BMW GS production milestone

The milestone bike - an R 1200GS - came from BMW's Berlin-Spandau factory, which has been producing motorcycles since 1969, and boxer-engined GS models since 1980.

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."

History
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: Off-road and street. What began with 798cc of displacement and 50bhp output has developed into a high-tech endure, which in the shape of the R 1200GS produces 125bhp form 1170cc.

Furthermore, state-of-the art suspension technology and electronic regulation systems, such ABS, traction control or semi-active suspension have been added in the 30+ years of GS production. BMW Motorrad says this ongoing and consistent development of the boxer-engined BMW GS models is a major reason for their status as top-selling travel enduros worldwide.