BMW’s Top-Dog Adventure Bike Looks to Be Getting a New Flagship

Since BMW introduced its first factory M bike with the M 1000 RR in 2020, the German brand has gradually expanded the treatment to other motorcycles in its portfolio.

As such, along with rolling out a mean hypernaked M 1000 R, BMW has also whipped up a spritely XR variant intended for spirited long-distance touring. Still, the veritable Gelände/Straße (GS) has yet to benefit.

However, the latest spy photographs are to be believed, it seems that could be changing sooner rather than later.

BMW Motorrad

An eye-catching covered boxer

You can find the photos in question thanks to Germany’s Speed Week. While the images only capture portions of the bike’s wheels and undercarriage, they’re nevertheless an important development.

Namely, they appear to provide some serious evidence of the existence of an M 1300 GS at all. The brand initially trademarked the name even before the launch of the M 1000 RR, so it’s been a long-rumored prospect.

BMW Motorrad

However, those parts of the bike that are visible are pretty revealing in their own way, too. 

In addition to a set of eye-catching blue M brake calipers, the covered GS clearly shows a 21-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear fitted with Metzeler Karoo rubber. Along with upgraded stopping power, it would seem that it’s to retain its mixed-surface capabilities.

To that end, according to Speed Week, the covered bike also featured longer-travel suspension and a redesigned swingarm support. Both of those upgrades would be aimed at improving the bike’s off-road chops.

BMW Motorrad

Some clues in past BMW motos?

So what can be expected of the first boxer-powered M bike, assuming it’s production-bound? At this stage, it’s a tough play to call, but BMW’s past efforts could yield some clues.

For instance, in the case of the S 1000 RR and the M 1000 RR, the latter is a homologation special. This means that it gains fancy titanium engine internals, race-derived aero and an abundance of carbon fiber, along with a bit more power (among other differences).

BMW Motorrad

As the standard R 1300 GS is hardly wanting for grunt with 145 horsepower and 110 lb-ft of torque, it’s unlikely that BMW will go quite as deep on the mods. Still, touches like the brakes suggest a more comprehensive effort than the brand’s most recent up-spec boxer ADV.

That’s because the GS Adventure HP of the prior R 1250 platform was basically a sticker pack. Though it brought a sweet motorsport-inspired livery and some slick gold wheels, any substantial upgrades were optional extras.

BMW Motorrad

As a result, any potential forthcoming M 1300 GS may skew a little more like an even older BMW boxer off-roader: the HP2 Enduro. Back in the days of the R 1200, the brand whipped up a trio of high-po twins, and the dirt-focused version was basically a GS on a diet with some fancy suspension. Something similar doesn’t seem too far-fetched, if only in spirit.

More to come

While there’s not much more to do than speculate for now, the photos suggest that M-ified R 1300 GS seems increasingly likely. However it would shape, BMW’s past badge designations pretty much guarantee that it would sit atop the GS hierarchy.

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