BMW GS
The BMW GS is a model series of adventure-touring motorcycles produced by BMW Motorrad since 1980 until present day. The GS acronym has had several different meanings over the years. Originally designer Hans Muth had intended to call it the "Gentleman's scrambler" but it was later launched under the name G/S meaning "Gelände/Straße". Later models removed the forward slash and now GS is generally accepted to be german for "Geländesport".
The GS models of motorcycles can be distinguished from other BMW models by their longer travel suspension, an upright riding position, and larger front wheels - typically 19 or 21 inch.
The BMW GS is generally accepted to be the first "adventure bike" combining some off-road capability of a dual-sport motorcycle, with the comfort and luggage carrying ability of a touring motorcycle.
The BMW GS is also a commercial and historically significant model for BMW Motorrad. Before its launch in 1980 the motorcycle division of BMW was struggling financially and in early 1979 the new director of BMW Motorrad Karl-Heinz Gerlinger was tasked with either making the motorcycle business profitable or shutting it down entirely. Initially some reviewers of the new R80G/S model were unimpressed with the compromised dual nature of the motorcycle, with the magazine Motorcyclist calling it "barely capable of holding its own heavy and akward". On the contrary the German publication Motorrad claimed the R80G/S was "the best roadbike BMW has made yet". By the end of 1981 BMW had sold 6,631 R80G/Ss which was more than twice the number originally hoped for, contributing to saving the motorcycle division.
The GS models have went on to become the best selling model in BMW Motorrads lineup. On 21 June 2023 BMW announced they had produced their one millionth boxer-engined GS motorcycle.
Model history
The GS has been produced in several distinct models and generations of differing engine configurations. By enthusiast these are typically distinguished and nicknamed based on the engine powering them.First Generation Boxer: 1980 - 1996 "Airhead"
The first BMW GS model was the R80G/S powered by a 797.5 cm³ air-cooled, 2 cylinder boxer engine. It was powered by the BMW 247 engine which was also fitted to many other bikes in the BMW range of the time. This engine is known as the "airhead" because it relies on airflow across both the cylinders and cylinder heads to provide the majority of its cooling. These early models used a combined rear suspension, drive shaft and swingarm called a "Monolever".The most collectible model of this generation is probably the R80G/S "Paris-Dakar" model featuring a larger fuel tank, a single seat and a luggage rack. This model was launched in celebration of the R80G/S wins in the Paris Dakar Rally.
In certain markets a smaller 649.6 cm³ R65GS version was also available. With a lower power output of, this was targeted at riders with restricted licenses and was also sold to some nations' military forces.
In 1987 the G/S name was changed to GS and the Monolever was replaced with the "Paralever" swingarm. This system included a torque arm intended to lessen shaft effect and strengthen the swingarm to final-drive connection. A host of other updates included a bigger subframe, a new front fork and tubeless rims. The new bikes were produced with engines of 797.5 cm³ and 980 cm³.
Production of the standard machines stopped in 1995 with the R100GS Paris-Dakar, but special "Kalahari" and "Basic" editions were produced until December 1996, which ended airhead GS production.
Airhead models still have a strong following among adventure motorcyclists, due in part to the design of the machines being easy to work on making them simple to service and repair, and their solid and reliable design makes them suitable for traveling.
Airhead production history
Airhead GS models are listed below together with production figures where known:| Model | Years | Production count |
| R80G/S | 1980-1986 | 21,864 |
| R80G/S Paris Dakar | 1984-1987 | |
| R65GS | 1987-1991 | 1,727 |
| R80GS | 1987-1994 | 11,375 |
| R100GS | 1987-1994 | 34,007 |
| R100GS Paris-Dakar | 1988-1996 | |
| R80GS Basic | 1996 | 3,003 |
| R80GS Kalahari | 1996 |
Second Generation Boxer: 1993 - 2005 "Oilhead"
In 1994 the next generation of BMW GS was introduced with the R1100GS. This generation is commonly referred to as the "oilhead" due to the engine relying more on oil-cooling than the previous version. In 1998 it was followed by a smaller R850GS model, which was largely identical besides a less powerful engine.The R1100GS model signified a significant jump in technology introducing features like a four-valve engine, electronic fuel injection, a catalytic converter and ABS-brakes. BMW also claims it was the adventure motorcycle with the "biggest capacity and greatest power output" of the time.
The R1100GS also introduced the "telelever" front suspension to the GS range, a feature still employed in current models. This replaces the conventional forks with an A-shaped control arm and a shock absorber. This system is intended to improve performance of the front suspension by separating the forces exterted by weight shift of the chassis, from the forces generated by bumps from the road surface. It also eliminates compression of the front suspension under braking, called "brake dive".
