BMW R 1250 GS test

Menus

• The smart boxer
• Flat Twin ShiftCam of 1,254 cm3, 136 hp and 143 Nm, 249 kg full made, from 17,400 euros
• Discovery
• In the saddle
• Engine and transmission
• In the city
• Motorway and expressways
• Departmental
• All Terrain
• Cycle part
• Braking
• Comfort / duo
• Consumption
• Conclusion

The smart boxer

Flat Twin ShiftCam of 1,254 cm3, 136 hp and 143 Nm, 249 kg full made, from 17,400 euros

Only one year after the renewal of its F750GS and F850GS, BMW is now tackling its heavy-duty trail. In designing its all-new R 1250 GS, BMW Motorrad had to face the most difficult task a manufacturer could face: improving a motorcycle already perceived as the benchmark model in its class.. Improving the best is even more complicated when it was the manufacturer himself who launched this segment of road maxi-trails a few years ago. And even more when this model represents a significant portion of annual sales volumes.

BMW R 1250 GS test

BMW therefore had to take up this challenge by updating an R 1200 GS which dominated the market for a long time and which is still today the most important model in the Bavarian range. This status within the manufacturer’s offer is not new and has lasted for four decades since the introduction of the very first multi-purpose twin-cylinder on the BMW R80GS which, in 1980, took over the basis of the Boxer who won four rallies in Paris. -Dakar.

Since then, the GS family has sold some 700,000 copies worldwide. In 2017 alone, 50,281 R1200GS and GS Adventure found buyers, or more than 30% of the 164,153 motorcycles sold by the manufacturer over the year..

Dr. Markus Schramm, Chairman of BMW Motorrad:

The name GS does not simply represent a model of motorcycle. It is also a remarkable success story which has been of great importance to our company since 1980. From the launch of the R80GS until today. The international premium motorcycle rankings show that our GS models have been in the top spot for many years. And I firmly believe that this new GS will continue this success.

The new BMW R 1250 GS

The main challenge for BMW’s R&D teams, led by Jochen Beck, was to refresh the design of the GS and improve the performance of the Bavarian cash cow to help meet the growing competition from the KTM and Ducati without changing. the DNA of the motorcycle. This is probably one of the reasons why the R 1250 GS is ultimately not so different from the R 1200 GS which has been in production since 2004 and has welcomed three major developments while creating an increasingly loyal base of bikers around this machine renowned for its versatility.

Whether it is to drive across the globe on bumpy roads or paths, to drive at high speed on the motorway, to make inter-queues in urban areas or for a small Sunday outing, this machine has been for many bikers the all-rounder motorcycle. Does the R 1250 GS continue this tradition with honors ?

The BMW R 1250 GS

Discovery

While making aesthetic changes to the details of the bike, such as the new Boxer engine covers or the new color variations, the engineers mainly focused on improving performance and engine enjoyment..

Aesthetically the 1250 GS strongly resembles the 1200

So, at first glance, the bike looks like its predecessor, resuming its characteristic style with its asymmetrical lights and its duckbill. Only the informed eye will recognize the new Boxer or the 2019 colors and will be able to distinguish immediately..

The GS retains its asymmetric optics

Note also that here LED lighting is no longer an option, but goes into series. As standard, there is also an electrically adjustable windshield. A real novelty for BMW which has rather accustomed us to offering a long list of options making the price soar.

However, it is through the options that most equipment will pass, whether for the electrically piloted ESA suspensions, the eCall emergency call system, the cross-spoke rims, the cruise control, the guards. heated hands and grips, keyless start…

ESA piloted suspensions are optional

In the saddle

Climbing on this R 1250 GS is a bit like putting on a new pair of your favorite shoes. Everything looks pretty much the same compared to the old model, except for the new standard instrumentation which takes the form of a 6.5-inch color TFT display that was previously available as an option. This has a very readable speedometer in its center and a gear indicator engaged on the right. Added to this is the possibility of downloading the BMW Motorrad Connected application to benefit from a navigation system directly on the TFT screen, but also to listen to your music or make calls directly through this interface..

