
BMW R1250GS ADVENTURE (2019 - on) Review

At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £400 |
Power: | 134 bhp |
Seat height: | Tall (35.0 in / 890 mm) |
Weight: | High (591 lbs / 268 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe 2019 BMW R1250GS Adventure is an outstanding bike, it truly can do it all. Tour, off-road, commute, or simply be weekend toy, it’s faultless. The old R1200GS was a fraction underpowered, noticeably so when fully-loaded with pillion luggage and 30litres of fuel – but that can’t be said of the new bike. With more power and torque BMW have given GS Adventure more spice, it’s more fun than ever before, yet still easy-to-ride with perfect fuelling. It’s almost impossible to find fault with it.
- Related: Standard 2019 BMW R1250GS review on MCN
- Related: BMW R1250GS Adventure Rallye TE on the MCN long-term test fleet
It’s still a physically large bike, but that aside, it’s pretty much the perfect do-everything, go-anywhere motorcycle. But be warned: if you currently own GS Adventure and you take the new model for a test ride, you’ll immediately feel the difference, and your old 1200 will never feel quite the same. And if you’ve always fancied a big GS Adventure, it will be hard to walk away after a test ride without signing on the dotted line.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThe chassis, suspension and excellent rider aids are unchanged. Our Rallye TE test bike came with electronically controlled Dynamic ESA suspension front and back with 210/220mm of travel, the same as previous model. The standard model has the same conventional suspension as the old bike.
The tall 890/910mm seat remains, as does the huge 30l fuel tank, combined with a more fuel-efficient engine should give an even greater range, BMW are quoting a theoretical 389-mile tank range. With unprecedented comfort as like the old bike that’s more than achievable in one stint.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe big GS Adventure receives the new 1254cc Boxer engine housed in the 2019 BMW R1250GS. The ingenious system allows the charismatic boxer engine to electronically switch between high and low-lift cams. The cam shifting doesn’t just respond to revs or wheel speed like some systems, instead it monitors throttle position and how quickly it’s being opened, and reacts accordingly to deliver maximum drive when you ask for it.
The German factory have also increased the new engine’s capacity from the 1200’s 1170cc to 1254cc, which, in partnership with the Shift Cam technology boosts peak torque by 14% and power by 9%, now a credible 134bhp. As much as I tried, I couldn’t feel the ShiftCam working, you honestly wouldn’t know it was there, there’s no jolting or change in engine note. It simply feels like a smoother Boxer engine with an instantly noticeable increase in torque and power.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueLike any machine the big GS has had its fair share of recalls and issues, but credit to BMW and its dealer network, problems are addressed with typical Germanic efficiency.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThe base price for the new R1250GS Adventure is £14,415, which is a significant hike over the now old standard R1200GS Adventure, at £13,400. Our test bike is the range-topping R1250GS Adventure Rallye TE, which costs £18,100 – compared to £17,120 of the previous Rallye TE. Our test bike was also fitted with Anti-Theft Alarm and Teleservices pushing the price to £18,320.
Equipment
The level of standard equipment has improved, with the eye-catching full-colour 6.5in TFT connected dash now coming as standard – it was previously £595 extra. The base bike also benefits from LED lights, ASC (Automatic Stability Control) two riding modes (Rain and Road), plus HSC (Hill Start Control).
The new connected dash is class-leading, and gives the Beemer a quality feel and will keep you amused for hours with a plethora of relevant and useful information, all linked via a bespoke app that tracks service information, and allows route planning for the turn-by-turn navigation through the dash. If you want the added bonus of cornering ABS, it is only available on the TE version.
