New BMW R1200GS Adventure revealed

BMW has finally released the full technical details of the 2014 R1200GS Adventure; the tougher and more off-road targeted bike the firm hopes will continue the big sales of the current model.

The new bike gets a slightly different version of the new water-cooled 1170cc boxer twin available in the standard bike for the first time at the start of 2013 although it has been adapted for the Adventure model.

The German firm has given the bike a fairly comprehensive makeover with some big engineering changes including a heavier flywheel, larger 30-litre fuel tank, redesigned bodywork, new riding modes more suitable for off-road terrain, longer suspension travel, bigger windscreen and a host of other smaller changes.

The bigger BMW R12000GS Adventure remains a big seller and in the UK the more off-road model closely matches the standard R1200GS in terms of numbers sold.

For the first time the Adventure model has significant engine modifcations when compared to the standard model with a flywheel which weighs 950grams more than that of the standard bike which, in conjunction with an extra vibration damper aims to improve the rideability of the bike at low speed and when negotiating off-road terrain.

The biggest visual change over the standard bike comes from the fitment of the larger 30 litre fuel tank, the reshaped bodywork and the taller screen along with the side-mounted wind deflectors. Shaped from aluminium it not only adds 10 litres over the standard bike but is stronger than the plastic tank on the GS.