Instrumentation of the BMW R 1250 GS

As standard, the saddle offers the choice between a height of 850 mm and 870 mm, which can be lowered up to 800 mm or raised up to 900 mm with the options. The seat is similar to the previous model, especially since the suspensions are aesthetically identical. Suffice to say that the 1.70m pilot will barely put his feet on the ground.

The driving position remains almost identical

Two driving modes are available as standard (Road and Rain) as well as a hill start aid, Hill Start Control, which works thanks to the IMU inertial unit while holding the rear brake in place. A very pleasant help once you understand how to use it properly and stop stalling the engine by disengaging it badly … which we have experienced several times during this test.

Engine and transmission

The engineering teams aimed to improve the ease of access of the motorcycle and thus achieved this result with the development of the ShiftCam system which combines variable valve timing and differential valve lift, all in the same set. This is the key element in the widely revised version of BMW’s air / water-cooled eight-valve Boxer twin that powers the R 1250 GS. In addition to being Euro4 certified today, this new engine already meets Euro5 requirements which will be mandatory from 2020..

The new Boxer ShiftCam

Three years of development were necessary for this new engine which saw its displacement go from 1,170 cm3 to 1,254 cm3 thanks to a larger bore and a longer stroke of 3 mm. The Boxer ShiftCam now develops 136 horsepower at 7,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 143 Nm at 6,250 rpm against 125 hp and 125 Nm for the previous 1200. The 7% increase in cubic capacity here made it possible to increase the 14% torque and 9% power.

The boxer of the BMW R 1250 GS

These new values ​​still do not make it possible to compete with the 160 horsepower of the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S in terms of absolute performance, but the smoothness and fluidity with which power and torque are delivered more than compensate for this phenomenon..

In the city

The chance to experience for myself how much this difference impacted the handling of the motorcycle compared to the old model came on the first day of the 230 km test held in Portugal under summer weather and with mercury which climbed to 34 ° C. The test allowed us to discover this new GS on and off-road along the Algarve coast and then towards the interior of the mountains bordering the coastal plain..

The BMW R 1250 GS on the road

Pressing the starter allows the Boxer engine to be started and to realize that the sound of the new 2-1 stainless steel exhaust is now deeper. In addition, mechanical noise has been significantly reduced, eliminating the clicking noise previously heard at low speeds..

The motor is very flexible in use

Our Portuguese test begins with heavy traffic and from the first kilometer we realize the benefits of the CamShift system on the smoothness and torque of the engine. Very responsive without tearing the arms, the engine is extremely flexible, even resuming in sixth at 2,000 rpm without the slightest transmission jerk. Suffice to say that the GS will once again be a very good ally for daily journeys in urban areas. However, smoothness is not the only strength of this novelty and it is towards the expressways that we take it to see what it has in the engine..

Motorway and expressways

Because yes, when you decide to set the pace, the R1250GS is ready to change its face. Crank up the gas and the BMW soars with ardor and precision accompanied by the muffled rumble of its Euro4 exhaust..

The BMW R 1250 GS offers good protection at high speed

In no time at all, we find ourselves outside the legal speeds on the road by reaching 160 km / h at 6,000 rpm. Be careful, because the navigation is then done without constraint with a protection which is effective in limiting the air flow on the 1m80 pilot. Likewise, the engine’s counterweight completely suppresses vibrations. At a cruising speed of 130 km / h, the engine runs on 4,300 rpm, which means that consumption drops drastically..

Departmental

Now head for the small mountainous roads, another Bavarian woman’s hunting ground. The shaft drive and its 6-speed gearbox aren’t really demanding, as the 8-disc anti-dribble clutch, now fitted as standard, requires little lever effort, making the R1250GS easy to maneuver. that the gearbox is smooth and precise, not leaving the impression of a shaft transmission. This development is the result of the integration of the gearbox and the clutch in the crankcase..

