The Bavarian motorcycle manufacturer has been the market leader in the adventure scene with their promising GS motorcycles running the show for more than 35 years. Topping this chart is their flagship workhorse, the R 1200 GS series and its flat-twin boxer engine that is undoubtedly the best companion for exploring the unexplored.

Currently, this machine runs on a 1170cc flat-twin boxer engine and is all set to receive some major updates for the 2019 year along with some high-tech features coming in as standard. The new mill is going to make it specked to Euro-V norms and also make more power without losing on any fuel efficiency. What’s the trick? It’s called the BMW ShiftCam technology.

STYLING

Although from a distance the 2019 GS looks like its previous avatar, the chaps at BMW have been doing some tinkering to get the new 1250 a modern take as far as the styling is concerned. The elongated beak now looks bulkier with multiple surfaces with plastic coming here. Faux air scoops remain here but get more pronounced with the honeycomb plastic used around.

The BMW R 1200 GS Adventure comes with the company’s trademark philosophy of equipping the motorcycles with asymmetric headlamps. Though this time, the headlight unit gets the all LED unit as a standard fitment. The trim of the air intake and the side fuel tank trim panels have been newly designed, too.

The transparent windscreen can be steplessly adjustable via a hand wheel and lower down, you get an aluminum bash plate. The bike also comes with luggage carrier, center stand, pillion grab handles and a one key system for ignition, steering, fuel filler cap, and seat locks. Crossbeam for pillion footpegs and number-plate carrier can easily be removed for off-road use

From the 2019 model onwards, BMW will equip the GS models with the high-quality 6.5-inch full-color TFT display as standard. One can also connect to your smartphone device via Bluetooth to enhance many possibilities for your ride. With the main focus being minimum rider distraction and maximum functionality, the bike’s handlebar has a well-proven multi-controller wheel and up-down toggle buttons that take just a few seconds to learn and operate.

The new R 1250 GS showcases its travel and off-road prowess in two modern basic finishes and two striking style variants. Black Storm Metallic, Cosmic Metallic, and the exclusive Style HP color schemes put this apart from the rest. The exclusive lettering, large colored tapes, and high-quality hardware components round off the stylish appearance.

Overall Dimension

POWERTRAIN

The down-to-earth character and powerful high-torque 1170cc engines today are responsible for these machines to be the highest grosser for the Bavarian company. Keeping the race alive, the German manufacturer will give its top-of-the-line adventure tourer and the sports touring machine a bigger, cleaner and much quieter powertrain.

All thanks to the new cylinder head that hides the variable valve lift or as BMW puts it, the “ShiftCam Technology” with revised exhaust path and engine mapping. The 1170cc will also be bumped up to 1254cc which will see the power ratings also shoot up from the current 125 hp to a 134 hp. The peak torque also increases from 92 lb-ft to 105 lb-ft.

The new mill will also come with oil jet cooling for the piston undersides, new BMS-O engine control, new knock sensors, new injectors, and a new unit gearbox design with updated wet slipper clutch. The 1254cc engine itself will weigh 11 pounds more than the 1170cc mill. This is where the excess 9hp will come in handy to haul the bike, and despite the added weight and power, BMW will thrive to keep fuel efficiency unchanged. ShiftCam is going to be the instrumental piece of tech that will keep the fuel economy in check.

The system will contain two cam profiles attached to a single shaft that maintenance continuous contact with the crank. One with a smaller profile and lift duration is optimized for lower speeds, while the other gets a bigger profile for more valve lift and duration for high-speed performance. An electronic actuator operated based on the engine rpm moves this shaft laterally to engage either one of the cam lobes. The asymmetric valves also create a swirl of fuel and air to burn more cleanly while maintaining higher torques across the rev band.

This ShiftCam technology, however, is only seen on the intake side and not on the exhaust cams, probably for space considerations. The camshaft drive now uses a quieter Hyvo toothed chain rather than the old roller chain. BMW have made these motors run smoother and quieter with the drop in the noise levels from 92dB to 88dB for 2019.

It received a judder damper on the transmission output shaft for the same reason. It gets the new wet clutch with anti-hopping function and electromotive throttle actuator, and one can equip it with an optional bi-directional ’Shift Assist Pro’ quickshifter too.

Engine Specification

RIDE AND HANDLING

Being an adventure, expect comfortable and plush seats for both the pillion and the rider and will be height adjustable. Upright riding position and wide handlebars are carried over from the previous model and does accommodate the stand-up too on difficult terrains. The narrow fuel tank now allows for more aggressive movements which were not possible before.

