BMW R1150GS

The 1,130 cc R1150GS had a new six-speed gearbox. It replaced the R1100GS, which had a 1,085 cc engine and a five speed gearbox.

The standard R1150GS model was produced from 1999 to 2004, when it was replaced by the more powerful and lighter R1200GS. The R1150GS Adventure, which was produced from 2001 to 2005, was replaced by the R1200GS Adventure in 2006.

In late 2002, the optional ABS system was replaced with an electrically servo-assisted combined braking system. In addition the engines were equipped with twin spark plugs on each cylinder; this was intended to improve emissions and improve a persistent surging problem that affected many BMW boxer models.

A total of 58,023 standard R1150GS models and 17,828 Adventure models were made.{{cite web | url= http://www.webbikeworld.com/BMW-motorcycles/bmw-r1200-gs.htm?fromrss=1 | title= BMW's 100,000th R1200GS | work= webBikeWorld (from BMW press release) | date= 3 August 2007 | accessdate= 2008-01-05}}

Image:R1150GS trail.jpg

The R1150GS Adventure had a number of differences over the standard bike to make it more suitable for overland and adventure travel.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=/motoring/2002/03/29/emfbeem30.xml |title=The spirit of Adventure |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |first=Kevin |last=Ash |authorlink=Kevin Ash |date=30 March 2002 |accessdate=2008-01-05 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109065108/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fmotoring%2F2002%2F03%2F29%2Femfbeem30.xml |archivedate=9 January 2008 |url-status=dead }} These included an optional {{convert|30|L|sing=on}} fuel tank, larger screen, single-piece seat, {{convert|20|mm|in|1}} taller suspension front and rear, lower first gear and a conventional sixth gear in place of the standard model's overdrive gear. An anti-knock sensor adjustment change allowed the adventure version to run on lower quality gasoline as well. Common options on both models were heated handgrips and ABS brakes.

{{See also|Long-distance motorcycle riding}}

In 2000, Cycle World Magazine awarded the R1150GS "Best Sport Touring Bike".{{cite web|url=http://www.cycleworld.com/gallery.aspx?section_id=13§ion_prefix=archives&webtrends_section=archives&article_id=452&window_id=1&gallery_id=298&slide=on&page_number=1&seq=4&cnt=4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812232700/http://www.cycleworld.com/gallery.aspx?section_id=13§ion_prefix=archives&webtrends_section=archives&article_id=452&window_id=1&gallery_id=298&slide=on&page_number=1&seq=4&cnt=4 |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 August 2009 |title=Best Sport-Touring Bike: BMW R1150GS |publisher=Cycle World |year=2000 |accessdate=7 July 2009 }}

In 2005, the R1150GS Adventure was awarded "Best Traillie" by British publication RiDE Magazine, and the standard model came third.{{cite web | url= https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/pressclub/p/gb/pressDetail.html?outputChannelId=8&id=T0018726EN_GB&left_menu_item=node__2259 | publisher= BMW Group | title= BMW Motorrad Dealership wins top honours in prestigious awards | date= 9 September 2005 | accessdate= 7 July 2009}}

The R1150GS Adventure was ridden in 2004 by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman in their {{convert|18887|mi|km|adj=on}} ride from London to New York City, depicted in the book and TV series Long Way Round.{{cite web | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=/motoring/2005/01/15/mfcourse115.xml | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913022858/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?xml=/motoring/2005/01/15/mfcourse115.xml | url-status=dead | archive-date=13 September 2012 | title= In for the long haul | first= Kevin | last= Ash |authorlink=Kevin Ash |publisher= The Daily Telegraph | date= 15 January 2005 | accessdate= 2008-01-05}} The R1150GS's successor, the R1200GS Adventure was used in the follow-up Long Way Down trip. It was also ridden by Guinness World Record motorcycle endurance holder Simon Newbound.{{cite web | url= http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/11/prweb305089.htm | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060919233902/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/11/prweb305089.htm | url-status= dead | archive-date= September 19, 2006 | title= A British Couple Participating in One of the Greatest Modern Day Challenges has Received Official Confirmation They Have Successfully Broken the Worlds most Demanding World Record | publisher= PRweb | date= 2 November 2005 | accessdate= 7 July 2009}}

Kevin Sanders and his wife Julia rode the R1150GS for their Guinness World Record for the fastest world circumnavigation by motorcycle in 2002. They also rode the R1150GS Adventure for their record-breaking traversal of the Pan-American Highway in 2003.{{citation|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/student/gap-year/how-to-have-a-real-adventure-508754.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928010107/http://www.independent.co.uk/student/gap-year/how-to-have-a-real-adventure-508754.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 28, 2010|publisher=The Independent (UK)|date= 29 September 2005|accessdate=30 March 2010|title=How to have a real adventure: Take a train or get on a bike to experience the thrill of travel as it used to be|author=Tim Walker}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{commons category|BMW R1150GS}}

• [http://www.micapeak.com/bmw/gs/gs_1150.htm R1150GS specifications & history]
• [http://www.micapeak.com/bmw/gs/gs_adv.htm R1150GS Adventure specifications & history]
• [http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/specpages/R1150GS.htm R1150GS specifications]
• {{youtube|q1h85JMi_Sg|R1150GS Adventure promo video}}, official promo showing the motorcycle in Bolivia

{{BMW motorcycles}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bmw R1150gs}}

R1150GS

Category:Motorcycles powered by flat engines

Category:Shaft drive motorcycles

Category:Dual-sport motorcycles

Category:Motorcycles introduced in 1999