While BMW Motorrad’s GS-series machines are the de
facto standard for big dual-purpose adventure touring bikes, they aren’t
exactly the most slim and svelte of motorcycles. Joining forces with adventure motorcycle
gear maker Touratech – a famous brand in its own right – the duo have produced
the R1200 GS Rambler.
Using the 1,170 cc boxer-twin from the BMW Motorrad
R1200 R sports bike, the 125 hp and 125 Nm liquid-cooled engine is mated to the
swingarm and shaft from the R1200 GS. Omitted is the Telelever front suspension
from the GS, with the front end being suspended by conventional forks.
Gone is the humungous 33-liter tank from the GS,
replaced instead with a slimmer 18-litre unit reminiscent of enduro style
motorcycles. The biggest change is, of course, the weight, which drops from the
GS Adventure’s 256 kg wet weight to a much more manoeuvrable sub-200 kg in the
Rambler.
Serving to further aid in the weight loss programme,
the GS Rambler sports a single front disc brake. More weight is lost with the
inclusion of a guard frame using “super-lightweight aluminium tubes and
carbon-fibre”, along with a titanium exhaust system and lithium-ion battery.
While still at prototype stage, according to
Touratech the R1200 GS Rambler is “ready-to-go”, said Motorcycle News. It is
also reported that the Rambler will come in two colour schemes – BMW Motorrad’s
red, white and blue, as well as Touratech’s corporate colours of black, grey
and yellow.
No word on what this collaboration between BMW
Motorrad and Touratech might cost, but we will assume, given the quality of
products that come out of the Touratech factory, the R1200 GS Rambler will not
be cheap.
