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BMW R 1250 GS · BMW
BMW · R GS
R 1250 GS
A shaft-drive adventure motorcycle with a ShiftCam boxer twin, Telelever suspension and a colour TFT display.
- Style
- Adventure
- Engine
- 1,254 cc
- Power
- 100 kW
- Seat
- 850 mm
- Weight
- 249 kg
What reviewers say
Reviews praise the flexible, smooth engine and seamless ShiftCam transition, alongside comfortable suspension and strong brakes. Both warn that equipment packages raise the price. CycleNews found tight off-road sections less reassuring than lighter rivals; RevZilla found the standard GS's rear brake awkward to reach while standing and its TFT menus sometimes confusing.
From cyclenews.com and revzilla.com
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specEngine and transmission
- Powertrain
- Petrol
- Engine capacity
- 1,254 cc
- Cylinders
- 2
- Power
- 100 kW
- Torque
- 143 Nm
- Engine details
- Air/liquid-cooled four-stroke boxer twin, four valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts, counterbalance shaft and BMW ShiftCam variable intake valve timing and lift. Bore × stroke 102.5 × 76 mm, compression 12.5:1, BMS-O engine control
- Power details
- Maker 100 kW at 7750 rpm, also labelled 136 hp
- Torque details
- 143 Nm at 6250 rpm
- Gearbox
- Constant-mesh six-speed gearbox with helical gears; Shift Assistant Pro is optional
- Clutch
- Hydraulically activated wet clutch with anti-hopping function
- Final drive
- Cardan shaft
Chassis and dimensions
- Style
- Adventure
- Seat height
- 850 mm
- Road-ready weight
- 249 kg
- Frame
- Two-section main frame and bolt-on rear frame, with engine as a load-bearing member
- Front suspension
- BMW Telelever with central spring strut and 37 mm tubes; 190 mm travel
- Rear suspension
- Cast aluminium single-sided BMW Paralever swingarm with WAD spring strut, continuously adjustable preload and rebound damping; 200 mm travel. Dynamic ESA Next Generation is optional
- Brakes
- Front twin floating 305 mm discs with four-piston radial calipers; rear single 276 mm disc with two-piston floating caliper. Standard disengageable partly integral ABS; cornering ABS Pro is optional through Riding Modes Pro
- Wheels and tyres
- Standard die-cast aluminium wheels, 3.00 × 19 inches front and 4.50 × 17 inches rear; tyres 120/70 R19 and 170/60 R17. The press photos show optional cross-spoke wheels
- Geometry
- Wheelbase 1514 mm, castor 100.6 mm and steering-head angle 64.3°
- Dimensions
- Length 2207 mm; width including mirrors 952.5 mm
- Seat height details
- Standard rider seat adjusts between 850 and 870 mm; alternative seats and suspension provide other heights. HP style equipment differs
- Weight conditions
- Original 2018 maker technical table lists DIN unladen weight, road-ready, 249 kg; fuel-fill percentage is not specified in that table. Permitted total weight 465 kg; accessories and options change weight
Fuel and range
- Fuel tank
- 20 litres
- Fuel consumption
- Maker WMTC 4.75 litres/100 km; usable fuel tank 20 litres
- Emissions
- Original launch specification EU4, closed-loop three-way catalyst; maker CO₂ 110 g/km
Equipment
- ABS
- Yes
- Traction control
- Yes
- Rider aids
- Standard Automatic Stability Control ASC and Hill Start Control; Riding Modes Pro adds Dynamic Traction Control, ABS Pro, Hill Start Control Pro and Dynamic Brake Control
- Riding modes
- Standard Road and Rain; optional Riding Modes Pro adds Dynamic, Dynamic Pro, Enduro and Enduro Pro
- Display
- Standard 6.5-inch full-colour TFT instrument screen with Multi-Controller
- Connectivity
- Standard BMW Motorrad Connectivity, including compatible smartphone and headset functions
- Lighting
- Standard LED headlight and LED rear light; LED daytime riding light is optional
- Equipment and options
- Optional cruise control, Dynamic ESA, Shift Assistant Pro, Intelligent Emergency Call and luggage; regional equipment packages vary
- Release and generation details
- Announced 17 September 2018. Canadian announcement planned October 2018 sale; BMW USA's 16 November 2018 model update retrospectively says Available Now. A first actual retail month is not confirmed, so the headline retains 2018. Figures describe the original generation; later 2020 updates and the separate GS Adventure are not substituted
Battery and charging
- Battery details
- Original technical table lists 12 V/11.8 Ah starter battery and 508 W generator; starter battery is not a traction battery
Pros and cons
Pros
- Shaft final drive
- Standard traction control and hill-start assistance
- Adjustable rider seat
Cons
- Cornering ABS and electronic suspension are optional
- Standard road-ready weight is 249 kg
Closest rivals
Model | Style | Engine | Power | Seat | Weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adventure | 1,300 cc | 107 kW | 850 mm | 237 kg | Nov 2023 | |
| Naked | 890 cc | 87.5 kW | 825 mm | 193 kg | 2024 | |
| Naked | 649 cc | 70 kW | 810 mm | 205 kg | 2024 |
Sources
- press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/attachment/T0284913EN/420779
- press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0284913EN/the-new-bmw-r-1250-gs-and-t…
- press.bmwgroup.com/canada/article/detail/T0285200EN/the-all-new-2019-bmw-r1250g…
- press.bmwgroup.com/usa/article/detail/T0287135EN_US/bmw-motorrad-usa-model-year…
Photo: BMW
- BMW R 1250 GS original generation cylinder head in Cosmic Blue: BMW
- BMW R 1250 GS original generation optional Dynamic ESA in Cosmic Blue: BMW
- BMW R 1250 GS original generation cockpit in Cosmic Blue: BMW
- BMW R 1250 GS original generation display in Cosmic Blue: BMW
- BMW R 1250 GS original generation optional emergency call in Cosmic Blue: BMW
- BMW R 1250 GS left handlebar controls and multi-controller, tighter hardware detail crop: BMW
- BMW R 1250 GS original generation Exclusive style, left side with cast-alloy wheels: BMW
- BMW R 1250 GS original generation Cosmic Blue Metallic, left side with standard cast-alloy wheels: BMW
- BMW R 1250 GS original generation Exclusive style, cockpit and tank from the rider position: BMW
- BMW R 1250 GS original generation Cosmic Blue Metallic, cockpit and tank from the rider position: BMW
- BMW R 1250 GS original generation HP style, cockpit and tank from the rider position: BMW
- BMW R 1250 GS original generation HP style, TFT instrument display and windscreen supports detail: BMW
- BMW R 1250 GS original generation Blackstorm Metallic, right side with cast-alloy wheels: BMW
- BMW R 1250 GS original generation Exclusive style, right side with cast-alloy wheels: BMW
- BMW R 1250 GS original generation Cosmic Blue Metallic, right side with cast-alloy wheels: BMW
