2019 BMW R 1250 GS launch review

Motorcycle evolution is a wonderful thing to watch, and one of the most enthralling has been the journey for BMW Motarrad’s famed Boxer range of adventure bikes.

The models have always been exceptional purveyors of the craft, but piecemeal updates over the passage of time – without losing the essence and design briefs of what made them so special in the first place – has now come to ‘this’: the 2019 R 1250 GS, R 1250 GS Adventure and their derivatives.

And what a juncture it is, as BMW has introduced variable valve timing (BMW speak: ShiftCam technology) on its large-capacity Boxer range – which also includes the R 1250 RT, R 1250 R and R 1250 RS – for the first time, and the completely revamped S 1000 RR four-cylinder sports bike also gets the technology as well.

We’ll be riding the S 1000 RR in late March 2019 (although we’ve seen the race version first-hand at the recent Phillip Island world superbike round), while we’ve already tried the R 1250 RT out for size.

The RT recently joined the R 1250 GSs and the F 850 GS Adventure on a four-day BMW launch extravaganza through NSW, and we’ll having a full review on the sports tourer soon – as well as the F 850 GS Adventure.

MORE: F 850 GS launch review

This review’s all about the R 1250 GS, though, and Bikesales rode two versions of the model on the launch: the Rallye X and the Tour, the former priced at $30,240 (plus on-road costs) with all the high-tech trimmings and the latter at $28,450 (plus on-road costs).

The base R 1250 GS is $23,525, and the Rallye (the R 1250 GS plus a special Light White/Racing Blue Metallic/Racing Red livery, passenger kit, black powertrain and wire-spoke wheels) is $25,115 (both plus on-road costs).

The Rallye X is the Rallye plus a heap of other bits and pieces, which we’ll touch on soon.

Topping the range is the R 1250 GS Spezial ($31,715 plus on-road costs), which is available in any colour variant you’d like and has the Dynamic and Touring packages as standard.

We’re already been a big wrap for the Rallye X in the past, as it won our 2017 Bikesales Big-Bore Adventure Bike Comparison. This is how we signed off: “It not only has impressive all-day comfort and a glorious engine but magnificent ergonomics that just feel right.

“Sure, it's getting up there in price, but what you get is a lot of premium motorcycle for the coin – and an intuitive electronics suite that is second to none.

“A compelling case from all fronts, which is why it's the winner of the 2017 Bikesales Big-Bore Adventure Bike Comparison. Congratulations BMW.”

If you select ‘Save as’ you’ll probably get an idea of where we’re heading this time around with the R 1250 GS Rallye X, as it’s still a glorious package in so many ways.

I had used the new ShiftCam engine for the first time two days earlier in the R 1250 RT, and it definitely adds another layer of athleticism to the Boxer top-end. Mind you, I still reckon the old 1170cc donk was okay….

ShiftCam varies the valve timing on the intake side, and unlike some other systems with a similar concept it isn’t triggered by a set rpm limit – it depends on a number of variables, such as how much venom the rider is applying to the throttle.

MORE: BMW ShiftCam technology video

The principle behind the technology is simple: at low revs with a partial-load cam it’s all about fuel consumption and “refinement”, and the full-load cam is all about unfettered access to all that power and torque.

The step-up from 1170cc to 1254cc (via increases to both bore and stroke) has been the main driver behind the increase in performance, though, with power up from 125 to 136hp, and torque moving north to 143Nm from 125Nm – with the peak now 250rpm less (6250rpm).

I rode the Rallye X on probably the most iconic-rich day of the launch: starting in Merimbula, we headed bush and linked up to the Barry Way, which then took us over McKillop’s Bridge and the Snowy River. I even took a dip in the river – quite brisk indeed... We ended the day in Jindabyne – adventure riding at its best!

The Metzeler Karoo rear tyre may have nearly been knackered at the end of day three, but I arrived in Jindabyne full of beans after riding such a consummate all-rounder. The Rallye X does so many things with ease: from commuting to highways or devouring tracks deep in the mountains or desert country.

That’s mostly to do with the level of spec – wire-spoke wheels, quickshifter, heated grips, enduro footpegs, HP exhaust, cruise control, 6.5-inch TFT screen, LED lighting and indicators, cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring, hand guards, electronic suspension adjustment, multiple riding modes, off-road tyres and daylight running lights – along with a thoroughly comprehensive electronics package. There’s also preparation for a sat nav unit.

The TFT screen, which we first used on the F 850 GS, has a number of clever connectivity functions and, in conjunction with a free BMW App, offers simple arrow navigation if you don’t have – or want to fork out for – the more costly full navigation experience. Superb feature.

The rider gets the choice of Rain, Road, Dynamic, Dynamic Pro, Enduro and Enduro Pro modes, plus hill start control, dynamic traction control and cornering ABS.

The Boxer engine is muscular and torquey, with beautifully metered power delivery. And that means good news in all environments. It’s a bike that just practically demands to be short-shifted (more so than ever with a lower torque peak) and the few times I looked down at the tacho I was changing at around 4000-4500rpm – but still felt like I was making heady process. The 9000rm redline was still a stratosphere away.

