The idea of one Boxer-twin capable of taking on anything from Paris-Dakar to the San Diego Freeway and everything in between sounded more than a little crazy back in 1980. Three decades later, BMW's GS has become something of an institution to the adventure-touring set-the definitive go-anywhere, do- (almost) anything of motorcycle travel. In the process, it has become a perennial best-seller for the Bavarian Motor Works, as popular with world travelers as with those who just want to impersonate Ewan McGregor at Starbucks on Saturday morning.
Never one to miss a solid-gold marketing opportunity, BMW is commemorating thirty years of Gelande Strasse with special-edition versions of the F800GS, R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure. All three get 30th-anniversary Alpine-white paint, tri-color decals and a red seat, complete with embroidered GS logo. The 800 adds white turn signals, hand protectors and an aluminum engine guard on top of the standard list of features for $13,635. The Special Edition R1200GS comes with hand guards and cross-spoke wheels with black rims for $18,390, while the Adventure wears more comprehensive hand protection along with an aluminum engine guard for $21,040. All three are scheduled to go on sale
worldwide early this summer.