BMW R 1200 GS Adventure parts

The BMW R 1200 GS Adventure is the heavily equipped version of the best-selling motorcycle out of Berlin: a 33 litre tank, longer suspension travel and crash bars from the factory. Between 2006 and 2013 tens of thousands were built and a large share of those now sit at a mileage where spanner work comes with the territory. Anyone doing that work themselves runs into a few model-specific pitfalls on this machine. At Motorparts-online.com you will find new and used parts for the 2006 to 2012 model years, neatly sorted per model year block.

Adventure or standard GS: what you cannot simply swap

Both models sit on the same K25 platform and share the same 1,170 cc boxer, but the chassis differs on enough points to make orders go wrong.

On top of that the Adventure has longer suspension travel, which means the front fork, shock absorber and Paralever arm differ. Tank, seat, screen, luggage racks and rear mudguard are model-specific as well. If you are looking for a buddy seat, choose the part that goes with the higher seating position and not the one from the regular GS.

Hexhead, camhead or LC: which boxer is in the frame?

Three different engines sit under the same model name, and that determines which engine parts fit.

2006 to 2009, the hexhead.
Air and oil cooled boxer with a single overhead camshaft per cylinder and a good 105 hp. In the parts catalogues you will find this version under type codes 0470 and 0480.

2010 to 2013, the camhead.
BMW gave the boxer double overhead camshafts and lifted output to 110 hp at 7,750 rpm. Cylinder heads, valve covers and the matching seals are not interchangeable with the hexhead. Parts for this version are listed under model year 2010-2012.

2014 and later, the LC.
The water and air cooled successor is a completely different platform with 125 hp. That machine has its own page: R 1200 GS LC Adventure.

If you are unsure between hexhead and camhead, look at the valve covers. The camhead has a clearly higher and flatter cover because the camshafts sit higher in the head.

Three faults that cost this GS its reputation

An experienced owner spots them straight away, but anyone new to the model is shocked by the bill.

The fuel strip.
The capacitive level sensor in the tank degrades and then reports random values. BMW switched to a float version around 2010. As long as the strip is not working, the trip meter combined with a known fuel consumption is your most reliable fuel gauge.

The final drive.
On early examples the bearings in the Paralever housing gave up prematurely. Sideways play at the rear wheel, a droning noise that rises with speed or oil on the rim are the signs. Change the oil in the housing and check the play at every tyre change, even though the service schedule does not call for it. Need a cardan or final drive? It is in the range per model year.

The servo ABS.
The models up to and including 2006 have the power-assisted integral ABS. A faulty module is expensive and many owners therefore opt to convert to a conventional system. From model year 2007 onwards a regular ABS is fitted.

With over 220,000 parts in stock and a network of affiliated dealers, there is nearly always a new or used alternative for these three classics at BMW parts.

What breaks first on a trip

An Adventure gets used for what it was built for, and that shows in the demand for parts:

• crash bars and the engine guard plate
• hand guards, clutch lever and brake lever
• screen, screen brackets and the adjustment mechanism
• headlight glass and the mounting brackets behind it
• luggage racks and the aluminium cases themselves
• footrests and a bent brake pedal

If you regularly ride with full panniers and a pillion, also keep an eye on the thickness of the front brake discs. In this weight class they wear noticeably faster than on the standard GS.

Frequently asked questions

Do parts from the standard R 1200 GS fit the Adventure?

Mechanically, largely yes: engine, gearbox, clutch and injection parts are identical within the same generation. The chassis is a different story, because tank, seat, screen, suspension units and bodywork are model-specific. When in doubt, check the part number before you order.

How do I tell whether I have a hexhead or a camhead?

The model year is the quickest route: up to and including 2009 hexhead, from 2010 camhead. Visually the valve covers clearly differ in shape and height. If you are still unsure, the frame number combined with the type code gives a definitive answer.

Can I fit the 33 litre tank on a standard GS?

It is done regularly, but it is not a matter of simply swapping the tank. You also need the matching side panels, mounting points and usually the Adventure seat. Count on several parts from the same model year block to make the whole thing work.

Are parts from the water-cooled LC Adventure interchangeable?

No. The LC from 2014 onwards is a different platform with a different engine, a different frame and different electronics. Only with separate accessories such as cases and luggage racks is there sometimes overlap, and even there it pays to compare the part number.

How do I know which model year block my bike falls into?

The range for the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure is divided into 2006-2007, 2008-2009 and 2010-2012. The first registration date on the vehicle papers usually matches the model year, although a bike sold late in the year can be a year out. If you cannot find the right part, the money back guarantee helps: if it still does not fit, it goes back.