BMW R 1250 GS road test

The new throttle response is both flexible and muscular thanks to the torque curve which always displays at least 110 Nm, or three quarters of the maximum torque of 143 Nm, from 2,000 to 8,250 rpm. The best speed range is thus found between 2,500 and 6,250 rpm (max torque).

Granted, you’ll need to downshift every now and then, or even two, in a very tight corner, but the engine is so smooth that you don’t have to use the gearbox as much as before. This is also one of the explanations for the drop in fuel consumption since compared to the 1200, we constantly find ourselves in a higher gear and therefore at lower engine speeds..

BMW R 1250 GS test

Despite our testing, we were unable to detect the ShiftCam switch transition point when switching to full or partial load cams. Those who have experienced the sudden arrival of power from the first Honda VTEC engines will be pleasantly surprised by this absence here. The 5 milliseconds it takes to change cams literally go unnoticed, but the consequences are then felt in terms of performance..

Cycle side, nothing to complain about, the bike is sound, precise and is easily taken on the road, even bumpy, returning good feedback..

All Terrain

Offroad, the R1250GS is still not as light and easy as a KTM 1090R Adventure, but its increased power and better response to throttle demands make the GS a good machine for the roads..

The GS is doing it with honors on the roads

Standing on the footrests, the riding position remains natural and the optional Enduro Pro assistance of the HP version allows you to let go of the horses. This “Sport” version also stands out for its spoked rims, long-travel suspensions and Metzeler Karoo tires in addition to the suspension settings, ABS and DTC adapted..

Cycle part

The engine is certainly the star element of this new trail, that does not mean that the engineers did not pay attention to the cycle part. The Sachs suspension thus works better than ever as does the Telelever front suspension which has never been faulted, whether on asphalt or on side roads..

Unlike the HP, the “road” version is based on aluminum rims shod in Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A41 which offer good feedback and excellent grip on high acceleration. The empty weight has increased by 5 kg compared to the previous model, thus now reaching 249 kg with the 20 liters of the tank full..

Transmission of the BMW R 1250 GS

Braking

Braking is classic, but effective with its two original Hayes four-piston radial front calipers associated with 305mm discs that provide good bite without being brutal. The important engine brake also completes the device.

Front brake of the BMW R 1250 GS

Comfort / duo

The comfort is quite correct for the passenger whether in the saddle or the natural driving position. The suspensions work well together and the protection is effective, at least up to 1m80.

The saddle of the BMW R 1250 GS

Consumption

It is always complicated to measure actual consumption on a short test where the machine is pushed to its limits, but despite everything, there is a noticeable drop in consumption. With its 20-liter tank, however, the GS can reach 350 km of autonomy without worry. We will redo multiple consumption tests during a longer test.

Conclusion

BMW wanted to improve its spearhead and the bet seems held with an R 1250 GS which reinforces the versatility of the series, is easier to access, but also allows to send more watts when the need arises. . To put it simply, this GS is a GS.

Priced from 17,400 euros in its Cosmic Blue and Blackstorm colors, the Bavarian trail is displayed in the same price ranges as its direct competitors in the premium segment since it takes € 16,990 for the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S and a minimum from 18,490 € for the Ducati 1260 Multistrada. But as always with the propeller brand, it will be necessary to reckon with options that will significantly increase the note, but will also allow to benefit from better services and an easier resale..

BMW R 1250 GS HP review

Strong points

• Engine approval
• Already ready for Euro5
• Ease of driving
• Finishes
• A real GS

Weak points

• The price with options

The technical sheet of the BMW R 1250 GS

Test conditions

• Route: 230 km on Algarve coastal roads, in traffic, on small mountain roads and a few paths
• Motorcycle mileage: – km
• Problem encountered: nothing

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