BMW Roll Out 100,000th R1200GS Motorcycle

[hass]

The BMW R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure have broken all records at BMW. They have just rolled out the 100,000th unit, after some 2 years of introducing this popular motorcycle.

The 100,000 consist of R1200GS and the Adventure model (15,600 units). In the same time frame, only half of the old motorcycle, the R1150GS, were sold, so the 1200 version sold twice as many.

 

[Lawn Dart]

Well done BMW!

I'd say that makes the R12GS a successful machine!

[TWI]

It is the best selling bike in parts of Europe; UK and Germany IIRC.

[miles]

In the same time frame, only half of the old motorcycle, the R1150GS, were sold, so the 1200 version sold twice as many.

Why sell only half a motorcycle?  I can see why sales were off...

[Lon]

Wow - good on BMW

[Lon]

Basically, it seems that BMW's hexhead engine has really been appreciated.  It's lighter, more powerful, and smoother than the 1100/1150 mills, with better fuel economy.

The GS has long been one of their most popular motorcycles - but I think that with the 1200 mill, they've got a bike that's actually pulling people from other markets (so is the K-S and K-GT I suspect)

[SWriverstone]

[Nomex suit ON]

I love the 1200GS...and if I were wealthy, I'd have one! But...there is no way those sales numbers happened *without* legions of briefcase-toting, suit-wearing, never-see-a-lick-of-dirt-in-their-lives lawyers and doctors and financiers going out and buying the 1200GS because it's "The New Range Rover."

Let's face it: the 1200GS is the latest fad, period. NOT that it isn't a great bike...but I guarantee sales numbers will drop off rapidly when the Euro- and American-yuppie sets decide they want a new fashionable toy...

[Nomex suit OFF]

Scott

[Global Rider]

Let's face it: the 1200GS is the latest fad, period.

Not really...well maybe in NA. Large dual purpose bikes have been popular in Europe for ages and for a good reason.

Even in NA, the GS has been a good seller and has had a healthy following. People that want a practical real world motorcycle usually pick it.

[Global Rider]

I love the 1200GS...and if I were wealthy, I'd have one!

Scott

Scott, those three bikes in your profile cost how much? If you have those, you're not broke. Why not get one that almost does it all?

[hass]

The GS - and other adventure bikes out there - are rapidly becoming the new Touring bikes here in Europe. Myself, I'd probably get an RT but many many people prefer the GS for touring.

In two weeks I am getting my 1000km service done - and so I get to borrow a GS for a day!  

[SWriverstone]

Scott, those three bikes in your profile cost how much? If you have those, you're not broke. Why not get one that almost does it all?

  Good point...actually, I've sold the VFR, The V-Strom *is* the one that does it all, and so far I'm happy with it. I'm hanging on to the KLR for now...but it's possible in a year it might have a layer of dust on it from not being ridden...

As for my earlier comment...I should backstep and say that **in my area** (the Washington, DC region) I've seen a marked increase in the number of 1200GS's on the interstates around here (and parked at various places)...so my comment stemmed from the fact that the DC area (perhaps like many big cities) is an extremely status-obsessed and class-conscious area...and the 1200GS (as great a bike as it is) absolutely fits the upper-class tastes like a fine leather glove.   If someone has a Range Rover and a tract mansion and a Ferrari, it's natural they'd get a 1200GS and not some "lowly" V-Strom.  

Scott

[UFO]

Whiskey...tango...foxtrot?

So I suppose the success of every consumer product is the result of a "fad" and not that it's just a good product?  I see lots of GSs on the road, at least out west.

I've often spoke out on this website about how people just love to take ANY positive news (even if it's trivial news like this) and spin it in a negative light.  This is another case.  

[Nomex suit ON]

I love the 1200GS...and if I were wealthy, I'd have one! But...there is no way those sales numbers happened *without* legions of briefcase-toting, suit-wearing, never-see-a-lick-of-dirt-in-their-lives lawyers and doctors and financiers going out and buying the 1200GS because it's "The New Range Rover."

Let's face it: the 1200GS is the latest fad, period. NOT that it isn't a great bike...but I guarantee sales numbers will drop off rapidly when the Euro- and American-yuppie sets decide they want a new fashionable toy...

[Nomex suit OFF]

Scott

[DNA]

[Nomex suit ON]

I love the 1200GS...and if I were wealthy, I'd have one! But...there is no way those sales numbers happened *without* legions of briefcase-toting, suit-wearing, never-see-a-lick-of-dirt-in-their-lives lawyers and doctors and financiers going out and buying the 1200GS because it's "The New Range Rover."

Let's face it: the 1200GS is the latest fad, period. NOT that it isn't a great bike...but I guarantee sales numbers will drop off rapidly when the Euro- and American-yuppie sets decide they want a new fashionable toy...

[Nomex suit OFF]

Scott

Scott - I hope you are right on this one.
I really want one, an have budgeted a new bike in 18 months or when the Sprint crosses 50K.
If your premise is correct, then there should be a ton of lightly used highly depreciated 1200's coming on the market in 1 more year when the next flavor of the day appears.  If your suposition is correct - my next bike decision is decided.  However, I doubt it.  The secondary market for 1200 is pretty thin now and pretty steep.

I'm thinking a 1200GS and KTM SM would be the perfect combo for long trip, short trip, off road, on road, multi day, hooligan riding of all types.

If I have 15K can I get them both?  Doubtful.

[Global Rider]

...so my comment stemmed from the fact that the DC area (perhaps like many big cities) is an extremely status-obsessed and class-conscious area...and the 1200GS (as great a bike as it is) absolutely fits the upper-class tastes like a fine leather glove.  

Well Scott, if thats the only reason for them owning one, I feel sorry for them and their insecurity issues. It must be hell having to keep up to the Jones' on a second to second basis. Poor souls!

...it's natural they'd get a 1200GS and not some "lowly" V-Strom.  

Since you are talking about the R1200 GS a lot lately, is that the way you really feel about your DL 650?

[Global Rider]

The GS - and other adventure bikes out there - are rapidly becoming the new Touring bikes here in Europe. Myself, I'd probably get an RT but many many people prefer the GS for touring.

I couldn't see myself on a fully faired bike there. In the Alps in June (or Corsica in June '06), my hands were too warm behind the hand guards on my GS Adventure...no airflow!

[Mr Sunshine]

[Nomex suit ON]

I love the 1200GS...and if I were wealthy, I'd have one! But...there is no way those sales numbers happened *without* legions of briefcase-toting, suit-wearing, never-see-a-lick-of-dirt-in-their-lives lawyers and doctors and financiers going out and buying the 1200GS because it's "The New Range Rover."

Let's face it: the 1200GS is the latest fad, period. NOT that it isn't a great bike...but I guarantee sales numbers will drop off rapidly when the Euro- and American-yuppie sets decide they want a new fashionable toy...

[Nomex suit OFF]

Scott

Around Laguna the wife and I spent some time around the Bay Area checking out the roads and some sights.  I will say one thing...their roads are bumpy.  A perfect place for a bike like the GS even though they aren't going off-road.