BMW GSA 1250

Category: Adventure Bike


1. Review

Little appears to have changed with the R1250GS at first glance, as it shares the same styling as its BMW R1200GS predecessor and retains the same chassis.

But delve a little deeper, and you’ll find a higher level of standard equipment and more advanced optional electronic rider aids. But the big news is that BMW’s venerable Boxer engine gets a capacity increase and “Shift Cam” variable valve timing for the first time, drenching it with more power from top to bottom.

If you own an R1200GS, it’s probably not worth an immediate upgrade, but ride it back-to-back with the 1250 and you’ll notice the newer machine’s extra low-down and added urgency up top. To be honest, it’s not the most exciting adventure bike on the market, and its looks aren’t for everyone, but you can’t deny how talented it is—a comfortable tourer, off-roader, and scratcher all rolled into one Tonka Toy-like package. It is never difficult to understand why.

BMW GSA 1250 review

2. Highlights

With no changes to the chassis, it’s no surprise that the R1250GS rides and handles identically to the R1200GS and isn’t bothered by its increased power, but that’s fine with us. It may appear to be a strange, clumsy beast, but it is not.

Depending on your mood, it’s a spacious tourer, performance bike, or mud-muncher. It exudes poise, has excellent wind protection, and despite the switch from Brembo to BMW-branded Hayes calipers, it never lacks solid braking power.

Off-road The R1250GS lacks the outright speed and playfulness of big-bore rivals like the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S or the personality of the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin, but the engine’s extra grunt and delicious throttle response give you more control over a GS than ever before. Its natural standing-up riding position is complemented by optional “Enduro Pro” electronics that provide off-road-tailored traction control, ABS, and suspension settings.

Forget the clever engine technology for a second; all you need to know is that the ride-by-wire-controlled “Shift Cam” simply gives you a GS with more low-down grunt than ever and the softest throttle response on this side of a factory race bike. Because of this, the BMW R1250GS has so much power that sixth gear is all you need when driving in town, on the highway, or even coming out of slow, uphill hairpins.

Although the base R1250GS is not expensive, most buyers will check boxes and add optional performance, electronics, and equipment packs. They add thousands to the price but considerably enhance the ownership experience and make your machine more desirable when it’s time to sell.

BMW servicing isn’t the cheapest, and it’s not particularly fuel efficient. During MCN’s various UK tests, we’ve managed a 47 mpg average and a theoretical 207-mile range from its 20-liter tank.

The GS is widely regarded as the standard for adventure motorcycles, but it has competitors. Among the choices are the Triumph Tiger 1200, Ducati Multistrada 1260, Honda Africa Twin, and KTM 1290 Super Adventure. We compare the Ducati Multistrada V4 S and the BMW R1250GS head-to-head.

BMW R1250GS Highlights

3. Specs

BMW R 1250 GS Specifications

Mileage (Overall) 15 kmpl
Displacement 1254 cc
Engine Type Air-Liquid Cooled, Twin Cylinder, DOHC, Boxer Engine
No. of Cylinders 2
Max Power 136 PS @ 7750 rpm
Max Torque 143 Nm @ 6250 rpm
Front Brake Disc
Rear Brake Disc
Fuel Capacity 20 L
Body Type Adventure Tourer Bikes, Off Road Bikes

BMW R 1250 GS Features

ABS Dual Channel
Riding Modes Rain,Road
Traction Control Yes
Cruise Control Yes
Navigation Yes
Adjustable Windshield Yes
LED Tail Light Yes
Speedometer Digital
Odometer Digital
Tripmeter Digital

BMW R1250GS - Specs

BMW R 1250 GS Specifications

Engine and Transmission

Engine Type Air-Liquid Cooled, Twin Cylinder, DOHC, Boxer Engine
Displacement 1254 cc
Max Torque 143 Nm @ 6250 rpm
No. of Cylinders 2
Valve Per Cylinder 4
Starting Self Start Only
Fuel Supply Fuel Injection
Clutch Oil-lubricated clutch, hydraulically operated
Gear Box 6 Speed
Bore 102.5 mm
Stroke 76 mm
Compression Ratio 12.5:1
Emission Type bs6

Features

Navigation Yes
Cruise Control Yes
Speedometer Digital
Techometer Digital
Tripmeter Digital
Odometer Digital
Additional Features Of Variant Riding Modes, BMW ShiftCam, Automatic Stability Control, Hill Start Control, Power Socket, Tyre Pressure Control, Dynamic ESA, Keyless Ride, Daytime Riding Light, Gear Shift Assistant Pro, LED Turn Indicator
Seat Type Single
Clock Yes
Stepup Seat Yes
Passenger Footrest Yes

