Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
Tag Archives: R 1250 GS
BMW Motorrad updates 2021 road models
BMW has announced the updates for its line-up of 2021 road motorcycles.
BMW Motorrad Australia says prices will be announced closer to their arrival early next year.
Highlights include availability of Black Storm Metallic for the S 1000 RR and the tri-colour BMW Motorsport livery for the S 1000 XR.
New Option 719 milled parts will also be available in several models.
Here is the unedited list of models and updates.
BMW R 1250 RS.
- Style Sport in Austin Yellow metallic now with new frame colour in matt black, Option 719 Stardust metallic removed
- Changeover to EU-5
- New optional equipment: Driving Modes Pro option now includes engine drag torque control
- Extended optional equipment: Driving Modes Pro now includes Core Screen Sport
- New optional equipment: Option 719 milled parts package Shadow with engine housing cover front and cylinder head covers anodised in black/silver
- New optional equipment: Option 719 milled parts package Shadow II with hand levers, rider footrests and foot lever as well as expansion tank covers anodised in Black/Silver
- New optional equipment: Option 719 milled parts packages Storm/Storm II with the same parts as in Option 719 milled parts packages Shadow/Shadow II
- Option 719 HP milled parts package, HP milled parts package II and Option 719 seat have been removed
- Sports silencer replaces previous HP rear silencer.
BMW R 1250 R.
- Style Exclusive with new paint finish Mineral Grey metallic. Pollux metallic matt, Style Exclusive and Option 719 Stardust metallic have been removed
- Style HP renamed Style Sport
- Changeover to EU-5
- New optional equipment: Driving Modes Pro option now includes engine drag torque control
- Extended optional equipment: Driving Modes Pro now includes Core Screen Sport
- New optional equipment: Option 719 milled parts package Shadow with engine housing cover front and cylinder head covers anodised in black/silver
- New optional equipment: Option 719 milled parts package Shadow II with mirrors, hand levers, rider footrests and foot lever as well as expansion tank covers anodised in Black/Silver
- New optional equipment: Option 719 milled parts packages Storm/Storm II with the same parts as in option 719 milled parts packages Shadow/Shadow II
- Option 719 HP milled parts package, HP milled parts package II and option 719 seat have been removed
- Sports silencer replaces previous HP rear silencer
- M Lightweight battery replaces previous HP battery
BMW K 1600 GT.
- New paint finish Option 719 Mineral White metallic. Option 719 Stardust metallic and Option 719 Blueplanet metallic/Ivory have been removed
- Frame and engine in black for all colour versions
- Reversing aid and adaptive turning light are now standard
- Tyre pressure control RDC and daylight running light are now standard
- Changes to tour package content. Expanded to include LED auxiliary headlights and engine protection bars, reversing aid now standard
- Safety package has been removed
BMW K 1600 GTL.
- New paint finishes Manhattan metallic, Style Elegance and Option 719 Mineral White metallic. Pollux metallic, Style Elegance and Option 719 Stardust metallic as well as Option 719 Blueplanet metallic/ivory have been removed
- Reversing aid and adaptive turning light are now standard
- Tyre pressure control RDC and daylight running light are now standard
- Changes to comfort package content. Expanded to include engine protection bars
- Safety package has been removed
BMW K 1600 B.
- New paint finish Mars Red metallic; Imperial Blue metallic has been removed
- Reversing aid and adaptive turning light are now standard
- Tyre pressure control RDC and daylight running light are now standard
- Engine protection bars and LED auxiliary headlights
- Changes to touring package content. LED auxiliary headlights, audio system, engine protection bars, running boards
- Changes to comfort package content. Shift Assistant Pro, keyless ride, central locking, alarm system. Additional LED headlight removed
- Safety package has been removed
BMW K 1600 Grand America.
- New paint finish Mars Red metallic; Imperial Blue metallic has been removed
- Reversing aid and adaptive turning light are now standard
- Tyre pressure control RDC and daylight running light are now standard
- Changes to comfort package content. Shift Assistant Pro, KR, central locking, alarm system. Additional LED headlight removed
- Safety package has been removed
BMW S 1000 RR.
