The BMW GS lineup has been living rent-free in the adventure bike world for years now, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why. From cross-continental overlanders to weekend trail warriors, the GS has built a legacy of go-anywhere performance, tech-packed convenience, and big-bike presence that few others can match.
The hype is real, and it looks like it’s not going away anytime soon.
Now, BMW Motorrad France is adding a little extra spice with a pair of limited-run Dark Editions for the F 900 GS and the flagship R 1300 GS. These aren’t all-new models, but they’re more than just black paint jobs. Both versions come with curated option packs and price cuts that make them seriously tempting—if you happen to live in France, that is.
Let’s start with the F 900 GS Dark Edition. This is BMW’s new midweight ADV launched last year, and it’s a massive leap forward from the outgoing F 850 GS. You get a punchy 895cc parallel twin making around 105 horsepower and 68 pound-feet of torque, housed in a lighter chassis with longer suspension travel and upgraded off-road geometry.
In Dark Edition spec, it gets the sleek Black Storm Metallic paint and the Dynamic Pack, which includes Pro riding modes and the Shifter Pro quickshifter. Pricing in France drops to 12,500 euros (around $13,600), which is a solid 2,575 euros off retail. There’s also a no-deposit lease deal starting at 149 euros per month (roughly $160).
Then there’s the big one: the R 1300 GS Dark Edition. It’s BMW’s latest evolution of its best-selling adventure bike, packing a new 1,300cc boxer twin that cranks out 145 horsepower and 110 pound-feet of torque. Despite being more powerful, it’s actually lighter and more compact than the R 1250 GS it replaces.
In Dark Edition form, it builds on the base model with the Comfort Pack, which includes a power-adjustable windscreen, a passenger comfort kit, a center stand, as well as black spoked wheels and BMW’s Triple Black styling treatment. It comes in at 19,900 euros (about $21,600), or 249 euros a month (approx. $270) with no down payment.
So what about you folks living in the US? While the GS isn’t offered in Dark Editions per se, US buyers do have access to the equally badass Triple Black colorways, which offer a similar stealthy vibe. However, the French models bundle in more features and offer better pricing, but only for a limited time. They’re only available until the end of September, after which they’ll revert to standard pricing. This means you’ll have to option the sweet extras in as you order the bike, and pay for the add-ons as you go along.
All that being said, even if you're not shopping in France, it’s still cool to see how BMW is evolving the GS aesthetic. These Dark Editions ditch the bright rally colors and go for something more understated, more refined. And honestly? I totally dig it. I’ve long been a fan of BMW’s Triple Black colorways as I think they look slick, serious, and a bit mysterious.
But what about you? Do you prefer your bikes loud both visually and physically? Or do you prefer a more stealthy and subdued aesthetic like what the BMW GS Dark Editions bring to the table? Sound off in the comments below.
Source: BMW Motorrad France
