The new BMW R1150GS Adventure
Twenty-one years ago, the launch of BMW's R80 GS established a new category in motorcycling - the large capacity enduro machine. Numerous Paris-Dakar victories and thousands of customer deliveries later, the GS range has become one of BMW's greatest success stories, with over 146,000 units sold to date. To see complete specs, click.
Largely based on the best selling R1150 GS, the Adventure has been designed with long distance travel in mind and is engineered to perform in all conditions, on or off-road. This visually striking new model comes equipped with many special features as standard and a whole range of optional accessories and fittings that make it the ultimate long distance enduro machine.
Optimised spring travel and suspension settings
Whether on gravel paths, sand tracks, rough terrain or over long distances, the chassis of the R1150 GS Adventure ensures optimum comfort and control even when fully loaded. Spring travel has been increased by 20 mm to 210 mm at the front and 220 mm at the rear. Easy spring pre-load adjustment to the front can be made by a supplied spanner and to the rear by a hydraulic adjuster. Rebound damping at the rear can be adjusted by means of a small screw.
For the first time in a BMW motorcycle, a strut is used at the rear which has suspension deflection related damping, whereby the greater the spring deflection, the greater the damping effect. The WP strut is characterised by sensitive response and a high degree of knock resistance.
Evo brake and steel brake hoses
The R1150 GS Adventure uses BMW's EVO brake, which was introduced on a number of models in the spring of 2001 and significantly increases stopping power. Plastic coated braided steel hoses help provide stable and constant pressure. The R1150 GS Adventure can also be fitted with ABS, which can be switched off when riding off-road.
Engine equipped for varying fuel conditions
The Adventure's engine is the same as the R1150 GS, but in response to demand by round-the-world riders an optional coding plug for the engine management system ensures it can be safely operated with regular fuel (RON 91) without any risk of damage.
New gear ratios
Unlike the R1150 GS, which uses top gear as an overdrive, the Adventure uses a shorter sixth gear ratio. There is also an optional shorter first gear to make pulling away easier on difficult terrain.
New seat and larger screen
A new single-section seat allows the rider to adjust his position according to the conditions. However, the seat is designed to be spacious enough for two and a new, larger luggage bridge provides additional securing points for luggage. For improved wind and weather protection, the screen is 12 cm wider at the base, 5 cm wider at the top and 13 cm longer.
The front mudguard is also longer and wic4.er, while hand guards and a foam handlebar cross-brace pad come as standard. The solid aluminium bash plate is larger than that seen on the R1150 GS and is positioned further to the rear to provide extra protection from possible damage caused by stones and rocks. A 12-volt socket has been added to the instrument cluster in order to connect accessories such as a GPS, Road book or reading light.
A new look
The R1150 GS Adventure is offered in two different colour schemes: white aluminium metallic with a grey and red seat, and night black with a mandarin and black seat. In addition, the cylinder head covers and aluminium rims are finished in blue.
Special equipment and accessories
Instead of the standard 22-litre fuel tank there is the option of a larger, 30-litre item. An aluminium luggage system consisting of a multifunctional carrier system, two side cases (75 litres in total) and a 30 litre top case is also available. If the aluminium cases are not mounted the supports can be folded out and will also carry luggage.
Other optional special equipment includes waterproof inner bags for the aluminium cases, cylinder protection brackets, headlamp protector, fog lamps with flint protectors and knobby tires for improved off-road capability.