BMW R1200GS

MCN overall review verdict: If you decide you fancy a 2017-onwards BMW R1200GS, you’d better be prepared to do some serious research first. There are versions upon versions to choose from. In the road-biased side, you can opt for the standard model, a TE or a TE Exclusive. If you fancy tackling the dirty stuff, there’s the Rallye and the Rallye TE. Then of course there’s the BMW R1200GS Adventure, which comes in a bewildering choice of five different spec levels of its own. The standard BMW R1200GS comes with hand-guards, pannier fastenings and switchable riding modes. If you step up to the TE you get electronic suspension (ESA), cruise control, ABS, dynamic traction control (DTC), better onboard computer and a whole host of other goodies. The TE Exclusive has the same spec as the TE, but comes in “Iced Chocolate” paint and gold calipers (a staggering £305 addition). The Rallye is the off-road biased version of the R1200GS and comes with sporty upgrades to the pegs, seat, screen and wheels. You also get automatic stability control (ASC), radiator and frame guards and knobbly tyres. The Rallye TE gets you all of that, plus DTC, LED lights… still reading? There’s a complete list of features in the ‘Equipment’ section of the review. The next generation ESA and DTC both increase comfort and safety, while the automatic pre-load adjuster will make a huge difference if you’re always adding luggage or a pillion. Just when you think the GS can’t get any more advanced, it does. BMW have improved on perfection, and made their flagship GS smoother and more refined than ever. The Rallye version takes the fear out of off-roading and bridges the gap between the standard GS and the big Adventure. It goes as well as it looks, is superbly purposeful and looks set to be hugely popular with adventure riders but in full spec it’s an expensive bike to risk riding over rocks.  Still interested? Learn more about this bike and the other BMW GS models.