Rod Chapman•18 Dec 2020

REVIEW

2020 bikesales Bike of the Year Finalist: BMW R 1250 RS

Name: 2020 bikesales Bike of the Year Finalist: BMW R 1250 RS
Brand: BMW

Polished, refined, and oh-so-sophisticated, it's the perfect balance of 'sports' and 'touring'…

The sportstouring segment has declined in recent years, giving up ground for adventure and adventure sport models. However, for those who prefer a lower road-bike stance and an even split between sporting ability and touring comfort, the BMW R 1250 RS is one potent package.

BMW's R 1250 RS may be heavy, but it can hustle

In some ways our Best Sportstourer nomination was a surprise contender for this year's Bike of the Year – an unassuming entry few of our judges had previously sampled, despite its 26-year heritage.

Even bedecked with BMW's Option 719 Stardust Metallic paint (now discontinued, BMW tells us), a plethora of Option 719 billet accessories and some HP (High Performance) parts, the R 1250 RS still somehow adopts an air of restraint, albeit one with a distinctly premium feel. Still, while its lines might lack the outright aggression of a superbike, they're anything but bland – again, it's all about balance.

Our test bike was dripping with high-end Option 719 billet bits and HP gear

Choose your weapon

Four trim grades are available, starting from the $24,995 (ride away) base model. Reviewed here is the top-spec BMW R 1250 RS Option 719 ($35,370 ride away), while between the two lie the R 1250 RS Sport and R 1250 RS Exclusive.

The BMW R 1250 RS has enjoyed a steady evolution through the years, and continues as a semi-faired brother for its naked roadster sibling, the R 1250 R. The R 1250 RS has all of the R's performance but with that bit more comfort.

LED daytime running lights add a cool element to its looks

The sportstourer has a slightly longer wheelbase and clip-on handlebars, plus the half-fairing and two-position (manual) screen. The changes add 4kg to the BMW R 1250 RS, totalling 243kg (wet).

The move to the 1254cc Boxer flat-twin brings an extra 84cc, BMW's ShiftCam variable valve timing technology, and an output of 136hp and 143Nm (the latter up 14 per cent, says BMW).

BMW's build quality really is tough to fault

Bells and whistles

Our test bike was festooned with high-spec gear. Even the base model scores plenty of niceties (heated grips, TFT screen, and tyre pressure monitoring, for starters). But our test bike also had electronic suspension adjustment (Dynamic ESA), an Akrapovic HP exhaust, keyless starting, LED daytime running light, and Riding Modes Pro (which adds a custom ride mode), among others.

So there's a lot to this bike, but every aspect comes together in spectacular fashion. Let's start with the ergonomics…

It's sporty, yet with all-day ergonomics for eating big distances

The 820mm seat height is manageable for most and your legs wrap around the bike's flanks in perfect harmony. You sit 'in' this one, rather than 'on' it, as you lean forward a little over the tank to those clip-ons. Leg room is decent, the seat excellent, the ride position relaxed but sporty.

It treads a perfect line between sports and touring, with the added benefit that it's well equipped to handle luggage and a pillion too.

Sportstourers are increasingly rare these days, but this one does its job well

Press the button and the TFT erupts with snazzy graphics, as you revel in the cackle of that rorty but road-legal exhaust. Then give it a few blips, just to feel that familiar left-to-right lurch of the Boxer engine doing its thing.

The TFT dash is trick; it even automatically lowers the redline when the engine is cold

Dark horse

The BMW R 1250 RS might fly under the radar, but it was a revelation on the sinewy roads of Victoria's High Country. A product of nearly a century of development, this latest Boxer twin is just superb. Creamy smooth yet with a rich character, it delivers gobs of torque across a fat band of revs while culminating in a surprisingly spirited top end.

Combine that with glitch-free fueling, a competent six-speed gearbox, a pragmatic mix of ride modes and a chassis/suspension combination that's more than equal to the task. As we soon discovered, the BMW R 1250 RS will slice and dice bends with the best of them, and in a higher degree of comfort than most.

It's a smart choice for the experienced rider who knows what they want in a bike

It's no lightweight though, and while nimble enough it requires a slightly more planned approach on tighter roads than any pure sportsbike. But set that line, and the BMW R 1250 RS will hold it with complete conviction.

Cornering clearance is excellent – it barely scraped a 'peg all week – and the brakes have power and feel in abundance. The Michelin Pilot Road 4 rubber performed well too, inspiring confidence, while the quickshifter worked nicely when the pace was hot.

The Akrapovic HP pipe sounds great while remaining road-legal

Top tech

BMW's Dynamic ESA lets you tailor the damping and preload settings in a flash. Actually, the techy features found throughout this bike are first rate and easily utilised, via the clever multifunction collar on the left-hand grip and the buttons on the nicely laid out switchblocks.

The menu system for the TFT is initially a little daunting but you settle in soon enough, and the 'Dynamic Pro' ride mode lets you select your desired combo of throttle response, traction control and wheelie suppression.

This particular Option 719 paint scheme has been discontinued, BMW tells us

Build quality is sublime. BMW has always delivered here but our test bike, with all its Option 719 and HP bits, is in another league. From the bodywork to the chassis to the levers and footpegs, it's a masterful display of manufacturing. Then again, at $1480 extra for the paint, and $4000 for the billet pack, it should be.

Our judges praised the BMW R 1250 RS for its refinement, its engine, and its all-round ability, but its styling wasn't for everyone and some thought it a little too soft when really giving it a go.

The Brembo front brakes have fierce power and oodles of feel

Fuel economy? The BMW R 1250 RS achieved an average of 5.8L/100km on this test, which put it mid-pack on
Bike of the Year. That figure will improve appreciably with more gentle, everyday use.

Summing up

The BMW R 1250 RS is the thinking, mature man's (or woman's) choice. Fast when you want it to be, relaxed when you don't, it's as sophisticated and polished an overall package as you're ever likely to find.

It's BMW's Paralever rear end with fuss-free shaft final drive

Specs: 2020 BMW R 1250 RS

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 (100kW) 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: 45mm upside-down fork, non-adjustable, 140mm travel
Rear suspension: BMW Paralever, electronic adjustment for preload and rebound, 140mm travel
Front brakes: Dual 320mm discs with radial-mount four-piston calipers, ABS
Rear brake: Single 276mm disc with twin-piston caliper, ABS
Wheels: Cast aluminium, 3:50 x 17 front, 5.5 x 17 rear
Tyres: Michelin Pilot Road 4; 120/70-17 front, 180/55-17 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 243kg
Seat height: 820mm
Wheelbase: 1530mm
Rake: 27.7 degrees
Fuel capacity: 18 litres

OTHER STUFF
Prices: from $24,995 ride away ($35,370 ride away, as tested)
Colours: Black Storm Metallic, Austin Yellow Metallic, Imperial Blue Metallic, Option 719 Stardust Metallic (as tested)
Warranty: Three years/unlimited kilometres
Bikes supplied by: BMW Motorrad Australia