2013 BMW R 1200 GS

All the details are out, including water-cooling, an LED headlight, and there's the option of five riding modes and cruise control

After nine – and very successful -- years with the current R 1200 GS, BMW Motorrad has unveiled a successor at the Intermot motorcycle show in Cologne.

There are a slew of updates to BMW’s venerable adventure bike, including the adoption of water-cooling to improve heat dissipation; a wet clutch with an “anti-hopping” function to replace the previous dry clutch; and the secondary drive now runs via a cardan shaft on the left-hand side.

Output is now 125hp (92kW) at 7700rpm and 125N at 6500rpm for the 1170cc twin, compared to 110hp (81kW) at 7750rpm and 120Nm at 6000rpm for the old model. Wet weight is 238kg.

BMW has unveiled its E-gas system on the R 1200 GS – ie a type of ride-by-wire where rider commands are passed on directly by the sensor in the accelerator twist grip to the engine control system. The use of the E-gas system allows BMW to offer five different five modes: "Rain", "Road", "Dynamic", "Enduro" and "Enduro Pro". The modes are available as an optional extra ex-works, as is electronic cruise control.

Linked to E-Gas is Automatic Stability Control (ASC) with a special enduro configuration. If this option is chosen, BMW Motorrad ABS, ASC and -- if installed -- the semiactive suspension are all adapted to the respective profiles of these five modes.

Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) monitors the vertical movement of front and rear wheel control as well as other parameters by means of a spring travel sensor in each position, and adapts the damping automatically to the situation depending on riding conditions and the manoeuvres being carried out. Damping adjustment at front and rear is effected by means of electrically controlled regulation valves.

The chassis of the R 1200 GS uses a completely newly developed tubular all-steel bridge frame with a bolt-on rear frame. Along with the newly designed Telelever at the front and the EVO Paralever at the rear, BMW claims a significant increase in torsional stiffness -- and hence stability and steering precision. Tyres sizes are 120/70-19 at front and 170/60-17, both wider than the current model.

The brake system of the R 1200 GS has been extensively revised, too. There are now radially mounted Brembo monobloc brake calipers at the front and a larger brake disc at the rear 276mm, previously 265mm).

In line with the BMW Motorrad principle "Safety 360°" the new GS is also fitted as standard with the BMW Motorrad ABS, here in the part integral version.

The 2013 R 1200 GS is the first motorcycle in the world with an LED main headlight, and there’s also an integrated daytime running light as an ex-works option.

The new R 1200 GS has the same power system with altered function partitioning as already used in the six-cylinder K 1600 GT and GTL. As before, CAN bus (Controller Area Network) and LIN bus technology (Local Interconnect Network) enables significantly reduced wiring as compared to a conventional system. The previous central vehicle electronics has been partitioned into two separate control units.

The Multi-Controller, newly available for the GS, allows fast and convenient operation of the BMW Motorrad Navigator IV. It is located on the inside of the handlebar grip. This means that selecting functions is much less distracting than pressing buttons and does not require hands to be removed from the handlebars.

The newly developed windshield of the R 1200 GS offers claims to offer improvements in wind and weather protection, while also reducing wind noise. Adjustment is simple: an easily accessible and ergonomically optimised selection wheel is operated using one hand.

As far as alterations are concerned, the rider’s seat can now be adjusted in height and tilt angle and the passenger seat can be shifted longitudinally. The new handlebars can easily be turned upwards and, there’s a new optimised knee grip in the fuel tank area.

A high and a low seat, as well as an adjustable footrest system and adjustable foot controls, round off the program of special accessories offering individual adjustment facilities.

There are four main paint finishes to choose from: Alpine White, Racing Red, Blue Fire or Thunder Grey Metallic.

Pricing and availability in Australia are still to be confirmed.

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2013 BMW R 1200 GS

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