At 35 inches, the seat is a tad higher than the competition and is sure to keep you on the toes. Nonetheless, BMW will find you your size as an optional accessory. Nonetheless, a few dimensions of the 2019 model has been increased with the wheelbase now 22 mm longer, and the bike weighs in 11 pounds heftier than the 2018 one.

The bettered out Paralever 37mm front hydraulic forks, and cast aluminum single-sided swing arm with Telelever have made the steering on this Beemer for quite some time now. They make for an even more accurate than before, resulting in a sharper handling and better weight balance.

There’s a host of swanky new tech features on both the machines. Apart from two riding modes, Hill Start and ASC stability control are now standard. The bike comes with dual 305mm disc brakes at front and a single 276mm disc brake at the rear, coupled up with the ABS. Four-piston Brembo monobloc front calipers are top of the line kit delivering massive power and control.

The optional "Riding Modes Pro" featuring additional riding modes, Dynamic Traction Control DTC, ABS Pro, Hill Start Control Pro and Dynamic Brake Assistant DBC (new). The optional electronic suspension called the “Dynamic ESA” has also been updated here to enables the suspension setup to behave with automatic damping and self-leveling function as per the amount of load and type of terrain the bike is going to tackle better.

Chassis Specifications

PRICE

The 2018 R 1200 GS was priced starting at $ 16,895 and went up to a $ 19,145 for the Adventure model making it one of the most accessible true Adventure tourer when compared to its competition. Expect the 2019 R 1250 GS to have a markup of its price that will start somewhere in the ballpark of $ 18,000.

Expect the first glances of these machines at the German INTERMOT show in October or at the EICMA in Milan in November.

There will be a range of iconic customization features such as the Billets Packs Option 719 Classic and HP as well. It will include the Oil filler plug, Hero’s beak, Expansion tank covers, Brake and Clutch levers, milled mirrors, foot pegs and more. As an ex-works optional equipment, the new 1250 GS can now opt for LED Daytime Running lights, saddle options, Heated grips Intelligent Emergency Call or SOS and more with the Comfort and Touring packages.

COMPETITION

Ducati Multistrada 1260

Apart from the new heart and chassis, the new Multistrada 1260 family sees new fairing panels and lighter, sportier looking wheels. Out front, the 1260 has the same busy face with the teardrop-shaped twin LED headlamps engulfed in a curvy V-shaped front fascia, which also comes with Ducati cornering lights (DCL) as well for the ‘S’ variant and above. While the Multistrada 1260 carries an LCD dash, the S and above variants get 5” TFT units also seen on the new Panigale V4 that incorporates the Ducati Multimedia System (DMS).

The new Ducati Multistrada 1260 has been bestowed with the same 90-degree V-twin Ducati Teststretta DVT engine as found on the standard Multistrada but gets its stroke increased from 67.9 to 71.5 mm. Peak power of 158 hp comes at 9,500 rpm and 95.5 lb-ft of torque at 7,500. Of which, 85% comes before the rpm hits 3,500, meaning, the Multistrada 1260 offers the highest torque output in its class at the most frequently used range. That makes the 1260 the most powerful adventure tourer in its class.

The new Multistrada 1260 gets the chassis from the 1200 but is updated with an extended swinging arm and wheelbase that changes the riding geometry to a confident feel and provides in for sharper handling and stability by the rider. The 1260 gets Kayaba 48 mm upside-down fork and Sachs monoshock while the S and above gets Sachs 48 mm front fork. Braking is handled by dual 320mm front brake discs with radially-mounted Brembo Monobloc 4-piston calipers and one 265mm rear disc with a 2-piston caliper. Lastly, the Bosch IMU inertial platform also interacts with the semi-active Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) Evolution control system giving adjustments on the fly.

VERDICT

The motorcycle, in its latest avatar, is here showcasing the best of engineering prowess in the segment of enduring ADV motorcycles, and at the same time, it takes forward the legacy of the 35-year-old ‘GS’ nameplate, which initiated with the legendary R 80 GS back in 1980.

With these incremental improvements in working their bit, the machine is now showing even more potential. Every individual element comes together to have a holistic effect on the whole motorcycle. Increased power, better fuel economy, quieter and smoother engine – all courtesy the new BMW ShiftCam Technology.

The extensive optional package really gives any breed of rider the excitement of riding on the best thing money can buy nowadays. And with many of them coming in as a standard package, BMW has once again managed to brim out a winner for those who love the adventure life.

We’ll know more about the R 1250 GS and its variants when launched in a couple of months.