Is This Simply the Best-Looking Top-End Adventure Bike Yet?

This regrettably too-exclusive new edition loads up on beautifully blacked-out components and rider-friendly bells and whistles.

Close-up of a black motorcycle engine and front suspension with a silver skid plate and knobby tire.

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By Steve Mazzucchi

Published May 1, 2026

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Updated May 2, 2026

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“Does it come in black?”

That’s the only real question Bruce Wayne has for Alfred after test-driving the overbuilt rig known as the Tumbler in 2005’s Batman Begins, not long before it gets re-christened as the Batmobile.

Black and silver BMW adventure motorcycle parked on a paved surface in front of a building. — The new France-only Dark Edition looks so good, I can only hope it gets adopted as a more widely available offering.

Now those asking the same thing about BMW’s top-of-the-line adventure bike can finally get a satisfying answer.

Meet the new BMW R 1300 GS Adventure Dark Edition, an absolute jaw dropper whose only apparent flaw is the fact it’s exclusive to France.

Black beast

Nevertheless, it’s a stunning bike to behold and because daydreams are free, let’s take a closer look.

Black adventure motorcycle with LED headlights ridden on a city street. — Wearing a black outfit while riding the Dark Edition is not required, but it is certainly encouraged.

This particular makeover begins with the Triple Black paint scheme that actually is available stateside.

But like the visionaries behind Spinal Tap’s Smell the Glove album cover, BMW just had to ask “how much more black could this be?”

In addition to the shadowy styling, the bike also gets the comfort of heated seats and the security of an alarm.

BMW

Their quest to reach the “none more black” state results in the addition of black spoked wheels, a high tinted windshield, tinted deflectors and black-painted scoops on the tank.

A few non-black accents remain, notably part of the tank and the exhaust system, as well as the skid plate.

Black BMW adventure motorcycle with rider in black gear and helmet on a gravel road. — Fresh blacked-out elements include the spoked wheels, high windshield, deflectors and tank scoops.

The bike also quietly gets heated rider and passenger seats and an alarm, with all the upgrades resulting in a price tag about $2,000 higher than that of the standard edition.

Speaking of the base model, just like that one the Dark Edition also features Dynamic Cruise Control, plus Dynamic Traction Control, ABS, four ride modes, heated grips, and additional LED spotlights.

Black BMW adventure motorcycle with tall windshield ridden on a road with trees in the background. — Like the standard edition, this bike is powered and equipped to tackle tarmac and trails with equal aplomb.

Powering the whole no roads barred affair is the iconic air/liquid-cooled, four-stroke, twin-cylinder 1,300cc boxer engine, which makes a whopping 145 horsepower and 110 ft-lbs of torque.

Finally that totally badass beating heart has the body to match.

Availability and pricing

The BMW R 1300 GS Adventure Dark Edition is available now in France starting at €22,900 (roughly $26,942 USD) through the end of June.

Silver and black BMW adventure motorcycle with windshield and spoked wheels on a white background.

BMW R1300 GS Adventure Dark Edition

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About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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