The BMW R1200GS is one of BMW’s really popular models, functional in both capabilities and looks. BMW customers like it a lot, but, there’s no reason you can’t make a few modifications and rework the functional appearance a bit, so, Machineart Industrial Design did just that, creating bodywork a bit lighter, smoother and smaller, it looks a little less like you’re heading out on an expedition every time you fire it up.
I bet a more than a few GS owners would like this look. If you want to see it up close, they’ll have it out and about at a few rallies this year. Very nice.
From Machineart Design:
Machineart Industrial Design unveils the R1200GSM, a design study that proposes a new visual language for the iconic BMW R1200GS, the best selling motorcycle in the Adventure Touring category. The GSM takes the GS to the next aesthetic level – lighter, smaller, more agile and beautiful looking – while retaining its traditional attributes of toughness and versatility. The concept bike was built utilizing Stratasys FDM Direct Digital Manufacturing technology.
“We designed the GSM to promote the design focus of the MachineartMoto brand and its products for BMW R & F series bikes”, says Andrew Serbinski, Principal Designer and President of Machineart. “Our X-Head cylinder guards, Slipscreen windscreen, and MudSling fenders are solutions to rider needs that enhance appearance at the same time.” MachineartMoto products are sold through its online store www.machineartmoto.com and through dealers.
The GSM Design
Machineart’s design creates a new design language that is more beautiful, yet tough, characterized by line and surface flow, and a part and color break-up that reduces visual bulk. The GSM concept achieves beauty and sophistication in a market segment where appearance has been secondary to functionality, and looks ahead while retaining the essential GS attributes of toughness, versatility, and customizability.
Link: Machineartmoto
Nicolas says
blah blah blah design language blah blah blah surface flow blah blah blah visual break-up blah blah blah beauty and sophistication blah blah blah customizability blah blah blah …
just like the big beamer was not already expensive enough … replacing the body by a few custom plastic parts that doesn’t significantly change the deal, it’s just putting some lipstick on a pig, imho.
The D1200R concept shown here was great, this one not so good.
kneeslider says
Nicolas, opinions vary and this doesn’t seem to do much for you. Why don’t you swing by the BMW design contest and give them a few ideas?
todd says
It looks like the stuff could fit on just about any of the boxers. In fact, this doesn’t even look like a GS. I thought those were off-road bikes with knobbies. This looks more like a road based R1200R, bodywork notwithstanding. Is it the “beak” that makes it an “Adventure” bike?
-todd
kim says
Just reminds me of the Kawasaki GPZ 750 made back in the 1980s. Why try to sanitize a distinct look?
pabs says
a tremendous amount of effort and fair amount of money had gone into this, skillfully down, but i have to say the final result is kind of irrelevent
i also can’t see enough demand to justify injection molds and i can’t imagine bmw owners tacking on tacky fibreglass unless its carbon fibre
Oakland Johnny says
How’s this for a reason to justify cosmetics for swine?
There are riders out there than lean more towards the “sporty” æsthetic wise, but due to factors like, oh, let’s say remote rural residences, require a bike that can take a pot hole riddled dirt road, followed by extended highway travel and maybe, because of said rider’s aforementioned “stylistic leanings”, they’d prefer not to look as though they were crossing the deserts of Tajikistan on their daily commute. I, for one, have been eyeballing the F800GS, but can’t seem to get my brain around the big beaked, broad shouldered look of the Gellande Strasse series. I hope these folks will apply the same brush to the F800. Where is it written that an adventure bike must look so front heavy (& who is responsible for writing it? I’d like to get my hands on them). Look at the KTM Adventure, the current Ducati offering or even the Suzuki DL series.
Wave says
I think the reason that adventure BMWs are so visually front-heavy is to counter the bulk of the enormous hard panniers that they are almost invariably fitted with at some stage for long distance touring. I quite like this actually, and if it was an option pack or new model of the original bike then it might sell but if I owned a BMW I would definitely not be shelling out money for this. A nice design effort though.
JimmyR says
It makes the back wheel look tiny!
Bruce says
’bout time!
I like it.
The GS was always functional-looking, which I like, but it was in need of an updating and freshening.
Although, yes, I did also note that the rear wheel/tire now appears smaller, perhaps due largely to the fact that it’s now a street tire instead of the knobbly version.
This design appears much lighter and more athletic, even if the hard bits are unchanged.
I hope they can design new panniers that flow with the new design without sacrificing (much) volume and usefulness.
