BMW has long been considered as the ultimate touring bike manufacturer, and over the years, the Bavarian firm has refined its touring machinery to an incredibly high level. But since 2003, BMW has also worked hard on its performance machines, producing some super-sporty bikes. The K1200GT is the apotheosis of these two development strands – bringing together the firm’s excellent touring technologies with its newly-developed performance abilities.
The GT is based on the superb K1200S engine and chassis, with a 152bhp inline-four engine mounted in a twin-spar aluminium frame with radical front and rear monoshock suspension technologies. It’s supremely fast, with handling and braking to match.
Built onto this high-performance engine and chassis package is a touring environment that’s a match for any other big tourer. Slab-sided bodywork panels give great weather protection, while an adjustable windscreen, seat and handlebars allow a perfect fit for most riders. The tank range is impressive – over 250 miles is easily attained – and an onboard trip computer keeps track of fuel consumption, range remaining, tyre pressure monitoring and other diagnostics.
BMW offers a host of optional accessories for the GT – including GPS sat-nav, heated seats and grips, electronically-adjusted suspension, alarm, taller screen, and loads more. Fully loaded with all the options, BMW’s K1200GT is truly a machine to ride to the ends of the earth.
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