BMW confirm R1300GS launch date and build their millionth boxer engine

The date the new BMW R1300GS will be revealed has been announced, on the day the one millionth BMW GS adventure bike model rolls off the production line in Berlin, marking a milestone in a production run that began in 1980.

• See the fully unveiled BMW R1300GS here

Motorcycles have been produced at the Spandau plant since 1969, however the first GS model with a boxer engine being the R80 which began production in 1980. The millionth model, a BMW R1250GS in triple black livery, stepped off the production line on 21 June 2023 and was duly celebrated by plant employees.

Dr Markus Schramm, Head of BMW, said: “With the R 80 G/S and its unique combination of on-road and off-road suitability, everyday qualities and long-distance touring abilities, BMW Motorrad created the new motorcycle genre of touring enduros in 1980.

“The BMW GS with boxer engine became an icon, which achieved global success in this segment. What is more the BMW GS became a legend and at the same time an indispensable cornerstone in the BMW Motorrad model range.

“I am therefore very pleased that today, and especially in our “100 Years of BMW Motorrad” anniversary year, we are able to contribute a major milestone to the corporate history of the BMW Group with the one millionth BMW GS motorbike with a boxer engine.”

The BMW boss also gave an update about the replacement for the 1250, the eagerly awaited BMW R1300GS.

He said: “I am equally pleased that the unique history of BMW Motorrad models with boxer engines will soon be supplemented by an exciting chapter with numerous innovations with the new R1300GS.”

The new model will officially be revealed at the new BMW Motorrad World, located next to the factory on September 28. The opening ceremony will be streamed via livestream on BMW’s social media channels.

From 30 September the venue will open to visitors.

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BMW’s big GS fightback: Radical all-new 2024 R1300GS spied testing on the road in production-ready form

First published 31 March, 2022, updated by 2 June 2023, by Rich Newland and Emma Franklin

Fresh spy shots reveal that we’ll be seeing a radically updated flagship BMW GS adventure bike next year, as the Bavarian brand says auf Wiedersehen to the model’s tubular steel frame for the first time in its history.

First seen in spy shots back in March, 2022, the new R1300GS is expected to be revealed later this year as a 2024 model, and the bike was spotted last week in Germany being put through its paces by BMW test riders in apparently production-ready form.

Appearing to have lost a lot of its rugged, bulky styling, the new GS looks much sleeker than before, with a dramatic narrowing of its ‘shoulders’ when viewed from the front, and overall the bodywork looks much more integrated – following a direction led by its key rival, Ducati’s Multistrada V4.

The bikes in these shots are also shod with spoked wheels which appear to be the same tubeless 19in front, 17in rear as fitted to the current BMW R1250GS model, with a cast wheel option (as seen in earlier teaser shots) also certain to be available.

The frame game

Despite wearing a blacked-out stealth disguise, it’s clear to see that BMW has now ditched the tubular steel frame that’s been used on every boxer version of the GS since the model’s inception in 1980. In its place is what appears to be a two-part cast aluminium frame and rear sub-frame that uses the motor as a stressed member.

This new direction is most likely an attempt to save weight, mitigating any potential increases brought about by future Euro regulations which will require increases to noise attenuation and further reductions in emissions.

Most recently, we’ve seen this design move with the 2021 Ducati Monster, which now has a cast alloy frame that is 4.5kg lighter than the steel trellis it replaced. There’s also a completely new style of centre stand visible, which appears to include a swing-out foot lever, ensuring a more compact profile when folded away.

Boxer takes a hike

The radical changes don’t end there. As the model name suggests, the new bike’s ShiftCam boxer twin is likely to boast exactly 1300cc (an increase of 46cc over the current version) and will provide a modest increase to the big GS’s peak power but will mostly just mitigate the performance-strangling effects of current and future type-approval regulations.

Those emission gases reach the atmosphere via a new exhaust system, which has a clear twin-stacked silencer arrangement, and the necessary pre-silencer mounted catalytic converter.

In terms of volume, the twin-can arrangement is likely to almost double the previous iteration’s volume, and filtering capacity (for noise and emissions). While the stock bike sports plastic-capped plain silencers, there is also a carbon-tipped Akrapovic version visible in some spy shots.

The rise and fall

The new GS maintains its trademark Telelever / Paralever suspension set-up, each working with a single shock absorber unit. It’s not clear from the images whether the front will boast semi-active electronic assistance, but there’s sure to be an evolution of the current dynamic ESA on the rear.

