The Rambler: Touratech’s Lightweight BMW R1200GS

Radical Lightness: Touratech Trims the GS for Enduro-Travel…

For years, the BMW R1200GS (officially R 1200 GS) was the world’s premier adventure touring platform, a globe-trotting behemoth that Cycle World would deem “the most successful motorcycle in the last two-and-a-half decades.” BMW Motorrad’s number one seller, the big GS carried Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman from Scotland to South Africa in Long Way Down and served up adventures big and small for riders around the world.

At its launch, the R1200GS was 66 pounds lighter and nearly 20% more powerful than its predecessor, but it was still no featherweight: the liquid-cooled R1200GS LC models weighed over 538 lbs wet, and the GS Adventures nearly 600 lbs.

Enter Touratech, the well-known German-based company that specializes in parts, accessories, suspension, and gear for adventure riders. Friends Herbert Schwarz and Jochen Schanz founded the firm after exploring Africa together on two wheels in the 1990s, and Touratech is now one of the most respected names in the motorcycling industry, with a product range that reaches nearly 100 countries.

Touratech also develops highly-engineered prototypes in cooperation with various manufacturers.

“[We] explore what is technically possible when weight reduction, durability, and off-road capability are pushed to the extreme.”

In this case, BMW Motorrad commissioned the company to put the K50 (2013-18) R1200GS LC on a radical diet in order to create a motorcycle more suited to Endurowandern — “Enduro Travel,” or adventure riding with a strong off-road focus.

“Its purpose was to test customer acceptance and real-world usability of a radically lightweight, boxer-powered adventure motorcycle while retaining modern rider aids and long-distance capability.”

The Rambler 1200 prototypes you see here are nothing short of a revolution compared to the stock machines. They’re a full 100 lbs lighter than the standard GS, weighing in at under just 199 kilograms (~439 lbs) fully fueled.

That’s an incredible weight reduction, especially when you consider the Ramblers retain the stocker’s rider aides, beefy 125-bhp boxer engine, and famed long-range reliability. Colin Chapman of Lotus, famed proponent of the “Add Lightness” philosophy, would be proud.

To achieve this reduction, each Rambler boasts a lighter aluminum fuel tank and subframe, titanium Akrapovič exhaust, carbon fiber airbox and engine guard, compact lithium-ion battery, and various aluminum and 3D-printed parts.

The added lightness alone would make the GS much more capable off-road, but each Rambler has been beefed up and modified for harder enduro work with a BMW F800GS Adventure front end, specially-developed longer travel rear shock, reinforced frame with tweaked steering geometry, and more.

As you can imagine, the lighter weight and dirt-centric modifications completely transform the big ADV rig from an elephant into an antelope:

“The Rambler delivers significantly improved off-road handling and agility compared to the standard R 1200 GS due to its reduced mass, slim ergonomics, and revised suspension geometry. It remains stable and confidence-inspiring over long distances, even at high altitude, and is capable of sustained on/offroad travel.”

There are few bikes that can go the distance on tarmac, reliably and comfortably, and perform truly well once the pavement ends. As you can see, Touratech has put through the Rambler 1200 through its paces and proved the big Bavarian boxers can be sharp at both ends of the stick.

Now we just wish BMW Motorrad would turn the Rambler concept into reality. We’ll keep our fingers crossed!

Below you’ll find our full in-depth review with Touratech about the build, including a spec sheet and more images of both Ramblers.

Touratech Rambler 1200: Builder Interview

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your company.

Touratech is a German-based motorcycle accessories and suspension specialist with decades of experience in adventure and long-distance travel. The company has a deep-rooted history in off-road riding, rally projects, and real-world endurance testing.

The Rambler project represents Touratech’s engineering-driven approach: developing functional, rideable prototypes that explore what is technically possible when weight reduction, durability, and offroad capability are pushed to the extreme, always in close cooperation with motorcycle manufacturers such as BMW.

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

BMW R 1200 GS (K50 platform) (LC).

• Why was this bike built?

The Rambler was built as a prototype project commissioned in cooperation with BMW Motorrad.
Its purpose was to test customer acceptance and real-world usability of a radically lightweight, boxer-powered adventure motorcycle while retaining modern rider aids and long-distance capability.

It also served as a marketing and press vehicle to demonstrate what is possible through a strong partnership between BMW and Touratech.

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

The design concept focused on “Endurowandern” — adventure riding with a strong offroad emphasis using an extreme but functional motorcycle conversion.

The main goal was a massive weight reduction while preserving robustness, reliability, and rideability. Influences included long-distance off-road travel, high-altitude riding, and the need for a slim, minimalistic design suitable for demanding terrain.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

Core modifications:
• Weight reduction: approx. 50 kg lighter than the standard R 1200 GS. 199 kg boxer – a true lightweight revolution.
• Base bike: BMW R 1200 R (without Telelever)
• Frame: modified and reinforced, with a flatter steering head angle
• Front wheel: 21-inch wheel with fork from the BMW F 800 GS Adventure, featuring a Touratech cartridge insert
• Swingarm: taken from the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure
• Rear shock: specially developed with enduro-appropriate suspension travel

Further highlights:
• Titanium Akrapovič exhaust
• Self-supporting aluminum tank/rear section produced using a hydroforming process
• Compact lithium-ion battery

Removed original components:
• Exhaust system
• Steel fuel tank
• Lead-acid battery
• Rear subframe

Additional components:
• Carbon fiber airbox and engine guard
• Various aluminum components
• Selected parts produced via 3D printing

• Does the bike have a nickname?

Yes — the bike is called “The Rambler.”

• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?

Exact horsepower figures were not the primary focus of the project. The key performance figure is weight: the Rambler achieved a drastic reduction compared to the standard BMW R 1200 GS, positioning it as the lightest known K50-based prototype at the time, while retaining full functionality and electronic rider aids.

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

The Rambler delivers significantly improved off-road handling and agility compared to the standard R 1200 GS due to its reduced mass, slim ergonomics, and revised suspension geometry. It remains stable and confidence-inspiring over long distances, even at high altitude, and is capable of sustained on/offroad travel.

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

A major highlight of the project is the successful combination of extreme weight reduction with real-world adventure usability.

Particularly noteworthy are the self-supporting aluminum tank/rear structure and the integration of lightweight components without sacrificing durability, electronic rider aids, or long-distance reliability.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

Touratech would like to thank BMW Motorrad for the close cooperation and trust in developing the Rambler prototype, as well as everyone involved in the engineering, testing, and execution of the project and expedition.