10 Reasons Why We Love The BMW R1250GS

Since the early 1980s, the BMW GS has defined the adventure bike class and has led the way in terms of innovation and ability. Other manufacturers have caught up but the BMW continues to move the goalposts to keep one step ahead. The latest R1250GS is the best GS yet and here are ten reasons why

The Engine

Let’s start with the basics and the one feature of any motorcycle that gets all the attention is the engine. BMW’s first ever motorcycle, the R32 of 1923, had a horizontally opposed twin-cylinder engine and, with a few (successful) digressions, this layout is still the mainstay of BMW production today.

Size and power output has increased over the years to the point where the engine of the R1250GS now has a displacement of 1254cc and produces 136 horsepower and a relentless mountain of torque (105.4 pound-feet) right across the rev range. It is also now completely liquid-cooled and features variable valve timing in the form of the BMW-patented Shiftcam technology, where the inlet camshaft is moved along its horizontal axis to engage different-profile cam lobes, giving good low down torque and high-rpm power.

This technology gives the boxer-twin engine a broad spread of usable power and has helped the ancient design to keep up with engines from other manufacturers.

The Style

From the very first R80G/S of 1980, the BMW GS has had its own distinctive style that would be copied by so many manufacturers. The first R80G/S had tall suspension, a single-sided swing-arm housing the drive shaft, a single rear shock absorber and a 21-inch front wheel. Details aside, that is still the style of the latest R1250GS.

The BMW R1250GS is one of the most distinctive motorcycles on the road. Each successive generation of the GS has grown in size and complexity but each has retained the DNA of that first model while building on it: more weather protection, larger fuel tanks, different lighting configurations, crash bars and so on. People always know that you are riding a BMW GS.

The Fame

Yes, that does say ‘fame’ and not ‘frame’! What helped the GS become one of the most recognisable motorcycles on the planet (and adventure riding as the hobby of the man in the street as opposed to professional off-road riders and adventurers) was its participation in Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman’s trip around the world, as recorded in the TV programme Long Way Round and the follow up, Long Way Down.

BMW scored a huge PR coup when they agreed to supply the TV crew with a pair of GS1150 motorcycles, after KTM pulled out of the running. Those two TV series cemented the GS as the go-to motorcycle for extreme adventures and laid the foundation for the next 18 years of market domination, culminating in the R1250GS, which is still seen as the definitive adventure bike by the public, despite heavy fire from rival manufacturers.

The Ability

The BMW R1250GS is one of the most practical motorcycles on the planet, able to cover vast distances in comfort and safety both on- and off-road. Some will point to its size as being a barrier to being effective off-road but it is one of the most well-balanced adventure bikes you can buy, able to cross terrain that would be difficult to walk over, let alone ride! It can simply go places that no motorcycle of this size has any right to get to.

It might look clumsy and is certainly quirky in its design, but it is brilliant as either a comfortable long-distance tourer, back-lane scratcher, or crossing deserts, rivers, and mountains.

The Electronics

The BMW R1250GS has one of the most sophisticated electronics packages of any adventure motorcycle, which only serve to make it even more accessible on- and off-road.

There is a six-axis Internal Measurement Unit (IMU) which allows for lean-sensitive ABS and traction control. It also allows for hill-hold control, which stops the bike from rolling back when you have had to stop on a slope. The IMU measures the motorcycle's yaw, pitch and roll, wheel speed, engine speed, and throttle opening. In short, you will never be given more power than the conditions allow for.

The brakes are linked which means when you pull the front brake lever, the rear brake is automatically applied as well for ultimate braking stability.

There are a total of seven riding modes, which alter power delivery and electronic intervention of the safety systems. The basic modes are ECO, Rain, and Road and there are four more optional modes - Dynamic, Dynamic Pro, Enduro, and Enduro Pro, giving huge levels of system customization depending on where and how you are riding.

The suspension is electronically adjustable for load - you can set it to remain level front to back depending on the weight being carried (luggage or pillion) - and the damping can be set to automatic where the bike’s brain decides how you are riding and adjusts the damping accordingly.

Add to all that tire-pressure monitoring, LED lighting, full-colour TFT dash, cornering headlight, heated seat and grips, cruise control, and the R1250GS is basically a computer on wheels!

What’s Your Flavour?

BMW has diversified the range of R1250GS models to cater to every need. The most off-road orientated model is the Rallye, with its stripped-back appearance courtesy of the smaller screen and blue, white and red paint scheme and it comes with the full suite of off-road electronics.

Then there is the R1250GS Exclusive, which it would be fair to say, is the more road-orientated version and has its own distinctive and very classy style, still with huge electronic sophistication and performance but with even more comfort.

Finally, there is the R1250GS Adventure, which adds a huge eight-gallon gas tank for proper continent-busting trips.

Stay Connected

You don’t need to feel isolated when riding your R1250GS. BMW Motorrad Connectivity pairs your smartphone with the bike, enabling you to project the ‘phone’s navigation to the TFT dash, make and answer calls, or listen to music by connecting your phone, the bike and your helmet-mounted communications device via Bluetooth.

It’s tougher than it looks

An R1250GS, straight off the showroom floor, is an extremely smart and, depending on your view, a good-looking adventure motorcycle. It almost looks too good to take off-road, with some critics suggesting it just isn’t tough enough, that BMW has concentrated on making it look good at the expense of ability and toughness.

Nothing could be further from the truth. BMW takes the design of its motorcycles very seriously and, if the GS has been designed to go off-road, then that is its primary purpose and it will do it very well indeed, despite its glossy appearance.

BMW GS models are exceptionally tough and a lot of design thought has gone into making them as accident-proof as possible.

How long will the R1250GS be available?

As good as the R1250GS is, BMW has no intention of stopping the development of the platform. Recent spy shots have shown new models being tested and online clues point to the new GS model being called the R1300GS.

BMW is in a horsepower war with other adventure bike manufacturers and while 136 horsepower is more than enough, the public perception is that more is better and, when rivals such as the KTM 1290 Super Adventure have engines producing 160 horsepower, BMW feels it needs to at least keep up, if not overtake!

Where this extra power will come from is still a mystery. The architecture of the boxer twin engine means there is a limit to displacement and power that can be transmitted through the crankshaft that has no central bearing. Time will tell what solutions BMW has come up with to keep up with the Joneses.

The last, but the best reason to love the R1250GS

It’s an iconic motorcycle: not only has it been around for 40+ years, but it has also come to define the adventure segment. People who know nothing about motorcycles, know what a GS is and also know that whoever rides one is likely to take off into the hills at the drop of a hat and have a proper adventure. They will be envious!