BMW is ready to sell its existing air-cooled GS and GS Adventure alongside the new water-cooled replacement model next year.
Newly-published documents show the current air-cooled GS has been certified as a 2013 model by California's Air Research Board. There's still no sign of certification for the water-cooled version.
Previous speculation has suggested that the air-cooled GS might continue in 'Adventure' form while the liquid-cooled bike takes on the more road-oriented end of the market, but the new new documents show both standard and Adventure versions of the GS will be offered in 2013, along with unchanged R1200R and R1200RT models.
BMW has, however, confirmed that there will be a press conference on October 2 at the Intermot show in Cologne where the successor to the R1200GS will be revealed. In a statement, the firm said: "The 'BMW GS' concept has embodied riding pleasure and the desire for adventure for over 30 years. The unique integrated concept of the big travel enduro bike with boxer engine, complete with its authentic charm and a powerful, high-torque engine, is loved by legions of motorcycle fans all over the world. BMW now begins a whole new chapter in GS history: the most popular travel enduro in the world has been brought to perfection."
While that's a bold statement and the GS replacement is sure to be a winner, perhaps BMW is hedging its bets by keeping the old model alive just a little longer to satisfy riders who believe a BMW boxer really needs to be air-cooled.
