Nothing official or confirmed, but it certainly seems that BMW is working on a project that could put a smile on the faces of a number of enthusiasts who find something tremendously seductive in this type of motorcycle. While it is true that the current GS series is also capable of handling off-road brilliantly, it seems possible that BMW is working on a motorcycle with a more pronounced off-road vocation, lighter, more agile, more capable in purely off-road context.
The project, which may be taking shape at BMW’s German headquarters in recent months, seems to aim to offer a motorcycle lighter than the “normal” GS, a frame set suitable for even the most specialized off-road terrains, and probably dedicated lines and superstructure. There is also the possibility that the starting point identified by BMW is not the current GS 1300, but rather the BMW R 12 and BMW R 12 nineT production line.
Curious? In fact, such an approach would allow to explore the 1170 cc air/oil-cooled boxer engine with around 100 hp, perhaps the most suitable to achieve the best compromise between weight and performance. Naturally, the frame would be built for this purpose and, in this case, production would already be prepared to provide a front without the classic telescopic arm in favor of a traditional fork. Strictly speaking, a 21-inch front would complete the frame, while the rear could remain with the classic BMW shock absorber and perhaps an 18-inch wheel.
It is still too early to make more concrete hypotheses, but BMW is certainly working to put in the hands of future off-road enthusiasts connected to the German brand, something that could really bring back the classic “butterflies in the stomach”, a sensation that could perfectly encompass the delicate balance between conformity and non-conformity that is so popular and that the legendary HP2 was able to capture perfectly in the mid-2000s.