On slower and tighter bush tracks I couldn’t tell much of a difference between the old and new engines, but on the open road into Jindabyne the disparity became more obvious as the new donk just goaded me to rev it and ride harder, with surprisingly decent levels of grip from those chunky Karoos. Even with some silly lean angles…

But back to the engine. Aussies use their GSs to go far and wide – often on tarmac roads – so the benefit of the ShiftCam powerplant is obvious.

Off-road, I didn’t switch ABS off once – well, it does automatically turn off at the rear when the ‘Enduro Pro’ ride mode is selected. But as for the front, no, and that’s a reflection of just how much wherewithal BMW has developed in this area.

By virtue of its 245kg size, the Rallye X is obviously more suited to open dirt tracks that endless single track – where the ‘size drops off as the speed increases’ mantra doesn’t quite come into play – but it’s still surprisingly nimble for a large-capacity adventure bike. And under the whip of some seriously impressive riders, what a GS can do is simply amazing.

MORE: Click here to learn more about GS off-road training

The Rallye X, like all the standard GSs, only has a 20-litre tank. That means a range of about 300km, which we well and truly tested on day three.

The suspension treads that fine line between adventure and sports performance really well, and I left the electronic preload adjustment on Auto for 95 per cent of the time. That means the preload is automatically set for the rider, and you can adjust damping to suit; on the fly if you want.

The Paralever shaft drive delivers smooth, tractive force without any fussing around with chain adjustment and lube, while it’s best to only use the quickshifter when the drive train is under constant load. If you’re unsure, the light-action clutch works perfectly fine, so don’t be afraid to use it!

The final day was a mix of road and dirt, and the highlight of the blacktop was taking in the brilliant Alpine Way, which stretches from Jindabyne to Khancoban just near the NSW and Vic border. Bikesales readers will know it’s a road with it all: elevation changes, switchbacks, fast and slow bends (occasional Highway Patrol presence…) and superb scenery.

I was riding the R 1250 GS Tour on the final day, which has both the Touring and Dynamic packages, along with a black powertrain and a comfort seat. It’s available in one livery – Black Storm Metallic/Night Black Matt – and price is $28,450 plus on-road costs.

MORE: 2019 BMW R 1250 GS range
MORE: 2019 R 1250 GS Adventure

En route to Khancoban, we took a deviation to cross the Murray River at the edge of the Tom Groggin Station, which Banjo Paterson visited in 1890 – and is widely thought to be the inspiration behind the famous ‘Man from Snowy River’ poem.

Well, I wish I had the Man from Snowy River to help me out after I went arse over on the Tour crossing the mighty Murray – much to the amusement of my launch colleagues…

All part of the adventure, though: I finally righted the ship and completed the return trip across the Murray.

Back on the Alpine Way – with wet socks… it was bliss with the riding mode on Dynamic Pro and the traction control keeping that rear knobby in check. Other than a sharp nakedbike – or perhaps even BMW’s S 1000 XR adventure sports  – there’s probably no other type of bike I’d rather be on in that environment.

Mind you, Road mode is still a perfectly fine place to be in, with the Dynamic and Dynamic Pro only providing a more sharper, hair-trigger throttle experience – but you’ll still reach the same performance targets.

Road and Rain riding modes come as standard across the range, as well as Automatic Stability Control, hill start control (activated by squeezing the brakes lever) and ABS.

BMW’s Boxer range of adventure bikes gets you in – every time! Just when I’m sold on the virtues of a middleweight adventure bike, I go for another ride on the latest incarnations – in this instance the 1250s – and I’m back on the bandwagon.

Trail or road, they are superb all-rounders, which we knew from our large-capacity adventure comparo a while ago. But now the engine benefits from heaps more power and torque, as well the refinement of the ShiftCam technology.

And there’s the mix and match factor, too, such as different seat heights and suspension offerings.

BMW has always made adventure riding appetising across so many levels, which has undoubtedly been a boost to the whole wanderlust industry. The new 1250s continue in the same consummate vein.

ENGINE
Type: Air/liquid-cooled, DOHC, eight-valve flat-twin
Capacity: 1254cc
Bore x stroke: 102.5mm x 76mm
Compression ratio: 12.5:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 136hp (92kW) at 7750rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 143Nm at 6250rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate
Final drive: Shaft

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Two-section frame, engine as a stressed member
Front suspension: BMW Telelever
Rear suspension: BMW Paralever
Front brakes: Dual 305mm discs with radial-mount four-piston calipers
Rear brake: Single 276mm disc with twin-piston caliper

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 249kg
Seat height: 850/870mm
Wheelbase: 1525mm
Fuel capacity: 20 litres

OTHER STUFF
Prices: from $23,525 (plus on-roads)
Colours: Base models – Black Storm Metallic, Cosmic Blue Metallic; Style HP models – Light White/Racing Blue Metallic/Racing Red; and Tour model – Black Storm Metallic/Night Black Matt
Warranty: Three-year/unlimited kilometres
Bikes supplied by: BMW Motorrad Australia