In many of the spy images where the bike is seen at very low speed or at standstill, the GS appears to be sitting exceptionally low, like the suspension has collapsed – suggesting the new model may feature a preload-shedding function to lower the ride height for low-speed/stationary manageability, just like the Multistrada V4 and Harley-Davidson’s Pan America.

Putting a new face on things

These pictures are the clearest shots we’ve seen of the new GS since shots of the machine, mostly covered by tarpaulin, first appeared back in March. The latest images reveal more of the bike’s heavily revised headlamp area, which now appears to be sat significantly lower than on the current GS and located within the bike’s trademark ‘beak’ mudguard.

The headlamp’s been covered by black tape in these shots however it is just about visible through a small round hole cut into the tape, and from first impressions it’s appears that the GS’s ‘Patrick Moore-esque’ squinting headlamp has been consigned to the history books in favour of a symmetrical main headlamp with DRLs.

The screen and multiple additional deflectors are an all-new arrangement, too – and there appears to offer a dramatic amount of adjustability. Clearly there has been significant focus on airflow for the rider, which hints that there has been tangible progress in ensuring a quiet and turbulence-free ride. There is also a lack of any obvious control lever or adjuster knob (as used previously), strongly suggesting the screen is now electrically operated, or perhaps works on a simple push/pull slider.

Saw you coming…

Where the headlamp traditionally sat is now a smooth black plastic panel which houses a new generation of BMW’s radar-assisted adaptive cruise control system, the first iteration of which can be specified as an option on the BMW R1250RT, and features a sensor built into the bike’s nose fairing to automatically adjust the bike’s speed and maintain a pre-set distance from vehicles ahead when cruising on the motorway. The three-mode distance indicator for the function is clearly visible on the bike’s dash.

A matching smooth black panel between the rear lights/indicators above the numberplate indicates that the R1300GS’ system will also have a rear-facing radar too, and a blind-spot detection amber warning triangle is clearly visible illuminated in the mirrors in some shots.

The scale and position of the radar units suggest the GS will have a near-360° ‘view’ of the bike’s surroundings. Talking of lights, the rear light is now entirely absent as a standalone item, with tail and brake lights now integrated into the indicators instead, just like other recent models in the range. Meanwhile, there is clearly also an option for the front indicators to be removed as LED stalks, and instead integrated into the new handguards, as seen on one of the bikes spied.

The full-colour mobile-connected multi-media TFT dash will be instantly recognisable to existing owners of current BMWs, and provision is still made for a separate satnav or a lockable mobile phone mounting cradle stacked above the TFT.

The dash is also still driven by very familiar switchgear, and the command wheel system is also clearly visible. What is harder to discern – but looks unlikely – is whether BMW have added much-needed backlit functionality. The SOS emergency assist function remains, and there are heated seats for rider and pillion, which will be activated through the dash/wheel.

Locked and loaded

Visible on both bikes spied are a set of large-capacity plastic panniers that also clearly boast the firm’s Vario functionality, where the hard cases are expandable via a lever mechanism for when you need further carrying capacity.

The shape and construction is far more curvaceous, integrated and road-focussed in design that previous GS models – again mirroring those of Ducati’s Multistrada family. It looks like they may also feature button and/or fob operated central locking, just like the BMW K1600GT. However, there are certain to be options available for more traditional full aluminium 3-piece luggage available.

Although BMW haven’t officially confirmed the new model, MCN believes it will be revealed in the late summer/autumn as an early 2024 model, whether the GS Adventure iteration will be released simultaneously is not known. Historically it always followed one model year behind the standard model, but BMW are likely to want both models in-market immediately, if possible.

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BMW R1300GS spied: Test mule spotted ahead of official reveal

First published 21 September 2022 by Dan Sutherland

BMW’s R1300GS adventure bike looks finished enough to be just weeks away from an official reveal, with these fresh spy shots showing portions of a road-ready machine, complete with factory-fitted accessories – but while new-bike show season is looming on the horizon, we believe this new GS won’t be amongst the metal on show until late 2023, to be released as a 2024 model.

MCN became aware of the new bike back in March this year when an embarrassing glitch on BMW’s website allowed people to book servicing for an R1300GS, R1400GS and M1300GS. The new 1300 will take over from the R1250GS.

Although a tarpaulin obscures much of the machine, it’s clear that the traditional beaky GS silhouette will remain, with plenty of ground clearance for all-road escapades. This particular model rolls on five-spoke cast rims and dual-purpose rubber – although it’s likely a spoked rim option will also be available.

The front radial calipers appear to be new – differing in style to the Hayes stoppers found on the current machine, although remaining as a four-piston design.

