BMW R1250GS (2019-on) Review and used buying guide

This 1250 is a bit lumpy. The 1200 was smoother. Brakes are OK but even my old Boneville T120 has better brakes.

The 1250 is fast but is much more noisy than the 1200. I was persuaded by speed which in hindsight was an error.

Never had a problem in over 50,000 miles of GS riding.

Servicing is less than expected. The fact that nothing else is required all year makes this good value. The 1250 averages about 54 mpg whereas the 1200 I could get over 60 mpg.

I'm not sure what else it needs but a 5 out of 5 implies there is nothing to add and I bet there is if I could think of it!

Brakes are less good than ride quality but stability under braking is perf3ct.

Not as expensive as you’d expect.

Slightly clunky but forget bad reviews… it’s smooth, especially at low revs.

Solid and Reliable linked braking, no concerns when you hit the boots hard, sure footed.

Gotta learn to love that Boxer rattle, but it bring's character

No Corrosion, solid and reliable

Fuel Consumption ain't great, but way better than my car, so just give me another excuse to take the bike

Love the TFT and the Bluetooth connectivity has been fine and reliable to me. Just make sure that you use the TFT as the 'Hub', and pair everything to the Bike.

No problems with comfort at all. Upright riding position, well padded heated seats for rider and pillion, heated grips, adjustable (manual) screen and plenty of seat height adjustment, some of which is after market to be clear. The comfort is aided by a very plush suspension, which makes long days and rough roads far more tolerable than my previous bikes. The brakes do the job, but I’m not the type to push their limits. I have been told that BMW branded (Hayes made) front brakes in the USA have been replaced with Brembos under warranty, but not here in the UK, not sure of the truth of this, just what I’ve heard. I really like that the front doesn’t dive under braking with the Telelever suspension, it really works for me.

Good strong engine, plenty of torque from low down. The one issue for me is that where I’ve read numerous reviews that the shift-cam is seamless, I disagree completely: on my bike the surge of power above 4,500 rpm is really harsh if not carefully controlled.

No reliability issues on the main bike, other than warranty recall for software issue on the multi-function indicators (which from the rear can be hard for drivers to see in bright sunlight). Quality let down by TFT and Sat Nav compatibility issues (repeatedly malfunction and won’t pair to intercom and phone on my bike), by overpriced, overweight, bloated plastic luggage that has a tiny capacity, whose saving grace is that they fit easily and quickly to the bike frame. It’s like BMW spend their budget on shiny gimmicks and don’t bother with making the basics better with each new model iteration.

Main dealer servicing is expensive and doesn’t feel like value for money. Insurance is triple what I wear paying on an R1200R previously. The bike has ok fuel economy but consumes oil more than I’d expect and needs regular topping up on tour.

Great front lights, and many fine aspects to a bike that has evolved steadily over the years as you’d expect. However, it feels like BMW are now focussed on shiny new gimmicks that grab headlines rather than the overall package of the bike and accessories evolving together. As just one example - it has riding modes galore, but no radiator, engine or headlight protectors when the radiator clearly needs protecting and the very expensive LED lights have a flimsy plastic front. It has a fancy TFT that doesn’t integrate properly and is not that visible in strong sunlight. The multi-function indicators sometimes can’t be seen properly by following traffic in bright sunlight. Supposed integration with a BMW branded Garmin sat Nav that won’t communicate and keeps breaking down. Expensive, plastic luggage that weighs a ton and even when extended holds a fairly limited amount for touring. I wish BWM were more ‘grounded’ and focussed on the effectiveness of the whole bike package. Instead it’s a premium bike with shiny and sometimes naff trinkets that lets itself down by not being joined up.

Shift cam is excellent

Tyres rubbish

Extremely comfy!!! Brakes are linked.

Amazing power!!! Great torque. Low down

A few little niggles. But bmw customer service is amazing!!

Tyres can be fitted expensive due to weight of bike

Fully loaded. Would love backlit switchgear

More powerful than R1200GS but not as smooth and noisier

No problems to date

High initial cost and relatively high Mtce charges

Had to bleeding rear brake myself after 2 years after a service

Rattles a bit but they're all the same

Tft issues, loss of power on a few occasions as you upshot through the gears.....frightening.....dealer say nothing on diagnostic so of you go....can't find a problem.....appalling

Will not take to dealers after 2nd year I'll do it myself......final drive had almost twice the amount of oil in.....Pidcocks

Cruise control and suspension, beautiful.