Specs |
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Engine size | 1254cc |
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Engine type | Liquid-cooled, boxer twin, ShiftCam |
Frame type | Steel trellis |
Fuel capacity | 30 litres |
Seat height | 890mm |
Bike weight | 268kg |
Front suspension | None (optional Dynamic ESA) |
Rear suspension | Rebound and preload (optional Dynamic ESA) |
Front brake | 2x 305mm discs, 4-piston BMW/Hynes radial calipers, ABS |
Rear brake | 276mm disc, Brembo 2-piston caliper, ABS |
Front tyre size | 120/70 R19 |
Rear tyre size | 170/60 R17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | - |
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Annual road tax | £93 |
Annual service cost | £400 |
New price | £14,415 |
Used price | - |
Insurance group |
- How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two years |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 134 bhp |
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Max torque | 106 ft-lb |
Top speed | - |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | 389 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
Other versions
BMW R1250GS
MCN Long term test reports

MCN Fleet: The BMW R1250GSA is a robot with personality
I really wanted to find a catastrophic flaw in the BMW R1250GSA’s skill set this year. It’s nothing personal, but having covered around 35,000 miles on GSs over the last five years, the cachet of being the one who finally manages to whinge (with supporting evidence) about the GS is an attractive lur…
Owners' reviews for the BMW R1250GS ADVENTURE (2019 - on)
5 owners have reviewed their BMW R1250GS ADVENTURE (2019 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your BMW R1250GS ADVENTURE (2019 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £400 |
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £500
Fantastic touring bike. Big, solid and stable. Loads of safety features to get you out of trouble if required.
Lots of ride adjustment if required Plenty of feel on brakes, great ABS
Great torque - pulls from low revs It’s a tourer, not a boy racer machine Rather noisy at times! There are lots of better sounding machines out there if this bothers you.
Boxer mill and shaft drive. Sounds a bit agricultural but always reliable
Yes, BMW main dealers are expensive
Serves all my needs well
Buying experience: Main dealer who wouldn’t budge an inch on price or value added extras.
Version: Rallye TE
Year: 2019
Because it’s a GS, parts are twice the price of similar bikes. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s any better than a Japanese equivalent.
If you want to do long distances, this bike is very good for the rider but the pillion not so hence 4 out of 5
Not the fastest thing on two wheels but that’s not why you buy a GS. If you’ve come from a sports bike you’ll find it a bit underwhelming. The gearbox is still very agricultural compared with Japanese or Italian bikes. The quickshifter is a bit of a joke as well. On the plus side, the engine isn’t buzzy and never feels like it’s struggling. Good MPG if that bothers you.
The bike never failed but the stainless panniers filled with water on my 1st trip and had to be replaced. In my opinion there are better panniers out there other than BMW.
Still waiting to get it’s 1st annual service so I can’t comment on how good or bad it is.
Comes well equipped, but you pay for it. Don’t buy BMW panniers, I’m really not impressed. If you want heated grips they work extremely well, warm or thermonuclear settings. Fender extender is required as soon as you buy the bike along with a crud catcher or hugger. You can spend a small fortune on accessories for a GS. It’s a bit of a pig to try and sync your phone to the bike or satnav to get it to work with comms. Your music will play at one level and the satnav cuts in and nearly bursts your eardrums. I’ve tried various ways of connecting them all but still haven’t found a perfect way yet and the dealer can’t tell me either. I do like the extra lights which are bright so car drivers can see you coming and the led dash is also very clear and easy to see. The automatic suspension settings are the best thing about the bike. Two or three pushes of the buttons and you can adjust the ride height and firmness of the suspension, for somebody who hasn’t a clue how to set up suspension it is a godsend. The anti dive telelever front end is really good as well. I don’t find that the front of the bike is a bit distant feeling. Keyless ignition I can take or leave. Hill hold assist is a brilliant idea especially when the bike is fully laden with a pillion.
Buying experience: Bought the bike new from a dealer. Gave me long test rides on several bikes. Really can’t fault the purchase experience from BMW Dundee.
Version: TE
Year: 2019
Annual servicing cost: £300
Stunning colour in Ice grey, fantastic fairing design, awesome engine upgrade and simply very easy on the eye!!!
Buying experience: Dealer
Version: Exclusive
Year: 2019
Fantastic motorcycle
Phenomenal ride quality and excellent brakes
Smooth and powerful
Good and sound quality
BMW service still a bit pricey
Recommend that if you decide to buy this bike, go for all the optionals and packages.
Version: TE
Year: 2019
So far I am very happy with my purchase.
Shift cam is definitely a noticeable improvement.
Early doors with just 3000 miles but so far so good.
It seems the harder you ride the earlier your service intervals become. I will monitor this after my second service.
TE spec bike is loaded with goodies. TFT dash is brilliant in all light conditions.