[7] Upgrades for model year 2007 included increased power to 78 kW (105 bhp), a new Integral ABS II antilock braking system was released without servo assistance.

The GS was also given a new crash bar option, allowing cylinder protection covers to be mounted, as had been standard on the Adventure.

[19] In 2012, Cycle World called the R1200GS "the most successful motorcycle in the last two-and-a-half decades" and credited it for creating the adventure touring category.

[21] In 2004, the R1150GS Adventure model of the previous series of BMW boxer-twin engined bikes was used by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman for an epic motorcycle road trip from London to New York City via Europe, Asia, and Alaska, and the Adventure was in the book and TV series, Long Way Round.

In 2007, the same pair used R1200GS Adventure BMWs for a sequel trip from John o' Groats in Scotland to Cape Agulhas in South Africa,[22] this project being documented in Long Way Down.

The R1200GS appeared in several episodes the BBC Two television programme The Hairy Bikers' Cookbook, ridden by chefs Dave Myers and Si King.

[23][24] Noted motorcycle journalist Kevin Ash died from injuries sustained in a crash while test riding the R1200GS at its 2013 press launch.

An inquest gave a finding of accidental death, but the UK coroner could not give full reasons "due to insufficient evidence".