At first, the BMW R100 GS Paris Dakar was a liter-class enduro motorcycle that debuted in 1989 as an independent machine in BMW's range. First, the maker introduced the conversion Paris Dakar Kit in 1988, with good response but low sales figures, and then the GS Paris Dakar model with the kit installed right from the factory.
In 1994, the German motorcycle maker released the BMW R100 GS Paris Dakar, a touring-oriented version of the base model that featured the same specifications as the previous model without any modifications whatsoever.
In the visual department, the bike featured standard fittings, such as a high-mounted front fender, a front cowl with bars, a small windscreen, a one-piece dual seta with a passenger grab rail, a luggage rack, side-mounted suitcases, a center stand, and wire-spoke wheels.
For suspension and brakes, the motorcycle was controlled by a telescopic fork with 180 mm of travel on the front end and a 285 mm brake disc with a dual-piston caliper. In contrast, the rear end was handled by an adjustable paralever system and a 200 mm drum braking unit.
As for the power figures, the 1994 BMW R100 GS Paris Dakar boasted 60 hp with a peak force at 6,500 rpm and 76 Nm (56 lb-ft) torque at 3,750 rpm, coming from a 980cc four-stroke air-cooled twin-cylinder boxer engine, that made the motorcycle reach a top speed of 176 kph (109 mph).