A Trail Blazer

New GS might be big but it’s very capable when the going gets rough.

- Adam Child

At the end of 2016 BMW updated its R1200GS to make it Euro 4 compliant. While the GS was in the workshop they made some cosmetic changes and revised and smoothed the drivetrain. For 2017 BMW have launched two variants of the updated Euro 4 bike: the offroad biased Rallye and the Exclusive, and it’s the Rallye, which bridges the gap between the standard GS and the big Adventure, that appears to be attracting the most interest.

Those who buy a Rallye can go two ways: to the standard road version or the off-road version, which includes opting for off-road biased rubber. You can then add sports suspension (£290), with an increased spring rate, longer spring struts and extended spring travel, which raises the seat height 20mm to 900mm while upping ride height.