|
Fulfilling a need for a pure off-road oriented motorcycle that still has all
the power, handling and reliability required for long-distance adventure
touring as well as on-street handling, the F 800 GS is perfectly positioned
as a middleweight dual-purpose enduro. The bike, representing yet another
market segment in BMW's dual-sport category, follows in the footsteps of its
highly acclaimed "older brother" - the R 1200 GS - which traces its roots
back to the early 1980s when BMW won the grueling Paris-Dakar rally four
times with its trailblazing dual-purpose R 80 G/S.
The F 800 GS, BMW's latest dual-purpose enduro, features an asymmetrical
double headlight and a look that is sleek, trim and 100% aggressive. With a
compact 85-horsepower parallel twin engine, lightweight steel trellis frame
and double-sided swingarm, along with a chain drive and longer front and rear
suspension travel, there has never been a BMW dual-purpose machine offering
such a unique blend of power, comfort and off-road muscle.
The 2008 BMW Motorrad GS line features the upgraded R 1200 GS and GS
Adventure models, which will arrive in dealerships this Spring. Since their
debut in 2004, the versatile R 1200 GS and its rugged companion, the R 1200
GS Adventure, have earned praise from motorcycle enthusiasts and the press
for their exceptional performance both on and off the road.
The R 1200 GS has earned award after award, including Cycle World's Best Open
Class Street Bike and the International Journalist's Panel "Best Bike in the
World." For 2008, this go-anywhere motorcycle has several enhancements that
meet the demands of serious motorcyclists on both dirt and pavement. A new
aluminum handlebar which can be mounted in two positions offers increased
ergonomics, making its seated (or standing while off-road) position even more
comfortable. Its engine offers 5% more power and its new transmission ratios
also mean quicker acceleration and better low-speed traction.
The R 1200 GS Adventure - named "Best Adventure Bike" three years in a row by
editors of Motorcyclist Magazine - also offers a number of significant
features that make it even more adept at riding to the ends of the earth. In
addition to new design elements, including two-part, two-color hand
protectors, the new 2008 R 1200 GS Adventure provides a taller windshield,
adjustable seat and extra wide foot pegs making long days in the saddle both
comfortable and enjoyable. A generous 8.7 gallon fuel tank allows the rider
to cover vast areas of territory easier and optional ABS enhances braking
safety when required.
The most significant technological development found on both the 2008
R 1200 GS and GS Adventure models is optional enduro ESA (Electronic
Suspension Adjustment) technology (a first-time offering for BMW off-road
bikes) with three damper settings - Sport, Normal and Comfort -- giving
riders the option of customizing both front and rear suspensions to his or
her specifications. Whether they are navigating the urban jungle or touring
off the beaten path, these GS models have set a new standard for the entire
adventure bike category.
Motorcycle enthusiasts got a preview of all three new GS models at Cycle
World IMS shows this winter.
|