Features and Safety

Pass Switch Yes
Clock Yes
Riding Modes Rain,Road
Traction Control Yes
Adjustable Windscreen Yes
Additional Features Riding Modes, BMW ShiftCam, Automatic Stability Control, Hill Start Control, Power Socket, Tyre Pressure Control, Dynamic ESA, Keyless Ride, Daytime Riding Light, Gear Shift Assistant Pro, LED Turn Indicator
Stepup Seat Yes
Passenger Footrest Yes

BMW R1250GS - Review

Mileage and Performance

Overall Mileage 15 kmpl
Acceleration (0-100 Kmph) 3.6s

Chassis and Suspension

Body Type Adventure Tourer Bikes, Off Road Bikes

Dimensions and Capacity

Width 952.5 mm
Length 2207 mm
Height 1430 mm
Fuel Capacity 20 L
Fuel Reserve 4 L
Saddle Height 850 – 870 mm
Wheelbase 1514 mm
Kerb Weight 249 kg
Total Weight 465 kg
Load Carrying Capacity 216 kg

Electricals

Headlight LED
Tail Light LED
Turn Signal Lamp LED
LED Tail Lights Yes
Alternator 510 W

Don’t miss out on the best offers this December

Tyres and Brakes

Front Brake Diameter 305 mm
Rear Brake Diameter 276 mm
Radial Tyre Yes

Performance

0-100 Kmph (sec) 3.6s
Top Speed 200 kmph

Motor & Battery

Peak Power 136 PS @ 7750 rpm
Drive Type Shaft Drive
Battery Type MF
Battery Capacity 12 V/11.8 Ah
Transmission Manual
Charging At Home No
Charging At Charging Station No

Underpinnings

Suspension Front BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 37 mm, central spring strut
Suspension Rear Cast aluminum single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever; WAD strut (travel-related damping), spring pre-load hydraulically adjustable (continuously variable) at handwheel, rebound damping adj
Brakes Front Disc
Brakes Rear Disc
ABS Dual Channel
Tyre Size Front :-120/70-R19, Rear :-170/60-R17
Wheel Size Front :-482.6 mm,Rear :-431.8 mm
Wheels Type Cast Aluminium
Frame Two-section frame concept consisting of main frame with bolt-on rear frame, load-bearing engine
Tubeless Tyre Tubeless

BM travel motorbike tour with the position being top 1 Vietnam motorbike tour operator, we’ve guided many kinds of tours in Vietnam, Indochina such as Enduro Tour, Off-road trip, Motorbike tour, Road Trip or Pillion Passenger tour… Not only you can hit the beaten track on remote mountains to relaxing rides on dramatic busy coastlines, but you also ride offroad through deeply lush green jungles to move your soul on two wheels then enjoy fresh air from rice terraces. From dirtbike XR 150L, CRF 250L, DRZ 400 to Honda CB500x, GS 1250S you will conquer Vietnam or Indochina in the best way.
Vietnam Motorcycle Tours Club is the only company offering high-quality enduro bikes that are routinely inspected and serviced to make your off-road enduro tour the best it can possibly be. We are currently using:

  • Honda CRF 250L Review
  • HONDA XR150
  • HONDA CRF150L
  • SUZUKI DRZ400,
  • HUSQVARNA 701
  • HUSQVARNA FC450
  • CB 500X ADVENTURE
  • TRIUMPH TIGER,

BMW Motorbike tours

BMW GS1200… for the off-road enduro tours within Vietnam and to neighboring countries. Power will never be an issue with our range of 150cc to 1200cc bikes for one hell of a ride. We understand the importance of maintaining our fleet to the highest standards. We also regularly replace our entire fleet of bikes and riding gear always ensuring you the very best enduro and motocross experience guaranteed.
CHECK OUT ALL VIETNAM MOTORBIKE TOURS ´ ITINERARIES TO CHOOSE ONE SUITABLE BELONGS TO YOUR STYLE:

MOTORBIKE TOURS IN VIETNAM

Leave us a message

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Contact us for more interesting information​

  • Address: 3/7/36 Duy Tan Street, Cau Giay District, Ha Noi City
  • Mobile: +84 976 024 986
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Website: https://vietnammotorbiketoursclub.com/

Leave us a message

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.