1980-87: The new vehicle category

On September 1st 1980, BMW presented the R 80 G/S - an all-rounder which had not existed in motorcycle history in this form to date. Whether highway, country road, field track or unsecured terrain: the R 80 G/S was a motorcycle which was easy to control over any surface and in every situation – also providing the rider with excellent comfort over long distances. The G/S was by no means a compromise but a perfect synthesis of an off-road and a touring bike - thus opening a whole new market segment, that of the large comfortable travel enduro. The technological highlight was the monolever - the name given to the rear-wheel guidance system. This had enabled BMW to put the first single-sided swing arm into serial production in conjunction with a high-capacity motorcycle.