GS-Riders International

I've seen a spy shot on both MCN and Solomoto of what is being claimed to be a BMW test mule for the next generation GS. Big news is what appears to be a liquid cooled Boxer. Picture is grainy (claimed to be taken on a camera phone), but some obvious differences are apparent (shaft drive is on other side). Journalists claim this was done to accomodate the radiator.

Time will tell...

Cheers,
Luckyll

Quoted from "Peter"

- talk is about 1250 cc and 125 hp

I wonder where they'll add the extra 50 or so cc's: bore, stroke, or a combination of both?

Seems if the stroke gets any longer the cylinder heads will start to stick out too wide...

I suppose it's only a question of time before all boxers become liquid cooled.

Cheers,
Luckyll

Don't know if a new watercooled GS will necessarily weigh more... After all, when they came out with the 1200 they managed to offer more power with considerably less weight. Also, BMW seems to be slimming their bikes with each new model - although the K1600GTL is big, it's still lighter than the K1200LT which preceded it... and with more power (and better mileage).

Cheers,
Lucky

Maybe an F800GS would fit the bill? It's lighter (around 210kg wet weight) with close to 90hp. Of course, you'd have to give up the paralever and a few other amenities that make the 1200 so great. Not sure what else out there in the "adventure touring" segment would fit... The DL1000 isn't that much lighter and you lose the shaft/ABS/traction control/etc.; then there's the Yamaha Super Teneré which weighs-in at a whopping 261kg!

Of course, if you can live without the shaft-drive, the new Triumph Tiger 800xc would seem to fit the criteria. About 95hp, 215kg (wet), and the triple cylinder engine - if anything like the Street Triple - is a very sweet mill indeed.

Choices are many

Cheers,
Lucky

Quoted from "Peter"

I am not sure, if the trend to bigger is better is really always better. Do we need a 125 hp travel-enduro?

I've always believed that bigger, is simply bigger - not better. Unfortunately, I appear to be in the minority. Never thought I'd see the day that would have a production 2200 cc motorcycle, but lo and behold, the Triumph Rocket is there! There are now many bikes that can easily top 200hp with very little modification - yet how many riders really need that kind of power other than on the track? Still, bigger hp numbers sell more bikes... Except for Harley-Davidson - their most performance oriented bike, the V-Rod, is also one of their least popular

I'd like to see BMW come out with a smaller, lighter boxer engine that truly pushes the technological boundaries. Lets see an 850cc boxer with liquid cooling, direct fuel injection, variable valve timing, and maybe even a light-weight electronic CVT transmission that would help a smaller engine keep revs within the powerband.

The newest bike in my stable is a Suzuki 650 Burgman - which is big by scooter standards, but a 650 cc engine gets laughed at by my cruiser riding buddies... of course, they stop laughing as soon as the twisties start and within the first five turns all they can see are my taillights.

Cheers,
Lucky

Some more recent pics on French website moto-station:
http://www.moto-net.com/breve.php?RefBreve=4516

Some details are more evident, like trick illuminated headlight surround which reminds the K1600 and BMW cars, and radial mounted brakes.

Latest pictures seem to be closer to production bikes and not just test mules.

Cheers,
Lucky