The whole design makes a lot of sense since the vast majority of GS riders are unlikely to ever soil the tires on anything more demanding than a graded fire road.
I could see BMW offering both versions concurrently, with no functional differences which would save costs, but expanding the market for potential buyers.
A clever strategy actually.
But BMW, PLEASE, enough with the grotesque Bangle-y asymmetric headlights etc.
It’s just completely silly already!
Chris Bangle was the worst thing that ever happened to BMW styling (IMHO).
Is his influence still being felt (seen?) in the moto division?
Was Bangle responsible for this ongoing atrocity?
Sure, it’s “uniquely BMW”, I’ll grant, but it’s also uniquely ugly, and serves no real purpose – Stupidity for the sake of distinct appearance.
BMW used to make some of the most handsome and distinct autos and motos ever seen, until Bangle and the whole asymmetric thing.
The 7-Series used to be one of the most aggressively handsome sedans ever made until Bangle got his aesthetically retarded hands on it – since then it’s been a hideous joke.
Until BMW changes that whole ridiculous asymmetric concept I just will not be able to bring myself to take them seriously.
A shame actually. I’ve owned a number of BMW autos and will always have a special place in my heart for the roundel.
I just can’t seriously consider paying money for any motorcycle that looks like that.
I’m waiting BMW…
Rib says
Like it. Makes it look pretty.
Art says
As a BMW fan (I ride an R1200S daily, still occasionally ride my old R90S, and have owned a couple of the older R100GSPDs), I can’t say it’s an improvement. The original has an agressive edge with a purposeful look – smoothing it all out just leaves it looking somehow bloated. Granted, very few GS’s will ever see even dirt roads, let alown forest lanes, but there are already better choices in the lineup if you want something with pure street styling.
Dorzok says
if this is what the owner wanted they probably would have bought the R1200R. but, it looks good and good luck to Machineart.
Markkit says
Clearly a styling exercise for the casual, city biker who has money to spend on cosmetics. I suppose the M in R1200GSM stands for Machineart not the BMW M Series, maybe it should stand for Metrosexual. Like a workman wearing an Italian suit, this bike might look smart, but it also looks awkward.
hipsabad says
The bulk of these comments echo my thoughts. BMW made some of the best-looking bikes in the seventies. By the nineties they had lost the plot. The simplicity of their early bikes became the over-engineered monstrosities of the last two decades. The 1200GS appeals to those adventure-posers that, as Oakland Johnny mentions above, want to look like they’re about to cross Mongolia. I remember in Long Way Round, the GS’s getting bogged down while the photographer rode off on his basic Russian bike. Why do the OEMs not make a good standard – a bike with stout, adjustable long-travel suspension; one bright, round headlight; no obstacles for racks and bags; proper passenger accommodations; a narrow tank; classical styling; sensible ergonomics and seat; and belt drive like Harleys? And please, no overweight, pig iron retro slugs like the new Bonnevilles. I suspect that 80-100 HP/450 lbs. give or take, would be fine for most folks. Instead, we are sold flim-flam or the OEMs produce copies of each other. Sportbikes, cruisers, give me a break. I don’t need to look like Rossi or Ewan or Johnny Rebel to enjoy biking. grumble, grumble…
Zundapp says
They’re are plenty of nice BMW road bikes..
If you want a clean look.. get one of them.
GS are about function.. not fashion.
Kenny says
A lot of people seem to be grumbling about the GS’s looks or at atempts to spruce things up. I’ve grown up around beemers, The first ever bike i got a ride on was a R60/2, and i’ve since ridden it, a R50 and a R90 all of them good looking bikes, especially the R60 with the black and white pin striping. The GS series have always been functional and personally i don’t think it should be changed, and i’m ratther fond of the headlights.
But if it ain’t for you, then why beat around the bush with taking bits off and adding bits on. There is the option of the R1200R, which is the actual successor of the R90 which was mentioned above, and IMHO is easily one of the most handsome bikes around, especially in black with the pin stripe tank. Definatley a overlooked bike compared to it bigger little brother.
Nicolas says
voila !
Markkit says
This kit is a mash-up of different bike designs..and what is that hanging part around the tank where the logo is placed, it looks like an air intake, but its closed on the front, it reminds me of the KTM Superenduro tank, or the KTM 690 Enduro.
Beale says
It looks nice…IF IT WAS A KITCHEN APPLIANCE!
Talk about lipstick on a pig.