GS (BMW)

GS is the designation BMW Motorrad uses for its dual-purpose adventure motorcycles. It stands for the German Gelände/Straße, meaning off-road/road. The first R 80 G/S appeared in 1980 and helped create the adventure-bike class.

Today the GS family ranges from small single-cylinder models to the large boxer-engined R 1300 GS and its Adventure version with a bigger tank. They are known for upright ergonomics, long-travel suspension and touring comfort combined with gravel-road ability.

BMW also runs the international GS Trophy, where amateur teams compete in riding and navigation tasks. In everyday speech 'GS' is often used for any big adventure bike.