driving, users choose touring models in order to move with the greatest comfort. In big cities, when the road takes a long time, you want a softer seat, a freer seat, and space for a passenger... BMW always has something to offer its customers, let's look at the sports tourer version of the BMW R 1250 RS.

The model combines the aerodynamics and dynamic handling of a sports motorcycle with the ergonomics of a comfortable “tourist”. The windbreak forms a large windward pocket. The seating position is relaxed, allowing the driver to stretch out and place his legs comfortably. The bike has a low seat, so it can be considered for owners with short stature. Sometimes it is chosen for women who like to travel far from time to time. And let’s be honest, the design is quite attractive.

The updated boxer engine produces 136 hp. and torque 143 Nm. Fuel consumption is 4.75 liters per 100 kilometers. Tank volume 18 liters. BMW ShiftCam technology provides the engine with even greater traction throughout the entire rev range. The maximum speed of the motorcycle is 200 kilometers per hour.

The engine is located inside a steel two-section frame and is the load-bearing part of the structure. The front fork is telescopic inverted type, diameter 45 mm. Rear suspension: BMW Motorrad Paralever cast aluminum single-sided swingarm, WAD central shock strut, continuously variable and hydraulically adjustable spring preload, adjustable rebound damping.

The Dynamic ESA adaptive suspension allows you to cope with different weather conditions and road surface conditions. When installed with Dynamic ESA, the inverted fork is painted gold.

Exhaust system with HP sports muffler and three-way catalytic converter to Euro 5 emission standard.

Modern motorcycles place a lot of emphasis on electronics. The driver can connect his smartphone and helmet headset to the dashboard, control calls, music and the navigation system without taking his hands off the wheel. The steering wheel grips, by the way, are heated.

Users will have access to a variable valve timing system, keyless entry, e-gas, quick shift system, exchange rate stability system, hill start assist, tire pressure monitoring, electronic suspension adjustment (dynamic), cruise control system, Pro riding package: HSC (Hill Start Control) Pro, DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) and DBC (Dynamic Brake Control - closes the gas when braking), extra. driving modes Dynamic & Dynamic Pro.

What about the wheels? Light alloy aluminum wheels. With all this, the total curb weight of the motorcycle is 243 kilograms. I wish it was easier.

The BMW R 1250 RS will be available in Light White in 2022.

Users have different attitudes towards the BMW R 1250 RS model. The large number of fans of the RT and GS models takes away attention from the RS. But the motorcycle has its place, it has something to offer users, especially those who live a lot in the city and want to travel.

The cost of a motorcycle starts from 1,289,000 rubles.