Behind the Scenes — The new R 1300 GS

Granted, developing the all-new BMW R 1300 GS was no easy feat. Hear it from our passionate team devoted to making it the best GS ever and enjoy an exclusive look behind the scenes! #SpiritOfGS​

Learn more on our website:​
https://www.bmw-motorrad.com/en/shorturls/r1300gs.html?context=smytxq&tl=soc-yutu-sr13-pro-mn-.-.-socabcde-.-.-18380f9f1a58​

#MakeLifeARide #R1300GS #ThePacesetter #BMWMotorrad

For me, the new GS has been developed as consistently as no GS before. Of course, this was a huge task. We spoke with colleagues and many GS fans, and they all have a dream: a new Boxer GS with reduced complexity and weight, but also with impressive features.

And we made this dream come true. The R 1250 GS has been on the market for 10 years now and is the most successful and perhaps most important motorcycle. That’s why it was also the best competitor for us throughout the entire development process of the new GS. Of course, reducing

Weight and complexity carries the risk of achieving less robustness and functionality. When developing a new bike, you need to question and eliminate existing things. At the same time, it has always been our ambition to meet the weight target. It was a tremendous

Challenge, but the entire team worked hard during the development process to achieve these goals. We are very proud that we have accomplished them. The BMW R 1300 GS is precisely the pacesetter and delivers exactly what our brand

Promises and what we, as GS riders, wish for: #MakeLifeARide. Everyone knows that the GS delivers. That’s why it was essential for us to expand the role of the pacesetter in the motorcycle world. One thing is certain: the new GS will bring many great moments to the community.

So, this GS DNA is something that has evolved. We are talking about a process spanning several decades, in which the GS has continued to evolve. So, we are part of a long tradition and are thus confronted with high expectations from outside.

But also within the tradition of constantly surprising anew. In this balancing act, we move as GS developers. In the last decade, the motorcycle industry in general has experienced a trend towards becoming bigger, heavier, and more complicated. But now we have focused on the original success concept of the GS,

Which has existed since the G/S. So, for over 40 years now. Quite simply, excellent off-road qualities, off-road character, versatility combined with adaptability, a crucial theme for the GS. We began early on with the entire team to develop visions for the new GS

Based on this original GS philosophy. And it’s not about superficial styling. In motorcycle design, the essential aspect of the design is determined by the technical overall concept. This includes things like the type of drive, its positioning, and the frame concept. The entire arrangement of all individual components

Essentially determines the shape, especially the proportions of the bike. The actual design work in the early stages is this search for architecture. And we wanted to interrupt this trend of becoming larger and heavier. We wanted to reverse it. We wanted to make it more compact and lighter.

I like to call it “condensing”. Distilling the GS spirit to its core. And to achieve that, the key factor was the integration, the compact interlocking of components. And you can see that in the design.

How the components interlock and also have multiple functions, like the covered middle section. Or how they are formally integrated, like the headlight, which is no longer a separate module but now integrates directly into the front. The construction principle of the main and rear frame is entirely new,

As the main frame is steel sheet and the rear frame is aluminum die-cast. This construction allows for a very compact package, high rigidity with low weight. And from a design perspective, this compact interlocking of these frame elements is truly a highlight. This rear frame concept

With its components forms a modular concept, almost like Lego. This allows the bike to be equipped incredibly flexibly according to needs, both directly from BMW Motorrad and by the customers themselves. People, our customers, love their GS. But that also leads to high expectations when we’re talking about a completely new

Development like we are now. And these requirements create a broad range of functionality and a lot of emotion. This is particularly strong with the GS. Meeting these expectations, however, is challenging, especially when we are discussing a completely new development. And this results in a great deal

Of functionality and a lot of emotion all at once. This expectation is particularly pronounced with the GS. Simultaneously surprising, that was a major driver in the design and development process. It was also a great challenge. The design language of a BMW, and specifically a GS, follows

Very clear design principles. We aimed for this clean, integrated appearance on one hand, compact, reduced, focused, and on the other hand, those typical BMW technical features like the Boxer engine, Telelever, and the driveshaft. All of this ultimately led to the typical GS flyline.

At the same time, at BMW Motorrad, we always want to showcase and make innovations tangible. Like the Evo Telelever right in the rider’s field of vision, for example. A technical element that I find really cool. Or the Matrix headlight that led us to this new light signature.

