The BMW R80G/S created a new genre of motorcycling when it first appeared, and is considered an icon today. The ‘GS’ designation is still a staple of BMW’s range, but it’s evolved a lot since 1980?both technologically and visually. By 1987, the R100GS already had a very different vibe to its predecessor, and the modern GS machines carry almost none of the original’s DNA.
Robert Sabel of Roughchild Motorcycles in California wonders what a modern G/S would look like if that wasn’t the case. What if the R80G/S got better… but still looked the same" That was the inspiration behind his latest project?a bike he’s dubbed the ‘R100XE.’

Based in downtown LA, Robert leads a team of four that only works on BMWs, and specializes in classic airheads. Their client on this project was the CEO of a publicly traded tech company who has a deep love for the brand. ?He used to work in a motorcycle shop as a kid and lusted after a Singer-style BMW airhead,? explains Robert. ?He currently owns the new R1250GS and an R100GS Paris Dakar. He?s experienced the woes of buying a used bike and difficulties of keeping it on the road. This bike had to be top shelf, safe and reliable, with room to stick his wife on the back.?

?The goal was a ?continuation? model of the R80G/S: What if BMW manufactured that bike today" He left all of the design decisions to me?even allowing me to choose the color.?
To the untrained eye, the R100XE...