Water Cooled GS is Here

[nylife]

BMW just announced 2013 GS
http://www.webbikeworld.com/BMW-motorcy ... w-r1200gs/

[SF_Hooligan]

BMW just announced 2013 GS
http://www.webbikeworld.com/BMW-motorcy ... w-r1200gs/

I saw the news over on MotorcycleDaily this morning. There's some real interesting stuff here:
-Not a huge increase in weight, especially compared to most of the other adventure behemoths.
-Wet clutch. Whoa.
-Fuel/air comes in from the top, and exhaust out the bottom. The look of that may take some getting used to, at least for me.
-A few more ponies are always a good thing.
-Lots of other bits and bobs like drive by wire, selectable riding modes, etc.

I'd love a few more ponies on my R1200R, and the wet clutch might be a boon in SF Bay Area traffic. The rest of it is interesting and seems mostly executed in a way that keeps the Boxer flavor intact. I am wondering about the size of the radiators and whether their placement cuts into the fuel tank area, thus reducing the size. I also wonder if that massive pipe is tucked in enough to avoid having that stupid cutout in the sidecase.

Cool bike. I've wondered more than a few times whether I should have gotten a GS, and I really like the current generation of GSAs. Maybe I'll pick one up for a song when all the "adv" guys are rushing to park one of these new bikes out in front of the local Starbucks.

[redwing]

From what I read it appears as if the engine oil, transmission oil, and clutch is the same. I think the engine as it burns gas degrades the oil. What does that do to the trans? Won't that cause increased wear?

Robert

[mogu83]

From what I read it appears as if the engine oil, transmission oil, and clutch is the same. I think the engine as it burns gas degrades the oil. What does that do to the trans? Won't that cause increased wear?

Robert

Doesn't seem to bother the Jap bikes they've been doing it for years.

[MTBeemer]

From what I read it appears as if the engine oil, transmission oil, and clutch is the same. I think the engine as it burns gas degrades the oil. What does that do to the trans? Won't that cause increased wear?

Robert

Doesn't seem to bother the Jap bikes they've been doing it for years.

+1

Try shifting a Honda, Yamaha.......... Generally ultra smooth, no clunks and few problems. BMW already runs a wet set-up on the 800 twins and they seem to be performing well too.

[objectuser]

Cool bike. I've wondered more than a few times whether I should have gotten a GS, and I really like the current generation of GSAs. Maybe I'll pick one up for a song when all the "adv" guys are rushing to park one of these new bikes out in front of the local Starbucks.

I have one of each, both 2009s. They are very different bikes. The R is so much fun and I've actually gotten to where it's comfortable around town for a short bit. The GS is also a lot of fun (but not as much as the R) and very comfortable.

Both are great bikes and I look forward to riding each.

But to keep one, for me, it's the GS because it's fun and comfortable for longer rides. Currently, since someone decided that paying attention to a red light was less important than whatever else she was doing, my Porsche is in a clump elsewhere, so I have lots of room for bikes.

[CycleRob]

A complete scrap and redesign of the old air cooled dinosaurs. It's also water and air cooled like my old VX-800 was . . . with fins on the barrels. It's about time they decided to make a modern HighTech Boxer engine with DOHC and water cooling. Here's the official BMW info on it HERE.



It's a prelude to the new R1200R (IF they decide to make one)
They are going to sell a GAZILLION of the new GS !!

[Acpantera]

I'm ready for a new one. I love my 07, and I was reluctant to switch from my 02 R1150R, but after a test ride, the major improvements shined through on the spot. I'm expecting a much more refined and powerful bike. The only cringing factor will be the jump in base price, as I recall the jump from the 1150 to the 1200 was about $2000. That would put the new wet head R1200R around $17,000+. I still ponied up for the 07 and I don't regret it. I was hoping for more high tech engine stuff like direct injection and variable valve timing, but I guess they have to save something for the future. I long to see the new roadster.

[xprof]

CycleRob: you had a VX800 too? I had mine for 17 years and just loved it (though I now love my R even better, of course). The liquid cooling was super in the desert heat, even at idle, never gave me a minute's problem, and I must say I miss that. Its radiator didn't even look bad.

Acpantera: I'm interested to see you are calling the new engine the "wet head". I was too, but you're first in print. Let's see if it sticks!

