The Bavarian motorcycle manufacturer has been the market leader in the adventure scene with their promising GS motorcycles running the show for more than 35 years. Topping this chart is their flagship workhorse, the R 1200 GS Adventure and it's flat-twin boxer engine that is undoubtedly the best companion for exploring the unexplored.

For 2018, you can take the 1200 GS Adventure even further to the remotest corners with the facelift measures in the BMW Motorrad program. Starting with the optional TFT instrumentation, Emergency Call, and the new paintjob, the new edition of the Adventure showcases modern tech bits with a reminiscent of the first generation GS moniker.

2018 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure
  • Engine/Motor: flat-2
  • Horsepower: 125
  • Torque: 92
  • Transmission: 6
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

STYLING

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2017 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure

2018 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure


Although from a distance the 2018 GS Adventure looks like its previous avatar, the chaps at BMW have done it up with going further back in history to bring back the ethos of the GS nameplate. Take that fuel tank for example. The colors here are all new, and BMW have decided to go back on showing off their massive fuel tank rather than masking it with sleeker styling elements like before.

Of course, this still makes the rider flare his knees apart rather than tucking it in, which is absolutely fine unless your terrain option involves heavy braking. But, then you have the 315+ mile range which brings the glory back onto the GS. Now BMW also gives a small storage compartment atop the tank. Such a player.

The elongated beak now looks bulkier with multiple surfaces and the windshield will now protect the rider much better from the elements with a humongous barrier. Faux air scoops remain here but gets more pronounced with more plastic used around. The BMW R 1200 GS Adventure comes with the company’s trademark philosophy of equipping the motorcycles with asymmetric headlamps. Though this time, the headlight unit is all LED.

The trim of the air intake and the side fuel tank trim panels have been newly designed, too. Much of the bikini fairings present previously have been moved away to equip the bike with crash guards as a standard feature that protects the tank as well as the engine covers from damage during spills. As an optional package, you can equip your 2018 GS 1200 Adventure with Keyless Ride, High Rallye seat, LED auxiliary headlights, and more. But more so you could have the crazy new instrumentation.

The instrumentation features an optional high-quality 6.5-inch full-color TFT display that can also connect to your smartphone device via Bluetooth to enhance many possibilities for your ride. With the main focus being minimum rider distraction and maximum functionality, the bike’s handlebar has a well-proven multi-controller wheel and up-down toggle buttons that take just a few seconds to learn and operate. With this at your fingertips, you can command the new Connectivity to have customized styles and access to the new onboard computer that gives all the information under the sun straight to the rider in an intuitive and fun way.

Then there is the all-new Emergency Call feature which, as the name suggests, will automatically summon emergency crew to your location in the event of a major crash. Collision and banking angle sensors are capable of telling the difference between serious accidents and minor tip-overs.

Overall Dimension

Make Model

2018 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure

Triumph Tiger 1200 XCa

Ducati Multistrada 1260

Length

88.8 in

86.6 in

86.6 in

Width

38.6 in

36.6 in

37.4 in

Height

57.1 in

60.3 in

55.1 in

Wheelbase

58.9 in

59.8 in

62.4 in

Seat height

35.2 in

32.8 in

32.3 in

Wet weight

573 lb

547 lb

511 lb

Fuel Tank

7.9 gal

5.2 gal

5.3 gal


POWERTRAIN

The down-to-earth character and powerful high-torque engine are responsible for this machine to be the highest grosser for the Bavarian company. It received its mid-life update in 2017 which saw the motor be regulated to Euro-IV compliancy with a smoother final drive and gearbox operation.

The same 1170cc, air/liquid-cooled, four-stroke, flat-twin engine with balancer shaft does the work here. Revised exhaust path and engine mapping takes care of the emissions without hindering the power output which even today stands at 125 hp and 92 lb-ft of peak torque. Not a lot compared to the competition but BMW have, however, mastered the art refinement and delivery.

This revolutionized mill is noticeably smoother down the revs and accelerates pretty hard with the gearbox feeling crisp and precise. It received a judder damper on the transmission output shaft for the same reason. It gets the new wet clutch with anti-hopping function and electromotive throttle actuator, and one can equip it with an optional bi-directional 'Shift Assist Pro' quickshifter too.

