RIDE’S month in bikes
New tech and new customisation programme for next year
BMW HAS ANNOUNCED the key updates, facelifts and new technology that will form the core of next year’s range. The biggest news is the new choice of optional extras for the 2018 R1200GS and GS Adventure. Both can now be fitted with a 6.5-inch colour TFT dash, replacing the current twin dials and LCD panel. Known as a ‘Connectivity option’, the new dash can link to your smartphone and crash helmet via Bluetooth to let you make or answer phone calls using the bike’s switchgear, control music and even display turn-by-turn arrows from a phone navigation app. The dash is a £595 extra on new GSS only.
BMW’S ‘Intelligent Emergency Call’ feature, seen previously on the K1600GT tourer, will now be offered on both R1200GSS and the R1200RT. In case of an accident, it automatically contacts the emergency services and reports the bike’s location using GPS. It can also be triggered by the ‘SOS’ button on the right handlebar. Emergency Call will be a £295 extra.
The 2018 R1200GS Adventure also gains a couple of optional features previously only available on the standard GS. This includes the latest Dynamic ESA suspension that automatically adjusts rear preload to compensate for extra weight. Hill Start Control is an option too. Prices for the 2018 R1200GS Adventure start at £13,400 (up from £13,200), or £17,120 in loaded TE guise (from £16,015). The Adventure will also be available in a new Rallye version with a blue-and-white paint scheme, blue frame, short screen, crash bars and a smaller seat. The Adventure Rallye starts at £13,860 and TE spec is £17,670.
BMW also revealed a new custom bike scheme called BMW Motorrad Spezial. Customers design a personalised bike using an online configurator, with access to a range of accessories, extras and paint schemes, then the factory builds it as a one-off. BMW is rolling it out on the R ninet, R1200RT and K1600GT ranges, with others doubtless due to follow. MARTIN FITZ-GIBBONS