01 — F & G series
The F Family
3 guides published · 3 comingSingle and twin-cylinder parallel platforms. From the original Rotax-powered Funduro of 1993 through to the F850GS of today — lighter, more accessible, often underrated.
F & G series · 1993–2016
F650GS
1993 → 2016
Three fundamentally different bikes under one badge. The carburetted Rotax Funduro, the FI single-cylinder GS, the twin-cylinder "not-really-a-650", and the G650GS Sertao revival. The most confusing name in BMW history — fully decoded.
F series · Coming soon
F700GS
2013 → 2018
Direct successor to the F650GS twin. The same 798cc parallel twin with 75 bhp, taller suspension, and a cleaner brief. Sold alongside the F800GS as the road-biased sibling. Known for its low seat and beginner-friendly power delivery.
F series · Coming soon
F800GS
2008 → 2018
The full 798cc twin without the power restrictions. More off-road capable, taller, and harder than the F650GS twin. The 21-inch front wheel made this a serious adventure bike. Adventure variant added tank capacity and protection gear.
F series · Coming soon
F850GS
2018 → present
The current F-family adventure flagship. New 853cc parallel twin, modern electronics suite, TFT display, and a proper 21-inch spoked front wheel standard. The Adventure variant runs a 23-litre tank and full protection package. Succeeded by no one — still in production.
F series · Coming soon
F900GS
2024 → present
Launched alongside the R1300GS. Updated 895cc engine from the F900R roadster, 105 hp, with a serious off-road suspension spec and the return of a large-tank Adventure variant. The most capable F-family adventure bike BMW has ever built.
F series deep dive · Coming soon
F650GS Dakar
2003 → 2007
Dedicated deep-dive into the off-road variant of the single-cylinder GS. 21-inch front wheel, 40mm extra suspension travel, tall rally screen, named after Richard Sainct's back-to-back Paris-Dakar wins. The benchmark small adventure bike of its era.
02 — R series
The R Family
2 guides published · 4 comingThe flat-twin boxer flagship. From the original air-cooled R1150GS through to the water-cooled 1250 and the all-new R1300GS — the bikes that defined what an adventure motorcycle could be.
R series · 2004–2018
R1200GS
2004 → 2018
The bike that defined a generation of adventure riding. Two engine platforms (air/oil and liquid-cooled), two body styles, and a decade of continuous development. The most comprehensive used-buying guide for any GS ever written.
R series · 2019–2023
R1250GS
2019 → 2023
The ShiftCam generation. Variable valve timing on a boxer — 134 hp, 143 Nm. Seven trim variants from standard to Trophy edition. The gearbox input shaft recall (18,489 bikes) and the driveshaft campaign fully documented.
R series · Coming soon
R1300GS
2024 → present
The most radical GS redesign since the LC switch in 2013. New 1,300cc boxer engine, new Telelever Evo front suspension, new frame. 145 hp. ASA automated clutch system. The first GS with optional radar-assisted adaptive cruise. Immediately controversial and widely discussed.
R series · Coming soon
R1150GS
1999 → 2004
The model that launched the modern GS era. Boxer twin, Telelever front suspension, and enough character to attract riders who had never considered adventure bikes. Often overlooked as a used buy but increasingly collectable. The Adventure variant with its 50-litre tank is legendary.
R series · Coming soon
R1100GS
1994 → 1999
The original modern GS. When it launched in 1994, nothing rode like it — oil-head boxer with Telelever front end and a riding position that made 800 km days feel achievable. A landmark machine, now firmly in collector territory.
R series deep dive · Coming soon
R1250GSA
2019 → 2023
Dedicated deep-dive into the Adventure body. 30-litre tank, 268 kg, longer suspension travel, standard upper crash bars and hand guards. The loaded-touring GS — its own buying calculus, its own weight trade-offs, its own buyer profile.
How these guides are built: Every guide is researched from primary sources — owner forums (ADVRider, BMW MOA, UKGSer, f650.co.uk), NHTSA and UK DVSA recall databases, MCN long-term tests, and verified real-world workshop pricing. No manufacturer copy is reproduced. No recall is mentioned without source confirmation. Pricing is given at independent workshop rates unless specified. Guides are updated when new recall information or significant owner-reported patterns emerge. If you find an error or have documented additional fault data, the information is welcomed.