Desert Bomber: BMW “R1300RR” Rally Bike

“What would BMW build today if they decided to create a factory Boxer rally machine?”

BMW was one of the earliest, most influential, and most successful manufacturers in the Paris-Dakar Rally. The R80G/S won the event four times in the 1980s while opening the door for an entire new class of adventure-touring motorcycles — one of the fastest growing, most popular segments in today’s two-wheeled world.

BMW returned to win back-to-back titles at the turn of the century. While the single-cylinder F650RR took home the trophies, the R900RR was arguably the more interesting machine — the last of the Boxer-powered desert bombers.

Desert Boxer: BMW R900RR Dakar Rally Bike

Unfortunately, BMW pulled out of Paris-Dakar motorcycle competition in 2001, pulling the plug on their factory team. There are various reasons why: regulatory changes that favored smaller single-cylinder bikes, a shift to four-wheeled competition, and the idea they’d already cemented the GS model’s reputation for ruggedness and off-road prowess.

Today, the Dakar Rally is dominated by motocross-based single-cylinder 450 machines. However, there are still plenty of us who remember the multi-cylinder glory days of the competition. Austrian engineer Krystian Majewski (@majestix.bike) is one such enthusiast who dreamed what a modern BMW Boxer rally racer would look like:

“I wanted to create something BMW itself has never built—a modern rally motorcycle inspired by the legendary BMW R900RR Dakar machines, while using today’s technology.”

Krystian decided to start with the most up-to-date platform, a 2025 R1300GS with the new 145-bhp air/water-cooled Boxer engine — the most powerful production twin the company has ever produced. This would not be a show bike, but an actual racer developed with competition in mind.

The modifications here are incredibly extensive, and they begin with the frame itself. In collaboration with Holland’s legendary Bakker Framebouw, a completely new tubular frame was developed using FEM (Finite Element Method) analysis — computer simulations used to predict how a structure will perform under real-world stress, vibration, heat, etc. Meanwhile, a custom subframe supports a pair of Yamaha T7 GYTR rally tanks.

T-Tech Suspension tuned the WP Cone Valve forks and developed the one-off rear shock, giving 260mm of front suspension travel and 230mm in the rear. The custom skid plate is made of 4mm carbon, and the machine boasts an Akrapovič titanium exhaust, Moto-Master brakes, and Oversuspension tire rebound control. Krystian gives us a full overview of the modifications below, but suffice to say there’s little left that’s OEM.

The weight tells the story, as the “R1300RR” is now 30 kilograms (66 pounds) lighter than the stocker, coming in at just under 199 kilograms dry — 439 pounds.

The rally tower is still in the works, but that hasn’t kept Krystian from putting the R1300RR through its paces. With just two hours testing on a motocross track and two days riding in Croatia, he entered the 2026 Hellas Rally — one of Europe’s largest, longest (2000 km), and most competitive rally raids.

“Hellas was more a test for the bike and myself to see how rally racing is, as I ride a lot off-road and on the street street but never a rally with a roadbook.”

With the bike built in less than 10 months and Krystian new to rally navigation, he and the R1300RR took home second place in the M6 class and finished P90 overall — incredible for a new build and rider, considering the absolute torture test of a 7-day, 1200-mile off-road rally.

“If you know how a GS rides and handles off-road, I can say the R1300RR is a different beast… Off road, when driven with speed, it just goes like a bullet.”

We love to see a bike developed for a singular purpose, especially when it grows from the drive and vision of a single individual like Krystian. Of course, he wasn’t alone. He’s quick to thank his wife, his best friend Thomas, the good folks at Bakker Framebouw, and all the other companies that helped support the project.

We look forward to following the future of this bike, as Krystian has his sights set on the African rallies, including the Africa Eco Race 2028. Godspeed to you and the R1300RR, Krystian!

Below you’ll find our full interview with Krystian about the build, including a full list of the modifications. Photo credits go to Krankit (non-race shots) and Actiongraphers (Hellas Rally).

BMW R1300GS Rally Bike: Builder Interview

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.

My name is Krystian Majewski (@majestix.bike) and I’m an engineer from Austria with a passion for BMW motorcycles, especially boxers and rally racing.

I’ve been riding motorcycles for many years (28), mostly off-road and adventure bikes. What has always fascinated me wasn’t simply owning a normal motorcycle—it was understanding how it works, how it can be improved, and where engineering can push the limits. That’s why I own some BMW HP2 models like the Enduro and Megamoto.

The R1300RR is my first complete ground-up custom build. I’m not a professional motorcycle builder with a large workshop. Most of the work has been done after work, on weekends, and with the support of specialists (like Bakker Frames) who are experts in their respective fields. My role has been developing the concept, designing the bike, solving problems, coordinating the project, and assembling everything into one complete package. So I put all the parts on the bike to make it as it is now.

