BMW has always forged its own path regardless of whether others seem to think it’s the one to tread or not. History is littered with the frankly nuts things BMW Motorrad did, like fit a supercharger to a motorcycle engine in 1929, or the aerodynamic K1 in the 1990s. What one can’t deny is that any BMW motorcycle has been engineered with a lot of thought, and tested to within an inch of its life to make sure they meet whatever parameters they are supposed to.
Those parameters are usually used to beat the competition soundly. This makes BMWs the choice of the discerning rider, one who wants a product that will meet high expectations and cover serious miles. Of course, an argument can be made that with the way BMWs are priced, they are for only serious riders. Jokes apart, here are five BMW motorcycles designed for serious riders.
BMW R 12 G/S
Price: $16,995
BMW is a premium motorcycle manufacturer and, as such, hasn’t really had any low-cost, low-capacity motorcycles in modern times other than the 310 series. This meant there weren’t many off-road capable motorcycles smaller than its F 900 GS adventure bike. So, for those who would like something slightly more capable of off-roading yet offering a nod to BMW heritage, there is the R 12 G/S.
This follows not just the nomenclature of the original R 80 G/S adventure motorcycle, which happens to be the father of the adventure motorcycle segment, but it also picks up a lot of cues from it. There is a long-travel suspension, generous ground clearance, and enduro-type wheels and tires. Perhaps most importantly, it has the retro look, complete with analog instruments. The stock R 12 G/S has a 17-inch rear wheel, but you can upgrade it to an 18-inch one if you intend to use it for hardcore off-roading. If you’re a fan of old ADVs and rally-raid races, you’re going to be a fan of the R 12 G/S. That’s a fact.
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Engine Type |
Longitudinal boxer twin |
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Displacement |
1,170 cc |
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Max Power |
109 HP @ 7,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
85 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
BMW M 1000 R
Price: $22,695
The M 1000 R is the second of three models to make it into BMW’s premium M range of motorcycles. It has the engine from the S 1000 RR, and it hasn’t been detuned for use in this naked bike. As a result, it makes 205 horsepower at a screaming 13,000 RPM. It has titanium valves and BMW’s ShiftCam intake variable valve timing to help achieve this power figure. In fact, it goes goes so fast that, despite the lack of a fairing, it still has wings to give it downforce.
It also has a lot of kit as standard, including a quick-action throttle, BMW’s full electronics suite, electronic suspension, M forged wheels, a titanium muffler, keyless ignition, a tire pressure monitor, and, of course, cruise control. The options list has the M Competition package, which adds a whole lot of carbon fiber to it, including M carbon wheels, winglets, a wind deflector, covers for various parts of the bike, a titanium exhaust manifold, and the M GPS Laptrigger.
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Engine Type |
I4 |
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Displacement |
999 cc |
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Max Power |
205 HP @ 13,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
83 LB-FT @ 11,100 RPM |
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BMW R 1300 GS Adventure
Price: $23,795
The R 1300 GS is the default choice for those looking for a full-size adventure bike with rugged underpinnings and comfort. It earned its stripes by proving that it can go around the world multiple times, and it is one of the best-selling models for BMW despite being one of the largest and most expensive ones. Being a long-distance adventure touring bike. It gets a massive fuel tank and, coupled with the efficient yet powerful boxer-twin engine, it has one of the longest tank ranges in the two-wheeler world.
As always, there are a lot of optional extras that can be added. Our favorite is the automatic gearbox, which is an automated manual transmission that can shift the gears itself. Of course, the list of standard features is very long, and it includes things such as electronic suspension, a ride-by-wire throttle, a six-axis IMU, switchable ABS, and a TFT instrument display complete with Bluetooth and navigation.
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Engine Type |
Longitudinal boxer twin |
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Displacement |
1,300 cc |
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Max Power |
145 HP @ 7,750 RPM |
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Max Torque |
110 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
BMW K 1600 GTL
Price: $29,995
The K 1600 GTL is the big daddy of all BMW touring motorcycles. It is the full-dress tourer with the most luggage space. It also has the most powerful engine among all the tourers; its six-cylinder engine generates 160 horsepower. As for standard equipment, you get a 10.25-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation, a storage space with a USB-C charging socket for your mobile phone, and an all-LED headlamp with cornering function. There is also electronic suspension adjustment with automatic load leveling, hill hold control, tire pressure monitoring, heated grips and seats, keyless ignition, and a by-wire throttle and six-axis IMU.
The K 1600 series has been around for well over a decade. So, not only is this powerful and well-equipped, but it is also a very reliable platform. Our only grouse is that it doesn’t have more standard kit; adding options like the two-way quickshifter via the packages makes the price shoot up significantly. It also deserves an automatic gearbox; it certainly has the ‘sporty full-dress tourer’ niche covered!
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Engine Type |
I6 |
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Displacement |
1,649 cc |
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Max Power |
160 HP @ 6,750 RPM |
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Max Torque |
132.7 LB-FT @ 5,250 RPM |
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BMW M 1000 RR
Price: $33,345
As good as the S 1000 RR is, the M 1000 RR is the real deal for track aficionados. After all, it is a homologation special based on Toprak’s title-winning race bike. It brings less weight in the form of many carbon fiber parts like the fairing, wings, and wheels, a full titanium Akrapovič exhaust system, lighter pistons from Mahle, and titanium conrods from Pankl.
The result is a higher 15,100 RPM redline and the ability to tune it however you like. An argument can be made that the M 1000 RR is the best bike for track days that money can buy today, with its frankly insane levels of customization: not just in terms of the parts that can be fitted to it, but the electronics as well.
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Engine Type |
I4 |
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Displacement |
999 cc |
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Max Power |
205 HP @ 13,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
83 LB-FT @ 11,100 RPM |
Source: BMW USA