BMW GS

Gelände/Strasse means Land/Street and refers to a series of off-road/on-road BMW motorcycles produced from 1980 to the present day.

Models

Airheads

The first shaft driven "GS" models, known as "airheads", was the R80G/S with an 800 cc flat-twin, air-cooled boxer engines. The most valued version was the R80G/S-PD "Paris-Dakar" model featuring a larger tank. In certain markets a 650cc version was also available. These early G/S machines used a combined rear suspension / drive system called the monolever.

When the monolever was later dropped and replaced with the paralever, the G/S name was changed to GS with the S meaning "Sport" rather than "Strasse". The new bikes were produced with either 800cc (R80GS) or 1000cc (R100GS) . Production of the standard machines stopped in 1995 with the PD (unofficially Paris Dakar), but special "Kalahari" and "Basic" editions were made available in 1996/7, which closed the final chapter of airhead GS production.

These early "airhead" machines have a following among adventure motorcyclists.

Airhead Model Production History

Monolever
- R80G/S 1980-1986
- R80G/S-PD 1984-1987
- R65GS 1987-1990
Paralever
- R80GS and R100GS 1987-1994
- R100GS-PD 1988-1995
- R80GS Basic 1996-1997
- R80GS Kalahari 1996-1997

Oilheads

Two BMW R1200GSs at Montezuma Pass in Arizona

In 1995, the introduction of the next generation Oilhead signalled BMW's entry into modern adventure models, with a succession of larger displacement models including the R850GS, R1100GS, R1150GS and the R1200GS. Later models have electronic engine management, ABS braking, and much more power than the original air-cooled models. As well as being more powerful, the 1200 is approximately 10% lighter (dry weight) than the older 1150 machines.

Both the R1150GS and R1200GS are available in an Adventure version which adds a larger fuel tank, lower gearing and upgraded suspension to make it more suitable for long trips.

As with the airheads, all oilhead GS models are shaft driven.

Oilhead Model Production History

R1100GS 1994-1999
R850GS 1998-2000
R1150GS 1999-2003
R1150GS Adventure 2001-2005
R1200GS 2004 - present date
R1200GS Adventure 2006 - present date

Single Cylinder

BMW F650ST Strada

In 1993 BMW introduced GS models powered a single cylinder 4-valve 652cc Rotax engine and chain drive. The offroad-capable F650 Funduro had a 19" front wheel, long travel suspension, bash plate and a high seat. The more road biased F650 ST Strada had a smaller diameter 18" front wheel, narrower handlebars and smaller screen. The bikes were manufactured alongside the virtually identical 5-valve Aprilia Pegaso.

Following BMW's win in the 1999 (and subsequently the 2000) Dakar Rally with an F650RR ridden by Richard Sainct, BMW introduced the fuel injected F650GS in 2000. A taller, more off-road biased Dakar version was introduced which included a taller screen, 21" front wheel and longer suspension travel.

The single cylinder bikes have a strong following and are thought by many of their riders to be better offroaders than the heavier boxer engined bikes.

Popularity

As mentioned before the GS is the most commonly chosen bike by adventure motorcyclists and travellers, such as those who frequent adventure and touring motorcycle websites, forums, and online communities. There are also a number of owners clubs dedicated to the bike.

In 2004 the R1150GS Adventure was made more popular after being used by actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman in their journey The Long Way Round, which involved riding from London to New York by going east across Europe, central Asia, Alaska, Canada and the USA.

"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClDiCbBwk54&NR" BMW 1200 HP2 at play