BMW celebrates 40 years of GS with special editions

The BMW GS is arguably one of the motorcycle that started the adventure bike segment. Introduced in 1980, the R 80 GS was the first large displacement dual-sport bike available at the time. It has won numerous cross-country races that often involve harsh road conditions, like the International Six Days competition and the Paris-Dakar Rally.

BMW celebrates 40 years of GS with the 40th Anniversary R 1250 GS/ Adventure imageBMW R 80 GS

Now, the GS (German for Gelände [off-road]/ Straße [street]) is celebrating its 40th birthday with a special edition livery for the R 1250 GS/ GS Adventure to commemorate this milestone.

The 2021 R 1250 GS/ GS Adventure is powered by the legendary two-cylinder boxer engine that has a displacement of 1,254cc and with the current EU5 vehicle type approval. It churns out 138 Ps of power and 143 Nm of torque. Due to BMW’s ShiftCam technology, it provides superior power across the entire speed range, with lower emissions values.

New BMW Integral ABS Pro as standard

BMW celebrates 40 years of GS with the 40th Anniversary R 1250 GS/ Adventure image

 

The R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure are now fitted with BMW Integral ABS Pro as standard. This is a brake system that provides even more safety when braking, even in inclined positions, and thinks even further ahead, so to speak. The additional expansion of the riding mode concept results in more new functions. For example, the advanced adaptation of the ABS control characteristics to the respective riding mode.

Hill Start Control Pro (HSC Pro) optional

BMW celebrates 40 years of GS with the 40th Anniversary R 1250 GS/ Adventure image

The Hill Start Control drive-off assistant is standard in both models and enables convenient stopping and starting when driving uphill. Hill Start Control Pro (HSC Pro) goes beyond the Hill Start Control comfort system and noticeably improves the starting performance in all conditions.

New full-LED adaptive headlights and functions

BMW celebrates 40 years of GS with the 40th Anniversary R 1250 GS/ Adventure imageR 1250 GS Adventure Rallye

The standard full-LED headlight already illuminates the road with an unmatched bright and clear light. BMW adds a newly developed swivel function, called adaptive headlight. With this optional feature, the low-beam headlight of the standard full-LED headlight is turned into the curve depending on the inclined position.

The optional cruising light keeps the two front turn indicator bulbs on, but permanently dimmed simultaneously. In the case of the multifunctional rear indicator lamps, the standard rear LED flashing turn indicators are replaced by LED flashing turn indicators (depending on the market), which can emit yellow flashing light and red brake light or rear light simultaneously.

BMW plans to add to this in the future with a welcome light ("Welcome" function), the "Good bye" function and the "Follow me home" function as optional extras.

USB charging sockets as standard

The new BMW R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure already have two different sockets as standard. A 12 V vehicle voltage socket and a USB-A socket with 5 V power supply.

Optional equipment include a seat heating function for rider and passenger, particularly for colder climates. In addition, the handlebar height can now also be adjusted with the optionally available handlebar risers.

Rallye Style variants and “40 Years GS” anniversary edition

BMW celebrates 40 years of GS with the 40th Anniversary R 1250 GS/ Adventure image

 

In their respective basic versions, the new BMW R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure emphasize their more precise nature and universal talents in light white solid paint and ice grey solid paint. In addition, the triple black style and Rallye style variants, available as optional each offer two particularly expressive color concepts.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the BMW GS models, the two new GS models with "40 Years GS" in black and yellow are based on a milestone in GS history: the legendary R 100 GS "Bumblebee."

Availability in the PH

Motorrad director, Gil Balderas, has confirmed with MotoPinas.com that the 40th Anniversary edition R 1250 GS/ GS Adventure will land here in the Philippines. “[Philippine] introduction could be by mid next year,” he said.

Let’s just hope that the coronavirus situation improves and these models could land soon on our shores.