When it is working it is hard to think of a better all round machine. So comfortable you can ride all day but I haven't coaxed the misses onto the back yet.

This is why I bought it. I had a 2005 R1200GS which went everywhere fully loaded but ran out of steam a little. The new shift cam engine just gives me all the performance I need in a gentle touring manner.

Very well built as you would expect. The bike has left me stranded on 4 occasions failing to start after stopping for petrol ( twice) and taking a coffee break. Each time it has been returned to my dealer but they assure me that 'there is nothing wrong' however they have replaced the battery twice in the first 11 months.

I took out the BMW service package for 3 years on purchase. I have just had my first annual service.

Best heated grips that I know. I have full BMW hard luggage which is essential for the sort of riding I was hoping to do.

Shift cam engine sounds like a bag of marbles in a tin can !

I have had countless issues , with battery failure , corrosion on both wheels which have been replaced . Loads of vibration issues , it’s broken down 20 miles from home and it took 8 hours to recover it and my main dealer was only 25 miles where I broke down !

£200 for the 500 mile running service as opposed to £98 for the same bike with the 1200 engine . £215 for the 1st year service , try and work that one out ?

Good but expensive .

Two up comfort is great, sometimes a bit difficult for the wife to get on and off with the luggage on but she is short.

Lovely low down torque, enough real world power but wouldn't say no to more.

Used most of the year, cleaned after use and covered in ACF

How deep are your pockets? You can get almost anything for a GS, engine and frame bars are a must, theirs a massive choice of luggage and other accessories. My only real complaint would be the Garmin nav6 which has proved unreliable but has been designed for BMW and leaves the cockpit looking unfinished if not fitted

It's noisier than the 1200 and a bit more lumpy. However, the quick-shift works better and BMW have ironed out the "hill-start" issues. I have ridden for 2.5 hours without a break and could have kept going (but I'm too old to risk it)... very comfortable.

It's quick and resposive but noisier than the 1200 and somewhat less smooth. It responds well to a strong right hand! Power delivery is not as smooth as the 1200 either but that's probably because in the peak rev range (5000-7000) it really will hustle.

My bike is only 6 months old and ridden just under 3000 miles (all winter miles though). I'd be gutted if it showed signs of wear!

It's only had its running-in service so far. MPH is down on the 1200 by about 30 miles a tank.

I love the riding mode options and the automatic suspension adjustment when 2-up. I will change to Road Pilot 5 when I need tyres. It makes such a difference from the Anakees I had form new.

I can ride at least 150 miles non stop.

Wonderful engine with loads of low down torque.

Battery failed. New one fitted under warranty.

Bit steep for an annual service

I love the instrument display.

Still too noisy

Torque is incredible

Had battery replaced under warranty.

Bit pricey given it’s a mimimal service.

TFT screen is excellent. I fitted a muddling which protects the rear shock. Also engine bars and hand grip extenders(Givi). Just fitted headlamp protector too. I bought the Navigation 6 also which links to the helmet speaker.

The ESA suspension is faultless. The brakes are the the best I’ve ever experienced for feel and power (Hayes front callipers) and are far superior to those on my previous Multistradas, which were equipped with Bremboa.

With the high torque of the shift cam engine it picks up rapidly virtually regardless of speed/ gear position it’s nothing short of impressive.

The bike has run perfect from day one and now has nearly 10,000 miles recorded.

Both the first and second year annual services came in at just under £200

In view of the price of this bike I think luggage and certainly panniers should by standard equipment. Because they’re not I’ve given it 3 out of 5.

No caliper leaks yet.

Power is good. As others have said the left cylinder is extremely noisy. Sounds like the knock will smash through the valve cover. Very dissatisfied. Dealer says it's normal.

Left cylinder engine knock is terrible. Dealer says it's normal.

The different modes are nice such as Enduro Pro.

THIS IS A BIKE YOU CAN RIDE ALL DAY IN COMFORT, GOOD WEATHER PROTECTION, AND HANDLES WELL ON A AND B ROADS.

