The starting point in developing the GS in the late '70s was BMW's support of various teams in offroad events such as the famous Six Days. And indeed, offroad sports activities of this kind have a long tradition with BMW, extending all the way back to the '30s, BMW Boxer motorcycles successfully entering the most challenging offroad events time and again.

The final touch came with by BMW's victory in the German Offroad Championship in 1979, some enthusiasts at BMW Motorrad GmbH, as BMW's Motorcycle Division was officially called at the time, advising Management to develop a series machine for homologation based on the experience gained with competition models. Tests with the first prototypes were an immediate success right from the start, convincing BMW Motorrad to begin the series development process.

The world's two-cylinder large enduro entered a market in 1980, which up to that time had consisted exclusively of single-cylinder models. Displacing 800 cc and featuring both a driveshaft and a single swinging arm, the R 80 G/S was a genuine sensation. Indeed, this new machine opened up a brand-new, previously untapped segment -- the segment of large capacity, all-round touring enduros.

The R 80 G/S quickly became the ideal motorcycle for the committed globetrotter, enthusiasts all over the world soon learning to appreciate the power and performance reserves, the long-distance comfort and the often surprising offroad qualities of this touring enduro. Superior riding pleasure on the road was ensured by the relatively high level of power, superior torque all the way from low engine speeds, equally superior riding stability, and excellent handling.

BMW offroad machines participated right from the start in the long-distance Paris-Dakar Rally taking the riders all the way to Senegal in West Africa. And in its third try in 1981 the Boxer with its efficient cooling ensured by the wind rushing by, a low center of gravity and superior ease of maintenance thanks to its driveshaft finally made its way right to the top, French desert specialist Hubert Auriol winning the motorcycle category and repeating his success two years later in 1983.

Still based on series models as before, BMW's 1,000-cc two-cylinders also brought home the title in 1984 and 1985, former World Motocross Champion Gaston Rahier from Belgium leaving the competition far behind.

Launched in 1988, the R 100 GS raised the outstanding qualities of BMW’s offroader to an even higher standard. Indeed, this was the largest enduro in the world at its time. And with worldwide sales amounting to 69,000 units, the R 80/R 100 GS was also a huge success in the market.

Introduced in 1994, the GS models powered by a four-valve engine brand-new at the time have become an even greater success in the meantime: The R 1150 GS, for example, introduced into the market in autumn 1999 and benefitting from the additional support of the R 1150 GS Adventure since autumn 2002, was once again the best-selling machine in Germany in 2003, beating the competition by far. And it almost goes without saying that the R 1150 GS continued this success in 2003, once again outselling all other motorcycles in the German market by far.

Since 1980 BMW Motorrad has sold approximately 170,000 units of the GS Boxer to customers the world over.

Like its predecessor, the new R 1200 GS, with its "GS" (Gelände/Straße or Offroad/Road) orientation, offers a wide range of qualities and practical values: Riding the R 1200 GS on moderate terrain is easy and safe, and the experienced motorcyclist is also able to master very tough offroad conditions. On the road, in turn, the GS stands out through its impressive handling ensured by the extremely stable and comfortable suspension together with large power reserves making this unique machine ideal for dynamic riding on winding country roads and mountain passes. And with its effective windshield, the R 1200 GS enables the rider to cover even long stretches on the highway without undue stress. So that in practice the R 1200 GS is also ideal as a long-distance travelling machine on the road.