Advice please on specs/variations on 2016/17/18 1200's?

[Max-GS12]

Maybe in the market for a 2018 GS1200 TE specifically, I am also also considering the earlier 16/17 models but NOT the Adventure in any case.

I understand there were some changes over the 16-18 years (better gearbox, less clunky, Euro 4 etc) - what the US call the 17.5??

Can anyone summarise the model variations available across the board form 16-18 in TE spec and changes for these last of 1200 line years please?

And also how the Rallye versions fit into this and what options were available regarding seats, wheels, LCD/TFT keyless etc.

FWIW I'd prefer a key and maybe even a LCD as not a fan of TFT's but not sure if these were forced options - ie they became standard.

I've ridden a few 14-16 and did find issues with the agricultural gear box and a somewhat 'digital' clutch lacking feel.

 

[yofi]

The significant changes - body style, esa gen 2, dynamic pro etc, improved gear shifting etc - came with the 17.5 bikes. Tfts became optional, and then standard for MY2018 (most 67 plate bikes) - no other changes afaik.

 

[Max-GS12]

Yes, have seen that a few times, very useful video and channel - I am looking for more specifics and detail especially re' UK models.

 

[yofi]

What sort of details and specifics? The changes described in that vid applied also to the UK models. I owned a 17.5, and I think everything's covered in that video.

Your additional questions appear to be

"how the Rallye versions fit into this and what options were available regarding seats, wheels, LCD/TFT keyless etc."

The situation with tft is as described above. Regards keyless, all TE as described above were and are keyless. And of course esa and dynamic pro were also TE additions. Spoked wheels were available for the exclusive, but I believe the Rallye only came with gold wheels. Sports suspension was optional on both. Both could be optioned with a comfort seat.

Probably best to be clear on what your thinking is, and have specific questions.

 

[Zx9man]

What ever you choose best be quick as as I see things the second hand market is on the rise again

 

[yofi]

What ever you choose best be quick as as I see things the second hand market is on the rise again

Sold my first class condition TE Excl 17.5 to the dealer for a song, before the market started to rise

 

[yofi]

small correction, sports suspension was an opinion only on the Rallye as I recall.

 

[littleade]

I had a 65 plate my 2016 TE. It had a key, the gen 1 esa ( no auto preload etc) the euro 3 engine, heated grips, satnav prep, no tft, no GSAP, Hill hold was not available

I traded it for a 67 plate my 2018 TE. That had keyless, the tft which was optional at the time, the euro 4 engine, a better gearbox, GSAP was standard as was HH ( But the HH was rather crude) it now had the gen 2 esa with min max and auto though personally I preferred the gen 1 with 1 helmet etc. I would say if you can stretch to it get the 1250 as the engine is better (it's smoother has no flat spot about 4.5k and it doesn't run out of puff like the 1200) the gearbox and GSAP are smoother (though the GSAP still isn't that good in the 1st 2 gears) and the HH is much improved.

 

[Max-GS12]

Thanks guys, yes specifically how does the Rallye differ to ‘regular’ TE models, I was not sure if if had a one piece seat as standard? Wire wheels etc?

So, 17.5 models in the UK were ALL keyless but TFT was still optional until the 1250?

GSAP?

 

[yofi]

Thanks guys, yes specifically how does the Rallye differ to ‘regular’ TE models, I was not sure if if had a one piece seat as standard? Wire wheels etc?

GSAP?

As now, the Rallye could be bought with a one piece, though I only ever saw these out on the streets as a standard two-piece. It also had a lower screen as standard. It had a few bits and bobs over a regular TE, such as fitted rad guards (cheap to pick up), and adventure style pegs. There was no significant difference between the TE, Excl. and Rallye, it was just about paint jobs (though you could option sports suspension only with the Rallye). I'm reminded that it was black spoke wheels on the Rallye, and which you could option for any of the other bikes.

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesoci...0gs-rallye-sport-2017---first-ride-and-review

So, 17.5 models in the UK were ALL keyless but TFT was still optional until the 1250?

GSAP?

All TE models, insulting the Excl. and Rallye, were keyless. TFT appeared as an option in August 2017, and became a standard fitting on the 1200 from 2018.

Gear Shift Assist Pro was introduced in 2014. Reportedly, improvements made for the 2017.5 (first released in the UK early Jan 2017)

As littleade has said, the 1250 engine is a significant improvement all round. The 1200s had a flat spot between 5-6k and the euro 4 bikes had some fuelling issues, noticeably when doing town-work. But then, you're into another price category.

 

[littleade]

Thanks guys, yes specifically how does the Rallye differ to ‘regular’ TE models, I was not sure if if had a one piece seat as standard? Wire wheels etc?

So, 17.5 models in the UK were ALL keyless but TFT was still optional until the 1250?

GSAP?

The TFT was optional on my my 2018 ( it was one of the first as I bought in in early December 2017 and it was already in the uk by then- the my - model year normally starts in the autumn of the previous year in time for the show season ICMA, NEC etc) on the later 1200's I think they became standard fitment, probably during 2018 and the old analogue clocks and lcd was phased out. I've seen the odd 1200 on 18 plates with the old clocks but they might have been old stock. GSAP Gear Shift Assist Pro aka notso quickshifter.

 

[Max-GS12]

Thanks chaps.

 

[littleade]

As far as key/keyless is concerned, on the analogue dialed bikes the standard fit was an ignition key, but you could add keyless as an option on a factory build. On the TFT bikes whether you had the TFT as an option or it was by then standard fit you could only have keyless.

 

[botus]

LCD screen allows a racier set up in dynamic pro with Jan 2018 software - "may cause inadvertent wheel lift" added after I mentioned drift mode for children on an M5, so why aren't BM bikers allowed to open the throttle !!!!
level sensors and "active" suspension on 2017 model year
Non adventure models get the damper on the rear shaft from July 2016
plus of course - death from forks that are still unfit for purpose - fork tubes are now on v4 with thicker sidewall to the tubes


https://www.tsbsearch.com/BMW-Motorcycle/SI-31-001-18

Version 4:
Description
Version 4 fixed fork tubes have a pressed in seal plug with a 360° comprehensive crimp.
In comparison to Version 2 fixed fork tubes, the tube wall thickness and the length of the crimp was increased.

V4 parts became available from
R 1200 GS (K50): From mid-June 2017 to current
R 1200 GS Adventure (K51): From mid-June 2017 to current

Retrospective installation as an alternative for Version 1-3 is not planned. Installation is however, technically possible.

Part numbers
31 42 8 393 007 Fixed fork tube K50, K51
31 42 8 393 003 Left gold fork leg K50
31 42 8 393 004 Right gold fork leg K50
31 42 8 393 005 Left black fork leg K50, K51
31 42 8 393 006 Right black fork leg K50, K51

 

[Boxerlust]

Pretty much I would sum it up like this...EU-3 models had a stronger mid-range than the EU-4 models from 2017 and 2018.
2017 on the ESA was new with min max and auto/self leveling settings as also better traction control and enduro pro/dynamic pro settings.But you really dont need it with only 125hp.Sports suspension on the Rallye models is nice to have...Stiffer springs and 20 mm more ground clearance are nice to have for faster road riding.
I would buy a 2019/20 R1250GS HP with sports-suspension... More TORQUE more fun !