To call the BMW R1150GS a trail motorcycle would be a grievous understatement. In fact, to try to define any latest BMW model would result in many debates, and pints, down at the pub. BMW has developed an uncanny engineering knack, call it flair, of producing multi-purpose motorcycles with the original intent of cornering a specific market. 

When the R1100S was launched back in 1998, BMW was confident that they had finally produced a machine good enough to challenge the more-touring-than-sports Honda VFR. However, presently, five years down the line, the S has a sports version, with its own one-make racing series and a reputation as one of the best motorcycles to ride – fast. The GS is no different. Yes, it might not be the perfect motorcycle to ride fast or start your racing career on, but it is more versatile than BMW had ever intended it to be. The GS has become the modern biker’s perfect long-distance touring motorcycle, Sunday run motorcycle, off-road excursion motorcycle as well as a mighty fine commuting machine. 

The GS in its current form features BMW’s usual flirt with eccentric design and engineering. However, it is, arguably, by far the most beautiful Trail motorcycle available on the market. The minimal bodywork is nevertheless stylish and gives the GS a sharp forward stance. Currently, there are few BMW that is not appealing to look at. The entire BMW range has been revamped in recent years and, much like with their motorcars, the boundaries are being reset. 

Make no mistake. The GS is big. I dare to say huge. This might be why most users of the GS are hesitant to actually take it to its intended playground, the gravel. But justifiably, the GS should be an excellent off-road machine. BMW has even introduced the GS Adventure to the range. The Adventure is the off-road focused brother that the original GS never was. The Adventure features panniers as standard, a new paint-scheme, knobbly tyres and about as much Dakar savvy as Alfie Cox in a tub of butter. The Adventure might just be the only motorcycle that is able to transport its riders around the globe without effort. Despite being more focused than the GS, the Adventure will still be able to rub shoulders with the best of the tar-addicts.

Styling and ergonomics aside, the GS, is literally stacked with engineering ‘unrealities’. The flat-twin Boxer engine might not be an unfamiliar sight, but it still remains a slightly weird layout for a motorcycle engine – and an exposed one at that. The 1130cc, air- and liquid-cooled engine was brought into the twenty-first century by the introduction of fuel injection and four valves per cylinder.

Performance should be beefy with claimed figures of 82BHP at 6500 rpm and a top speed figure of 220km/h. In keeping with the eighty year tradition of the Boxer engine, the GS should be able to do anything forever. 

The suspension featured on the GS is the real icing on the cake. As with the engine, these technologies are in no way futuristic, but the sheer brilliance of the design is disturbing. Leave it to BMW to find a alternative to Telescopic forks. The front Telelever suspension system is still a basic telescopic fork, but it does not feature any damping or springing – reducing unsprung weight dramatically. There is only one fork yoke, with a large swingarm attached to the fork tubes. The swingarm is in turn attached to the engine casing by way of a single spring and damper assembly. 

At the rear, the single-sided Paralever swingarm pivots on the transmission casing with the spring unit located just in front of the rear wheel. What makes the suspension of the GS special, is the fact that there is no longer any need for a frame, in a sense of the word. With all forces being transmitted through the suspension onto the engine, the spindly frame of the GS seems unnaturally small compared to the rest of the motorcycle. 

The GSs road ability is in many ways helped by its impressive brakes. Co-manufactured by Brembo, the twin 320mm discs up front and single 285mm disc at the rear will definitely stop the GS in its tracks. BMW have built up a reputation in recent years for offering the rider much more that he wanted. 

The GS might not be the perfect motorcycle to do a specific task, but, as an all-round motorcycle, it does come up strong. The competition is not even close, yet, and the GS deserves to be labelled as one the best motorcycles around. It will be able to do anything and despite being the 4x4 of the motorcycle world, somehow I don’t see housewives riding their children to school on it.