Okay, so, I’ve been meaning to talk about this for a while now – it’s about the BMW GS 1200 and its weight. I finally got around to really digging into this, and let me tell you, it was quite the experience.
First off, I started by looking at different model years. See, I own a 2007 model, and I was curious how it stacked up against the newer ones. I grabbed my trusty notebook and started jotting down some numbers. The 2007 R1200GS, apparently, is lighter than the later models. That’s what I read, 12% lighter in fact. That’s something, right?
Then, I moved on to the 2014 model. This one’s got a bit more heft to it, but it’s also packing a bigger engine – 1170cc. I wrote that down too. It’s supposed to be powerful and all, but I wondered, how does that extra weight feel on the road? Or off-road, for that matter?
I dug deeper and found some more specific numbers. Dry weight for one of the models is around 438 pounds, and with all the fluids, it goes up to about 496 pounds. I scribbled these figures in my notebook, trying to visualize what that means in real-world terms. I mean, that’s a lot of bike to handle, especially if you’re not, you know, the Hulk or something.
- 2007 model: 12% lighter than some previous models, apparently.
- 2014 model: 1170cc engine, more powerful but heavier.
- Dry weight (example): 438.7 pounds.
- Wet weight (example): 496.0 pounds.
- 2018 Rallye model: 244 kg (about 538 pounds) wet weight.
Then there’s the 2018 Rallye model. That beast comes in at a whopping 244 kilograms wet, which is like 538 pounds. I did a double-take when I saw that number. I imagined trying to pick that up if it ever took a nap on the trail. Not fun.
I also checked out this Adventure version of the GS. It has a larger gas tank (8.7 gallons!), those engine protectors, and a heavy-duty luggage rack. Basically, it’s built for some serious expeditions, but I bet it feels like you’re riding a small car.
Then I stumbled upon some comparisons between the GS and other bikes, like the F 900 GS. They say the F 900 GS is “astonishingly lightweight” at 482 pounds, and any GS will feel lighter and easier to handle. Hmm, compared to the 1200, maybe, but it’s all relative, I guess.
My Two Cents
After all this digging and comparing, I’ve realized that weight is a big deal with these bikes. It affects how you ride, how you handle it, and probably how tired you get after a long day in the saddle. If you’re thinking about getting a GS 1200, you really gotta think about the weight and what kind of riding you’ll be doing. It’s not just a number on a spec sheet, it’s something you’ll feel every time you throw a leg over that saddle.
