Description
You've undoubtedly heard of the legendary BMW R1200GS.
This bike might be the perfect way for you to experience just how awesome this bike is without the huge initial expense.
Let's face it—it's a serious investment. Not only is the initial cost significant, but maintaining it through the 36,000-mile service schedule is far from cheap.
And of course, most riders want to make it their own—tweaking, modifying, and upgrading it in all kinds of ways.
What I didn’t realize when I bought it... was that I was essentially buying five motorcycles in one.
I had no idea how the different ride modes would affect performance. I basically purchased it without truly understanding what I was getting into.
As I rolled off the showroom floor, the salesman gave me a quick overview of the riding modes and suggested I keep it in "Road" mode. He mentioned that’s where I’d likely spend most of my time—and he was absolutely right.
Ninety percent of my time has been in Road mode, and for good reason: it’s perfectly tuned for smooth, comfortable highway cruising.
I remember asking about Enduro Pro mode. The salesman simply said, "When you're ready, everything is there." It didn’t make much sense at the time, and I was more focused on hitting the road than deciphering cryptic advice.
Fast forward to a motorcycle rally, and I realized I’d never even activated Enduro Pro mode. A bit of research, a few tweaks, and suddenly—I had it unlocked. But I never really used it. It’s extremely aggressive, designed for serious off-road adventures, and recommends gnarly tires, which I didn’t install.
By the time I got it activated, I knew I wasn’t going to be tackling rugged trails.
My first experience in a rainstorm changed everything. I switched to Rain mode and was blown away. The bike felt entirely different—planted, secure, confidence-inspiring. It sure is comforting to know you are ready for the inevitable rain storm and slippery roads.
Just for fun, I tried out Dynamic mode a few times. It’s wild—spicy and intense—but not something I wanted to ride in for long stretches.
For the dirt roads and double track trails I explore, Enduro mode has been perfect for the roughly 1500 miles I rode the gravel roads of the Continental Divide Trail.
In short, the five riding modes are like having five different motorcycles. Each one handles differently, and on top of that, each mode can be customized in multiple ways.
As for modifications, I knew I wanted to open up the cockpit a bit. So I added adjustable foot pegs—tailorable to different riders’ preferences—and repositioned the handlebars up and back. The combination made a world of difference in comfort.
I also added panniers and a top case. Since I do a lot of long-distance road riding, I needed room for gear and clothing.
All in all, the R1200GS is more than just a motorcycle—it's a platform, a companion, and, honestly, an experience you grow into.
This has been a great bike with tons of fantastic memories, but it’s time for me to downsize.
I bought it off the showroom floor with 8 miles on it. Al the other miles are mine, and mine alone, 😊
A Couple of things could use some attention: The front signal lights could be replaced, along with the aluminum panels on the Vario Cases, and the crash bars are ready for new paint.
Now for the good news: 99%+ of the miles have been long distance easy road miles. The other miles, 1500+ were on gravel roads and truck trails. The bike is very capable off-road, but that kind of ride is above my current pay grade, so I avoided it. 😊
Keyless Ride, the 5 major riding modes, ABS Pro, ASC (Automatic Stability Control), Grear Shift Assist Pro, and more outlined on the original dealer tag (in the picture).
My mods opened the cockpit and made the bike even more comfortable on the open road. The bike does not disappoint.
The driveshaft was replaced under factory warranty about 2,000 miles ago. Some misc parts (see Picture) go with the bike.
I have added $5.5K of upgrades/modifications listed on the spreadsheet (pictured).
I kept the original parts when doing the mods and they go with the bike. A file of all the paperwork goes with the bike also.
Thanks for looking.