In 1999 the model was updated to the R1150GS. This model received a slight increase in engine power and displacement, a change in design of the front fairing and headlight - now sporting two round assymetrical headlight lenses. The R1150GS also received a 6-speed gearbox, up from the previous 5-speed. In September 2001 the "Adventure" model was announced which is analogous to the earlier Paris-Dakar models. This model added a larger fuel tank, lower gearing, longer suspension travel and optional off-road tyres. This was done to make the Adventure more suitable for arduous off-road trips with a heavy load of gear and supplies. The R1150GS models is by many regarded as the motorcycle, that kickstarted interest in traveling on big adventure bikes.
Oilhead production history
Oilhead GS models are listed below together with production figures where known:
Model Years Production count R1100GS 1994-1999 39,842 R850GS 1996-2001 2,242 R1150GS 1999-2004 58,023 R1150GS Adventure 2001-2005 17,828
Third Generation Boxer: 2004 - 2013 "Hexhead"
In 2004 the R1200GS model introduced the third generation of GS models. Commonly referred to as the "hexhead" simply due to the hexagonal shape of the cylinder heads.While not representing as big a change in basic design, as there had been between the first and second generation, this model took many of the ideas of the previous version and improved upon them. Most notably the R1200GS was significantly lighter, shedding some 30kg from its wet weight compared to its predecessor. Interestingly 13kg of this reduction came solely from weight savings in the gearbox. The engine of R1200GS model gained a significant amount of power while at the same time being both smoother and more economical, due to gaining a balance shaft and improved fuel injection.
In 2008 the R1200GS received an update, that made the steering geometry steeper and added 5hp. The biggest innovation was probably the implementation of Electronic Suspension Adjustment ESA, which enabled the rider to change the characteristics of both damping and preload of the shock absorbers via the switchgear.
In 2010 another update was made to the model, this time with the engine receiving the biggest changes. The valvetrain was changed from employing pushrods and rocker arms to a double overhead camshaft design. This allowed for a higher revlimit and an additional increase of 5hp, now up to 110hp in total. This design was originally made for the BMW HP2 Sport and later employed in several other models. Although still hexagonal in shape, this represented a pretty big technical change to the cylinder heads. For this reason some enthusiasts refer to these later engines as the "camhead" to differentiate it from the earlier engine types.
The R1200GS would prove to be big a commercial success for BMW Motorrad. On 27 July 2007 the R1200GS became the first model to be produced in 100,000 units.
Hexhead production history
Hexhead GS models are listed below together with production figures where known:| Model | Years | Production count |
| R1200GS | 2004-2012 | 84,373 up to 27 July 2007 |
| R1200GS Adventure | 2006-2013 | 15,627 up to 27 July 2007 |
Fourth Generation Boxer: 2013 - 2023 "Wethead"
In 2013 the new R1200GS model introduced the fourth generation of GS models. Although the model name and engine capacity remained the same, the fourth generation represented a big change in engine layout and design language.For the first time a BMW boxer engine was of "unit construction", where engine and gearbox was combined into a single unit. Other innovations was the usage of liquid cooling of the cylinder heads, Ride-By-Wire throttles and a wet clutch. While none of these technologies were groundbreaking they were all firsts for a BMW boxer engine.
The R1200GS also introduced "ride modes" to the GS models. This idea allowed riders to select different modes that changes the response of the engine and suspension, significantly altering the riding experience. The suspension was updated to Dynamic ESA which not only allowed electronic adjustment like previously, but also allowed the suspension system to autonomously and continously adjust the suspension's settings to best suit the current conditions. Another notable change was the swapping of positions of the Paralever drive shaft and the exhaust from right-to-left. This was done to prevent riders burning themselves on the hot exhaust pipe.
In 2017 the R1200GS received an update that slightly changed the design of the fairings, the workings of the Dynamic ESA suspension and the engine calibration was updated to comply with the EURO4 emissions standards. Although BMW claimed the same 125hp as previous years German magazine Motorrad tested this and found the updated engine very sligthly weaker.
In 2019 BMW introduced the R1250GS models. Just like the 2010 update to the previous model, the most significant change was updates to the engine which grew from 1170cm³ to 1254cm³ and the valvetrain was redesigned to incorporate BMWs system for variable valve timing called "ShiftCam". This system allowed for an increase in output of both power and torque at the same time, to 136hp and 145nm respectively. This made it the most powerful production boxer engine BMW had made at the time. Other notable changes included a colour TFT instrumentation and an LED Headlight now being standard equipment.