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Photo of a BMW R 1200 GS

BMW R 1200 GS

2004 R1200GS: the R1150GS successor that shed 30 kg.1

Researched November 2, 2026 from 32 sources

Also called

  • CamheadUsed for the 2010 R 1200 GS generation with double overhead camshafts.12

At a glance

0100200
98–125 hpPower
0510
3.3 s0–60 mph
0125250
210.5–225.3 km/hTop speed
0150300
115–125 N·mTorque
05001,000
225–263 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.134710

Engine
1,170 cc boxer twin; air/oil-cooled, then partially liquid-cooled14
Layout
Shaft drive; Telelever/Paralever; 19/17-inch wheels1
Gearbox
6-speed manual; 2013 GS replaces dry clutch with a wet slipper clutch12
Built at
BMW Motorrad plant, Berlin, Germany16
Units built
100,000 GS and Adventure combined by July 20076

The story

Created to shed the R1150GS's weight, the 2004 R1200GS lost 30 kg. Air/oil-cooled production ran 2004–12 for the GS and 2005–13 for Adventure; partial liquid cooling arrived in 2013 and 2014, respectively.134

2004: 30 kg lighter than the R1150GS20042005: Adventure arrives for model year 200620052007: 100,000 GS and Adventure built in Berlin20072008: Sharper steering, optional Enduro ESA20082010: DOHC heads follow the HP2 Sport20102013: Precision cooling and a wet slipper clutch20132014: Adventure gets partial liquid cooling20142017: Rallye and TE Exclusive split the brief20172019: Final year for the R1200GS family2019 BMW R 80 G/S: 1980–1987BMW R 80 G/SBMW R 100 GS: 1987–1996BMW R 100 GSBMW R1150GS and Adventure: 1999–2006BMW R1200GS (air/oil-cooled): 2004–2012BMW R1200GS Adventure (air/oil-cooled): 2005–2013BMW R1200GS (liquid-cooled) (LC): 2013–2019LCBMW R1200GS Adventure (liquid-cooled) (LC): 2014–2019LCBMW R1250GS: From 2019BMW R1250GS 19801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones123451718
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1980–1987BMW R 80 G/S
1987–1996BMW R 100 GS
1999–2006BMW R1150GS and Adventure
2004–2012BMW R1200GS (air/oil-cooled)
2005–2013BMW R1200GS Adventure (air/oil-cooled)
2013–2019BMW R1200GS (liquid-cooled) (LC)
2014–2019BMW R1200GS Adventure (liquid-cooled) (LC)
From 2019BMW R1250GS
200430 kg lighter than the R1150GS
2005Adventure arrives for model year 2006
2007100,000 GS and Adventure built in Berlin
2008Sharper steering, optional Enduro ESA
2010DOHC heads follow the HP2 Sport
2013Precision cooling and a wet slipper clutch
2014Adventure gets partial liquid cooling
2017Rallye and TE Exclusive split the brief
2019Final year for the R1200GS family
  1. 2004

    30 kg lighter than the R1150GS

    The new R1200GS pairs a 1,170 cc boxer with twin 305 mm front discs. Weight savings include 13 kg from the engine and 17 kg from the chassis and running gear.3

  2. 2005

    Adventure arrives for model year 2006

    BMW launches the R1200GS Adventure at the end of 2005, replacing the R1150GS Adventure.15

  3. 2007

    100,000 GS and Adventure built in Berlin

    The July 27 milestone comprises 84,373 standard GS bikes and 15,627 Adventures.6

  4. 2008

    Sharper steering, optional Enduro ESA

    The GS's rake tightens from 27.1 to 25.7 degrees and trail drops from 110 to 101 mm. Enduro ESA adds pushbutton preload and damping adjustment.7

  5. 2010

    DOHC heads follow the HP2 Sport

    GS and Adventure adopt DOHC heads, following the HP2 Sport's lead, and raise the redline to 8,500 rpm.18

  6. 2013

    Precision cooling and a wet slipper clutch

    The new GS uses water for 35% of cooling and air for 65%. A wet slipper clutch and ride-by-wire throttle join the overhaul.24

  7. 2014

    Adventure gets partial liquid cooling

    The Adventure adopts the partially water-cooled boxer a year after the GS; its 30-liter tank carries 10 liters more than the standard model.4

  8. 2017

    Rallye and TE Exclusive split the brief

    Rallye gets a slim seat, radiator guards and cross-spoke wheels; TE Exclusive wears Iced Chocolate metallic, gray panels and gold brake calipers.9

  9. 2019

    Final year for the R1200GS family

    Liquid-cooled GS and Adventure production ends; the R1250GS succeeds the R1200GS.13

