Today the 500,000th BMW motorcycle of the flat-twin-engined GS model series came off the production line – a R 1200 GS. Since 1969 motorcycles have been manufactured for the world market in Berlin-Spandau and since 1980 the BMW Motorrad GS models with boxer engine, too. Motorcycles which inspire the urge for adventure travel and even to go on expeditions to the remotest corners of the earth.
In the autumn of 1980, BMW Motorrad presented the R 80 G/S, a machine which combined the qualities for two very special fields of use: Offroad and street. What began with 798 cc of displacement and 50 bhp of output has developed into a fascinating high-tech travel enduro in the shape of the R 1200 GS with 125 bhp and 1170 cc over a period of three decades. Furthermore state-of-the art suspension technology and electronic regulation systems such ABS, traction control or semi-active suspension have been added. This ongoing and above all consistent development of the boxer-engined BMW GS models is a major reason for their status as top-selling travel enduros worldwide.
Stephan Schaller, President of BMW Motorrad: “By combining street, off-road and everyday qualities, BMW Motorrad created the new travel enduro species with the R 80 G/S. The flat-twin GS became the synonym for this segment. The outstanding talents of the boxer-engined GS models – ride dynamics, offroad qualities, comfort and endurance – have been continuously nurtured, developed and transferred very successfully to other BMW Motorrad model series.”
Marc Sielemann, Head of the BMW Motorrad Berlin Plant: “As a plant it is a privilege for us to continue building on the successful history of the legendary flat-twin GS. With the precision-cooled drive unit, a new evolutionary stage was reached last year. Manufacturing half a million units underlines the fact that the boxer GS represents a cornerstone of our motorcycle production more than ever before.”
