
BMW R1250RS (2019 - on) Review

At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £160 |
Power: | 134 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (32.3 in / 820 mm) |
Weight: | High (536 lbs / 243 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe R1200RS was already one of the most complete, comprehensive and capable sporty road bikes money could buy. The new BMW R1250RS carries over all its predecessor’s practicality – spacious riding position, adjustable screen, shaft drive – and adds a tangible boost in power, modernity and refinement.
The dash is clearer and quicker to read, the new headlights give a less-startled appearance, and the enlarged motor means it devours miles, whether you’re in the mood to go far or go fast, with even more ease. Its biggest issue is the price: there’s no denying it’s a lot of money with all the option boxes ticked. But the R1250RS is a truly supreme sports-tourer.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThe brakes are not changed, and worth highlighting for that very reason. While the R1250GS and R1250RT switched to front brake calipers made by Hayes, the R1250RS and naked R stick with Brembos. The Hayes calipers have no shortage of stopping power, but for most riders the Italian brand is a far more familiar, established and proven name.
The bike handles well and although a little on the heavy side, can be swung through corners without too much drama. Tack action would be a stretch and only for the brave.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe RS inherits BMW’s new-for-2019 1254cc flat twin. With a bigger bore and a longer stroke than the old 1200, there’s way more power and torque at all revs. Performance is identical to the latest GS and RT, with 134bhp and a thundering 105ftlb of torque (more grunt than KTM’s Super Duke GT or Kawasaki’s supercharged H2 SX).
Like its siblings the motor has ShiftCam, which seamlessly shuffles its inlet cams to swap between two sets of lobes; one for low-rev efficiency; the other full performance. The end result is an absolute joy of a road engine, with mountains of midrange, a plentifully powerful top-end and faultless low-rev manners.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThe R1250RS oozes quality parts and there are little reported issues with its predecessor, the R1200RS. You get the finish you’d expect from a high-end BMW. We don't have any BMW R1250RS owners' reviews at time of publication.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentWhile the base bike costs an almost reasonable £12,100 if you get a bit lively with extra options you can soon find yourself piling on an extra grand or two. The bike tested here costs £15,640. It’s an Exclusive (£13,960) which gives it metallic blue paint, keyless ignition, semi-active suspension, GPS mount, cruise control and centrestand.
And it is also adorned with the Comfort pack (£465: chrome exhaust, heated grips, tyre pressure monitors) and Dynamic pack (£910: daytime running lights, two-way quickshifter, smarter aids, LED indicators). BMW’s SOS button is a further £305, bringing this test bike to a fairly hefty £15,640.
Traditional sports-tourers are now few and far between as adventure bikes seem to appeal more to riders wanting to cover big distance in comfort. But for thos wanting something a bit more sporty looking or to take on a track the Kawasaki Z1000SX is hugely popular.
It's more sporty than the RS, but costs just £10k and appeals to those wanting their sports-tourer more on the sporty side.
Equipment
The RS can now come with BMW’s latest Dynamic ESA (that’s semi-active suspension in plain English). The big difference from the R1200RS is that the latest system automatically sets rear preload.
Where you previously had to tell the bike whether you were riding solo, two-up or carrying luggage, the 1250 can calculate the load it’s carrying and automatically compensate to maintain the bike’s attitude.
Damping can be set to Road (softer) or Dynamic (firmer), with a noticeable difference between the two. Dynamic ESA is a £775 extra, part of the Premium pack or included as standard on the Exclusive model.
Changes from August 2020
The Sport version is now a metallic yellow with a matt black frame, while a change to Euro5 sees the ABS on permanently. Pro mode now includes drag torque control and there’s even more of those opinion dividing ‘Option 719’ parts.
Specs |
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Engine size | 1254cc |
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Engine type | Liquid-cooled, 8v, flat-twin |
Frame type | Aluminium twin-spar |
Fuel capacity | 18 litres |
Seat height | 820mm |
Bike weight | 243kg |
Front suspension | 45mm USD non-adjustable |
Rear suspension | Paralever |
Front brake | Two 320mm discs with four-piston calipers |
Rear brake | 276mm single disc with twin-piston caliper |
Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
Rear tyre size | 190/55 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 46 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £93 |
Annual service cost | £160 |
New price | £12,100 |
Used price | £12,000 |
Insurance group |
12 of 17 How much to insure? |
Warranty term | 3 |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 134 bhp |
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Max torque | 105 ft-lb |
Top speed | 135 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | 200 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2012-2018: R1200RS. Original sports-touring version.
