BMW R1200GS Rallye MY2017, in medium stat virtus [ROAD TEST]

In 2017 it got a makeover, we had seen it in our road test of the updated standard (here the article), but the most important innovations are the two new versions, the Exclusive and this Rallye, above all.

In both cases they are immediately recognizable for their dedicated colors and very captivating graphics, with this beautiful Lupine Blue metallic combined with a frame painted in Cordoba Blue of great effect, while the saddle is two-tone black/white.

The innovations are certainly not just aesthetic ones, however, because the Rallye aims to be almost a mix between the R1200GS and its Adventure sister, with a strong off-road vocation, in this case maintaining the dimensions and 20 liters of tank of the standard version.

A vocation that becomes clear by choosing at least one of the two options dedicated to off road: Sport suspension and knobby tires (they are available at no additional cost when purchasing the motorbike). The latter are a topic that deserves reflection which we will report to you later Sport suspensions (310 euros), at least in our opinion, they are an essential must for those who opt for a “GS Rallye”.

As standard, the Rallye setup, which costs an additional 650 euros compared to the list price of 16.840, offers instead: a dedicated two-tone and one-piece saddle, a sports windshield, radiator and frame protection, large enduro footrests and crossed spoke wheels, in addition to the beautiful graphics on the tank and the dedicated colours.

Everything therefore goes in the direction of Enduro, just like the windscreen. The original one becomes an obstacle when riding standing, because it prevents you from seeing the area immediately in front of the front wheel, so it is replaced by a much smaller one, which however remains adjustable and capable of guaranteeing decent aerodynamic protection if necessary. The presence of spoked rims is obvious, rather than for an aesthetic issue, for their greater elasticity and ability to "digest" roughness.

The "miracle", if we can call it that, making a 244 kg motorbike suitable for even rather extreme off-road riding, is done by the suspension electronics. ESA for the R1200GS MY2017 makes giant strides and manages to change the character of the bike, to the point of effectively eliminating one of the few defects that could be found on the "Giesse milledue" before this year: the behavior and feeling of the front Telelever when riding off-road.

Now it almost feels like having a classic telescopic fork, the front end works so well, having become more intuitive and communicative. They take the last step upwards Sport suspension, optional on the Rallye, which they raise the height of the motorbike by 2 centimetres, but which also increase their excursion and modify their calibration. Active suspension that can be used by changing the mode, both on asphalt and Enduro, but also the height.

In “Auto” it is the electronics that process the data that arrives from the sensors and the inertial platform, deciding what to do and constantly acting on the spring preload, but it is still possible to raise and lower the set-up manually, with 10 centimeters of travel! On “Min” the spring preload is reduced to a minimum, so as to offer a lowering of thesaddle height up to 800 mm from the ground.

By switching to the “Max” setting you reach the maximum level spring preload and it "rises" to 900 mm. This last mode can have a benefit especially in the most extreme off-road passages, where maximum ground clearance is necessary to avoid touching the mechanical parts.

The tank remains 20 liters (on the Adventure it rises to 30), but with revised shapes, to allow for better standing riding. What is surprising is not only the greater off-road vocation however, because the Dynamic ESA "Next Generation" amplifies the differences in character of the bikes in the main two scenarios where it can be used. Perfect for off, but also better for on, i.e. on the road, where the agility and handling, which made the "GS" famous, are now even more marked. A motorcycle with a double soul therefore, which still cannot do only one thing on its own: changing the tyres.

Treaded tires
With the standard tires the quality of the work done with the active suspension is already evident, but the limits of the tread characteristics remain which is designed purely for use on asphalt. We mentioned it, but for the R1200GS Rallye you can request knobby tires at no additional cost. These are the excellent Metzeler Karoo III, with which the traction on low-grip surfaces becomes almost incredible, as the instructors and all those who saw it in action at the GS Academy can testify.

On the other hand, they can be used for traveling on asphalt, but they are certainly not as performing as traditional tires in this context. For example, with an F800GS, last year we found that the ABS calibration is also optimized for non-knobby tyres, which therefore partially affects its functioning and efficiency. The option of deactivating it remains, given that both traction control and anti-lock braking can be excluded, but it is certainly an important sacrifice in terms of safety.

However, the motorbike cannot do much about the characteristics of the tyre; instead, the user will have to make choices. In extreme cases, you may end up changing tires depending on how you use the motorbike. For example, we know that some participants in the renowned Elefantentreffen rally fit the knobby covers before setting off, and then put them “to rest” until the next time.

In conclusion, a parenthesis on customization. There are numerous options and original accessories available, but also many details from specialized manufacturers, with which to change the appearance and enrich your motorbike. Watch Rhizome, one of the best manufacturers of motorcycle accessories, what does it propose for the “GS” (here our article).

Test clothing:
Jacket: Dainese Carve Master Gore-Tex
Trousers: Dainese New Galvestone Gore-Tex
Gloves: Dainese Ergotour Gore-tex X-trafit
Boots: Dainese TRQ-Tour Gore-tex
Helmet: Caberg Xtrace

Photoshoot: ENGINEER