Well the BMW 1200 GS sells cos it has loads of excellent marketing and image thrown at it, not because it is a good bike. The engine dates from WWII and quality and reliability is ok but nil compared to a Jap bike. The GS is far too heavy for real off road. Anyone who rides in the desert (for instance) knows that only singles are adventure bikes cos NOONE wants to have to try and pick up a big heavy beast like the GS. Hence KTM, Honda, Yamaha and the rest rule, up to about 650cc with single cylinders. I do some gentle trail riding with my Beta Alp 200 and BMW G450X and I can promise you that a big twin would NEVER be able to climb where we go, and I am a total beginner.
The GS1200 is a wonderful example of marketing wins over brains. It is a good bike but is worth about 60% of its sales price. A Super Ten is 100 times better. Ho hum!!!
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