BMW R1200GS Rallye

Though only a minority of R1200GS owners take their bikes off-road, those who have done so – or anyone who has taken a BMW Off Road Skills or similar course – know just how capable the big boxer is on dirt. That ability has just gone up a notch with the launch of the GS Rallye, created to be the most off-road ready standard GS so far.

There’s a hint of BMW’S Motorsport tradition in the Rallye’s blue paintwork and frame, and the bike gets a sportier look from its lower screen, a slimmer seat designed to work better when standing up, wider enduro footrests and plastic frame protectors. The standard Rallye also comes with radiator guards to protect against stones, and wire cross-spoke wheels that can come fitted with knobbly rubber at no extra charge.

As the launch route was mostly bumpy and rutted dirt tracks, I was glad the bikes were all the upmarket Rallye Sport, which incorporates off-road friendly options including Riding Modes Pro (whose extra Enduro settings make it a must-have, I’d have thought) and Dynamic Traction Control. They also had some extras including the updated Dynamic ESA, engine bars, an aluminium bash-plate and 20mm longer, stiffer sports suspension.

It’s all been said before but despite its size and weight the GS is well suited to off-road use in many ways, not least its wonderfully grunty and useable power delivery, which is very well managed by the Enduro riding mode’s electronics. The Rallye Sport’s quick-shifter was fun and useful on dirt, the traction control repeatedly found grip with a shower of roost, and the dirt-dedicated ABS worked improbably well on gravel.

Of course, even this boxer is one big, heavy motorbike. In fact, with its invaluable crash protection it’s up near the 250kg mark. It’s also pretty expensive: the launch bikes’ extras would add well over a grand to the Rallye Sport’s £14,625 price. But it’s a superbly versatile machine that, shod with dirt-friendly Metzeler Karoo III rubber, coped brilliantly with a demanding route. And such was the Rallye Sport’s poise, suspension quality, tyre grip and level of electronic assistance that surprisingly few riders had to pick one up.

Of course, the majority of GS owners are still more likely to merely dream of all-terrain adventure before deciding to stick to tarmac, thanks very much. But for those who are serious about off-road riding on an R1200GS, the Rallye has to be the best starting point yet.