BMW's 1200GS gets (very) serious!

Whenever the suspension system threatens to bottom out completely, as is often the case on long and protracted sections of corrugations, on surface “waves” and under high loads, the natural adjustment of the air spring rates, together with frequency-specific damping, mitigates against excessive compression to prevent the motorcycle from using up all available suspension travel.

The basic set-up of the dampers may also be adjusted by a hand wheel opening up a bypass in the damper. This allows adjustment in two stages between a more comfort-oriented roadgoing set-up and a firmer setting for rough terrain.

A further, significant advantage of the system also lies in the complete resistance of the spring strut to dirt and contamination from outside, thanks to the fully enclosed surface. This rules out even the slightest wear on the seals and guide units even in the finest desert sand.

Much of the redesign can be traced to BMW’s participation in recent Dakar Rallies and other major desert events with its R900R machines.

If you’re a GS enthusiast, you’ll no doubt be looking at this machine and wanting one – better move quickly – there will be a limited supply and demand will almost certainly greatly exceed supply by several factors. Accordingly, the price tag which has yet to be specified beyond “more than the existing 1200 model”, will probably become a lot more before the HP2 becomes available in Q3 this year.

Given its heritage, this will be a motorcycle worth riding in fast off-road terrain. Not many will get the opportunity.