![]()
No images available
Tap to enlarge
![]()
2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye Overview
For 2018, BMW offers the R 1200GS Rallye as an enduro / off-road motorcycle with 1170 cc on tap. The 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye is built around a Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke engine running Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) valve actuation, a compression ratio of 12.5:1. Internally, bore and stroke are 101 x 73 mm. Out on the road, the R 1200GS Rallye delivers 125 Nm @ 6500 Revolutions of torque. Flat out, it's quoted at 200 km/h. In everyday use, the 2018 R 1200GS Rallye tips the scales at 244 kg, carries a 20-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 850 mm and spans a 1,507 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 45.2 kg heavier than the average enduro / off-road motorcycle in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye spec sheet below.
2018 R 1200GS Rallye - Pros & Cons
Strengths
-
🔧
Fuel injection: No choke, no jetting, no altitude compensation to think about - fuel injection just works across a wider range of conditions than carburetion.
-
⛽
Large fuel range: With a 20-litre tank, this isn't a bike you'll be stopping for fuel every hour - a real asset on longer trips.
-
⚙️
Low-maintenance final drive: Shaft drive (cardan) final drive is about as close to maintenance-free as motorcycle drivetrains get.
Considerations
-
📏
Tall seat height: A 850 mm seat puts flat-footing out of reach for a lot of riders - sit on it in person before committing.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Fuelling & injector care
Fuelling on the R 1200GS Rallye comes from fuel injection. Cold starts and throttle response stay consistent across altitude and temperature, the main practical edge over a carbureted equivalent.
Valve clearance checks
Valve clearances on Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)-equipped engines like the R 1200GS Rallye's drift slowly with mileage rather than failing suddenly - sticking to the service interval keeps it a non-issue.
Brake disc and pad wear
Double disc. ABS. Floating discs. Four-piston calipers. up front provides the primary stopping power; inspect disc thickness and pad wear at each tyre change to catch scoring before it becomes a rotor replacement.
Suspension condition on used examples
Suspension duties are handled by BMW Motorrad Telelever up front and Cast aluminium single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.
Final drive maintenance
Shaft final drive on the R 1200GS Rallye removes chain and belt maintenance entirely - the trade-off is a little extra unsprung weight and periodic gear-oil changes.
Frame & chassis check
The Two-section frame, front- and bolted on rear frame, load-bearing engine chassis holds up well with normal use; on a used bike it's still worth checking the head-stock and swingarm pivot area for impact damage or corrosion.
Handling the weight at a standstill
The R 1200GS Rallye's 244 kg kerb weight is worth factoring into how you handle it at a standstill - parking-lot manoeuvres need a bit more deliberate technique than on a lighter machine.
R 1200GS Rallye - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
A pre-purchase check on the 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye should cover the same ground every time: service history, chain and sprocket condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept R 1200GS Rallye settles to a smooth idle within seconds.
Oil and filter changes
Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for a R 1200GS Rallye's engine - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.
Fuel system care
Injector systems like the R 1200GS Rallye's hold up well with basic care - decent fuel, an occasional cleaner additive, and draining old fuel before any layup longer than three months.
Valve clearance service
There's no reliable seat-of-the-pants way to tell if a R 1200GS Rallye's valve clearances are in spec - a light top-end tick is the only real warning sign, and by then some wear has already happened. Service records are the only proof.
2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye have?
The 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye uses a Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke engine with 1170 cc of displacement.
What is the top speed of the 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye?
The 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye has a factory-quoted top speed of 200 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.
How much does the 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye weigh?
The 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye weighs 244 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye make?
The 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye produces 125 Nm @ 6500 Revolutions of torque.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye?
The 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye has a 20-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 333-400 km between stops.
Is the 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye suitable for shorter riders?
The 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye has a seat height of 850 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.
What brakes does the 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye have?
The 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye uses Double disc. ABS. Floating discs. Four-piston calipers. at the front and Single disc. ABS. Floating disc. Two-piston calipers. at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye use?
The 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye runs 120/70-R19 front and 170/60-R17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
BMW R 1200GS Rallye Spec Evolution
The BMW R 1200GS Rallye was produced across 2 model years (2012-2018). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2012 |
2018 |
| Wet Weight |
238 kg / 525 lbs |
244.0 kg / 537.9 lbs |
| Engine Detail |
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
Balancer shaft |
| Engine Type |
Two cylinder boxer, two-stroke |
Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke |
| Top Speed |
206.8 km/h / 129 mph. |
200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph |
| Seat Height |
850 mm - 870 mm / 33.4 in - 34.2 in |
850 mm / 33.5 in. |
| Fuel Capacity |
20 Litres / 5.2 US gal |
20.00 litres / 5.28 gallons |
| Fuel Control |
DOHC |
Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) |
| Comments |
Blata is from the Czech Republic. |
Windscreen. Riding Modes Rain and Road. |
Key Specifications
Engine
Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke
Power
Not published by manufacturer
Torque
125.00 Nm (12.7 kgf-m or 92.2 ft.lbs) @ 6500 Revolutions
Top Speed
200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph
Weight
244.0 kg / 537.9 lbs
Fuel Capacity
20.00 litres / 5.28 gallons
Advertisement
Full 2018 BMW R 1200GS Rallye Specifications
Comments
Windscreen. Riding Modes Rain and Road.
Colours
Lupin Blue Metallic/Cordoba Blue/Gold
Seat Height
850 mm / 33.5 in.
Wheelbase
1,507 mm / 59.3 in.
Height
1,450 mm / 57.1 in.
Length
2,207 mm / 86.9 in.
Width
953 mm / 37.5 in.
Fuel Capacity
20.00 litres / 5.28 gallons
Wet Weight
244.0 kg / 537.9 lbs
Fuel Control
Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)
Engine Type
Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke
Displacement (ci)
71.39 cubic inches
Displacement (cc)
1170.00 cc
CO2
115.1 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)
Bore x Stroke (mm)
101.0 x 73.0 mm
Bore x Stroke (in,)
4.0 x 2.9 inches
Engine Detail
Balancer shaft
Fuel System
Injection. Electronic intake pipe injection
Compression Ratio
12.5:1
Emissions
Closed-loop 3-way catalytic converter, emission standard EU-4
Engine Lubrication
Dry sump
Fuel Consumption
4.96 litres/100 km (20.2 km/l or 47.42 mpg)
Fuel Reserve
4.00 litres / 1.06 gallons
Starter
Electric
Valve System
4
Clutch
Oil lubricated clutch, hydraulically operated
Final Drive
Shaft drive (cardan)
Gearbox
6-speed
Primary Drive
Constant mesh
Frame Type
Two-section frame, front- and bolted on rear frame, load-bearing engine
Suspension - Front
BMW Motorrad Telelever
Suspension - Rear
Cast aluminium single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever
Rake
25.5°
Seat
Single Rallye Seat
Trail
100 mm / 3.9 in.
Wheel Travel - Front
190 mm / 7.5 in.
Wheel Travel - Rear
200 mm / 7.9 in.
Brakes - Front Diameter (in.)
12.0 inches
Brakes - Front Diameter (mm)
305 mm
Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.)
10.9 inches
Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm)
276 mm
Brakes - Front
Double disc. ABS. Floating discs. Four-piston calipers.
Brakes - Rear
Single disc. ABS. Floating disc. Two-piston calipers.
Rims
Cross Spoke Wheels
Tyres - Front
120/70-R19
Tyres - Rear
170/60-R17
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
Advertisement