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Adventure Motorcycles

2003BMW R 1150 GS Adventure

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The 2003 BMW R 1150 GS Adventure is a heavyweight adventure tourer built for experienced riders seeking serious off-road capability combined with long-distance comfort. Its 1130cc boxer engine delivers dependable power and torque, while the tall 900mm seat height and rugged construction suit riders tackling challenging terrain and extended worldwide expeditions. Best known for pioneering the adventure bike category with genuine dual-sport versatility and German engineering reliability.

Capacity: 1130.0 ccm
Engine: Boxer
Gearbox: 6-speed
Wet weight: 253.0 kg
Seat height: 900 mm
Power: 85.0 HP (62.5 kW) @ 6750 RPM

⇄ Compare with another bike ＋ Add to garage All model years ⚠ Recalls listed (2)

Other years 2003 2004 2005

How it rides

Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested

Off-road & trail78%

Cornering55%

City riding40%

Daily riding60%

Touring95%

Two-up85%

Track20%

Best for: Built as a long-range, go-anywhere adventure tourer that prioritizes range, durability, and load-carrying over outright speed or agility.
Built for: A rugged, torque-rich boxer-powered traveler with a distinctive shaft-drive feel and legendary long-distance reliability.
Not ideal for: Not ideal for shorter riders, tight urban commuting, or anyone seeking sharp, lightweight sportbike handling.

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

Will it fit you?

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Your height

Inseam (optional)

Units

At 900mm, a rider of 68.9" with a 31" (estimated) inseam will not reach the ground comfortably on the 2003 BMW R 1150 GS Adventure, with a moderate knee angle of around 100 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) @ 6750 RPM
Torque: 97.6 Nm (10.0 kgf-m)
Engine type: Boxer
Power/weight ratio: 0.3360 HP/kg (wet)
Bore x stroke: 101.0 x 70.5 mm
Compression: 10.3:1
Cooling system: Oil & air
Fuel system: Injection
Starting: Electric
Valves per cylinder: 4

Transmission

Gearbox: 6-speed
Transmission type: Manual
Final drive: Shaft
Clutch: Single-disc dry clutch, hydraulically operated

Dimensions & weight

Wheelbase: 1509 mm
Overall length: 2180 mm
Overall width: 980 mm
Overall height: 1435 mm
Seat height: 900 mm
Wet weight: 253.0 kg
Fuel capacity: 22.00 litres
Reserve fuel capacity: 4.00 litres
Dry weight: Not on record - add it
Ground clearance: Not on record - add it

Chassis & suspension

Frame: Three-section composite frame consisting of front and rear section, load bearing engine.
Front suspension: BMW Motorrad Telelever;stanchion diameter 35 mm, central strut, spring pre-load 5-times mechanically adjustable
Rear suspension: Die-cast aluminium single-sided swinging arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever; WAD strut (travel-related damping), spring pre-load adjustable to continuously variable levels by means of hydraulic handwheel, rebound damping adjustable
Front wheel travel: 210 mm
Rear wheel travel: 220 mm
Rake (fork angle): 26.2°
Trail: 121 mm

Brakes & wheels

Front brakes: Double disc
Front brakes diameter: 320 mm
Rear brakes: Double disc
Rear brakes diameter: 276 mm
Front tyre: 110/80-ZR19
Rear tyre: 150/70-ZR17

Other

Color options: Aluminium/Gray, Black

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	2003	2004	2005
Capacity	1130 cc	1130 cc	1130 cc
Dry weight	—	232 kg	232 kg
Seat height	900 mm	860 mm	900 mm
Fuel capacity	22 L	22.1 L	22.1 L

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

Safety Recalls

⚠ 2 recalls may apply

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSAug 2003 · 03V325000

ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, DUE TO THE MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF THE REAR BRAKE HOSE, THE HOSE MAY SPLIT OPEN DURING RIDING CONDITIONS IN WHICH A FULL EXTENSION OF THE REAR SUSPENSION OCCURS. IN SOME CASES, THE HOSE MAY ALSO HAVE BEEN ROUTED INCORRECTLY TO THE CALIPER AGGRAVATING THE CONDITION.

Risk: AS A RESULT, A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PRESSURE CAN OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN REAR BRAKE FAILURE. A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE HOSE. IT WILL BE REROUTED ON MOTORCYCLES IN WHICH A HOSE OF THE NEW MATERIAL SPECIFICATION HAS ALREADY BEEN INSTALLED. THE BRAKE HOSE WILL BE REPLACED AND REROUTED ON ALL OTHER AFFECTED MOTORCYCLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117, OPTION #4.

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 →