Series: Legendary Motorcycles. Episode 3: BMW G/S

The Saviour

Stephan

19.12.2018

BMW's motorcycle division fared badly at the end of the 1970s. Outdated models, a rather unsportsmanlike image and consequently poor sales figures plagued Karl Gerlinger, then managing director of the BMW motorcycle division for marketing and sales.

Gerlinger's new model had to be a hit if he wanted to prevent the sale of the motorcycle division. But what kind of motorcycle class should this be, in which BMW could credibly position a new model? BMW achieved considerable success in enduro sport. Perhaps this would be a clue? Finally, in 1980, BMW presented the result of its deliberations: a large, travel-ready Enduro, initially with an 800 cubic metre two-cylinder boxer and 50 hp. No one else had that to offer.

To be brief: BMW introduced the G/S series (initially still with slash) to the dealers' sales rooms, which is still one of the bestsellers in Germany today - in 1999, a GS was the best-selling motorcycle in Germany for the first time, which with the exception of 2004 (Honda CBF 600 S) remained so to this day. The abbreviation G/S initially stood for terrain / sport, later BMW wanted it interpreted as terrain / road.

This also comes close to reality. Over the years, BMW has repeatedly expanded the GS series (down with single- and two-cylinder versions), but has also positioned it differently. If the BMW boxers used to win the toughest rally in the world, Paris-Dakar, almost in passing, the current versions away from the sport, away from the terrain, have developed into a companion suitable for everyday use, who should be able to do almost everything equally well. Although she is not without talent in the terrain, the sheer abundance of the motorcycle alone makes everything except gravel rather strenuous.

The pioneering achievement of the GS must never be forgotten, especially for long-distance travellers. Even if at first 50 hp doesn't sound like much - you have to take a look at what the adventurer himself drove out into the wild wide world in 1980. Single cylinders such as the famous Yamaha XT 500 with a maximum of 30 hp were the means of choice until the release of the G/S. In addition to the engine performance, the BMW impressed with a solidly tuned chassis as well as above all with seating and driving comfort. Equipped in this way, new horizons were suddenly opened to the adventurer without losing in everyday life. Africa or professional transport? The GS doesn't care.

Another building block for the success of GS for almost 40 years now is the continuous development. At the latest every two years a modification comes, at larger intervals BMW brings completely new models. The essential building blocks of the GS - boxer engine plus long-distance travel capability - are retained, but updated to the latest version.

The concept of the G/S has brought imitators such as the KTM-Adventure models or the Ducati Multistrada on to the market. And yet, by the end of 2017, BMW was able to set off 670,000 GS worldwide - and there is no reason why it shouldn't be the million. The BMW motorcycle division has also saved them.