Watercooled R1200GS unveiled

[UFO]

+15 hp, watercooled, more gizmos including cruise control. Etc.

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2012/10/bmw-unveils-water-cooled-r-1200-gs-in-cologne/

[radon222]

There is a lot of new stuff going on with this motor.  Aside from the addition of water-cooling and electronic gizmo's..the entire drive line has been changed starting with the switch from a Dry clutch to wet...etc.

I know that's since its first appearing on a GS it makes sense to most of hubbub has been happening on forums like ADV.  But I'm kinda surprised it took a full day plus to make an appearance over here.

I figured someone would have at least been wondering when the Wet-Head would appear in RT clothing.  

[Cablebandit]

Looks like the jugs got smaller.

[bubba zanetti]

Interesting. I especially like the stealth fighter inspired "duck bill" fender.

I think water cooling is pretty much inevitable in meeting emission standards if you want to deliver any kind of leading edge horsepower.

[Dan K]

I know its an illusion, but that picture, even on my big monitor, the bike looks like a miniature, almost match box size model...hmmm...

Looks pretty good regardless.

- Dan

[Rincewind]

It says it's air/water cooled, so not strictly water cooled, I believe?  I don't see any radiator, or are they side-mounted behind those new fairing bits on the side?  

It says the capacity is the same - rumor had it that they were going to bump it a bit higher.  

The new fairing looks like they put some grab handles up front for times of need.  

[radon222]

I don't see any radiator, or are they side-mounted behind those new fairing bits on the side?  

Yup that's exactly where they are.

[Cablebandit]

Yup, you can see it behind the right fork tube.

[radon222]

sans plastic

[ConPilot1]

Shaft drive moved to the "proper" side as well.

[chiltech500]

very cool indeed - anybody pick up on weight differences yet?

[Yankee Dog]

what a piece of junk. Can't they come up with anything new? It looks like a Triumph.

 

[atadaskew]

Looking forward to the new R1200St....

[vitaminC]

very cool indeed - anybody pick up on weight differences yet?

From the link above, it's +15hp and +20 lbs. Do those cancel each other out?

[Mookie]

 +20 lbs.

Lame.  It was a pig before and now, well, it's an even fatter pig.  

[Joey Stalin]

I'll be the purist and say no thanks. R's should be air cooled. What's wrong with a dry clutch? And why flip the swingarm? There may be perfectly good reasons for them, but I don't care. I'm not interested in all bikes being the same.

[highside]

Ill be contrary. I just don't like the way it looks. Its probably not true, but it just screams form over function to me, and that is the absolute antithesis to what the GS is all about.

I guess what I am saying is that it just is not the right kind of ugly to make me recognize it as a true BMW GS.

[Bain Dramage]

When I look at that bike my breathing gets shallow and rapid...

[eurofan]

Ill be contrary. I just don't like the way it looks. Its probably not true, but it just screams form over function to me, and that is the absolute antithesis to what the GS is all about.

I guess what I am saying is that it just is not the right kind of ugly to make me recognize it as a true BMW GS.

I agree completely. The GS has come a long way since the original R80 G/S. It grew older, became fatter and less agile.

I struggle to see the point of the current R1200GS. The F800GS is a better adventure bike and both R1200RT and R1200R are better tourers. In many ways the R1200GS hype is like the Harley-Davidson following.

This engine has a lot a modifications but remains air cooled with water cooling in some stress areas. MCN claims 65% air / 35% water.

[Aviator]

I likey and will most likely spring for the ADV version as soon as available.