New Concept Bike By Touratech – R1200GS Rambler
Touratech develops one of the lightest R1200GS conversions ever created.
Touratech has unveiled a lightweight 1200cc adventure bike with high performance potential. The project, code-named K199, was a challenge accepted by Touratech to build an enduro machine based on the current liquid-cooled R1200 power-plant for BMW Motorrad.
The mission was to create a water-boxer dirt bike that weighed under 200KG (440lbs) ready to ride. This modern-day interpretation of the legendary HP2 Enduro, dubbed the Touratech R1200GS Rambler, is a race-ready powerhouse built for agility off-road. Weighing in at 199kg (438 lbs). The result is one of the lightest R1200GS conversions ever created.
Built in collaboration with BMW Motorrad, the Rambler is Touratech’s modern interpretation of the BMW HP2. With that vision in mind, it is a machine that not only looks like a performance focused bike, but also rides like one.
Two prototypes that differ only in color were created: one with the black-grey-yellow Touratech color scheme, and the other in classic BMW Motorsport colors white, blue and red.
To achieve their vision, Touratech developers combined the chassis and engine-gearbox unit from the R1200R Roadster model with the a final drive and swing-arm from the R1200GS to maximize the suspension travel and boost ground clearance. This gives the Rambler a directly responsive, high-torque drive system with 123 HP. Basing the prototype on the Roadster provided another advantage: the model comes fitted with a telescopic front fork standard rather than the telelever front end of the R1200GS. The chassis was then fitted with a custom aluminium triple clamp that holds a set of re-worked forks from an F800GS Adventure.
A long-travel fork cartridge conversion kit from Touratech Suspension was fitted into the F800GSA fork legs and set up for 230mm (9.1”) of travel. Performance for the rear comes by way of a long-travel Touratech Suspension Extreme shock with 200mm (7.9”) of travel. The Metzler Karoo 3 rubber meets the road with Haan Excel wheels 21″ front and 17″ rear.
With suspension tuned by Touratech Suspension the boxer is extremely stable on its wheels, even at high speeds. The use of modern materials and technologies, fairing sections made from super-lightweight aluminum tubing in conjunction with carbon fiber, a titanium exhaust system, and a powerful but less heavy replacement lithium-ion battery help to bring the overall weight down. Compared to the standard model, the Rambler has shed nearly 50 kilos (110 lbs), making it incredibly agile.
Once the motorcycle was stripped of its fairing and all unnecessary mounting brackets, the frame was reinforced for hard off-road use. The original fairing was ditched to make way for the custom lightweight airbox with fairing made from carbon fiber, and adapted protection bars.
The bike sports a self-supporting, 16.2-liter aluminum fuel tank, which forms part of the subframe structure that supports the rider and rear fender. Together with a separate plastic tank (1.8 liters) housing the fuel pump, the total fuel capacity is 18 liters (4.75 gallons). The slim seat was crafted from Polyurethane using a method that requires no seat pan and is therefore extremely light. Ultralight master cylinders & titanium footpegs were also utilized for maximum weight savings.
Several pounds were shed on the Rambler by going to a single-disc brake setup,like those found on enduro bikes, yet it also utilizes ABS. A Carbon Fiber skid plate protects the crankcase and sump when riding the Rambler in extreme rough and rocky terrain.
The Rambler is a real ready-to-go concept bike, with an amazing off-road potential. A project that shows the Touratech development team’s remarkable technological abilities and the great merge of their touring and off-road divisions. While technical components were manufactured by Touratech AG, the clay modeling, design and prototyping were carried out by sister company TT-3D in Murnau, Germany. There currently are no plans for a production version of this bike but it’s been fun for the Touratech team to rise to the challenge and create a modern day version of the HP2. Perhaps BMW Motorrad will feel inspired enough to produce something like this again.
