MRW Issue 41

Typically when one thinks of an Adventure bike
the first one that comes to mind is the BMW
GS. Even if you aren’t a biker chances are that
you know of the GS. Each success story has a
beginning though and for the GS, it all began
in 1980, when BMW Motorrad presented the
world’s first large dual-sport motorcycle in
southern France with the R 80 G/S. Since then,
the manufacturer has been setting the benchmark
in this segment. And has constantly been writing
success stories. Since then the BMW GS has
been the benchmark or trendsetter if you will in
the adventure segment. Even today the GS is
still the most popular adventure bike around, the
Godfather of adventure bikes in what has become
the most popular segment of motorcycles
worldwide.
It was only in 2004 with the release of the
1200GS that the GS craze started. The bike
had increased capacity over the older 1150,
as well as increased power and torque while
weighing 30 kilos less. This resulted in an even
more dynamic performance on all terrain and
made the R1200GS the benchmark in adventure
bikes. In 2005, the R 1200 GS Adventure
followed for globetrotters. The R 1200 GS has
been continually refined right down to the very
last detail since its introduction: with the ESA
(Electronic Suspension Adjustment) available
since 2008, the rider is able to adjust the chassis
and suspension to suit the road conditions while
riding. The GS 1200 Enjoyed success from 2004
to 2012 until it was heavily updated in 2013- enter
the R1250GS.
The completely redesigned opposed-twin engine
heralded a new era for the R 1200 GS. For the
first time, the BMW Motorrad engineers installed
a water-cooled engine on the 1250. Moreover,
the motorcycle boasted increased horsepower
and enhanced performance, attributed to
improved ride stability and precision, primarily
due to the semi-active Dynamic ESA suspension.
Additionally, riders now had the option to select
from five different riding modes, rendering the
GS1250 a comprehensive and dynamic choice for
both enthusiasts and adventurers alike.
Jumping ahead to 2024, BMW has undertaken
the most significant overhaul of the GS since the
original 1200GS debut. Expanded from 1254cc to
precisely 1300cc, the GS now boasts unparalleled
power and an extensive array of technological
advancements. As the first production motorcycle
to introduce Front Collision Warning (FCW), along
with radar-adaptive cruise control and blind spot
detection, the GS firmly reclaims its position at the
forefront of technological innovation. Wrapped
in a fresh chassis, revamped suspension, and
redesigned ergonomics, the new GS makes
its predecessor, the outgoing R1250GS, feel
cumbersome and outdated. Although the
test model lacked radar cruise control, the
functionality remains consistent across models,
and BMW’s implementation is expected to be
equally impressive.
The 1300 exhibits significant slimming across
various aspects, evident from the redesigned front