Every generation

  • BMW R 80 G/S
    BMW R 80 G/S1980–1987
  • BMW R 100 GS
    BMW R 100 GS1987–1996
  • BMW R1150GS and Adventure
    BMW R1150GS and Adventure1999–2006
  • BMW R1200GS (air/oil-cooled)
    BMW R1200GS (air/oil-cooled)2004–2012
  • BMW R1200GS Adventure (air/oil-cooled)
    BMW R1200GS Adventure (air/oil-cooled)2005–2013
  • BMW R1200GS (liquid-cooled)
    LC2013–2019
  • BMW R1200GS Adventure (liquid-cooled)
    LC2014–2019
  • BMW R1250GS
    BMW R1250GSFrom 2019

Power over the years

From 98 hp to 125 hp in 9 years.

050100150 200420062008201020122014 hp 2004 · 98 hp · 2004 GS2008 · 105 hp · 2008 GS, claimed2010 · 110 hp · 2010 GS DOHC, claimed2013 · 125 hp · 2013 GS, liquid-cooled 125 hp 2013 GS, liquid-cooled 98 hp 2004 GS
378
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2004982004 GS
20081052008 GS, claimed
20101102010 GS DOHC, claimed
20131252013 GS, liquid-cooled

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    R1200GS (air/oil-cooled)

    2004–2012

  • Standard

    R1200GS (liquid-cooled)

    2013–2019

    123 hp

  • Standard

    R1200GS Adventure TE

    2018

    125 hp

  • Special

    R1200GS Rallye

    2017

    125 hp

  • Special

    R1200GS TE Exclusive

    2017

    125 hp

  • Special

    R 1200 GS Adventure 90 Jahre BMW Motorrad

    2013

  • R1200GS Triple Black

    Limited

    R1200GS Triple Black

    2011

  • Limited

    R1200GS Rallye

    2012

  • Limited

    R1200GS Iconic Collection

    2016

  • Limited

    R1200GS Adventure Iconic Collection

    2016

How to spot one

Look for

  • Forward beak and asymmetric headlamp form the GS face.15
  • Boxer-twin engine and a shaft-driven rear wheel.1
  • Liquid-cooled Adventures: larger tank, spoke wheels and crash bars.4

Year by year

  1. 2008

    The tank becomes slimmer where it meets the seat, alongside a mild styling refresh.7

  2. 2013–2014

    The GS gains radiators and moves its shaft drive to the left in 2013; the Adventure adopts the liquid-cooled engine in 2014.34

  3. 2014–2016

    Optional LED headlights are added during these annual updates.1

  4. 2017

    A facelift adds side reflectors, a useful detail for identifying a later bike.1

  5. 2017–2018

    An optional color TFT dashboard with Connectivity joins the equipment list.210

Don’t confuse it with

  • R 1250 GS

    Analog dials favor the R1200GS; the R 1250 GS has standard TFT, which was optional on late 1200s.216

Against its rivals

  • Yamaha Super Ténéré (2013)

    R 1200 GS vs Yamaha Super Ténéré (2013)

    Price lower is better

    R 1200 GS$18,985
    Yamaha Super Ténéré (2013)$14,790
    19

Prices

Value today $4.8K–$13.1K3

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$10K$20K$30K 20052010201520202025 Value today: $4,750–$13,125 2004 · $16,973 · UK base GS; ~£1=$1.832008 · $14,600 · US base GS2010 · $14,950 · US base GS2010 · $17,000 · US base Adventure2014 · $20,790 · UK base Adventure; ~£1=$1.652016 · $24,267 · UK Iconic GS; ~£1=$1.432016 · $25,611 · UK Iconic Adventure; ~£1=$1.432017 · $20,079 · UK TE Exclusive; ~£1=$1.292018 · $22,941 · UK Adventure TE; ~£1=$1.34 2004 · £9275 · UK base, 2004 model year; approx. £1=$1.83 2024 · $16,000 · 2016 R1200GS, 1,500 miles, BaT2025 · $7,705 · 2013 Adventure TE, 2,316 mi; ~£1=$1.34, premium in, Winter Sale2025 · $10,000 · 2014 R1200GS Adventure, 9k miles, BaT2025 · $5,750 · 2005 R1200GS, 30k miles, BaT2025 · $6,800 · 2012 R1200GS Rallye, 41k miles, BaT2026 · $12,250 · 2017 R1200GS Rallye, 11k miles, BaT2026 · $2,500 · 2007 R1200GS, BaT2026 · $6,150 · 2009 R1200GS Adventure, 12k miles, BaT2026 · $3,800 · 2007 R1200GS, 73k miles, BaT $16.0K BaT, 2024
3478910142526272829303132
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2004Launch price$16,973UK base, 2004 model year; approx. £1=$1.83
2004Price when new$16,973UK base GS; ~£1=$1.83
2008Price when new$14,600US base GS
2010Price when new$14,950US base GS
2010Price when new$17,000US base Adventure
2014Price when new$20,790UK base Adventure; ~£1=$1.65
2016Price when new$24,267UK Iconic GS; ~£1=$1.43
2016Price when new$25,611UK Iconic Adventure; ~£1=$1.43
2017Price when new$20,079UK TE Exclusive; ~£1=$1.29
2018Price when new$22,941UK Adventure TE; ~£1=$1.34
2024Auction sale$16,0002016 R1200GS, 1,500 miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$7,7052013 Adventure TE, 2,316 mi; ~£1=$1.34, premium in, Winter Sale
2025Auction sale$10,0002014 R1200GS Adventure, 9k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$5,7502005 R1200GS, 30k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$6,8002012 R1200GS Rallye, 41k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$12,2502017 R1200GS Rallye, 11k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$2,5002007 R1200GS, BaT
2026Auction sale$6,1502009 R1200GS Adventure, 12k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$3,8002007 R1200GS, 73k miles, BaT
2026Value today$4,750–$13,125

