BMW’s GS motorcycles refer to Gelände/Straße (German for off-road/road) and are distinguished by their long travel suspension, upright riding position and larger front wheels. Taking up the same moniker is the R 1250 Global Sport that has been rendered by an Italian artist who goes by the name Oberdan Bezzi.
Paying homage to the original 1980 BMW R80G/S, this urban combines cues from the classic GS motorcycle with modern technology and sophisticated craftsmanship that runs on a lightweight chassis and an air-cooled 1250cc boxer engine. It creates a platform that sits right in between the R nineT scramblers and the full-blown maxi-motard.
Bezzi’s designs showcases the trend of manufacturers foraying into lightweight ADVs’ that are more palatable than their flagship 500+ lbs globe-trotting siblings. Take the Honda Africa Twin for comparison. The designing follows the “unlimited adventure” theme and is styled with minimal bodywork offering maximum rider protection and slim, agile feel, all designed to increase rider control and movement.
To become lightweight, the R 1250 Global Sport will have an aluminum chassis instead of the steel one present currently on the others. At the front, the bike gets taller windshield to increase rider’s comfort levels in worst of weather conditions. LED lights all around make way here to keep things fresh and exciting.
This Global Sport machine takes the challenge right to the doorsteps of Ducati’s Hypermotard 939, being equally fun to ride but gets the edge with the 21-inch front and 18-inch rear tire sets marking it as a more capable off-roader. For BMW, however, this solves a problem that does not exist in the first place.
So seeing this making up to the production line is obscure. But as ardent fans of the moniker, we would love BMW go bold and try something new. BMW are you listening?