The 170,000 selling BMW R 1200 GS is getting a makeover for 2013 – and this is no mere window dressing restyle. Not only does the 2013 BMW R 1200 GS get a fancy new restyle, but there’s been plenty of work done with the motor to give all the GS’s fans a reason to go into a dealership and part-ex their current ride.
The big news is the new motor. Capacity, bore and stroke stay the same, but the lump has had a radical overhaul, especially to the cooling system of the Boxer configuration.
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Precise cooling means that certain elements get cooled with liquid, while using the air to deal with the rest. Changes have added some weight, but making up for this is the power and torque claims of 125bhp and 125Nm.There’s also a wet clutch, which should be easier to use and maintain, cruise control for long motorway stints and the ASC control, now available in Rain, Road, Dynamic, Enduro and Enduro Pro modes.
Semiactive suspension, as debuted on the HP4 (called Dynamic ESA) is a big selling point, and means the GS will be a true go-anywhere machine. The chassis is all new, and the new GS gets a 120/70R19 front and a chunky 170/60R17 rear wheel. Braking is changed and there’s a new LED main headlight.
Expect a serious song and dance about this machine close to its launch. It may not be a Fast Bike in the true sense of the definition, but these changes certainly punt it further up the pecking order… Check out www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk for more information.