Moving up from there, there is an electronic module nestled between the forks, mounted under the front nose cone, which could be part of a new radar-assisted cruise control system, something already found on a number of BMWs, including the R1250RT.

Further examination of the cockpit confirms a TFT dash as before, which is expected to be the 10.25in as per the RT and electric CE 04, plus an adjustable front screen.

Moving back, the 1300 liquid-cooled boxer twin looks to be complete and sits in the chassis as a stressed member. Fresh mounting points to the base of the engine indicate that the old bike’s tubular steel frame has been heavily tweaked, or completely replaced.

Further evidence that the motor is production-ready comes from the polished exhaust headers and collector box that snake between a centrestand, which both feed up to a twin-exit Akrapovič silencer.

Don’t expect the increase in capacity to mean much more power though, with the changes likely there to help meet emissions rules.

We expect the official reveal in line around twelve months’ time as the 2023 show season kicks off.

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Three new GS models on the way: BMW’s service website reveals future plans

First published on 31 March 2022 by Jordan Gibbons

There are three new GS models in the not too distant future, all confirmed by BMW’s own servicing website. We’ve suspected for some time that a new model was in the works, after spyshots emerged of a new bike being tested at BMW’s off-road facility but now it seems BMW have really been hard at work.

Until it was fixed shortly after the error was pointed out, BMW’s website allowed to book servicing for the R1300GS, R1400GS and M1300GS. So what are each of these models? Let’s start with the M.

This is the one we’ve known about the longest and arguably the easiest to understand. With the success of BMW’s M cars and now their M1000RR, an M GS is the logical next step.

Expect carbon fibre aplenty, a rorty exhaust and a few other trick bits. It’s possible BMW will go the whole hog and take on the various ‘Pikes Peak’ performance adventure bikes out there by fitting a 17” front wheel and swapping out the ‘Enduro’ riding mode for a ‘Track’ mode. But what of the R1300GS and R1400GS?

Well the R1300GS is mostly probably the logical next step in the evolution of the GS and as the name indicates a new engine is coming. Although the current model is water cooled, it’s targeted cooling of the top end – the cylinders themselves are still air cooled. Chances are the new 1300GS will move to a completely watercooled engine.

Wrapping the cylinder in a water jacket will have a couple of advantages, namely finer control over the combustion environment for reduced emissions while also offering sound insulation, both things that will be under tighter control for Euro5B, which is expected in the not too distant future. There will likely be a small power boost too but we don’t expect a huge leap. So where does that leave the R1400GS?

Speaking to our contacts, the suggestion is that the R1400GS will effectively replace what we know of now as the GS Adventure. Originally the GSA was aimed at those who wanted to go on hardcore round the world adventures but these days it mostly finds use as a road going tourer.

With that in mind, our sources indicate that the R1400GS will be a more powerful, high tech, big tanked adventure tourer designed to take on the likes of the Multistrada V4, while the R1300GS will remain the go to model for people who want to venture off-road. Not dissimilar to the way Honda currently pitch the Africa Twin and Africa Twin Adventure Sports.

There’s no official comment from BMW about the website leak or about future models but we wouldn’t be surprised if BMW unveil the new machine later this year as a 2023 model.

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BMW R1300GS: New test mules and trademarks point towards new engine

First published on 28 June 2022 by Jordan Gibbons

BMW have been spotted testing a new version of the GS, which combined with some recent trademark applications suggest that a new engine is in the pipeline.

We’ve believed that BMW were working on a new bike and engine update for some time. Last year trademark filings emerged for an M1300GS, which as well as nodding towards the high-performance range of M vehicles as seen with the recent M1000RR, also suggests a change to the engine. The bike was spotted at an off-road centre where BMW offers training.

Although the bike was heavily disguised, there were clear changes to the engine including a new front engine cover, suggesting big changes to the bottom end of the engine.

The cylinders were also shrouded and the bike was fittied with much larger radiators, suggesting the new engine has increased water cooling.

The current 1250 ShiftCam engine, although considered watercooled, actually only uses selective watercooling for particularly hot parts of the top end.

The cylinders themselves have remained air-cooled throughout, hence why they are still so heavily finned.

Wrapping the cylinder in a waterjacket will have a couple of advantages, namely finer control over the combustion environment for reduced emissions while also offering sound insulation, both things that will be under tighter control for Euro5B, which is expected in the not too distant future.

Although we’ve had nothing official, we’re not expecting a new bike to debut until 2022 at the absolute earliest.