“Explore the unexpected” is the motto of the eighth edition of the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy, which will take place this September in Albania. Arguably one of the last still largely untouched off-road paradises in Europe, Albania is considered an insider’s tip for off-road riding, with incredibly rich flora, fauna and culture.

Now, after more than a year since announcing the upcoming GS Trophy’s location, BMW Motorrad is revealing the official bike participants will use to tackle Albania’s epic landscapes during the seven-day adventure. And no, we won’t see an updated F850GS model like the one chosen for the last GS Trophy in 2020. For the upcoming edition BMW is going bigger, with a competition-specific R 1250 GS featuring the flat-twin boxer engine. With 136 ponies and 105 lb-ft of torque, BMW says the flagship adventure bike “offers superior power delivery, beefy torque and maximum traction for the sometimes very demanding off-road passages, which often require riding in low gear.” 

The 2022 R 1250 GS Trophy Competition bike features several changes such as black cross-spoke wheels with high-gloss stainless steel spokes that not only improve its looks but also its dirt-worthiness. The bike is also equipped with enduro footpegs from the R 1250 GS Adventure as well as adjustable gearshift and foot brake levers. The standard Karoo 3 rubber has also been replaced with Karoo 4 tires for better grip on difficult terrain. 

To withstand the beating off-road, BMW has equipped the competition bikes with several protection parts including an enduro bash plate made of aluminum, a headlight protection guard, cylinder head covers, robust handguards, engine guards, and a TFT display that is secured against damage in a fall and from flying rocks.

As a practical storage option, the bike is outfitted with a 5-liter Adventure Collection tank bag which can also be used as a tail pack. A short sports windshield, rally seat with a stainless steel luggage bridge and Akrapovic silencer round off the equipment of the competition GS. 

The look is completed with an exclusive two-tone paint finish in Lightwhite uni / Gravityblue metallic matte in combination with specially designed GS Trophy stickers. It remains to be seen whether BMW will opt to make changes to the standard 7.5” / 7.9” front and rear suspension with the stiffer ‘Sport Suspension’ option from the catalog which adds more travel and +0.8 inches of ground clearance.

This year, 126 models of the R 1250 GS Trophy Competition bike will be available to the participating enduro riders from all over the world. Based on past GS Trophy events, the most successful team will be the one that prepares the best, has the best teamwork and rides most skillfully, while enjoying the great rewards of international camaraderie. 

The 2022 GS Trophy lands in Albania from September 9th through the 10th. For more information go to bmw-motorrad.com.