The BMW R1200 GS xDrive Hybrid Enduro bike features a secondary propulsion system with components supplied by BMW Automobiles itself.
BMW is famous for its April Fool’s jokes and this year’s was believed by most. The BMW Motorrad name is known for its uber-premium motorcycles which are the best in the endurance-adventure motorcycling world. The sheer quality and finesse of the bikes are testimonials of how much the machines reek of clever engineering and technological marvels, which a company can only boast of when it has a long history of being king of the hill in the segment. Thus, justifying its mantle and setting the bar further high, BMW Motorrad has now come up with the all new 2017 BMW R1200 GS xDrive Hybrid motorcycle – the world’s first series-production all-wheel drive-travel enduro with hybrid drive.
In BMW speak, the motorcycle is ideal combination of touring and long-distance travel qualities, dynamic performance, endurance and off-road capability, which basically means that the bike will take you anywhere and everywhere in the most sophisticated and high tech way possible. The motorcycle achieves the feat of being a 2-wheel drive bike with the help of an additional electric motor-hybrid system on the front wheel, which works in tandem with the 1170cc flat-twin engine, both of them together making a lump sum 170 HP of power. The hybrid system, derived from BMW i-battery technology, stores the energy which would otherwise be wasted during braking, and delivers it to the front wheel in an appropriate amount depending on the riding situation.
Riders can use a number of riding modes to customize how the all-wheel drive system operates to suit their needs. The controls to the system are on the LCD display. BMW says that during the testing phase of the bike, the motorcycle and its components worked flawlessly even at temperatures of minus 56 degrees. The all-wheel-drive can be operated automatically or manually via the 2WD switch located on the left of the handlebar. The flat twin 1170cc engine of the bike generates 125 HP of power and delivers it to the rear wheel via shaft drive. The wheel-hub e-Drive system which functions both as electric motor and generator provides an additional output of 45 HP, bringing the overall power at 170 HP. The BMW R1200 GS xDrive Hybrid will hit showrooms later this year.
BMW R1200 GS xDrive Hybrid
– The BMW R1200 GS xDrive Hybrid is the world’s first series-production all-wheel drive endurance bike
– The motorcycle features an electric e-Drive system from BMW i battery technology in the front
– The system delivers power the front wheel depending on the riding situation
