First ride: 2008 BMW R1200GS Adventure - Page 2 of 2

For £215, you can have a traction control system which on slippery roads gives you a greater sense of confidence winding it on out of corners. As soon as the rear wheel slips the ECU interrupts the power, meaning no scary slides. And it works, too. Deliberately giving the throttle a big handful on greasy roads, the Adventure would report with a series of stifled barks as the traction control cut in, but no slides or crashes resulted. You can turn the system off if you’re a riding god, of course.

The new Adventure is a logical and excellent step forward for the model, a brilliant application of clever technology making a great bike better still. The uprated engine gives it more grunt off the throttle without (one hopes) affecting the stunning tank range in any way, while the ESA and traction control system genuinely improve the riding experience. All these extras will add around £2,000 to the base price of the Adventure, but they aren’t just there for show and have a huge positive impact on the bike.