The BMW GS celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2020. For over four decades, we have known the GS as an indestructible motorcycle with unmatched road grip, comfort, and off-road capability.
In 1980 the R 80 G / S, the Gelände / Strasse (field/road), a model that is traditionally recognized as the creator of the segment of the large trail twin-cylinder, was marketed. Since then, and without interruption, there has always been a trail boxer in the catalog of the Bavarian firm that has been a benchmark among lovers of great motorcycles for adventure travel.
The robust boxer engine block and low maintenance shaft drive have made the BMW GS the ideal motorcycle for travel and adventure riders for over 40 years. The recognizable asymmetrical headlight and the striking and original design of the BMW GS mean that even a non-motorist can immediately recognize a BMW GS.
Standing still can often be seen as taking a step back and that of course also applies in the motorcycle world. BMW has been perfecting the GS for 40 years, its further development and technical improvements make the GS an unbeatable motorcycle that stands out perfectly on any terrain.
The BMW GS has stood for innovation and reliability for 40 years. Here we take a look back at the legacy of this two-wheeler icon from BMW.
The Beginning Of The Legend
BMW started in 1979 with a 797.5 cc boxer R75 / 5. called Type 247, the one of the R80 / 7, paired it with the chassis of an R65. This is how the first R 80 G/S was born. The R 80 G/S was equipped with a powerful air-cooled 800cc two-cylinder boxer engine. This innovative off-road motorcycle brought off-road riding and touring together incomparably. BMW sold almost 22,000 units worldwide.
The BMW R 1100 GS was introduced in 1994 and debuted with a bold fresh look. The R 1100 GS clearly differed from previous models in terms of style and brought a breath of fresh air to the off-road segment. It was equipped with a dual front fender, a large gas tank, and a clearly visible Telelever trailing arm that ran from the front fork to the engine block.
This Telelever system in the motorcycle’s front suspension also provided an unsurpassed feeling of control and improved damping. Today, the more developed version of this Telelever system is still used in the BMW R 1200/1250 GS. The 1085cc boxer engine in the R 1100 GS was the largest boxer engine BMW had ever produced. The combination of power and ride comfort made the R 1100 GS a highly sought-after motorcycle and after six years on the market, over 40,000 units were sold.
Four victories during the Paris-Dakar in 2000 were achieved with the single-cylinder enduro motorcycle BMW F 650 RR. After the success of these mono cylinders, this concept was developed and the BMW F 650 GS was born. The first incarnation of the BMW F 650 GS had 50 horsepower, 42-pound feet of torque, and was chain-driven.
The appearance of the F 650 GS was clearly influenced by its Paris-Dakar roots and, like the BMW R 1100 GS, it had the distinctive beak fender. Like the previous GS models, the F 650 GS had a regular model and a Dakar rally variant. With a lower entry-level price and a high level of reliability, more than 100,000 F 650 GS were sold.
2013 marks the beginning of the water-cooled generation of the GS.
Advanced, Versatile & Powerful
An 1170 cc boxer engine in the new water-cooled R 1200 GS produced 125 horsepower and 125 Nm of torque. The design of the motorcycle was also completely revamped. The R 1200 GS is also the first production motorcycle in the world with an LED headlight.
Starting with this model, the throttle cable is replaced by a servo motor. On-board technology was getting smarter, thanks to many sensors, and the semi-active Dynamic ESA system that adapts to the driving style and the road surface to adjust the damping. A big but subtle change is the shifting of the drive unit. Until then the drive unit had been on the right side of the motorcycle on GS models.
Both the F 750 GS and the F 850 GS brought a completely redesigned style with a combination of the new fairing panels and the LED headlight that gives the new models a more aggressive look, clearly derived from their older brother; the R 1250 GS. And all this without losing the DNA of what made the F 700 GS and F 800 GS so brilliant.
Not only has the appearance changed, but both new models also have more power than ever. The F 750 GS has 77 horsepower and 83 Nm of torque and the F 850 GS gets no less than 95 horsepower and 92 Nm of torque from the same 853 cc engine. Of course, these models can also be equipped with the TFT display with BMW Motorrad connectivity.
Like the previous generation, the F 850 GS is also available as an adventure variant. When the 800 series GSA model underwent minimal external changes, this Adventure variant feels like a completely different motorcycle, not only does it look much wider than the regular GS, but it also feels wider when you sit on it. All of this contributes to the “off-road” character of the Adventure series.
Will Something Ever Dethrone The BMW R 1250 GS?
The GS lineup has never been as comprehensive as it is today. With the addition of the BMW F 750 GS and the F 850 GS, there’s a GS suitable for every rider. And if the history of the BMW GS gives a glimpse of what the future will look like, we can’t wait to find out what the next 40 years will bring.
The Relentless Adventurer
Be it long trips or off-road driving: the BMW GS (A) has been a household name in the off-road segment for over 40 years. The GS (A) is the quintessential off-roader, powered by the indestructible boxer engine or the rock-solid two-cylinder in-line engine. These are motorcycles that will never let you down. You couldn’t wish for a better travel companion during long drives and tough drives.