Description
This 2009 R1200GS Adventure has had a pretty easy life so far. Wouldn’t you assume a bike of this age would have a lot more miles on it? Nope. Only a little over 11,000 – or, on average, about a thousand miles a year. Wouldn’t you expect to see a few dings, chips, and scratches to show for a life well lived on rugged back roads? Nope. Other than a small but noticeable dent in one of the side cases (which, frankly, looks to us a lot more like the result of a minor parking lot incident than a well-earned badge of wilderness rough riding), this bike is practically flawless in appearance! Does it run as good as it looks? Yep. Maybe better. But a bike like this wasn’t made to be pampered; it was made for a different purpose. We’re looking for a rider who will give this machine the ride it has always wanted, what it was built to handle, and what it is so well equipped to provide. Won’t someone give this machine what it deserves — an honest ADVENTURE? Please!
A basic R1200GS Adventure rolls off the assembly line in Germany already equipped to exceed just about anyone’s idea of what a Big Enduro Bike should be. Of course it has the iconic air/oil-cooled 1170cc Boxer motor held firmly within a rugged tall chassis that rides on BMW’s famous Telelever front- and Paralever rear-suspension. Beyond that, it’s also outfitted with Integral ABS II brakes, on board computer, ESA II (Electronic Suspension Adjustment), ASC (Automatic Stability Control), TPM (Tire Pressure Monitoring), factory large fuel tank (8.7 gal!), factory cylinder/rider/tank guards, adjustable windscreen, cross-spoke wheels, factory fog lights, dual adjustable saddle, enduro transmission, heated grips, adventure saddlebag mounts & luggage rack, hand guards, lower bash plate, larger adventure foot pegs and brake pedal, and more.
AS IF that weren’t enough already, the previous owner also chose a splendid array of factory options and aftermarket accessories to perfectly prepare this bike for the kind of BIG adventures they dreamt of having. These include LOW Suspension Wilbers Shocks front & rear, BMW/Garmin Zumo GPS, BMW’s excellent Adventure aluminum side cases, BMW solid stamped alloy cylinder head protectors, LED Turn Signals, and a custom-modified Sidestand with larger footprint, PLUS these very useful TOURATECH accessories: Headlight Protection Grill, Oil Cooler Protection Grill, and Throttle Body Sensor Guard. There it is: a bike that stands ready for the adventure of a lifetime: YOUR ADVENTURE!
Let’s give you the mechanical summary. This machine does not run like an eleven-year-old bike; it runs like NEW. When it came into our service department we performed our standard evaluation and safety check in which a top-to-bottom exam of every component and function reveals any flaw or performance defect that may exist. And then, whatever needs repair or replacement is done promptly and professionally by our top BMW Certified Technicians.
With this GS Adventure we started by bringing its scheduled maintenance up to date with an Inspection II (12,000 mile) and Bi-Annual Service. That includes, among other things, changing engine oil & filter, draining and refilling all drivetrain fluids, and a full brake fluid service. Additionally in this case, we replaced the alternator belt, replaced the sensor for the Tire Pressure Monitoring system, and a few other miscellaneous small parts that we found to be worn or slightly damaged. We also installed a NEW FRONT TIRE – a Metzeler Tourance. The rear tire on the bike (same model) is quite fresh and still has plenty of tread remaining. We topped both tires up with nitrogen for longer wear and better ride characteristics. Our service treatment concluded with a rigorous, extended test ride and then a Maryland Safety Inspection where the bike easily earned its official stamp of approval.
The last thing one of our pre-owned bikes gets before we roll it into the showroom is a thorough deep cleaning and polishing by our in-house professional detailer. What little evidence there was of this bike’s previous life has now been virtually erased — other than the aforementioned ding in the saddlebag. Any other remaining visible patina of its eleven years of prior ownership is so minimal it’s not worth mentioning. And that means you probably won’t ever notice it. Remember, at Bob’s we are very critical about cosmetics, so if our guys say this bike rates a 9.5 (on a scale of 10) it would be an 11 by anyone else’s measure! In the end, we know the next owner will be simply ecstatic that they found such a great looking bike.
There’s actually a LOT on this R1200GS Adventure to feel ecstatic about, but if you want to see one of its best features you have to get down pretty low. Have you spotted it yet? (Hint: it’s the price!) Yes, if you’ve been hunting for an affordable full size Adventure bike in magnificent condition, completely equipped and ready to take you away this minute, you just found it here! You only need to turn the key and GO. (But don’t forget to pack first!)
