Both bikes proved comfortable enough to make short work of the Phoenix-to-L.A. run following the central Arizona press intro. The GS's low-fuel warning light comes on every 175 miles or so, giving you another 45 to fill up. Vibration: minimal. Wind protection: good. The Adventure's larger fairing is better, but its added girth and more rolling-resistant knobbies dropped fuel economy to 38 mpg versus the GS's 42. That puts 330 miles between fuel stops-110 more than the standard model.
Somewhere between Quartzsite and Blythe, I'm having an easier time justifying $14,600 for a Namibia Orange GS than $16,600 for the Adventure. Especially since the option package du jour will add anywhere from $695 to $1495. Is the '08 GS perfect? No. Is it better? Much. At the end of a 545-mile day, it's still the best tool for more two-wheeled jobs than anything else I can think of.
Tech Spec
Evolution
In the beginning there was the 1980 R80 G/S, which begat the '87 R100GS and then the '94 R1100GS Oilhead, '99 R1150GS and '04 R1200GS, which laid the foundation for what you see here.
Rivals
Only the Buell XB12X Ulysses and KTM 990 Adventure possess comparable off-road capabilities.
| TECH |
| Price | $14,600 |
| Engine type | a/o-c opposed-twin |
| Valve train | SIHC, 8v |
| Displacement | 1170cc |
| Bore x stroke | 101.0 x 73.0mm |
| Compression | 12.0:1 |
| Fuel system | Bosch EFI |
| Clutch | Dry, single-plate |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Horsepower | 105 bhp @ 7500 rpm |
| Torque | 86 lb.-ft. @ 5750 rpm |
| Frame | Tubular-steel trellis |
| Front suspension | Telelever with electronicallyadjustable Showashock |
| Rear suspension | Paralever with electronicallyadjustable Showashock |
| Front brake | Dual Brembo four-pistoncalipers, 305mm discs |
| Rear brake | Two-piston Brembocaliper, 264mm disc |
| Front tire | 110/80R-19 Bridgestone Battle Wing |
| Rear tire | 150/70R-17 Bridgestone Battle Wing |
| Rake/trail | 25.7/4.0 in. |
| Seat height | 33.5 in. |
| Wheelbase | 59.3 in. |
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 gal. |
| Dry weight | 472 lbs. |
| Colors | Silver, gray, orange, blue |
| Available | Now |
| Warranty | 3 yrs., 36,000 mi. |
Contact
BMW of North America
300 Chestnut Ridge Rd.
Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677
201.307.4000
http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com
Verdict
More punch, more polish and a load of electronic enhancements should keep the GS ahead of its rivals for another few years