Best Sportstourer: 2020 bikesales Bike of the Year Awards
Announcing the sixth of 11 category winners...The 2020 bikesales Bike of the Year (BOTY) Awards recognise excellence across 11 separate motorcycle categories.
And here’s how it will work. After a massive five-day test through north-east Victoria in late November – utilising the stunning roads around the picturesque Victorian township of Bright – we'll whittle our category winners down to one outright bikesales Bike of the Year winner, to be announced on Friday, December 18.
Let's continue the 2020 BOTY by announcing the BMW R 1250 RS as the winner of our Sportstourer category.
There are only two models currently available in BMW Motorrad's 'Sport' line-up – the S 1000 RR and R 1250 RS – but that doesn't mean prospective buyers are left wanting.
The S 1000 RR is a jaw-dropping firebrand, as we found out on the 2019 bikesales Bike of the Year Awards, while the R 1250 RS is a strapping bike for all occasions with its deep and authoritative Boxer engine and plenty of cornering ability. Add in the recently announced M 1000 RR, coming in 2021, and there's plenty of quality gear on offer.
The shaft-driven R 1250 RS is a quintessential old-school sportstourer, and we already know the 243kg machine will revel in climbing and descending the major peaks around Bright while also delivering comfort aplenty on all the other bits. Most of them still twisty, mind you…
The narrative on BMW's iconic Boxer engine is already bursting with bouquets, but what the company has been able to deliver on the latest version is a major reason why the R 1250 RS is our premier sportstourer for 2020.
We've already provided plenty of commentary over the last two years on the new 'ShiftCam' engine with its variable valve timing, 84cc hike in capacity (up to 1254cc), and huge dollops of extra oomph (now up to 136hp/143Nm). In a road-based setting, that does make for a more stimulating top-end hit on the R 1250 RS, but without the shrillness of a three- or four-cylinder engine.
The extra perkiness now sits alongside that legendary Boxer punch. And a valuable lesson, indeed: we were under the impression that BMW has just about poked and prodded the Boxer engine all it could. And then along came the R 18, as well.
The Aussie launch for the R 1250 RS (and its R 1250 R sibling) was held in Queensland, and in glorious sunshine we were able to maximise the machine's potential. It's refined but, with the splendour of that throbbing engine, sticky Michelin rubber and rock-solid handling, it's also bursting with seat-of-the-pants character too. And while the clip-on handlebars maintain the sporting flair, it’s not an uncomfortable ride by any stretch. The seat is beaut, too.
The R 1250 RS, which is priced from $24,944 ride away, comes with anti-lock braking, stability control, a TFT screen, tyre pressure monitoring and heated grips as standard. There are three variants beyond the base model too – Sport, Exclusive and Option 719 – which introduce a variety of aesthetic, performance and comfort features. If you're still not done, then take the personalisation route.
The R 1250 RS is a road warrior, no two ways about it. Congratulations, BMW Motorrad.
Related reading:
2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards
2019 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: in summary
2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: in summary
2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: in summary
2016 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards
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