LOADS OF TORQE AND SMOOTH DELIVERY.

I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE 5 OUT OF5 , BUT I FOUND FRONT SUSPENSION WAS A LITTLE SOFT, AND SECONDLY , WHILE DEPARTING MY GARAGE IN DEC 2020, AS I PUT BIKE IN 1st GEAR AND LEAVING CLUTCH OUT, THE FLY BY WIRE THROTTLED SURGED AND WHEEL SPUN BIKE INTO GARAGE WALL. ITS NOE UNDER INVESTIGATION WITH MT LOCAL BMW MOTORCYCLE DEALER..

600 MILE SERVICE FREE. JUST HAD 6000 MILE SERVICE IN DEC 2020. HAD TO CHANGE FRONT TYRE AFTER 4600 MILES .

I LOVE THE TFT SCREEN, A QUICK LOOK AND THE GEAR SELEC AND SPEED DISPLAYED CLEARLY,EVEN IN SUNLIGHT. A FRONT FENDER EXTENDER HELPS WITH OVERSPRAY, AND A REARV HUGGER HELPS KEEP THE WATER OFF YOUR BOOTS. CHANGED FRONT TYRE WITH METZLER 888 . QUIETER RIDE .

Does it all .

I’ll let you know when it’s two years old .

Crud catcher and mudslinger

The ESA suspension is brilliant and the Hayes brakes are the best ever. My previous three bikes were Multistradas with Brembos and the GS brakes are superior.

Can’t fault the engine the shift cam is seamless, the engine is so smooth and the grunt from low revs is impressive in the extreme.

I’ve owned Kawasaki’s, Hondas, Yamaha, Triumph and three Ducati Multistradas and the GS is the best for build quality followed closely by my Triumph and so far the GS has been faultless for reliability

So far the GS has been the cheapest for annual servicing. Fuel consumption has never dropped below 52mpg even if I ride it like I stole it.😊

The TFT dash is my favourite but it is essential to fit a fender extender and a ‘Mudsling, for the rear as without it on wet roads the rider and pillion get covered in crud. Should be standard equipment considering the purchase price. Also panniers should be standard on the TE spec.

Has factory fitted comfort seats so 4hrs not a problem for myself and wife on pillion before we need a break or fuel stop which ever comes first

Shift cam is brill so much more useable than my r1200gs. Dislike the ticking left cylinder when its warmed up, it was fine till i put 2000mls on it then it started to tick

Fault as above, if not rectified i will be pushing for a refund

Gear shift assist and akro silencer also comfort seats, the auto suspension is a great feature,just get on and go Mine came with anakee adventures which suit the bike

Some were sceptical about BMW changing the front callipers to the Hayes brand but they are faultless for feel and power in fact better than the Brembo brakes on my previous Ducati

The high torque means the throttle response is impressive regardless of speed or gear and when the shift cam operates it takes off like a scalded cat.

I’ve owned several Hondas but the GS in inva totally different league is way better.

The TFT colour dash. I highly recommend a fender extender and a rear Mudsling otherwise on wet roads your legs get covered in crud.

Super comfortable for long distance touring

1250 shift cam has exceptional torque from low down the Rev range

I small warranty repair (exhaust butterfly valve stuck) Brilliant service from dealer even during lockdown

Reasonable price and in line with other makes

Handles well, even with Anakee wilds on the road. They are noisy but what do you expect on a 50/50 tyre doing 70. brakes are great. The single Rallye seat looks great doesn't it, then you get to about 50 miles and its awful, replaced it with a standard seat nowhere as cool looking but you can last pretty well on it.

Great engine. the vari cam setup is pretty much unused of road, maybe if you are an enduro hero but not me. When you wind it up on the road it can be surprisingly quick. Each generation of boxer engine from the original 4 valve 1993, 1100,1150,1200, 1250 gets to sound louder and more mechanically lumpy and to be honest not so nice, you listen to a decent 1100 next to a 1250 you'd think the 1250 had issues, you just have to accept that they all fo that sir.The standard has a good sound and a nice bubble on over run and its quiet for a non annoying stealth mode

Mine was second hand from the BMW off-road skills so its spent a lot of time laying down and I've added to that several times in the mud and simply things don't break off it. well i did lose one indicator, but that'd been sorted with tat Australian click'n'go indicator set up.

