BMW R1250RS (2019 - on) Review

Fantastic Brembo brakes and electronics.

Shiftcam is brilliant delivering oodles of torque.

Long proven engine that is sublime with the shiftcam engine.

Compares favourably with any other motorcycle manufacturer.

Has all the bells and whistles you need and more.

On a 30,000km/3 year plan.

Having the ESA make riding and taking pillions and luggage a doddle. Brakes are confidence inspiring and have never felt the ABS being interruptive.

The classic boxer twin, although clearly not quite the same as an old R80, can be a bit agricultural when it’s hot but it is so real world fast and useable it makes the corners of my mouth rise a lot!

I hear so many people moan about the quality of BMW’s but they’ve never let me down in the 10 years I’ve been using varying models of them. Perhaps I’m just lucky?!

Though a few fancy pants bits are optional, the packages do tend to make the bike a reasonable cost when compared to similar other males amd models

Great all rounder. Can do seriously big miles before the seat gets uncomfortable. I regularly do 6+ hour days and generally it's my legs that give out first. A quick coffee or fuel stop can give me an opportunity to walk any stiffness off and then I'm set for the next round. Generally after 2-3 hours and a stop is a welcome thing. Pillions seem to quite like the seat though with the rack on the rear my daughter has complained one side is harder to hold onto than the other, but both seem the same. Footpeg height for the pillion has not been an issue. The Standard screen isn't great.

When I road tested the RS in November 19, I did tell the Dealer the screen was awful buffeting and noise and I could not buy the bike because of that, they offered me a test ride on a 1200RS with a MRA screen to compare, now it was better but what the test ride did more than anything was show how much the 1250 was an improvement over the 1200. The 1250 has more power and torque everywhere though the 1200 isn't slow or gutless, but as well as the extra grunt it is just so much smoother than the 1200. The gearbox and clutch also felt so much better on the 1250 as well. Yes when it's warm it will still clunk heavily going into first but it doesn't clunk between the ratios and it isn't agricultural like the 1200 boxer is, it is generally beautifully smooth. The engine is happy pottering about or revving freely it will perform however you want it to perform. My only criticism is that it can run into the rev limiter all too quickly, however that is probably more due to me being used to triples or 4s than a big old flat twin,

Just after I got it delivered on my first outing a warning came up for the taillight and to take it to a Dealer, well as with most stuff now I switched it off and back on and it's never had any issues since that first day. It was squeaky bum time especially so soon after taking delivery, but been perfect ever since

Actual running costs don't appear to be horrendous, £200 for a 6k service and £400 for a 12k including valves doesn't sound too bad, currently getting around 65mpg and I'm not hanging about. Tyres the standard Metzler Z8s have now covered around 4.5k and should last another 1.5k or maybe more but I want to get some better wet weather tyres so they may be replaced a little before they are totally used up. My bike was just under £17k with all the equipment it has and to be perfectly honest it would be very hard to justify that kind of price, I bought it just over 6 months old with 600 miles (not a ex demo) for a lot less than the cost new, which perhaps does make it better value but not everyone will be able to do that.

Whats Standard with BMW, well not a lot, but they make it hard as hell to buy a standard bke. The equipment level is staggering if all or most of the options are taken. The TFT is great, The way it integrates with your phone or the Sat Nav is truely very very good. Using the free BMW connected app you can get turn by turn directions through the TFT, I personally didn't like the amount of dash this takes up but it does work. The Semi active suspension works well as do the rider modes though most of the time I'm in Dynamic or Dynamic Pro. The tech works really well and it's a toss up between the Tech or the engine as my favourite feature. The Standard Metzeler Z8s are ok but I won't be replacing them like for like. I bought a Nav6 Sat Nav for the bike and so far not had any issues with it. The DRLs are great and that's what I use mostly reserving dipped for very low light conditions or really heavy rain, MRA screen or similar to me is essential. As is a sat nav relocation kit to move the sat nav from the handlebar area, as you need to look down to see the display.

Front brake is razor sharp. Not a big fan of the linked back brake but you get used to it. Most comfortable seat I’ve ever sat on, on or off a bike.Riding position is a little forward for me (coming from a GS) but I’ll either get used to it or add a set of bar risers

Brilliant engine. Shift cam has made such a big difference to the bike.

Can’t go wrong with BMW fit and finish.

Servicing can be pricey but you know this in advance, just b ready for it

TFT works well, switch gear is the best around. People complain about it not being backlit but if you have to look down every time you use a switch, you’ve got bigger issues. Cruise control is super accurate and ESA in Auto mode means its just set and forget regardless of load, pillion or solo riding

Ride quality is a subjective thing. Personally I love a bit of feedback from the road. If that's not your thing but an RT and feel like you're in a Range Rover. Personally I prefer a bike. As for the brakes, their incredible. First bike I've had where I love pulling emergency stops just for the hell of it. Looking in the mirrors obviously! It stops so short it's honestly hard to believe.

Shift- Cam Boxer 'nuff said. Try one, there's no going back. Don't try to wring it, you'll be in prison. Pick up and take-off is frankly ridiculous - and addictive. Buy it for the engine, it's amazing.

Build quality is terrific, I can't give 5/5 simply because of the amount of plastic that BME seem to love but no complaints. And after-market parts fit really well too, often with pre-drilled mountings. Top quality, no worries so far (6 months / 1 winter) no furred screw ends.

It's a BMW. Don't buy one if you can't afford the servicing.

Goodness knows how much all those electronics cost and likewise how to make use of it all. It's all a mystery too me and a waste of money frankly. It's just the premium you have to pay to get your hands on the rest of the bike, which is fantastic. What's good from an equipment point of view? Hill hold. Who knew? Amazing, use it all the time, uphill but more usefully down hill as well.

For a heavy bike it’s surprisingly agile, the weight is low down so easy to paddle around, and slow feet up manoeuvring. I rarely carry pillion, but lots of room solo to move around, I have no problem with reach or height of handlebars, and footrests in the right place. 200 mile tank range is normal and I need a break in four hours in any case. The fairing keeps most of the wind off, screen has four adjustments and personally I have no issues. Front Brakes excellent, I find you have to press firmly on the rear, but adequate for control at slow speed.

It’s a five if you like the flat twin, very smooth (though not four cylinder smooth) and third gear is all you need on B roads. It sounds distinctive and IMHO wonderful without upsetting the locals as it’s a deep pleasant noise. As mentioned the gearbox is smooth with well spaced ratios, I only get into 6 on motorways.

Superb finish, provided you keep winter road salt away, the engine is painted so is not a problem here, fasteners and bits are stainless steel. The centre stand cross bar seems to get paint damage, then rusts but easy to resolve.

First service was a little steep but annual (6000) around £200. No oil used. OEM tyres are good, bulbs are LED so should last lifetime.

The TFT is very nice, and doubles up with connected phone as basic Sat Nav. All the info you could want. The control wheel manages Garmin BMW sat Nav and TFT functions on the move (I personally don’t) Heated grips are excellent, and lots of luggage options. The front mudguard is too short, and you have to fit a hugger or road crap goes everywhere.

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

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).

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

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.

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.