1st ride review is out and sounds like BMW has a winner with the reinvention of the Dakar model.  Notice the review makes note of the easy on and off ABS feature.  Something Triumph needs to copy for their Tiger 800 bikes.  Said it once and I will say it again, Triumph if you haven’t all ready add the the ABS switch for 2013 and informatics button.  😉

Ride along with Motorcycle-USA as we put this entry level adventure touring bike through the gauntlet on the street and in the dirt in the 2012 BMW G650GS Sertao Video.

windscreen offers a fair amount of wind protection but the narrow bodywork leaves the rider’s legs exposed as we found out on a particularly cold stretch of during our road test.

The most apparent difference between the old Dakar and the new Sertao is the appearance. The new version features the now familiar BMW asymmetrical headlight arrangement, as well as the GS-style bodywork made popular by the F800GS and R1200GS. The dash houses an analog tach with a clean LCD screen that offers speed, dual trip meters and a clock – plus a trip meter that tracks how many miles you’ve gone once the bike hits its one-gallon reserve. Curiously, there is no fuel gauge.

At the heart of the Sertao is a counterbalanced, twin-spark 650 Single. The fuel-injected engine churns out an ultra-mellow 50 horsepower and 44 lb-ft of torque. The powerband is linear, with no real peak or surge, so it is ideal for new riders and works very well off road. BMW claims the 650 GS is capable of getting 74 mpg if you keep the speed at 55 mph. that would equate to about a 270-mile range. We would expect it to be in the 50 mpg range at normal speeds but we will have to wait to confirm all of that later when we conduct a full test.

Now, in case you missed the memo, all BMW motorcycles come with ABS as standard equipment these days. Since the Sertao is designed specifically to explore off the beaten path and in the dirt – it is good to see that BMW made it very easy to turn the ABS on and off. Simply toggle the ABS switch on the left handlebar when the bike is stopped and the rider can be ABS-free.

Obviously the ABS is a great piece of safety equipment when riding on the street, and BMW is keen to point out it is the only manufacturer to offer the system on its entire line-up. ABS is particularly handy on the rough and dirty back roads that the Sertao rider is supposed to be exploring, as well as the slick mean streets of commuter-ville where the majority of these poor bikes will likely end up.

Whether the roads are rough or not the G650GS is a nimble handler despite the softly sprung suspension. It soaks up all the road imperfections with Cadillac-like style yet still can be a blast in the canyons. The 41mm Showa fork is soft, no doubt, but works well enough for a wide range of riders. The front sticks are preload adjustable, as is the rear shock.

All in all the G650GS Sertao is very comfortable with plenty of leg-room and ergos that should accommodate a wide range of riders. Even though the seat height is tall for some riders, it is not intimidating. The bike is thin between the rider’s legs and the upright position, combined with a comfortable seat, should make it easy to log many miles during your adventure ride. We blasted canyons, dodged pot holes and generally hauled butt on our street ride and the Beemer was stable and offered decent feedback from the tall skinny front tire. The axle boss appears to be really beefed up these days and there is a fork brace to help alleviate any of the squirminess inherent to these tall, spindly bikes. The rear suspension is a lever-linkage-equipped single shock. Both front and rear components offer over 8-inches of travel and some pretty decent ground clearance for riding off-road.

During our time riding in the dirt, the Sertao proved a capable handler as well. In fact, it climbs pretty steep hills and tackled the associated descent better than expected. We had a bunch of river crossings, some of which were technical because a few riders had a tough time making it through the obstacles without issue. Ruts, rocks and gravel didn’t cause us too much trouble at a moderate pace, where we found the bike well equipped to handle the conditions. In fact, it is a heck of a lot of fun. Riders will be surprised how far into the unknown they can trek on a Sertao.

We traversed lengthy Jeep roads, mild trails and steep hills during a couple hours adventring at the BMW-supported RawHyde off-road training center. These were all a part of our off-road experience, as was the slick So-Cal mud. Combined with the stock street-biased dual sport tires, it made for some slippery situations. But the BMW handled it all well. The mild-mannered engine makes it easy to modulate the power and the capable chassis offered the confidence to put the front wheel where it needed to go. We suspected the G650GS Sertao was going to be a good motorcycle heading into this test, and the ride affirmed it.

The original Dakar was one of our old favorites and the $8670 2012 BMW G650GS Sertao is a more-refined, better looking version of that very bike. If you’re a new rider or interested in joining the adventure-touring ranks you now have an inexpensive option with the ultimate ADV pedigree. The 2012 BMW G650GS Sertao: It’s the do it all motorcycle that were glad to see back in the BMW stable.