A brief history of the BMW GS

When the R80 G/S (Gelände/Straße or off-road/road) Boxer-twin was introduced to the world in 1980, it was the largest capacity enduro available and probably the most unique motorcycle of the time. It paved the way for an entirely new market segment of big touring enduros and was the first motorcycle to feature a Monolever single swingarm on the rear wheel.

BMW entered its new motorcycle in the most famous motorsport race in the world to prove its capability as a serious off-road machine - the gruelling Dakar rally desert race. After only three attempts, BMW succeeded and impressively won in 1983 with French desert specialist Hubert Auriol. Then Belgian Gaston Rahier continued BMW's Dakar success by victoriously clinching a back-to-back win on the 1000cc machine in 1984 and 1985.

In 1987, BMW's continued development of the GS resulted in the new R100 GS, which featured the first double-joint rear wheel swinging arm and BMW Paralever suspension. The following year, it became the best-selling motorcycle in Germany.

The R1100 GS was introduced in 1994 and featured Telelever front-wheel suspension, a 25-litre fuel tank and a comfortable twin seat for long touring rides.

The R850 GS (red) was visually identical to the R1100 GS (yellow). This model was launched mainly to address the needs of novice riders in Europe. Restrictors can be fitted to limit power to the European limit of 33bhp.

In 1999, BMW entered Frenchman Richard Sainct in the Dakar rally on a race prepared version of BMW's single-cylinder F650. The same year, BMW's large capacity twin benefited from an increased engine capacity - now 1150cc - and an extra sixth gear 'overdrive' ratio.

The following year, BMW entered four works riders in the arduous Dakar event and impressively secured the top four finishing positions. Frenchman Richard Sainct won on a F650 RR; followed by Oscar Gallardo on a F650 RR; Jimmy Lewis was third on a 16-valve Boxer R900 RR; and Jean Brucy was fourth, riding a F650 RR.

Two months after BMW's Dakar race win BMW launched its single-cylinder F650 GS which was based on the road-going F650 Funduro, but with significant design and engineering improvements.

In 2001, Britain's best enduro rider John Deacon joined the BMW Dakar team and finished in an impressive sixth position in his debut outing on the factory R900 RR. German rider, Andrea Mayer raced a F650 RR and won the Ladies' Cup in the Paris-Dakar for the third time in a row.

The F650GS Dakar colours of 2000 and 2002.

Then BMW's R1150 GS Adventure was launched in 2002. It was designed with long distance travel in mind and engineered to perform in all conditions, on or off-road. This visually striking model is equipped with many special features as standard and a whole range of factory fit options and accessories that made it the ultimate long distance enduro machine.

The F650GS and F650GS Dakar variant of 2004.

With the release of the R1200 GS in 2004 and the R1200 GS Adventure in 2006, BMW once again redefined the industry's benchmark for high performance, versatile, on and off-road enduro machines. It continues to be BMW Motorrad's best-selling machine and the third best-selling motorcycle overall this year in the UK.

The HP2 version of the GS was launched in 2006 and the Mega Moto in 2007.

January 2008 sees a facelift for both the R1200 GS and the R1200 GS Adventure. An extra 5bhp, new colours, black painted engine, and electronic Traction Control and Suspension adjustment are among the changes

2008 also sees 2 brand new models using an 800cc parallel twin engine. The "650" has a detuned 800cc engine and is more road biased, the 800 is clearly focused at the off-road adventure market.

The 2010 model year R 1200 GS features a new updated boxer engine which gives you more torque at lower revs, improved responses and better acceleration across the rev range. The two-cylinder DOHC (Double overhead camshaft) engine delivers 120 Nm at 6000 rpm, and output has been increased to 110hp at 7750 rpm.

New colours for the F650GS and F800GS for 2010.

The R 1200 GS and GSA ‘30 Years of GS’ models celebrate the anniversary of the most successful BMW model series ever.

The special edition models feature exclusive white bodywork with red & blue ‘30 Years GS’ graphic, red seat with three-dimensional embossed GS logo, black cross-spoke wheels, hand protectors and a tinted windshield.

A special edition "Triple Black" version of the R1200GS and a new GS for 2011, the G650GS bringing back the single cylinder engine.

More special editions for 2012 - the R1200GS "Rallye", and R1200GSA "Triple Black".

The F800GS "Trophy", and F800GS "Triple Black".

The F650GS "Special Edition" and the G650 GS Sertão which brings back the old F650GS "Dakar" version from 2002.

BMW GS achievements

Guinness World Record breaker

Kevin and Julia Sanders have broken two Guinness World Records. In 2002 the duo smashed the World Record for the Fastest Circumnavigation of the World by Motorcycle, taking 12.5 days off the previous record. The couple averaged riding 1,000 miles a day and rode 19,461 miles in just 19.5 days.

Then in 2003, the Sanders' broke another Guinness World Record for riding The Trans-Americas by Motorcycle. This was the ultimate endurance ride through North, Central and South America. The journey started at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, USA, deep in the Arctic Circle and finished in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego in Argentina - the southernmost city in the world. The duo rode two-up for 17,000 miles, through extreme conditions in just 35 days - beating the current record by over 12 days.

Awards

Global travel

In 2004, A-list film star Ewan McGregor and friend Charley Boorman rode around the world on two R1150 GS Adventures. The pair documented their journey on film and in a book called the Long Way Round which has become a top selling book and DVD.

In 2007 Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman rode from John O'Groats in Scotland to Cape Town in South Africa, the Long Way Down, on R1200 GS Adventures.

Every year more and more motorcyclists around the world have chosen a BMW GS to explore the globe. Couples, friends or solo riders are finding that the BMW GS is the best way to find adventure.