A light signature that is typically BMW Motorrad due to its self-confident presence. And what I really like, overall, what we designers call the “first read,” is definitely this compact, lean proportion, along with the sleekness created by the interplay of parts.

In detail, the “second and third read,” I particularly like this visually continuous seat through the covered center section. It gives the bike a silhouette and contour like a sport enduro. Developing a new GS is always a challenge. To achieve the ideal result, we continually assess our testing requirements.

In this regard, our focus was, among other things, not just to develop a motorcycle from a European perspective but to create a motorcycle that can be successful worldwide. For this purpose, we employed both tall and small riders. We tested with highly experienced riders,

Riders, but also intentionally with beginners. We covered roads from all over the world to validate our motorcycle, including all the off-road paths, as we are, after all, talking about an off-road vehicle. One of our primary development goals was weight reduction.

To keep the team spirit high, we hung a buoy in the development process. We filled it with sand equivalent to the weight we wanted to reduce, and everyone who contributed was allowed to release the corresponding amount of sand. This way, we could always

See where we stood and how much more we needed to achieve. In total, the development process was much like that of a supersport motorcycle, optimized for weight and weight distribution. The resulting ride dynamics, in combination with the completely new Telelever, set a new standard.

Development always involves conflicting goals. An example: The slim tank ramp required by the design versus the largest possible tank volume. We solved this issue by choosing an aluminum tank. A very high-quality and excellent solution. The new GS sets a new standard. All the innovations within it,

Each one logical in itself, the challenge was to integrate all these aspects while achieving the target weight. To highlight just a few innovations, consider the example of the lowering suspension. It allows for the feeling of riding a large adventure bike with the ability

To reach the ground with your feet while standing. The rider assistance systems make long-distance riding safer and easier. The handling, with the completely redesigned engine and the weight goal already mentioned, is unparalleled. In doing so, as pioneers in the large adventure bike segment, we set the bar significantly higher.

Compared to the R 1250 GS, we have increased the depth of production for the Berlin plant. As in the past, crankcases, cylinder heads, connecting rods, and crankshafts are mechanically processed in the plant, meaning they are milled, sanded, prepped, and so on. What’s new

Is that we now also weld, process, and paint the main frame in the Berlin plant. Additionally, the tank is now manufactured there as well. As usual, we paint our components in the plant and apply the different tapes. The assembly of the engine is now handled by a highly automated robotic system.

It’s impressive to see how the robots work together, and in the end, a complete engine leaves the assembly line. The final assembly takes place within a single shift on the assembly line. We’ve been training the team for this since the early prototypes we built here.

Many work steps were planned using virtual simulations to ensure they are optimal for our assembly line workers. In collaboration with all departments, this has resulted in a highly efficient production. We have very high quality standards in production. For instance, we electronically monitor our fastenings,

And for the fastening of the main frame, we even employ a robot. The previously mentioned robotic engine assembly ensures precise, reproducible engine construction. Naturally, we also conduct regular product audits on our vehicles because part quality and process quality are top priorities. The Berlin plant is exceptional.

Most of our now over 30 models are manufactured here. In its over 50-year history, the plant has consistently evolved into a hub for innovation and sustainability, especially in the field of logistics. This ensures the supply of the abundance of individual parts and the transport of new vehicles in the midst

Of the Spandau district can be guaranteed. Everyone can experience this up close during a factory tour. So, just sign up and come visit. For me, the new GS has been developed with such consistency like no GS before.

The feeling when you see it, sit on it, ride it, is simply indescribable, and it makes me incredibly proud. In recent years, our competitors have worked intensively to optimize their adventure motorcycles to surpass the GS, and they have made remarkable progress.

Yes, some had to imitate components of the R 1250 GS to be successful, but most have found independent solutions. All the more, we are delighted to have developed such an innovative new GS, which few believed we could. The BMW R 1300 GS is not just a motorcycle;

It is a symbol of boundless freedom and unwavering riding pleasure. When I had the chance to ride it for the first time, it was pure joy from the first meter, and all of us at BMW Motorrad wish for this feeling for our entire community.

If you want to see the new GS in action, click on this video. And if you want to learn more about the technology, click on the video below.