Engine Specification

Make Model

2018 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure

Triumph Tiger 1200 XCa

Ducati Multistrada 1260

Make Model

1170

1215

1262

2018 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure

101 / 73

85 / 71.4

106 / 71.5

Triumph Tiger 1200 XCa

125 hp @ 7750 rpm

141 hp @ 9350rpm

158 hp @ 9500 rpm

Ducati Multistrada 1260

92 ft-lb @ 6500 rpm

90 lb-ft @ 7600rpm

95.5 lb-ft @ 7500 rpm

Capacity cc

Air/liquid-cooled four stroke flat twin engine with balancer shaft, four valves per cylinder, double overhead camshaft, wet sump lubrication

Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder

Ducati Testastretta DVT with Desmodromic Variable Timing, L-Twin cylinder, 4 valve per cylinder, Dual Spark, liquid cooled

Bore / Stroke mm

Oil lubricated clutch, hydraulically operated with slipper

Wet, multi-plate Torque-assist

Light action, wet, multiplate clutch with hydraulic control. Self-servo action on drive, slipper action on over-run

Output

6-speed with Shift Assist

6-speed with Triumph Shift Assist

6-speed with quickshifter


RIDE AND HANDLING

Being an adventure, expect comfortable and plush seats for both the pillion and the rider. Upright riding position and wide handlebars accommodate the stand-up too on difficult terrains. Then again, the wider aluminum fuel tank hinders a few movements around during aggressive maneuvers. At 35 inches, the seat is a tad higher than the competition and is sure to keep you on the toes. Nonetheless, BMW will find you your size as an optional accessory.

The bettered out Paralever 37mm front hydraulic forks, and cast aluminum single-sided swing arm with Telelever have made the steering on this Beemer for quite some time now. They make for an even more accurate than before, resulting in a sharper handling and better weight balance.

To add in, the optional electronic suspension called the “Dynamic ESA” enables the suspension setup to behave with automatic damping and self-leveling function as per the amount of load and type of terrain the bike is going to tackle. These things can take on every bend with composure, inspiring confidence under hard braking and acceleration, and do all this while providing sublime comfort. It looks like BMW knocked it out of the ballpark here.

As mentioned above, the four different riding modes can be retrieved just at the press of a button on the switchgear. You can also get the optional “Dynamic Pro” and the “Enduro Pro” mode. The Pro riding mode continues to feature ABS Pro, dynamic brake light, Dynamic Traction Control DTC as well as Hill Start Control HSC.

The bike comes with dual 305mm disc brakes at front and a single 276mm disc brake at the rear, coupled up with the ABS. Four-piston Brembo monobloc front calipers are top of the line kit delivering massive power and control.

Chassis Specifications

Make Model

2018 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure

Triumph Tiger 1200 XCa

Ducati Multistrada 1260

Make Model

Two-section frame, front- and bolted on rear frame, load-bearing engine

Tubular steel Trellis frame

Tubular steel Trellis frame

2018 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure

BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 37 mm, central spring strut

WP 48 mm upside down forks, electronically adjustable damping, 190 mm travel

Sachs 48 mm fully adjustable USD forks. Electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment with Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS)

Triumph Tiger 1200 XCa

Cast aluminum single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever; WAD strut (travel-related damping), spring pre-load hydraulically adjustable (continuously variable) at handwheel, rebound damping adjustable at handwheel

WP monoshock, electronically adjustable semi-active damping with automatic preload adjustment, 193 mm wheel travel

Fully adjustable Sachs unit. Electronic compression & rebound damping adjustment. Electronic spring pre-load adjustment with Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS). Aluminum double-sided swingarm

Ducati Multistrada 1260

Dual disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 305 mm, 4-piston radial calipers, BMW Motorrad Integral ABS

Twin 305 mm floating discs, Brembo 4-piston calipers, Switchable ABS

2 x 320 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted monobloc Brembo callipers, 4-piston, 2-pad, with cornering ABS as standard equipment

Frame

Single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, double-piston floating caliper, BMW Motorrad Integral ABS

Single 282 mm disc, Nissin 2-piston sliding caliper, Switchable ABS

265 mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper, with cornering ABS as standard equipment

Suspension / Front

120/70 R 19

120/70 R19

Pirelli Scorpion Rally II 120/70 R17

Suspension / Rear

170/60 R 17

170/60 R17

Pirelli Scorpion Rally II 190/55 R17


PRICE

The 2018 R 1200 GS Adventure is being retailed by BMW at a very commendable price point of $ 19,145, making it one of the most accessible true Adventure tourer when compared to its competition. Make no mistake, there is absolutely no doubt regarding the capabilities and packaging which the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure comes with.

New color option Racing red makes a scene here with black frame, black brake calipers, silver fuel tank. And another Style Rallye option with new Light white/Cordoba blue paint job having Cordoba blue frame, gold brake calipers, Cordoba blue fuel tank with a large logo, Rallye seat, radiator and frame protection, short windshield.

But then you would also want to equip your ride with an extensive list of the optional package, especially the BMW Motorrad Connectivity, Ride Modes Pro, Dynamic ESA and the works. In that case, the asking price will shoot way up and above the competition.

