2007 model year BMW GS 1200 Adventure
Difference between previous models / 2006 model Adventurer's? - A BMW source advises that BMW made a few tweaks to the gearbox and engine management, equating to smoother gear changes & reduction to gearbox noise that other riders have noticed on earlier pre 07 models. Initially tempted by the prospect of saving a few Euros by going for a nice used 2006 model, I'd spent a few months searching classifieds, & BMW agents in my quest to find the perfect touring 1200 Adventure!
Here's what we've learned along the way
Pre 07 BMW's are fitted with a brake servo which relies on being electronically convinced that it's happy to work every time the bike is started. Should the rider decide to ride off before this feat of electro-wizardry has been performed to the satisfaction of the bikes brain - the brakes may decide not to work that well! I'm told that one of the warnings the bike gives is failing to stop at the next junction! All perfectly safe I'm sure - providing you follow the manual precisely.
BMW decided to remove the servo facility from 2007 model year bikes. Apparently it's not really needed anymore!!
Brakes work with such power and precision that the bike stops quicker than you can think, with barely any front end dive. The way these BMW's brake with the whole bike seemingly just sitting down a little under heavy braking is worth stopping for a sudden coffee for just to experience.
Older pre-2007 GS 1200's will not brake fully without the engine running. When asking owners what they thought about this, in a quest to sell their bike? would happily state that they always start their engine before going anywhere!! sounds obvious doesn't it! after all what idiot would attempt to ride such a heavy expensive machine without starting the engine? Actually many riders do! I guarantee that should you wish to use your GS for the purpose it was built, you probably will as well!
It's amazing what things we all do on motorbikes without thinking. Subconsciously making small decisions which go totally un noticed. ie, we get on the bike, lift the side stand and right the bike ready to start. Having parked on a slight incline - or not so slight! we instinctively pull the front brake to hold the bike steady. Who always starts the engine first!? or having stopped the bike for coffee break, we then decide that we prefer the look of parking a few metres (because we're in Europe now :_) further down the road. So we just roll a little further without restarting the engine.
Finally, imagine the worst case scenario on that around the world expedition, we need to get the bike transported by truck or train requiring the bike to be wheeled up & down a ramp. Again on older bikes, you would probably want to have the engine running whereas lack of running engine might just be the reason that you're trying to wheel it up the ramp in the first place!?
If you're the proud owner of a 2006 model I'm sure none of these things will be causing you too much trouble because that's what bikers do; we're adaptable resourceful creatures. That's why we're able to travel long distances at high speed on two wheels in pouring rain & still smile when we stop for fuel and water pours out of our wallets instead of cash. If you're riding 1000 miles per year on sunny days for a fun ride out to the coast (and amazingly that's what a great many world going GS riders do) then most of the above will be barely noticeable. If you're riding 1000 miles every other day for weeks on end (and amazingly that's what a great many world going GS riders do) then you'll certainly notice these things and probably be more than happy to pay a few pounds extra for the improvements on the later 2007 models, onward. |
