2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year: BMW R 1200 GS Rallye X

Name: 2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year: BMW R 1200 GS Rallye X
Brand: BMW

From bush trails to open highways, BMW's R 1200 GS Rallye X will do the lot in comfort and in style…

BMW's R 1200 GS Rallye X comes into the 2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year test with strong qualifications and high expectations. The model emerged victorious from our Big Bore Adventure Bike shootout in August 2017, and it has such an incredibly broad scope of operation that it presents a compelling argument for anyone in the market for a consummate all-rounder.

Whether you're commuting in the city, touring our endless highways or heading off-piste in the High Country, the R 1200 GS will do the lot with ease – and in the high-spec Rallye X format it comes with all the high-tech trimmings.

In fact, the only optional factory gear available for the Rallye X is an alarm and an extra-high seat. Everything else is there, and that spans two-stage heated grips, tyre pressure monitoring, hand guards, the chunky Continental TKC80 tyres, enduro foot pegs, cruise control, an LED headlight, a quickshifter, daylight running lights and LED indicators, along with a thoroughly comprehensive electronics package.

The latter includes BMW's Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) and Riding Mode Pro (giving the rider a choice of Rain, Road, Dynamic, Dynamic Pro, Enduro and Enduro Pro modes), plus Hill Start Control, Dynamic Traction Control and ABS Pro (cornering ABS).

Package and features
Essentially the Rallye X receives BMW's Dynamic Package ($2250) and some elements of the R 1200 GS Touring package, such as the Dynamic ESA, cruise control, and the preparation for the Navigator sat-nav unit. Our test bike was fitted with the sat-nav ($1290) and a small accessory tank bag ($285). But don't confuse it with the R 1200 GS Adventure, which – among other changes – boasts a monster 30-litre fuel tank.

That's why the Rallye X shares its top-shelf pricing of $27,250 plus on-roads with the R 1200 GS Touring – $4200 more than the R 1200 GS Rallye, which misses out on the Dynamic ESA and the Dynamic Package, and $5400 more than the base model R 1200 GS.

Yes, it's a top-dollar machine but then it always has been – it also has the runs on the board and the reputation to justify it.

Our route for this year's Bike of the Year test was limited to the blacktop, but our Big Bore Adventure Bike shootout and any number of previous tests has amply demonstrated that the GS has a very surprising level of off-road ability. It's no dirt bike, mind – its weight and size mean it's more suited to open country than threading its way through tightly wooded single track – but the momentum borne of that bulk will carry it forward where smaller bikes would be thoroughly knocked off line, too.

Our route did, however, shine a light on the Rallye X's skills on the long haul, and through the twisties – and it handles both roles exceedingly well. Our riders remarked on how it took a little time to get used to the chunky off-road-focussed rubber, which never does a bike any favours on the tarmac. But, once you've settled in to the bike's rear wanting to walk around a little when cranked over, the Continental TKC80s are incredibly good, hanging on through the bends to silly lean angles and never dropping any surprises.

Power and handling
The Boxer engine is a muscular, torquey unit with a very broad spread of grunt; it goads a rider to wind it on through the bends and rocket away from corner apexes, before the powerful Brembo front brakes wipe off speed as the next turn hauls into view. There's very little dive from that Telelever front-end, too, as it effectively separates pitch and dive from cornering forces, making the GS an inherently very stable platform.

The suspension is plush enough to soak up hits both big and small without compromising the sports performance too much. An adventure bike is a compromise by definition, but the GS treads this difficult line remarkably well.

We recorded an average fuel economy of 6.1lt/100km for the Rallye X – that's the best of all the bikes on test, and it equates with a safe range of around 300 kilometres from the 20-litre tank.

Meanwhile, the Paralever shaft drive delivers smooth, tractive force without any fussing around with chain adjustment and lube – it's just two less things to worry about on long-haul epics.

On the downside, those smaller of stature may find the GS's physical size a little daunting. Fortunately a low-seat option is available in addition to the standard seat, and the latter can be set at either 850mm or 870mm. And really tall riders might find the handlebar set a little low when standing on the foot pegs for off-road work; a set of risers would soon fix that.

Comfort is excellent – the seat is superb and for the vast majority of riders the ergonomics are just right whether seated or standing. The screen provides more protection than you might suspect and it's adjustable by hand, while the broad, leverage-affording handlebar delivers a secure sense of control and the high perch provides a good view ahead over the tintops.

Like on the S 1000 XR, the controls for all the various electronic systems on the GS are logically laid out and easy to get to. The instrumentation is clear and legible, although taller riders will find their view of the top of the tacho obscured with the optional sat-nav in place.

The trip computer info is all easy to access and all the various ride modes and electronic suspension settings really take the GS to another level.

And finally, the overall build quality defies criticism. It's as you'd expect from a premium brand like BMW – not a dodgy weld or a sub-standard bracket or an out-of-place wire to be seen…

Summing up
If you haven't ridden a BMW R 1200 GS, do whatever it takes to address that situation. They really are that accomplished, and the Rallye X lays on the equipment to turn an already good motorcycle into a truly great one. Is there anything an R 1200 GS can't do? If there is, we're yet to find it…

SPECS: BMW R 1200 GS RALLYE X
ENGINE
Type: Air/liquid-cooled, DOHC, eight-valve flat-twin
Capacity: 1170cc
Bore x stroke: 101mm x 73mm
Compression ratio: 12.5:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 125hp (92kW) at 7750rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 125Nm at 6500rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate
Final drive: Shaft

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Two-section frame, engine as a stressed member
Front suspension: BMW Telelever, electronic adjustment
Rear suspension: BMW Paralever, electronic adjustment
Front brakes: Dual 305mm discs with radial-mount four-piston calipers
Rear brake: Single 276mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Tyres: Continental Twinduro TKC80 – 120/70 R19 front, 170/60 R17 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed dry weight: 244kg
Seat height: 850/870mm (extra high seat height available)
Wheelbase: 1555mm
Fuel capacity: 20 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $27,250 (plus on-roads)
Colours: Lupin Blue Metallic
Warranty: Two-year/unlimited kilometres
Bike supplied by: BMW Motorrad Australia

2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year: BMW R 1200 GS Rallye X

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