BMW's most excellent Adventure - 14 June 2007
In the July issue of Two Wheels Only, Assistant Editor Jonathan Bentman met up with Off Road Skills Chief Instructor Simon Pavey to compare BMW's R1150 GS Adventure and the latest R1200 GS Adventure. So which one came out on top?

BMW made R1150 GS Adventures for some three years before Ewbie and Charlie Bikerman blagged a couple, no, sorry, three, bikes for their Long Way Round odyssey. That said, their hugley publicised trek bestowed added superstar status to an already high-profile machine. Sales of the biggest dirt bike know to mankind went stellar. The R1150 GS Adventure became, and remains, an icon.

But now it's being consigned to the annuls of history. The R1200 GS Adventure, launched last year, has redefined BMW's huge-overlander bike concept. Faster, lighter and certainly flashier (in the most macho manner possible) it's also quite a lot lighter than the outgoing model. The question is, is it actually better?

AN EXPERT SAYS...

Simon Pavey is Big Cheese at BMW's Off Road Skills in West Wales. Multiple Dakar Rally finisher, thrasher extraordinaire of GS Adventures in the dirt he is, alas, an Australian. Which goes to show, no one's perfect.

"Although I have considerable experience of both BMW GS Adventures it has been two years since I have ridden the 1150. I loved the 1150 and when the new 1200 came along I was worried that it just wouldn't have the same character.

"Worry I shouldn't have, as within days I loved the newer Adventure even more. Having them side-by-side served to remind me why - because it's an 1150 Adventure with more... more power, more torque, more wind protection, more features and all round more capability.

"Don't get me wrong, the 1150 is still a great bike because the smooth tractable engine makes it a silky joy to ride in its own special way. If you can afford the latest GS grab one now, but if the 1200 Adventure is stretching te seams of your wallet too far then you really shouldn't fret - I guarantee theat every time you swing your leg over either GS Adventure, you'll get back off with a giant grin on your face."

To read the full comparison of the two Adventures, buy the July issue of Two Wheels Only magazine.

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