Make Model

2018 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure

Triumph Tiger 1200 XCa

Ducati Multistrada 1260

Make Model

$ 19,145

$ 21,750

$ 21,295


COMPETITION

Triumph Tiger Explorer XCa

Based on the Tiger Explorer XC, the Tiger Explorer XCa hasn’t missed out on the perfect stance of a true adventure motorcycle as former and looked like an evolution of the smaller Tiger 800 XCa. This flagship Tiger gets a host of additional kit and changes over tall other models to make it the most hard-core adventure utility motorcycle of them all.

The Tiger Explorer XCa has got the twin round headlamp setup surrounded by plastic cladding from the regular Tiger Explorer XC, as well as two LED auxiliary fog lights. To increase the protection from the outbursts of rough terrains, Triumph has provided protection bars beside the engine as well as an aluminum sump guard below the engine.

The other equipment which comes standard in the motorcycle include a center stand, two 12V power sockets, cruise control, heated grips, stainless radiator guard, Hill hold control system, two extra riding modes – the Dynamic Sport and the fully customizable Ride, heated rider and passenger seats, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and CNC Machined foot rests. Overall build quality is exceptionally well, as expected from a Triumph motorcycle.

The new Triumph Tiger Explorer XCa retains the very capable four stroke, liquid cooled, inline three cylinders, 12-valve, 1215cc engine from the previous generation Tiger Explorer, which is currently the biggest engine on any adventure motorcycle all over the world. Mated to a 6-speed gearbox, this 1215cc engine can churn out a maximum power output of 135 bhp and a peak torque output of 105 lb-ft. Like most of the adventure motorcycles, the drive is transferred to the rear wheel via a shaft.

The bike comes with 46mm upside-down telescopic forks at the front and monoshock with remote oil reservoir at the rear, both of which are sourced from WP, unlike the Kayaba forks on the previous iteration, and have a suspension travel of almost 190mm, making this suspension combination best for whatever the worse condition of riding you throw at it. The new Triumph Tiger Explorer XCa comes with a braking setup of dual 310mm discs at the front and a single 285mm disc at the rear, sourced from Nissin – same as that on the Tiger Explorer XC. Both these brakes are coupled to a switchable ABS. Apart from the ABS, the motorcycle also comes with traction control which has varying riding modes.

Ducati Multistrada 1260

Taking that practicality to new levels, Ducati has expanded its Multistrada family with the new Multistrada 1260, Multistrada 1260 S, Multistrada 1260 S D

Air (with airbag system) and Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak. They come equipped with a bigger 1262cc engine, advanced electronic package, new chassis and more touring capability.


Apart from the new heart and chassis, the new Multistrada 1260 family sees new fairing panels and lighter, sportier looking wheels. Out front, the 1260 has the same busy face with the teardrop-shaped twin LED headlamps engulfed in a curvy V-shaped front fascia, which also comes with Ducati cornering lights (DCL) as well for the ‘S’ variant and above. While the Multistrada 1260 carries an LCD dash, the S and above variants get 5” TFT units also seen on the new Panigale V4 that incorporates the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS).

The new Ducati Multistrada 1260 has been bestowed with the same 90-degree V-twin Ducati Teststretta DVT engine as found on the standard Multistrada but gets its stroke increased from 67.9 to 71.5 mm. Peak power of 158 hp comes at 9,500 rpm and 95.5 lb-ft of torque at 7,500. Of which, 85% comes before the rpm hits 3,500, meaning, the Multistrada 1260 offers the highest torque output in its class at the most frequently used range. That makes the 1260 the most powerful adventure tourer in its class.

The new Multistrada 1260 gets the chassis from the 1200 but is updated with an extended swinging arm and wheelbase that changes the riding geometry to a confident feel and provides in for sharper handling and stability by the rider. The 1260 gets Kayaba 48 mm upside-down fork and Sachs monoshock while the S and above gets Sachs 48 mm front fork. Braking is handled by dual 320mm front brake discs with radially-mounted Brembo Monobloc 4-piston calipers and one 265mm rear disc with a 2-piston caliper. Lastly, the Bosch IMU inertial platform also interacts with the semi-active Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) Evolution control system giving adjustments on the fly.

VERDICT

The motorcycle, in its latest avatar, is here showcasing the best of engineering prowess in the segment of enduring ADV motorcycles, and at the same time, it takes forward the legacy of the 35-year-old ‘GS’ nameplate, which initiated with the legendary R 80 GS back in 1980.

With these incremental improvements in working their bit, the machine is now showing even more potential. Every individual element comes together to have a holistic effect of the whole motorcycle.

The extensive optional package really gives any breed of rider the excitement of riding on the best thing money can buy nowadays.