BMW R 1200 GS Adventure Triple Black 2012 — Specifications

When BMW decides to paint its flagship in black, it's never a trivial matter. After the 2010 vintage R 1200 GS, it's the Adventure variant's turn to slip into the dark suit with this 2011 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure Triple Black. Three shades of black, a cosmetic treatment that gives this Bavarian globetrotter the look of a mercenary ready to devour African trails and country roads on a November evening alike.

The concept is simple: dress the engine and bodywork in Sapphire Black, tint the fork legs in the same vein, then highlight the steel trellis frame and Paralever single-sided swingarm in a more understated Asphalt Grey Metallic. The cylinder head covers of the flat-twin receive a touch of Granite Grey Metallic, just enough to remind you that beneath this austere dress beats an evolved 1170 cc flat-twin. The valve train now features double overhead camshafts per cylinder head, the intake ports are widened, the pistons are redesigned, and an exhaust valve makes its appearance. The result: 110 hp at 7750 rpm and 119.6 Nm of torque available from 6000 rpm. The gains remain modest — five percent more power — but the usable rev range extends higher with the rev limiter pushed to 8500 rpm. The boxer simply breathes better.

What truly sets the Adventure apart from the standard GS is its long-distance touring vocation. The 33-liter tank provides comfortable range for long stages. The seat, perched at 915 mm, is adjustable to suit off-road riding. Suspension travel is generous, 210 mm up front via the Telelever and 220 mm at the rear, enough to soak up corrugated tracks without flinching. The cross-spoke wheels — 19 inches at the front and 17 inches at the rear — confirm the adventure-oriented character, as do the handguards, engine bars, and widened footpegs fitted as standard. Braking relies on two 305 mm discs clamped by four-piston calipers at the front, complemented by a 265 mm disc at the rear. At 256 kg wet, the machine stays within the segment's norm, even if no one would ever call it light.

Let's be honest: this 2011 Triple Black edition proves a little less generous than the 2010 version on the standard GS, which came with specific wheels, a 3D logo on the seat, and a premium pack. Here, the treatment remains essentially cosmetic. That takes nothing away from the pleasure of riding a machine whose shaft drive and six-speed gearbox guarantee minimal maintenance on long raids. At €15,400 at the time of release, the pricing remained consistent for a motorcycle of this caliber. Those searching today for a used BMW R 1200 GS Adventure Triple Black, whether a 2012, 2017, or 2018 model year, will find a machine that has proven itself on every terrain. A test ride on a used 2017 or 2018 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure Triple Black also offers the chance to appreciate the improvements made over the years on this solid mechanical platform.

This Adventure Triple Black is aimed at long-distance travelers who want a capable and understated machine, far from the bling of flashy multicolored editions. It doesn't revolutionize the formula, but it dresses it up with a certain elegance. The kind of motorcycle that doesn't try to please everyone — and that's precisely what makes it endearing.