BMW R 1200 GS: specifications, pros and cons, compatible accessories
The GS that started the phenomenon, and the motorcycle with the most accessories in our catalog
The liquid-cooled boxer took the GS from niche success to mass success. Today there are huge numbers of them on the road, used prices are the lowest in the family, and we have 62 accessories for this motorcycle: more than for any other BMW.
- In summaryThe best ratio of cost to available accessories in the entire range.
- To checkIf your bike is an LC from 2013 onward or the previous air-cooled version: the mounting points are different.
- Do immediatelyHeadlight grille, shaft-drive protection, dashboard visor.
- Shared with the 1250Almost everything: mounting plate, pannier frames, luggage racks, luggage, grips.
- BrandsLOBOO, Endurrad, DENALI, Barkbusters, Kaoko, Eazi-Grip.
Who it's recommended for
It's the right bike if
- You want to enter the GS world with the lowest possible cost
- You want the widest choice of accessories, often at mature-market prices
- You take long trips and only need essential electronics
- You prefer mechanics that every workshop knows
- You are willing to inspect the bike carefully before buying it
Look elsewhere if
- You want modern electronics and a TFT dashboard on all model years
- You have no way to have the shaft drive, suspension, and Telelever checked before buying
- You want the strongest low-end engine: the 1250's ShiftCam is another step up
- You ride technical off-road and are looking for lightness
- You want the warranty and support of a recent motorcycle
In short: this is the GS that costs less, both to buy and to equip, which is why it is the most accessorized motorcycle in our catalog. If you want the same journey with more torque and updated electronics, the R 1250 GS is the next step and shares most of its accessories with this one.
Technical specifications
| Engine | 1,170 cc boxer twin, air/liquid cooling |
|---|---|
| Power | 125 hp at 7,750 rpm |
| Torque | 125 Nm at 6,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 6 gears, shaft final drive |
| Chassis | Front Telelever, rear Paralever, steel bridge frame |
| Wheels | 19 inches front, 17 rear |
| Weight | 238 kg ready to ride |
| Tank | 20 liters |
| Seat height | 850 mm standard, with lowered options |
| Production | 2013-2018 in the LC version, replaced by the R 1250 GS |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Now an affordable purchase price for a fully equipped adventure bike
- The widest accessory catalog of all: 62 items from us
- Mechanics familiar to any workshop
- Many codes shared with the R 1250 GS, so more choice
- Excellent touring comfort straight from the factory
Cons
- Electronics from two generations ago compared with the 1300
- Analog-digital dashboard in the early years, TFT only from 2018
- 238 kg that you feel when maneuvering, like on all GS models
- On high-mileage models, check the driveshaft and suspension
- Watch for the LC and air-cooled distinction in listings
What to install, in order of priority
On a used motorcycle, protection matters more than aesthetics: original components cost the same as they do on a new one.
- 1
Headlight grille with plexiglassThe headlight is one of the most expensive parts to replace and the most exposed to stones. - 2
Driveshaft protectionOn the Paralever, the driveshaft is exposed to side impacts: the protection costs a fraction of the repair. - 3
Anti-glare visor for TFT displayFor models from 2018 with a TFT dashboard: eliminates reflections and protects against scratches. - 4
Larger kickstand plateShared with the R 1250 GS. Available in standard-seat and low-seat versions. - 5
Barkbusters BHG-050 handguard kitTwo-point mount for the LC from 2013, shared with the R 1200 R and S 1000 XR. For earlier model years, the code is BHG-032. - 6
Side case framesA single code for the R 1200 GS, R 1250 GS, and Adventure models, with the dedicated ADV parts already included. This is the specific part of the system: the case bodies are then chosen separately. - 7
Wanderer semi-rigid cases40+30 or 40+40 liters: on a used motorcycle, they cost less than aluminum cases and protect the load just as well. There is also the 40+30 kit with frames included. - 8
Kaoko mechanical cruise controlThis is the code for the 2013-2019 LC. For the air-cooled model years, there are three others, one for each year range: here, more than anywhere else, you need to check the registration date. - 9
CANsmart GEN II control unitFour circuits controlled by the standard buttons, without cutting any wiring. It is the clean way to add auxiliary lights and horns to a motorcycle that does not come pre-wired for them. - 10
Under-seat side bagsThey use a dead space on the motorcycle: tools and documents without adding external bulk.
