1995
BMW R1100GS
Colours used
in this example.
Golden yellow and Ochre set the main colour direction. Softer background tones keep the motorcycle in focus.
Suggested pencil shades, not exact factory paint matches. Test colours on your paper before building richer layers.
Build yellow in thin layers and shade the lower edges with ochre.
Layer grey first then deepen the recesses with charcoal.
Leave narrow paper-white highlights beside blue-grey shadows.
Use light irregular strokes to keep foliage behind the motorcycle.
Vary the pressure for gravel and weathered wood.
Look a little closer.
Explore the details from different angles.
R1100GS 1
Red tank and upper front mudguard with black seat. Exact model year and paint originality unconfirmed.
Photo: Lothar Spurzem · Source · CC BY-SA 3.0 deR1100GS 2
1997 R1100GS with black bodywork and red seat. Later-year comparison with owner-added equipment.
Photo: Tomchen at German Wikipedia · Source · Public domainR1100GS 3
Black bodywork and black seat. Exact year and original paint specification unconfirmed.
Photo: Toni · Source · CC BY 2.0R1100GS 4
Red tank and upper mudguard with white tank panels. Model-family comparison; this is not evidence of a 1995 two-tone option.
Photo: Brian Snelson · Source · CC BY 2.0R1100GS 5
Red bodywork with black seat, luggage and twin-headlamp equipment. Exact year and finish history unconfirmed.
Photo: joergens.mi · Source · CC BY-SA 3.0Original colour options
The BMW colour register identifies three 1995 schemes: Avus Black, Alpine White and Marrakesh Red. Availability varied by market.
- Avus BlackTank and painted body panels
- Alpine WhiteAlternative tank and body colour
- Marrakesh RedAlternative tank and body colour
Screen swatches are a colouring guide rather than exact paint matches.
1995 options are from the specialist scheme register. Market availability is not fully mapped. The gallery also includes later and unidentified examples.
In the photographs
The photographs show red, black and red-and-white R1100GS bodywork. The black motorcycle with a red seat is identified as a 1997 model. Red and black fit documented 1995 options but the photographs do not authenticate their paint. The red-and-white combination appears in the wider model register and should not be presented as a confirmed 1995 finish.
- Red
- Black
- White panels
Visual colour guide only. These are not additional factory paint options.
In the coloured example
The golden-yellow example is a creative interpretation. BMW documented Kalahari Yellow for 1996 but this does not establish yellow as a 1995 option or make the illustration an exact Kalahari Yellow match.
Make the details count.
Keep the R1100GS lettering crisp against the yellow tank.
Use short charcoal strokes between the knobbly tyre blocks.
Shade mountain creases with slate blue while leaving pale ridge highlights.
Follow your curiosity.
Model history and further reading.