Today, BMW is fiercely pragmatic and unafraid to charge customers for every little thing, but this has not always been the case. There was a time when innovation was put first, and that willingness to innovate gave us some of the very best motorcycles. We also got some pretty strange creations, but that is just part of the deal, and some bikes that were written off back when they first came out have aged gracefully.
As a motorcycle manufacturer, the Bavarian brand has leaned heavily into the travel segment. This has worked out rather well because traveling on a motorcycle has never really gone out of fashion. Although there are a few unique exceptions, the vast majority of the bikes on this particular list are from this space, all of which still have a lot to offer on the used market.
Buying a used motorcycle always has an element of risk attached, so please do your research and proceed with caution. The motorcycles on this list go from oldest to newest.
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1980 R 80 G/S
Price Range: $8,000 – $10,000
BMW
When the R 80 G/S first came out, it made no sense at all. It was too heavy to be an effective enduro bike and was not a particularly good street bike. It wasn’t exactly cheap, either, and most reviewers of the time didn’t give it the time of day. What they didn’t know was that they were looking at the world’s first adventure bike, a new breed of motorcycle that has since gone from strength to strength.
1989 K100RS
Price Range: $2,000 – $4,000
BMW
Otherwise known as the “flying brick” thanks to its unconventional engine layout, the K100RS was BMW’s response to the wildly successful Honda Gold Wing. BMW was not the first manufacturer to mount an inline-four longitudinally in a motorcycle, but the K-series was most certainly the first commercially successful motorcycle to make use of this engine layout. In an effort to improve mass centralization and make it more serviceable, the engine was laid down flat in the frame. The protruding head is what gave the bike its nickname, but it also gave the bike an odd quirk. If you left it on its side stand for too long, oil would make its way into the head, and cold starts would get pretty interesting.
1997 1100RT
Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000
The introduction of the 1100 range was a significant step for BMW. These were the first bikes to feature oil-cooling and the BMW-special Telelever suspension. For the touring bikes, the Telelever suspension proved to be a huge hit with customers. It helped mitigate the ill effects of fork dive upon hard braking and made touring an altogether smoother experience. The setup has remained popular ever since, with several new BMWs featuring the telelever setup up top.
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1998 R1200C
Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
BMW
The R1200C represents BMW’s first real crack at the custom cruiser market. It was featured in the Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, which we can only assume cost BMW a pretty penny, but even that didn’t help sway public opinion of the model. The main frustration wasn’t anything to do with the way it looked, but rather its lack of performance. With a mere 60 horsepower, it was, and still is, a little sluggish compared to its contemporary metric competition. But, at this price point, it represents great value to those looking for something a little different and willing to accept its limitations.
2004 R 1150 R Rockster
Price Range: $2,000 – $4,000
Bring a Trailer
Surprisingly, the more sporty naked bikes also got Telelever front suspension. We say surprisingly, because the one downside to it is that you lose front-end feel. While this is not much of an issue for ADVs and highway tourers, it is an issue for any bike with sporting pretensions. Once again, at this price point, it is still a fun way to be different. Just don’t expect it to be the most communicative canyon carver.
2005 F 650 GS Dakar
Price Range: $2,000 – $4,000
BMW
By the early 00s, BMW had in fact cracked the ADV code. Between this and the R 1150 GS, all conceivable bases were covered. While the bigger bike offered more touring comfort, it offered impressive off-road capability. The fact that BMW is all set to release a new bike with 50 horsepower and a wet weight of around 400 pounds represents something of a full-circle moment. We doubt it’ll be as off-road-capable as the 650, though.
2009 G 650 X Country
Price Range: $1,000 – $3,000
BMW knew precisely how good the Rotax single was and truly went to great lengths to get as much out of the platform as possible. Some credit should also be given to the brand in the sense that this was one of the first off-road-oriented bikes to have “X” in its name, but at the same time, it was let down a little by all the overlap within the lineup. Unlike the aforementioned Dakar, the X (cross) Country is a seriously stripped-back model that is much closer to a dual-sport, without actually being a proper off-roader. If anything, this versatile bike like this makes more sense today than it did back when it came out.
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2010 R 1200 GS Adventure
Price Range: $5,000 – $7,000
BMW
The R 1200 GS represents the ultimate air-cooled BMW ADV. With around 110 horsepower, the GS is certainly no slouch, but that is not what captured the imagination. Over the years, they have proven to be highly competent exploration tools, able to cross continents without a fuss. These bikes inspired a generation, and the adventure bike segment would not be what it is today without them. Its successor—the R 1250 GS—truly served as the gold standard in the ADV-touring space and technically, it still does that for enthusiasts.
2015 R nineT
Price Range: $6,000 – $8,000
BMW Motorrad
Initially, the whole retro motorcycle thing seemed to be a fad, but bikes like the R nineT have turned it into something far more permanent. Its timeless design resonates with a broad spectrum of riders, and its old air-cooled lump certainly gives it a degree of authenticity. A decade later, these bikes still hold up pretty well. If you can find one that hasn’t been modified beyond recognition, that is.
2016 K 1600 GT
Price Range: $10,000 – $12,000
BMW
Over the years, the K-series evolved into something quite different from the aforementioned “flying brick.” The current version of the luxury tourer has been around for well over a decade now, but it is fair to say the model hasn’t aged much at all. While the latest bikes offer more tech features and a modern TFT dash, the rest of the bike, including its silky-smooth inline-six engine, has remained largely unchanged since the platform was introduced.
Sources: Bring a Trailer, KBB