With 62 catalog codes, the rest is divided as follows. Details that last: ignition button protection, anti-vibration grips, spotlight grilles, USB socket and clutch lever with spotlight switch. Ergonomics: 30 mm risers, enlarged footrests, aluminum handguards with deflector, mirrors and adapters for BMW threading. Luggage: top case plate, reinforced rear rack, PIKE TRACKER top case, aluminum panniers, waterproof rear bags, tank bags with mounting ring and 18-liter ALPS bag. Lighting: spotlight mounts, SoundBomb horn mount, DL4 spotlight kit, complete horn kit and LC081 CAN-Bus controller. Finally, the anti-slip tank stickers and instrument protection, both with separate codes for each model year, and the waterproof motorcycle cover.
If your model is the Adventure, the collection also includes a crash bar extension, crash bar bags, an ADV top case plate and dedicated spotlight mounts: the complete page is the R 1200 GS Adventure page.
View all accessories for the R 1200 GSCompatibility table
The LC and the R 1250 GS share almost everything. There is no compatibility with the 1300.
| Accessory | Towards the R 1250 GS | From the air-cooled 1200 | Towards the R 1300 GS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kickstand plate | yes | no | no |
| Pannier frames and luggage racks | yes, same code | no | no |
| Driveshaft protection | yes | no | no |
| Headlight grille | yes | no | no |
| Under-seat bags | yes | no | no |
| Barkbusters handguard kit | yes | no, the BHG-032 is required | no |
| Kaoko cruise control | no | no, code varies by year range | no |
| CANsmart control unit | yes, GEN II | no | no |
| Grips and mirrors | yes | often yes | yes |
| TFT visor | yes, since 2018 | no | no |
Brands with dedicated accessories
LOBOOLuggage and ergonomicsPannier frames, panniers, kickstand plates and top cases, luggage racks, risers, footpegs and tank bags, largely shared with the 1250.
EndurradProtection and detailsHeadlight grille, driveshaft protection and ignition button, TFT visor, under-seat bags, USB socket, heated grips.
DENALILighting and electronicsCANsmart GEN II control units, DL4 auxiliary-light kits, SoundBomb horns, and separate brackets for the LC and air-cooled models.
BarkbustersHandguardsBHG-050 for the LC from 2013 onward, shared with the R 1200 R and S 1000 XR; BHG-032 for earlier model years.
KaokoCruise controlFive different codes depending on the model year: this is the brand where getting the year wrong costs the most.
Eazi-GripGrip and protectionTank grip pads with separate shapes for the GS, Adventure, and Rallye, plus instrument protection and films.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell whether mine is the LC or the air-cooled model?
The LC, from 2013 onward, has side radiators under the windscreen and a low exhaust on the right side. The air-cooled model, through 2012, has no radiators. This is the distinction that matters most for accessories: protections, auxiliary-light brackets, handguard kits, and cruise control are completely different.
Do the 1200 LC accessories fit the R 1250 GS?
For the most part, yes: the stand plate, pannier frames, luggage rack, final-drive protection, headlight grille, and under-seat bags use the same codes. That is why you find more choice for this bike than for any other.
Which Kaoko cruise control should I get?
It depends on the year, and there are five codes here. For the LC from 2013 to 2019, there is a dedicated code, which also fits the R 1200 R from 2015 onward. For the air-cooled model years, there are others, divided by range: 2007, 2008, and the version shared with the F 800 GS and F 650 GS.
Is it still worth buying in 2026?
If you are looking for a fully equipped large adventure bike on a budget, it is the most sensible choice on the market. The cost of outfitting it is the lowest in the range because the accessories have been on sale for over ten years.
What should you check on a high-mileage example?
Driveline play, suspension seals, and the condition of the Telelever. These are the components that cost the most to put right, and on a bike with 100,000 km they make the difference between a bargain and a problem.
Which handguards fit?
The two-point Barkbusters BHG-050 kit for the R 1200 GS from 2013 onward, the same one used on the R 1200 R and S 1000 XR. For earlier model years, the code is BHG-032, shared with the F 800 GS. The bar and guard are chosen separately.
Accessori verificati · R 1200 GS accessories
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Verificati sul codice di fissaggio della R 1200 GS accessories: 59 accessori in tutto.
