BMW R 1250 GS: Many motorcycles appear to be prepared to travel across a continent. One of the rare vehicle that has spent decades demonstrating its capabilities is the BMW R 1250 GS.
Because they provide something that most other bikes find difficult to match adaptability, adventure motorbikes have grown to be extremely popular. You can travel for hours on the highway, pack for a long weekend, commute during the week and still end up on a difficult dirt road when the tarmac vanishes.
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Expecting that much from one motorcycle seem excessive. But the BMW R was built on that very idea.
It has a big, powerful boxer engine, long distance comfort, cutting edge technology and true off road capability. Additionally it bears the name of BMW’s renowned GS family which has been connected to serious adventure riding since the early 1980s.
It’s not just what the R 1250 GS was capable of when it was new that’s interesting today. On the used market, this motorcycle provides it.
A well-maintained R 1250 GS can now offer significant touring and adventure-bike potential for significantly less than its original price because depreciation has done some of the heavy lifting.
The GS Formula Has Been Around For Decades
The category of modern adventure bikes did not emerge suddenly.
When BMW debut the R 80 G/S in 1980 it contributed to its definition. It was still uncommon at the time to combine an off-road motorcycle with a luxurious road vehicle.
In essence the G/S moniker indicate that the motorcycle could be used on both pavement and dirt.
Its reputation grew even faster through competition. BMW motorcycle were used successfully in the Paris-Dakar Rally helping establish the GS name as something more than clever marketing.
Over the years the formula evolved.
The engines became larger. Electronics became smarter. Suspension system became more sophisticate. Touring equipment became easier to integrate.
Eventually that development produce the BMW R 1250 GS.
The BMW R 1250 GS Is Built Around Its Boxer Engine
One of the biggest reason the R 1250 GS feel differ from many adventure bike is its engine.
The motorcycle uses BMW’s familiar horizontally opposed boxer-twin layout, but the 1,254cc engine brought considerably more technology to the formula.
BMW’s ShiftCam system varies valve timing and valve lift on the intake side. The goal isn’t simply to chase a big peak horsepower number. Rather, the system is intended to provide a wide range of usable performance for the engine.
As a result the engine generate about 136 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque.
That’s more than plenty for an adventure motorcycle.
More significantly, the torque makes the GS very helpful when traveling with a passenger or hauling bags. To advance you don’t have to continuously chase the top of the rev range.
The boxer delivers its punch in a manner that feels appropriate for long-distance riding when the throttle is twisted.
One of the motorcycle’s greatest advantages is that personality.
It Can Eat Highway Miles Without Feeling Like A Dirt Bike
Some adventure motorcycles make compromises on pavement because their off-road hardware takes priority.
The R 1250 GS approaches things differently.
Its upright riding position gives the rider a commanding view of traffic while the chassis and suspension are design to make long day in the saddle manageable.
This is important because the majority of adventure-bike owner aren’t crossing the Sahara every weekend.
They are riding to work.
They are taking weekend trips.
They are visiting friends several states away.
And occasionally, they are turning onto a gravel road simply because they can.
The GS is exceptionally well suited to that lifestyle.
It has the road manners of a substantial touring motorcycle without completely abandoning its adventurous side.
The Electronics Make A Big Difference
Modern adventure motorcycles aren’t just about engines and suspension anymore.
Electronics have become a major part of the experience, and BMW gave the R 1250 GS plenty of them.
Depending on specification and options, riders can get features such as Dynamic Traction Control, riding modes, Enduro settings, Hill Start Control and Dynamic ESA electronic suspension.
The electronic suspension is particularly interesting because it can adjust to changing riding conditions and loads.
That matters on a motorcycle that might carry nothing more than a rider and a backpack one day and camping equipment, panniers and a passenger the next.
The bike’s electronic don’t make difficult terrain magically easy. They simply give the rider more control over how the motorcycle respond.
And that is exactly what good technology should do.
The TFT Display Gives It A Premium Feel
The R 1250 GS also feels considerably more modern than its rugged appearance might suggest.
A large full-color TFT display provides information to the rider while helping bring navigation and connectivity features into the cockpit.
It’s one of those detail that becomes easy to appreciate after several hours on the road.
Adventure riding can involve changing weather, unfamiliar roads, fuel stops and constantly changing conditions. Having important information available without turning the cockpit into a confusing collection of gauges is useful.
This is where BMW’s premium positioning becomes obvious.
The R 1250 GS isn’t merely designed to survive an adventure.
It is designed to make the adventure comfortable.
But Don’t Mistake Sophistication For Fragility
This is perhap the most interesting thing about the R 1250 GS.
BMW positioned the GS as a premium motorcycle but its purpose remains fundamentally practical.
It needs to travel long distances.
It needs to cope with rough roads.
It needs to carry luggage.
It needs to deal with changing weather.
And it needs to keep going when the nearest motorcycle shop is nowhere nearby.
That doesn’t mean every R 1250 GS will be trouble-free. No complex modern motorcycle deserves that promise.
Maintenance history matters enormously, especially with a used example.
A motorcycle that has been properly serviced and treated well can be a very different proposition from one that has been neglected simply because its previous owner assumed a BMW would take care of itself.
That makes the used buying process especially important.
A Used R 1250 GS Can Be Surprisingly Affordable
The R 1250 GS become really intriguing at this point.
