BMW GS Survival Tool

Every now and then, we come across an item on April 1 that leaves us questioning whether it’s an April Fools prank. I blame Honda, which announced on April 1, 2014, that the NM4 was entering production – and meant it. If the Akira-inspired “I-can’t-believe-it’s-not-a-concept” NM4 could be real, then anything can, right?

And then BMW put out a press release today that looked pretty legit – until you spot the clues that tell you it’s a gag.

Introducing the BMW GS Survival Tool, a multi-tool combining an axe, a hammer, pliers, a knife, a screwdriver and a saw. The thing is, axe-hammer-pliers tools like this actually exist. In fact, BMW’s tool looks pretty similar to this product from Brook & Hunter.

The big giveaway is the price. The Brook & Hunter tool is available on Amazon for less than $50 while BMW’s GS Survival Tool starts at €389, or about US$443. Of course, this being BMW, you probably won’t find the base level option anywhere. Instead, you may have better luck with the GS Survival Tool Pro which is made of solid titanium for €1,479, or $1,685, American. For those who only want the top-of-the-line, BMW offers the titanium and carbon fiber GS Survival Tool HP for the modest price of €1,699, or about US$1,936!

The worst part? Even after figuring this was a joke, we still want one! Just… not at those prices.

Here’s the original BMW press release:

Munich. All motorcyclist adventurers are familiar with the challenges: a slip-up out in the bush causes a technical failure – the bike is out of action, the nearest garage is hundreds of miles away and there’s no phone signal. Normally this would mean that the long-planned motorcycle adventure was over.

In view of the constantly growing desire for adventure among BMW GS riders, BMW Motorrad assembled a group of experienced GS motorcyclists to look into this issue and has now developed a special new tool for the BMW GS models R 1200 GS and R 1200 GS Adventure which even enables complex repairs and replication of spare parts out in the field: the BMW GS Survival Tool.

This special device was developed based on a historical precursor used by many mechanics in Bavaria back in the early 20th century: the so-called axe-hammer pliers. Like its classic role model, the BMW GS Survival Tool possesses unique multifunctional qualities: it can be used as an axe, a hammer, a pair of pliers, a knife, a screwdriver and a saw.

The GS Survival Tool was refined and perfected in the course of numerous endurance tests carried out by BMW engineers in some of the world’s most remote and barren regions. Many a fantastic motorcycling adventure would have been brought to a premature finish had it not been for this multifunctional device.

The product’s final test came at the 2016 International GS Trophy Southeast Asia from February 26th to March 5th 2016 in Thailand. Here the universal tool demonstrated its capabilities on numerous occasions – though only for hammering in tent pegs and opening bottles and cans using the fully integrated opener. In spite of the very extreme conditions, there was no need for spare parts to be replicated for the motorcycles.

The BMW GS Survival Tool is forged from high-quality chrome molybdenum steel and mechanically processed. As a weight-saving measure, however, the shaft is made of aluminium and plastic. Alternatively, the BMW GS Survival Tool Pro is available in solid titanium and there is also an extremely handy version made of titanium and carbon fibre – the BMW GS Survival Tool HP. Both variants bear a lasered GS inscription.

Prices (RRP) including 19% VAT for Germany:

BMW GS Survival Tool : € 389.00

BMW GS Survival Tool Pro : € 1,479.00

BMW GS Survival Tool HP : €1,699.00

The price includes the high-quality BMW toolkit service set and a multilingual construction manual for parts made of renewable raw materials.

Preparations are already underway to make a Survival Tool that is specially adapted to the mid-range enduro models BMW F 800 GS and F 800 GS Adventure.

You will find press material on BMW motorcycles and BMW Motorrad rider equipment in the BMW Group PressClub at www.press.bmwgroup.com.

The BMW Group

With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 30 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2015, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.247 million cars and nearly 137,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2014 was approximately € 8.71 billion on revenues amounting to € 80.40 billion. As of 31 December 2014, the BMW Group had a workforce of 116,324 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.