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

It’s a BMW R1300GS 2025.

• Why was this bike built?

This is a personal project driven by a dream. The goal was never to build another customized GS or a show bike. I wanted to create something BMW itself has never built—a modern rally motorcycle inspired by the legendary BMW R900RR Dakar machines, while using today’s technology.

The bike was built to compete in real rally events, not just to be displayed. Since its completion in April 2026 it has already finished the Hellas Rally, where it achieved 2nd place in its class, proving the concept works. Also the dream is to race more rallies in Africa — a final step will be the Africa Eco Race in 2028.

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

The biggest inspiration was BMW’s Dakar history. Motorcycles like the R80G/S, HP2 Enduro, and especially the R900RR rally prototype showed that BMW was never afraid to think differently. Instead of copying another rally bike, I wanted to answer one question: “What would BMW build today if they decided to create a factory Boxer Rally machine?”

Every decision followed the same philosophy: Performance first. Weight reduction. Reliability. Serviceability. Real rally functionality. The appearance is simply the result of those engineering decisions.

Also I wanted the watercooled version, as this is a new base and there’s never been a rally bike built out of it, nothing like I did.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

Almost everything. Some of the highlights include:

Completely custom Bakker tubular frame
Custom rear subframe integrating rally fuel tanks from T7 GYTR
260 mm WP Cone Valve suspension developed and adjusted by T-Tech Suspension
One-off rear shock with increased oil capacity specifically built for this project by T-Tech Suspension: 230mm travel
Rally navigation tower project not finished yet
Custom carbon skid plate 4mm thick
Custom fiberglass seat (later to become carbon)
Modified swingarm
Complete weight reduction throughout the motorcycle
Akrapovič titanium exhaust system
Moto-Master braking system
Oversuspension tire rebound control
Numerous CNC-machined and custom-designed components
Redesigned electronics while retaining OEM functionality
Steering damper from Scotts
Changed air intake to make it light
Front light removed and exchanged
Very few original parts remain untouched.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

Yes its secretly called Gabi, like my dog that I lost in 2024, officially it’s the R1300RR.

• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?

The engine remains internally stock.

Weight was one of the primary objectives. The finished bike weighs: 215 kg with 19 liters (5 gal) of fuel / 199 kg dry. Removing the rear rally tanks reduces the fully fueled weight to approximately 205 kg.

Compared to the original R1300GS (with no extras on it beside the spoked rims) at around 244 kg fueled, the project achieved a reduction of almost 30 kg, while increasing suspension travel and rally capability. Normal GS models with all their original extras have around 254kg with 19L of fuel.

Power remains approximately 155-157 hp, making the power-to-weight ratio significantly better than stock.

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

If you know how a GS rides and handles off-road, I can say the R1300RR is a different beast. On road it’s like falling into curves when on speed. Off road, when driven with speed, it just goes like a bullet.

The bike rides like an HP2 Enduro, just with much more power. It has almost the same wheelbase, just
15mm less, and the steering angle is only 0.5° less than the HP2. So you can imagine that the GS wins in slow
technical terrain as it has much better steering angle and this makes it easier.

When it comes to drifting and sliding, the R1300RR is much better and predictable. Also you have a seat height of 960mm on the R1300RR, so you sit like on a bus, but it feels great when you can touch the ground 🙂

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

Without question—the frame. Designing a completely new chassis around BMW’s Boxer engine while keeping proper geometry, strength, weight reduction, and rally functionality was the biggest challenge.The frame was developed using FEM analysis and completely changes the motorcycle.

I’m also proud that the project isn’t just about making parts lighter. Every modification had to improve the motorcycle as a complete system. What is most impressive we built the bike in 10 months, the first prototype, and raced Hellas with it as its first real ride. Before that I had just two hours on a MX track and two days in Croatia to ride it.

I finished without issues. On the start of the last day I had a fuel leak, but this was fixed in 5 min in camp. Hellas was more a test for the bike and myself to see how rally racing is, as I ride a lot off-road and on the street street but never a rally with a roadbook. To finish 2nd was even more to be proud of.

Also there is the idea to build a kit and have the frame and so on ready for other people, so there can be more than one R1300RR in the world.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

Absolutely. Most importantly, I want to thank my wife, who has supported this crazy project from day one. Without her belief, patience, and encouragement, none of this would have become reality.

Second would be my best friend Thomas and Bakker for the great support and what we built.

This project would never have been possible without the support of many incredible people and
companies. A huge thank you goes to:

Bakker Framebouw for believing in such an unconventional idea and creating an incredible
chassis.
TTTech Suspension for developing a unique suspension package.
Akrapovič for supporting the project with their titanium exhaust system.
Moto-Master for the braking system.
Oversuspension for their innovative technology.
MaschinArt Moto for protecting my heads
REV’IT! For supporting my rally adventures, with their gear