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “100,000 GSs by July 2007”
    • “South Africa won Thailand's GS Trophy”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 8 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 32 sources
  1. BMW R1200GS - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. The BMW GS Boxers — From the R80 G/S to Today motofomo.com
  3. BMW R1200GS (2004-2019) - Review & Buying Guide bennetts.co.uk
  4. BMW R1200GS Adventure (2014 - 2016) - Review & Buying Guide bennetts.co.uk
  5. BMW R1150GS - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  6. 100,000 BMW R 1200 GS - The most successful BMW of all time bikeland.org
  7. 2008 BMW R1200GS Review- BMW R1200GS Adventure Bike First Ride | Cycle World cycleworld.com
  8. Four Cammer | Cycle World | APRIL '10 magazine.cycleworld.com
  9. BMW R1200GS Rallye and TE Exclusive (2017) - first ride and review bennetts.co.uk
  10. First ride: BMW R1200GS Adventure review | Visordown visordown.com
  11. 90 years of BMW Motorrad autoesque.blogspot.com
  12. First Look: BMW R1200GS Triple Black | Visordown visordown.com
  13. 2012 BMW R1200GS Rallye | Touratech-USA blog.touratech-usa.com
  14. BMW Motorrad celebrates 100th anniversary with the "Iconic Collection" - four limited edition bikes - paultan.org paultan.org
  15. A Life of Design: Heinrich Full Interview roadrunner.travel
  16. BMW R1200GS VS KTM 1190 Adventure VS Suzuki V-Strom 1000 - Prove - Moto.it moto.it
  17. BMW R80G/S - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  18. BMW R 100 GS – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  19. Enduro Delux-O | Cycle World | JULY 2013 magazine.cycleworld.com
  20. BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2016. Spectacular Southeast Asia! newsroom.bmwgroup.com
  21. RIDE 3 - BMW R 1200 GS Pack store.playstation.com
  22. David Robb leaves BMW | Visordown visordown.com
  23. Buyer's Guide: BMW R1200GS | Visordown visordown.com
  24. Transport Canada Recall - 2017343 - BMW - Canada.ca recalls-rappels.canada.ca
  25. Bonhams Cars : One owner and only 2,316 miles from new, 2013 BMW R1200GS Adventure TE Frame no. *WB10A0100DZ126787* Engine no. *29130308* carsd.bonhams.com
  26. No Reserve: 2007 BMW R1200GS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $3,800 on August 19, 2026 (Lot #258,680) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  27. No Reserve: 2017 BMW R1200GS Rallye for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $12,250 on October 30, 2026 (Lot #271,368) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. No Reserve: 2009 BMW R1200GS Adventure for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,150 on September 28, 2026 (Lot #265,434) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. No Reserve: 2014 BMW R1200GS Adventure for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,000 on June 9, 2025 (Lot #195,374) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. No Reserve: 2005 BMW R1200GS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $5,750 on April 18, 2025 (Lot #188,069) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. No Reserve: 2012 BMW R1200GS Rallye for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,800 on February 18, 2025 (Lot #180,838) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. No Reserve: One-Family-Owned 2016 BMW R1200GS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $16,000 on May 17, 2024 (Lot #147,205) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • motofomo.com
  • bennetts.co.uk
  • bikeland.org
  • cycleworld.com
  • magazine.cycleworld.com
  • visordown.com
  • autoesque.blogspot.com
  • blog.touratech-usa.com
  • paultan.org
  • roadrunner.travel
  • moto.it
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • newsroom.bmwgroup.com

Photo credits

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