[MTBeemer]

Acpantera: I'm interested to see you are calling the new engine the "wet head". I was too, but you're first in print. Let's see if it sticks!

It has been referred to as a Wethead over on the MOA forum for quite some time.

[Anyname]

I thought my 2005 GS was a pig a low speeds, the last thing it needed was an extra 20 pounds. If they have managed to lower the center of gravity, then BMW will have accomplished something. I'm sticking with a R1200R. Of course I wouldn't own an SUV either...

[objectuser]

I thought my 2005 GS was a pig a low speeds, the last thing it needed was an extra 20 pounds.

Really? I think the GS is amazingly agile. I can do 180 degree turns in a single lane (and I am not the most skilled rider). I always think it's going to be hard and that thing just surprises me every time.

[xprof]

Saturday I was following (for a while) a young fellow on a GS over Casitas Pass. He was blasting through the twisties at a pace that I could barely follow, and I finally just let him go do it. Hell, I'm over 70! But I can attest that a GS can really dance!

I also came the closest I have ever come to a deer strike. Going uphill on the backside of 33, all of a sudden the windscreen was full of brown fur, then there were hooves just to my right, then the deer was gone. The whole thing was over in less than a heartbeat, the day was still sunny and nice, and I hadn't hit the deer. But Jesus it was close, and there was nothing I could have done (except drive slow, which is not a fun option). Somewhere out there maybe there is a deer with my name on it, but this was not that deer. Remember Larry Grodsky, who wrote the book on motorcycle safety? Killed in a deer strike...

Everyone drive safe out there, GS and R!

[dbrick]

Lucky is good, Mike. Glad you're OK.

[TT RDHS]

Lucky is good, Mike. Glad you're OK.

+1

[angellr]

Saturday I was following (for a while) a young fellow on a GS over Casitas Pass. He was blasting through the twisties at a pace that I could barely follow, and I finally just let him go do it. Hell, I'm over 70! But I can attest that a GS can really dance!

I also came the closest I have ever come to a deer strike. Going uphill on the backside of 33, all of a sudden the windscreen was full of brown fur, then there were hooves just to my right, then the deer was gone. The whole thing was over in less than a heartbeat, the day was still sunny and nice, and I hadn't hit the deer. But Jesus it was close, and there was nothing I could have done (except drive slow, which is not a fun option). Somewhere out there maybe there is a deer with my name on it, but this was not that deer. Remember Larry Grodsky, who wrote the book on motorcycle safety? Killed in a deer strike...

Everyone drive safe out there, GS and R!

Mike, really glad you are ok!! Reminds me of the time driving into Jackson, WY in my Jeep and out of nowhere an Elk the size of a moose with the agility and speed of a gazelle darted mm from my front grill and there was no time to stop, react, slam on brakes - nothing! I do understand your colon tightening moment - note to self, pack an extra pair of undies ...

[MTBeemer]

From what I've seen so far I'm impressed by the new engine in the GS. One good thing about the R is that it seems they work the bugs out of the new fangled technology in the GS and RT before releasing it in the R. Perhaps it will be time to replace my 08 R with a new water cooled version in 2015. An R with 125 BHP will be fun.

[Catchina]

From what I've seen so far I'm impressed by the new engine in the GS. One good thing about the R is that it seems they work the bugs out of the new fangled technology in the GS and RT before releasing it in the R. Perhaps it will be time to replace my 08 R with a new water cooled version in 2015. An R with 125 BHP will be fun.

Maybe in 2014?

[BoxerSteve]

I thought my 2005 GS was a pig a low speeds, the last thing it needed was an extra 20 pounds.

Really? I think the GS is amazingly agile. I can do 180 degree turns in a single lane (and I am not the most skilled rider). I always think it's going to be hard and that thing just surprises me every time.

+1, I recently acquired a GS and in some ways it's more agile than my R. The bars turn tighter than on the R, and they are nice & wide for good leverage. It really is more agile than I would have thought and it corners very well. It's a great bike, not as powerful as the R, but lots of fun to ride. Much more comfortable for long rides and does great in the dirt.

[Woland]

Hopefully they release an ST ( with a nicer looking headlight then last time) and the R in '13 with 20 or 30 more hp, then I'd be interested

GS's were never beautiful but it seems the new one is appropriately conservative in its evolution. If I were in the market for a new GS I would definitely be interested.