JUST RELEASED! YEAR 2000 BMW R1150GS
A JUDICIOUS BLEND OF POWER, SUSPENSION, ELECTRONICS... AND ADVENTURE.

There's a certain group of motorcyclists whose ears perk up at the mention of such things as topographic maps and global positioning systems, and who consider the end of the pavement to be the beginning of an adventure. For those riders, BMW builds its GS-series motorcycles. This year, those people have another reason to perk up their antennae, the new R1150 GS.

BMW has taken the most successful adventure-touring twin in the world and given it a thorough reworking, judiciously combining elements from the newest members of the R259 Boxer family. The R1150 GS gets the six-speed transmission, magnesium valve covers and light Telelever from the sporting R1100S, then borrows the cylinders from the R1200C for a 45cc bump in displacement. From there, the new GS adds a few tricks of its own, including an all-new exhaust system and a new look.

The combination gives the R1150 GS a modest increase in peak power, and is said to boost its powerband everywhere from idle to redline. The new transmission gives the bike excellent ratios for on or off-road, with an overdrive sixth gear to make any freeway droning as smooth and economical as possible. The Light Telelever reduces unsprung weight, a boon on-road or off, for better suspension response. This is claimed to make the new GS more nimble handling than before. And to ensure the changes don't go unnoticed to the uninitiated, the R1150 GS gets a complete facelift, dominated by a pair of brilliant, asymmetrical headlamps and capped by a new three-position adjustable windscreen.

BMW has never believed in change for the sake of change, so there's still a lot of the old GS remaining. The triple-disc brakes and standard ABS II return with only a minor change in pad material, and the bike still offers an adjustable seat height to suit a variety of riders. Wheel travel likewise remains as it was, with adjustable preload front and rear combining with adjustable rear rebound damping. The useful Rider Information Display and the mounts for BMW's optional Integral saddlebags also grace the new R-GS just as they did the old one. Another feature that hasn't changed is the GS's ability to transform any road surface, asphalt, concrete, gravel or dirt, into the adventure of a lifetime.

The R1150 ENGINE: SAME GOALS, NEW DISPLACEMENT
Off-road riding offers enough unpredictability, so a good adventure-touring bike should offer something to counteract that - consistent, predictable power. The R1100 GS already offered a wide powerband, so BMW figured the best way to improve the power on the new bike was simply to provide more of it.

With that in mind, BMW engineers gave the new bike the same 101mm cylinders as the R1200 C. The 2mm larger bores boost the R259 Boxer from 1085 to 1130cc, while new pistons retain the 10.3:1 compression of the old GS. Complementing the larger displacement are retimed camshafts, specifically designed to boost low-end and midrange, and the Bosch Motronic MA 2.4 electronic engine management from the R1200 C. An all-new stainless-steel exhaust includes the standard catalytic converter.

The new exhaust accounts for about 50 percent the bike's increased power. Claimed peak horsepower goes from 80 to 85 on the new Boxer, with a smooth, linear increase from idle to its 6750 rpm peak. While maximum torque rises only slightly, from 72 to 73 lb.ft., the new GS has significantly more torque in the heart of the powerband, from 3000 to 5000 rpm. The new 1130cc twin has more than 65 Ib.ft. on tap from 3000 to 6500 rpm. This means that in the toughest going even the slightest twist of the wrist evokes a smooth, tractable response exactly when it's needed.

Capping this engine is a pair of magnesium valve covers, borrowed from the new R1100 S. Mounted below the headlamps, the larger oil-cooler on the R 1100 RT keeps the engine's temperature in check, while a new aluminum skidplate protects the crankcase from more concrete threats. The GS also sports the S's hydraulic clutch and smooth-shifting six-speed gearbox, its top ratio reshuffled to provide smoother highway cruising. Compared to the old GS five-speed, ratios one through five are more closely spaced, while the added overdrive sixth lowers engine rpm at high speed.

THE R1150 GS CHASSIS: RETAINED AND REVISED
Perhaps the most obvious change on the new GS, aside from its asymmetrical headlamps, is the Light Telelever, which first appeared on the R1100 5. The lowers consist of extruded aluminum tubes with cast axle- caps, and are lighter and stronger than the previous cast-aluminum parts. Overall, the assembled sliders provide a three-pound reduction in unsprung weight over the originals, which improves both on and off-road handling on the R1150 GS. As before, the fork tubes are mounted to the upper triple. clamp with flexible bushings so that the handlebars do not tilt during suspension movement.

The new GS retains the basic three-piece frame concept of the original R259 Boxers, although the new transmission required changes at the rear mounting point for the Paralever. The transmission casting has been bolstered at the swingarm pivots, and the steel-tube rear subframe itself is reinforced as well. New cast-aluminum footpeg mounts provide additional support.

A slightly shorter (506 instead of 520 mm) swingarm handles the rear suspension. Despite the changes front and rear, suspension travel is the same, at 7.41 inches front and 7.48 inches at the rear. Also virtually unchanged, the GS's brakes include the four-piston Brembo front calipers and 12.0-inch diameter discs of the R1100 05, paired with a two-piston caliper and 10.9-inch rotor at the rear. ABS II remains standard equipment, with special circuitry that allows the rider to disable the system for off-road use. BMW's unique Cross Spoke wheels also return on the R1150 05.

THE GS BODYWORK: THE FAMILIAR DIFFERENCES
The GS has never been a part of the mainstream, and the styling of the R1150 05 again sets it apart, both from other motorcycles and its predecessors. A pair of asymmetrical headlamps provide a familiar connection with the new R1100 5, and offer superlative lighting. The bike's high mounted front fender visually ties the bike to the previous R1100 GS. Its distinctive shape does more than merely deflect rocks and such, it also routes air into the oil-cooler below the headlamps.

A new instrument panel sits behind those lights, capped by a short but effective windshield. The shield offers three rake adjustments or can be removed entirely. The GS's fuel tank returns unchanged, as does its two-piece saddle. As before, the pilot's portion offers two seat heights, 33.1 or 33.9 inches. Removing the passenger section reveals a larger luggage rack for solo riding.

Electrically-heated handgrips with two temperature levels are standard on the new R1150 GS as are the latest generation of left and right handlebar switches and controls. Also distinguishing the new GS from its predecessors are three new colors: Night Black, Mandarin, and Titanium Silver Metallic, the first metallic color used on a GS. There's also a centerstand, a 12-volt accessory outlet and the best toolkit in the business.

OPTIONS AND ACCESSORIES: MAKING IT YOUR OWN
As with any BMW, the H 1150 GS offers a wide range of options and accessories to make life on road or off just that much more pleasant. Those who take their adventure-touring very seriously can equip the new GS with BMW's lockable Integral saddlebags, as well as a newly designed tankbag. Similarly, an all-new Twin Bag can carry an additional 30 liters of gear, on or off the bike.

Other options range include two types of equipment to offer cylinder protection in the event of a tip over, a lower height seat for the rider (30mm lower), a 35-liter topcase, removable inner bags for the topcase and saddlebags, and an anti-theft alarm to protect the bike from warm-blooded threats.

THE BMW WARRANTY: THREE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD YOU'RE COVERED, NO MATTER WHERE OR WHEN
BMW riders have a well-deserved reputation as long-distance travelers, and BMW North America rewards their purchase decision with an appropriate warranty. All new BMW motorcycles are covered by a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty. Included during the warranty period is enrollment in the BMW Motorcycle Roadside Assistance Plan. For 24-hours a day, 365 days per year, assistance is just an 800 number away. Coverage in the BMW Roadside Assistance plan can be continued after the warranty expires for a fee of $35.00 per year.

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