R1200gs Specs 2014
Motorcycle Review: 2014 BMW R1200GS
The GS family accounts for over 40 per cent of BMW's motorcycle sales, both globally and in Canada. Needless to say, they're doing something right.
Actually, they're doing a lot right.
These two-wheeled creations cannot only accompany you on a multi-day journey on road, but a long tour off road. Their competency is in the engineering and execution, which translates into those strong sales figures.
The GS family comes with various engine sizes, seat heights, and the ability for them to be factory lowered — for the not so vertically inclined individuals. No matter how you slice it, it's a slice of awesome.
My appreciation for the GS grew that much more with a recent test of the 2014 R1200GS.
Having ridden the F700GS, F800GS and G650GS previously, it was only natural that the 1200 and I eventually rendezvoused.
I had my apprehensions, though. And it wasn't the bike's fault.
The R1200GS is "relatively" tall. It needs to be when you're foraging off the beaten path, manoeuvring over rocks, crossing rivers and deserts and that much more. It's a motorcycle that can pretty much get you anywhere.
The seat height for the standard 1200 is 850 mm (33.4-inches), though I had the low seat option, which sits 820mm (32.2-inches).
On paper, it's not that intimidating. But a characteristic of adventure bikes I've noted over the years is that seats are a little wider, therefore taking away my ability to firmly plant two feet on the ground. This was no different.
On my tiptoes, I got the R1200GS upright. Getting it to that point wasn't as bad as I would have thought, even with its 238 kg (525 lbs.) unladen weight. With a low centre of gravity — which I'll touch upon later — and a setup that isn't top heavy, I didn't feel it had the tendency to want to tip. Thank goodness!
Speaking of feelings, the first emotion I had experienced — after ecstatic — was the feeling of freedom. The feeling that I could ride anywhere and my companion would help take me there.
Although our time together consisted of paved roads — I'll take it off road one of these days — that didn't mean it was any less appealing. In fact, I couldn't stop smiling.
Why? Because it's a bike that inspires you to. Ask anyone who owns one.
With a few twisty roads, tight turns and straight stretches, the R1200GS handles everything you throw at it. Granted, I'm not going to corner with it like I would corner with the S100RR, but it has no problem being leaned over. For the 2013 model year, it received a major overhaul. In that revamping process, it received a brand new engine.
The newly developed, 1,170 cc, 2-cylinder opposed-twin in the R1200GS is rated at 125 horsepower and 92 lbs.-ft of torque. The boxer engine in the new R1200GS continues to use air/liquid cooling, however, a glycol-water mixture has replaced the coolant oil.
Matched with a 6-speed gearbox integrated in engine housing, it includes a wet clutch with anti-hopping function and reduced lever operation force. That means that pulling in the clutch can be done with your pinky, it's just that easy. Where it comes in handy is if you need to modulate speed via the clutch. Repeatedly pulling it in and out can be tiresome on the hand: think stop-and-go traffic or traversing over rocks. But the ease at which this can be done is fantastic and effortless.
Additionally, the chassis uses a completely newly developed tubular all-steel bridge frame with a bolt-on rear frame. BMW says, "Along with the newly designed Telelever at the front and the EVO Paralever at the rear, this has resulted in a further significant increase in torsional stiffness and hence ride stability and steering precision." A handy feature both on and off road.
Since I only rode on the pavement, I had the optional ASC riding modes on the "Road." But there are five settings to choose from: Rain, Road, Dynamic, Enduro and Enduro Pro. Depending on the mode, it works in conjunction with stability controls and ABS.
Ergonomically, I couldn't have asked for a better position, even with my shortish arms. Sitting tall and upright helps you see what's up ahead and takes the strain off your hands. And even when standing on the pegs, I didn't feel the weight of my body on my wrists.
And when you need to put on the brakes, the R1200GS has a revised system. There are now radially mounted Brembo Monobloc brake calipers at the front and a larger brake disc at the rear.
Atop the Racing Red 2014 R1200GS, I felt the excitement of riding. I'm sure that will be amplified when I take it off the paved roads.
BMW has certainly worked wonders with an already incredible machine and made me a fan for life. The MSRP for the 2014 BMW R1200GS is $19,200.
shiftinggearsgirl@gmail.com
Twitter.com/cargirlsgarage
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Source: https://driving.ca/bmw/auto-news/news/road-test-bmw-r1200gs
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