+ Add a photo

Adventure Motorcycles

2003BMW R 1150 GS

Rate this bike

28 fields on record

The 2003 BMW R 1150 GS is a versatile adventure touring enduro designed for riders seeking capable on-road and off-road performance. Its 1130cc boxer engine delivers smooth 85 horsepower with strong low-end torque, while the adjustable seat height and manageable 249kg weight make it accessible to various riders. Renowned for reliability and adventure-touring capability, it established the modern GS legacy as the benchmark adventure bike.

Capacity: 1130.0 ccm
Engine: Boxer
Gearbox: 6-speed
Dry weight: 249.0 kg
Seat height: 840 mm
Power: 85.0 HP (62.5 kW)

⇄ Compare with another bike ＋ Add to garage All model years ⚠ Recalls listed (1)

What’s new for the 2003 BMW R 1150 GS

vs the 2002

Spec	2002	2003
Power	85.0 HP (62.5 kW) @ 6750 RPM	85.0 HP (62.5 kW)
Top speed	195.0 km/h (121.2 mph)	not listed

Other years 2000 2001 2002 2003

How it rides

Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested

Off-road & trail75%

Cornering60%

City riding55%

Daily riding65%

Touring90%

Two-up75%

Track25%

Best for: Built primarily as a long-distance adventure tourer capable of handling mixed pavement and light-to-moderate off-road terrain.
Built for: A rugged, torquey boxer-twin with a go-anywhere attitude, favoring steady real-world usability over outright sportiness.
Not ideal for: Not the ideal choice for riders seeking sharp sport-bike handling or track-day performance.

Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.

Will it fit you?

Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to us

Your height

Inseam (optional)

Units

At 840mm, a rider of 68.9" with a 31" (estimated) inseam will reach the ground with balls of both feet on the 2003 BMW R 1150 GS, with a moderate knee angle of around 90 degrees and a slightly forward riding position.

Assumes about 30mm of suspension sag once seated. This is an approximation from category-typical geometry, not a measurement of this bike or of you - sit on one before you buy.

More bikes at 821-900 mm — Long Legs →

Find bikes that fit your height →

Full specifications

Engine

Capacity: 1130.0 ccm
Power: 85.0 HP (62.5 kW)
Torque: 97.6 Nm (10.0 kgf-m)
Engine type: Boxer
Power/weight ratio: 0.3414 HP/kg (dry)
Bore x stroke: 101.0 x 70.5 mm
Cooling system: Oil & air
Fuel system: Injection
Starting: Electric
Valves per cylinder: 4

Transmission

Gearbox: 6-speed
Transmission type: Manual
Final drive: Shaft

Dimensions & weight

Wheelbase: 1509 mm
Seat height: 840 mm
Dry weight: 249.0 kg
Wet weight: 267.0 kg
Fuel capacity: 22.00 litres
Ground clearance: Not on record - add it

Chassis & suspension

Front wheel travel: 200 mm
Rear wheel travel: 190 mm

Brakes & wheels

Front brakes: Dual disc
Front brakes diameter: 305 mm
Rear brakes: Single disc
Rear brakes diameter: 276 mm
Front tyre: 110/80-ZR19
Rear tyre: 150/70-ZR17

Other

Color options: Black, Silver, Yellow, Blue/White

Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.

What changed, year to year

Differences highlighted

Specification	2000	2001	2002	2003
Capacity	1130 cc	1130 cc	1130 cc	1130 cc
Dry weight	242 kg	246 kg	249 kg	249 kg
Seat height	850 mm	840 mm	840 mm	840 mm
Fuel capacity	22 L	22 L	22 L	22 L

Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.

Safety Recalls

⚠ 1 recall may apply

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSIONNov 2002 · 02V319000

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE 3RD AND 4TH TRANSMISSION GEAR (SHIFT) WHEELS MAY NOT BE SECURELY SEATED ON THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. CONSEQUENTLY, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM 5TH TO 6TH GEAR, ENGAGEMENT OF THE TWO GEARS MAY OCCUR SIMULTANEOUSLY.

Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE GEAR WHEELS COULD CRACK RESULTING IN A LOSS OF TRANSMISSION CAPABILITY, OR, A LOCK OF TRANSMISSION COULD OCCUR. THE REAR WHEEL COULD LOCK WHICH, DEPENDING UPON TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS, AND THE RIDER'S REACTION, COULD AFFECT THE STABILITY OF THE MOTORCYCLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOTORCYCLES AND REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION GEAR BOX IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117, OPTION #4.

These recalls cover some 2003 bikes of this model. Whether one applies to a specific bike, and whether the repair has already been done, depends on its VIN — check your VIN with NHTSA or ask a dealer.

Source: NHTSA. View all BMW recalls →