Modifications and materials:
Airbox: | carbon fiber reinforced plastic with original air filter (Touratech / TT-3D) |
Fairing mount: | aluminum tube construction (Touratech) |
Fuel Tank: | aluminum, lowered side walls, capacity approx. 4.2 Gal (16 liter) (Touratech / TT-3D) |
Fuel pump: | in separate plastic tank (1.8 l) beneath the main tank |
Total Fuel capacity: | 4.75 gallons / 18 liters |
Seat: | rally seat made from PU foam (Touratech / TT-3D) |
Frame: | unnecessary mounting brackets removed |
Rear sub-frame: | integrated aluminum fuel tank sub-frame (Touratech) |
Handlebar & controls: | Magura TX handlebar, very light high-performance radial-pump master cylinders for clutch and brake (Magura HC3) |
Triple clamp: | custom-made by XTRIG |
Brakes: front: | 1 x brake disc Ø 300 mm; rear: 1 x brake disc Ø 276 mm |
Brake lines: | stainless steel braided hose (Stahlflex) |
Fork guard / brake line mounts: | aluminium (Touratech) |
Front & rear body work: | plastic parts (Touratech / TT-3D) |
Rear light: | European BMW R nineT kit |
Headlight: | BMW G 450 X kit |
Turn Signals: | LED from BMW R 1200 GS |
Enduro exhaust system: | titanium and carbon fiber, custom-made by Akrapovič |
Rear silencer bracket: | aluminum (Touratech) |
Battery: | lithium-ion 12 V, 4.6 Ah |
Rear fairing: | carbon fiber reinforced plastic (Touratech / TT-3D) |
Wheels: | rugged Haan Excel rims (custom-made) with Metzler Karoo 3 tires; front: 21 x 2.15 with 90/90 R21, rear: 17 x 4.24 with 150/70 R17. |
Skid plate: | carbon fiber reinforced plastic (Touratech / TT-3D) |
High fender: | carbon fiber reinforced plastic (Touratech / TT-3D) |
Suspension: | Custom Long-travel, 7.8” (200mm) Extreme shock custom-made by Touratech Suspension |
Forks: | Original BMW F 800 GS Adventure fork with Long-Travel 9.1” (230mm) Fork Cartridge Conversion Kit by Touratech Suspension |
Foot peg assembly: | titanium foot pegs, aluminum bracket and heel guard |
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Oh good, let’s make an already unreliable bike into an even more unreliable one, and let’s raise the price substantially while we’re at it, since Touratech’s stuff, while high quality, is priced only for people who already have plenty of money.
Me, I’m waiting for the KTM 390 Adventure. But really, my DR650 will still be the better bike.
I certainly don’t hold anything against Touratech since I believe in capitalism and I’m glad they are successful. I own a Touratec GPS mount and some tire tools and aside from preferring smaller bikes, I’m obviously not in their market demographic. This motorcycle looks interesting however Ill watch from my trusty affordable modified DR650 also.
Interesting comment. Did you own a 1200gsw? I’ve had 2 both very reliable.
What is so bad about making a light weight prototype from the parts bin. Sure many people would have done it differently but I like the concept. Without fresh ideas we don’t get change.
Well saiD Paul, I’ve had many BMW’s, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki. I liked them all, but I love my GSA 1200. And I have had no more reliability issues on any of them. I ride hard and far off road. Maintenance and an ear for what bike needs will never let you down. Of course I can’t speak for all bikes, but can for the above. I’m now 66 and still ride long and far. On my BMW.
start sending them out!! Start in Utah please
Yeah right…438lbs. Good luck picking that up solo. You’re not gonna ride anything other than a dirt road unless you have the skills of a Jimmy Lewis. And that brake and clutch fluid reservoir is coming off first time you drop this bike.
A Kiwi just road a KTM 500 EXC 35,000km through the Americas. I believe that’s a better option, that is, unless all your doing is riding to Starbucks. Which is probably the truth.
http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/new-zealand-to-oregon-on-a-ktm-500exc.1181912/page-9#post-31129898
You should do some more research. Try YouTube. I take my 110 pound heaver 1200 to the same places I take my 250 and its not any worse when I lay it down, I just use the appropriate technique for the different bikes. FWIW, none of my bikes have ever been to a Starbucks but they have been North of the Arctic Circle, and I definitely want a Rambler of my own.
I’m 150lbs wet. I ride a 2015 R1200GSA, with some gear on it. About 600lbs. I can lift it alone if needed. Not easy but possible. So don’t tell us 438lbs is impossible to lift. That’s an amazing weight for an Adv bike. And believe me, I go way beyond dirt roads. Ask the guys I ride with on 250 n 450 dirt bikes, 650s and KTM 990s, 1090s, and 11190s. The R1200GSA is much more capable than most people know. That being said, this rally concept would kick ass off road. I still want a narrower n lighter adv than my GSA at my stage of riding off road, but it’s quite a bike. And it’s incredibly tough.
i don’t understand the gs haters. are you just jealous? i’ve also owned two gsw -2013 and 2016- and also own a bmw s1000r. absolutely no reliability issues with any of the bikes. what’s it witih you haters? i also have a ktm 690 enduro -a 320 lbs bike. i take gs to almost the same places as the 690 -especially when not riding alone. how you haters go ride a gs off-road before and quit hating. it’s a very capable. after totalling my 2013 gsw riding off-road, i could bought any bike and i bought and gsw. i’m glad for the touratech concept bike. not everyone can afford to dine in a fine restaurant and for those of us who can, i’m grateful the offerings.
consider about this:
“negativity is the enemy of creativity” –david lynch
“happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.” — franklin d. roosevelt
your negativity is stifles your growth hurts your pocket book. change your attitude and perhaps one day you can afford all that you desire -especially love.
be joy. be love.
Well said my friend, don’t know you but a lot of common sense quotes.
As an owner of many bikes and different brands you can love them all for different reasons and ride types. Owned a couple of Harleys years ago 20 years in fact.
Would still own one again for a different ride.
My current daily ride, r80gs love it won’t ever sell it but buying a 1250 soon.