Not serviced yet, but once the warranty is out it, will be as simple as all the other boxer models. Its seems to be a bit heavy on the back tyre wear rate

Bought the expensive ALTrider bash plate and lower bars, having tried them, they will not be bending ever, well supported so they won't just move the damage to frame or engine via its mounting set up. Swapped the pillion seat for a Cymarc back box not cheap but better for a day out than an ugly top box. Front wunderlich engine protection plate, made of tough plastic but it keeps all the pebble dash off the front, always a fail on boxers, maybe this can sort it. Had the BMW black frame protection, sort of spidery thing that protects the white paint work of the frame, on when i picked it up, a pointless exercise as they seem to rub the paint where they are clipped to the frame.

feels like a chugging tractor compared to R1200RS that I mistakenly traded-in. Cam variables suck - I this is based on having had a VFR800 VTEC - and know how they should feel

major electrical fault after 30 miles from new - that could have killed me had I not been at a stop when it occurred

£173 for a basic nut tightening after 600 miles - really??

See above calipers are not up to the standard of a BMW

The brake callipers have been changed 3 times due to leaking. Banjos at the end of the brake lines are going white

Has everything i could want

It’s a joy to ride through the twisties and has all day long comfort, in fact I thought my each of my Multistradas (I’ve had three) were comfy but the GS in in a different league.

You get instant responsive acceleration almost regardless of road speed or gear selection and when the shift cam switches it takes off like s scalded cat. The power delivery is as smooth as silk, faultless.

Very impressed with the build quality far superior to the last two Honda bikes I purchased

Heated grips are my favourite accessory. It is virtually essential to fit a front fender extender and a Mudsling for the rear otherwise in wet conditions the rider is covered in dirt from ankle to hip should be standard fitment.

Front brakes are superb but there is a lot of dead movement in the ear pedal which is annoying. Suspension is more than good enough for me.

Loads of smooth torque.

I generally need a service every 8 or 9 months so this is an average.

Everything I could want and some I don’t really - keyless ignition seems pointless to me.

BMW is always slightly the case of paying for the brand name - but that's expected

extras are expensive - but plenty of alternaitves from Givi, Shad, etc

It's a GS. This bike goes for miles and miles only stopping for gas and food (only because it/ we require to). Comfort is a plus but no changes from the R1200. Much has been written on the front brake and I do feel its a bit worse then the previous version.

It's better and improved. So, if the previous was a 5*, this is definitely a 5* also. You can hear the new shift cam into work with an extra *clank* coming from the boxer but even knowing when it kicks in, it is (i would say) impossible to feel it when driving, it's imperceptible. Still, I would like to: - have a lighter GS not a heavier one - even more quieter running engine - smoother low gear (driving slow in the city sometimes there's just no gear for it) - higher 6th gear (only for highway that would give the required extra) (but maybe I'm wrongly trying to transform a boxer in a 4 cylinder)

With an aggressive riding, jumps and hard breaking, 10.000 miles after I have no issue what so ever. Even the regular a check on the screws required almost no tightening

It's a BMW, you know what you're getting into. Still, could be cheaper and the service is not always premium (e.g. BWM oil is way to expensive is not better then other brands) Regarding consumption, after 10.000 miles it doesn't consume less then the 1200 as BWM states (+0.3 l/100km or +2 mpg). So, not worst and you get more for the same consumption, which is not bad. For reference, averages are: highways - 6.8 l/100km ( 41.54 mpg) city - 5.4 l/100km (52.31 mpg) driving slow and below 4000rpm - 4.0 l/100km (70.62 mpg)

There's a LOT of GS out there but there's almost none of them are standard. Safety optionals are usually a no brainer (and expensive). The GS price is absolutely not the annunced, it more 3-5k in extras. BMW is cleaver in the options they present: 2 packs (R1200 had 3), each with 1 very relevant extra (probably a must) and the remaining needless (e.g. comfort - heated grips; touring - Dynamic ESA)

The bike is just as happy in town as it is on a motorway. I can ride it for hours without discomfort.

Strong performance and pulls in any gear. Engine is very smooth.

Very well made (it's German).

Love the TFT screen it's perfect. Will be adding luggage any day now.