Other versions
R1250RS Sport model (£13,465) adds smarter lean-sensitive rider aids, a two-way quickshifter, LED indicators and metallic yellow paint.
R1250RS Exclusive (£13,960) comes with metallic blue paint, keyless ignition, semi-active suspension, GPS mount, cruise control and centrestand. .
Owners' reviews for the BMW R1250RS (2019 - on)
6 owners have reviewed their BMW R1250RS (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 R1250RS (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: | £160 |
Version: Exclusive + all extras
Year: 2019
Annual servicing cost: £180
Lovely bike for touring and days out. Best features: low centre of gravity, handling, oodles of torque, electronic suspension, cruise control, accurate fuel gauge, perfectly happy and balanced when fully laden for touring. Worst features: windscreen (most replace it), tank too small (so just as well that gauge is accurate!), no seat height adjustment (but 4 different seats/heights), daft position for satnav mount (many including me have relocated). Other: Bar risers are common (and affordable), not all the gizmos are worthwhile but most are (at a price).
Plush ride with a good range of adjustment
Oodles of torque and engine braking, good fuel economy. For a flat twin very refined
One engine warning message advising to proceed with caution when not much wrong remedied by a warranty upgrade to the firmware
Service costs are high but so are service and showroom standards.
You pay a lot for the extras but do it with your eyes open Favourites: ESA, Cruise control, TPS
Buying experience: Bought late June, 2020 with 4.5k on the clock and 12 month old fully spec'd including colour matched panniers from an indy dealer
Version: R1250RS EX
Year: 2020
+ brilliant all rounder for the road. - not a lot
Cornering ABS & dynamic electronic suspension - superb! Phone app tells you how many times the ABS & TC cut in & it's surprising how often they are activated (average twice per commute - it doesn't say to what extent)... but you'd never know it.
Torque, torque, torque. More than the K1300R I had. More than most bikes short of 1600cc & 2300cc monsters.
Only had it a month but the 1200 I had before had no real problems. Can't see this being much different. The engine is extremely unstressed in normal riding.
Fuel economy is similar to the 1200 with around 53mpg on daily half hour rural commutes. Servicing is BMW expensive but only not too much more than others.
Lots of aftermarket goodies becoming available. I got the EX so most everything OEM you can add has been added. Up/down quickshifter is a must. ABS pro is a nice to have as is the elec suspension. Mine came with a Datatool tracker, which is nice. The app is free & links up well recording everything to do with your ride (speed (optional), revs, lean angle, g-force, altitude(?), & throttle position).
Version: Exclusive
Year: 2020
Probably the best all round road bike I have ridden.
Enter the “ Mode” and get the ride style you want for the road conditions. brembo brakes are great
Exceptional torque makes safe overtakes with no fuss.
Solid well put together, very well thought out. Hill start well worth the extra
Everything a rider could ever want
Buying experience: Purchased from dealer. You will forget the price in time but live with a bike that you respect and totally enjoy.
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £150
Four months of daily riding, I'm thoroughly impressed by the quality of the build and engine performance.
Superb braking power.
Great. The torque is truly exhilarating.
Hill start control, the TFT display and the seat are awesome. I don't have any problem with the windscreen as some do; it's just big enough and I find myself lowering it even in hot weather. The ride position is something that I've not gotten used to yet and I keep wondering if I should get a handlebar riser.
Buying experience: Dealer - no issues there.
Year: 2020
The standard screen as with the previous 1200, is too small. This is the only thing that spoils an otherwise superb motor cycle. With an aftermarket screen, the R1250RS makes a brilliant all rounder. I would definitely recommend it.
Good comfort for a sporty tourer.
New shift cam engine gives good spread of torque, right throughout the rev range.
Definitely opt for the optional Dynamic Suspension package.
Buying experience: As usual a pretty good experience when buying a BMW. Did manage to get discount off list price.
Version: Sport
Year: 2019
The motorcycle is raely good after some changes: new seat, new windshield and additional handlebar risers. The engine is the best in the world for me :) The quick shifter is not so smooth and the gear box is not so precise
Buying experience: From dealer