The original price of a premium adventure motorcycle can be intimidating. Add factory option, luggage, electronics and accessories and the final number can climb quickly.
Depreciation changes the equation.
Older R 1250 GS motorcycle can now be found for prices that put them within reach of buyer who might never consider a brand-new premium adventure bike.
That’s particularly appeal because adventure motorcycles tend to hold their usefulness for a long time.
A five-year-old GS doesn’t suddenly become incapable because a newer model arrive.
The engine still has serious performance.
The riding position is still comfortable.
The luggage options still work.
The suspension is still capable.
And the motorcycle can still take you far beyond the city limit.
In other words depreciation can make the R 1250 GS much more interesting than its original sticker price suggest.
What Should You Check Before Buying One?
Buying a used BMW R is not something to rush.
A cheap listing can be tempting but the cheap motorcycle isn’t necessarily the best deal.
Start with the service history.
A complete record is valuable because it gives you an idea of how the previous owner treated the bike. Regular servicing is particularly important on a sophisticated motorcycle with electronic systems and advanced mechanical components.
Then inspect the motorcycle itself.
Look for evidence of serious crashes, damaged engine covers, bent controls, worn suspension components and questionable modifications.
Adventure bikes can have an adventurous life.
That’s part of their appeal but it also mean some example may have spent plenty of time on rough terrain.
Check the wheels, tire, brake and suspension carefully. Pay attention to unusual noise or warning light during a test ride.
Accessories aren’t automatically a bad thing either.
Crash protection, panniers, top boxes and upgraded suspension can add genuine value. But poorly installed electrical accessories or questionable modifications deserve closer inspection.
A professional inspection can be money well spent.
Is The R 1250 GS Too Big For Beginners?
Buyer must be realistic in this situation.
The R 1250 GS is a big motorbike.
Particularly for shorter rider or those with little experience riding big motorcycle its size and weight can be daunting at moderate speed.
But once the bike is in motion, its engine character and balance make much more sense.
However just because it looks good doesn’t mean that novice should purchase one.
A lighter adventure bike might be more forgiving when things go wrong and easier to learn.
For rider who know what they want from a large adventure motorbike the R 1250 GS makes the most sense.
The GS is significantly simpler to defend if long-distance touring, two-up travel and diverse road conditions are high on the list.
BMW R 1250 GS Vs Honda Africa Twin
An apparent substitute is the Honda.
The Africa Twin’s parallel-twin engine gives it a distinct personality from BMW boxer, while Honda’s adventure bike has established a solid reputation for robustness and adaptability.
The two motorcycle appeal to many of the same rider but their personalities aren’t identical.
While maintaining true off-road capability the BMW has a strong preference for luxury touring and long-distance comfort.
Riders who desire a good motorbike without necessarily chasing BMW’s level of luxury technology have come to love the Honda because of its more adventurous personality.
Neither is inherently superior.
It all boil down to your values.
The BMW makes a compelling case if comfort, electronics, road performance and long-distance driving are the most important factor.
The Africa Twin merit careful examination if simplicity off-road capability and Honda reputation for dependability are more significant.
Why It Still Makes Sense to Use the R 1250 GS
Judging the R 1250 GS only based on its size or cost would be the big error.
This motorcycle is essentially several bikes rolled into one.
It’s a commuter.
It’s a touring motorcycle.
It’s a two-up travel machine.
It’s a luggage hauler.
And when equipped correctly and ridden by someone with the necessary skill it can handle plenty of terrain away from the pavement.
That’s why the GS formula has survive for so long.
The R 1250 GS doesn’t need to be the lightest adventure bike or the cheapest motorcycle in its class.
It simply needs to be good at a lot of thing.
And it is.
For used-bike shoppers, that’s what makes it particularly compelling. Instead of paying the premium attached to a new flagship adventure motorcycle, buyers can look at older R 1250 GS examples and potentially get much of the same capability for a fraction of the original cost.
Just remember that a premium motorcycle still need premium maintenance.
Buy the history, not just the price.
The Final Score
One of those motorcycle that make more sense the more you consider it is the BMW R.
Although it boasts amazing technology, significant power and sufficient comfort for cross country travel its roots are still in the rugged adventure motorbike that helped establish the GS brand.
It isn’t perfect.
It’s big, expensive to maintain compared with simpler motorcycles and more complicated than some rivals.
But that’s also part of the appeal.
The R 1250 GS offer an unusual combination of capability and sophistication. And on the used market, that combination becomes even more attractive.
For rider who want one motorcycle capable of handling the daily commute and the next big adventure, a carefully chosen used BMW R 1250 GS could be one of the most interesting options sitting in the classifieds.
FAQs
Q: Is the BMW a reliable motorcycle?
A: The R 1250 GS can be a dependable high mileage motorcycle when it is proper maintain. Because it uses sophisticate electronic and mechanical system service history is particular important when shopping for a used example.
Q: Is the BMW good for long distance touring?
A: Yes Long distance comfort is one of the motorcycle strongest qualities. Its upright riding position, powerful engine luggage capability and electronic feature make it well suit to extend road trip.
Q: Is a used R 1250 GS worth buying?
A: It can be particularly when you find an example with a complete service history and good overall condition. Used prices can make the R 1250 GS considerably more accessible than buying one new.
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