- New paint finish Black Storm Metallic
- Changeover to EU-5
- New optional equipment: Sports silencer*.
- New optional equipment: M titanium exhaust system*.
- New optional equipment: M milled parts package** (M clutch lever protector, M brake lever protector, M folding brake lever, M folding clutch lever, M engine protectors,
M rider footrest system left/right) - New optional equipment: USB charging port
- New optional equipment: M Endurance chain
BMW S 1000 XR.
- New: Style Sport with Light white non-metallic/Racing Blue Metallic/Racing Red, titanium sports silencer, M Endurance chain, Windshield Sport, additional Core Screen with Laptimer
- Tank cover and card pocket in motorcycle colour
- New optional equipment: Titanium sports silencer
- Touring package with expanded content. USB charging port, new luggage rack with integrated holder for 30 l and 49 l top case.
- Revised optional equipment: Luggage rack with integrated holder for 30 l and 49 l top case.
- New optional equipment: M milled parts package*(M folding brake lever, M folding clutch lever, M engine protector left, M rider footrests right/left and M pillion passenger footrests right/left)
- New optional equipment: USB charging port
- New optional equipment: M Endurance chain
- New optional equipment: Cruise control including steering damper. (No confirmation yet when this will be available in Australia.)
BMW F 900 R and F 900 XR.
- New optional equipment: New activation concept for driving modes Pro. Coding plug has been removed.
* available from October 2020
** available from September 2020
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
BMW R 1250 GS: World’s best bike now even better
The world’s best motorcycle is now even better with the BMW R 1250 GS getting a bigger, cleaner and more powerful engine and a range of useful technology.
My impression was confirmed after Ballina Motorcycles owners Andy and Steve Fisher recently invited me to ride the new GS around their beautiful neck of the woods.
GS models
I’ve owned every GS model since the R 1150 GS, except for the first of the liquid-cooled models, although I have ridden them on several occasions.
The quantum leap from the 1150 to 1200 convinced me that this was the best bike in the world.
It could tour and haul luggage comfortably, it could challenge sports bikes on twisting tarmac, it could tackle gravel, sand and mud, and I even enjoyed it as a commuter because it was so manoeuvrable with good height to see over the traffic.
The GS then received a twin cam engine which improved power and then went to liquid cooling.
Each updated improved the world’s best motorcycle a little more.
However, there have been some issues:
- The switchgear proved faulty when BMW moved from separate indicators to the conventional one-button system;
- I had some scary tank-slapping moments on the first liquid-cooled model, until they added a steering damper as standard;
- The liquid-cooled model’s soft spoked wheels could easily be dented; and
- The new 1250 models had spokes working their way loose. They now have a quick fix for the problem.
Those issues aside, the GS is an astounding vehicle that makes bad riders look good, skilled riders look amazing and even caters for lazy riders!
R 1250 Shiftcam tech
The latter is thanks to the new drivetrain.
BMW’s new 1254cc boxer engine comes with Shiftcam Technology which is a type of variable valve timing (VVT) similar to the systems used by Ducati and Honda.
VVT has been proven in cars for years. It not only boosts power, but also reduces emission and improves fuel economy.
It not only makes the Boxer engine cleaner and more powerful, especially through the all-important midrange, but also makes it so much more refined, mechanically quieter and smoother.
There has always been a coarse feel to these big Boxer engines and there is still plenty of “character” in the sideways thumping pistons, but it is now just so smooth with power and torque wherever you need it.
Transmission update
But it’s not just the engine that has improved the drive.
Previous models have always had clunky gear shifts. In fact, I adapted to preloading the shifter before changing gears for a smoother shift.
Now the transmission its nearly as slick as on a four-cylinder Japanese superbike.
Gearbox and clutch are now integrated into the new engine housing to reduce weight and increase “torsional response”.
The multi-plate wet clutch has eight friction discs and the clutch system is fitted with an anti-hopping mechanism.
What that means is that gear changes now feel smoother and quieter and the up/down quickshifter makes shifts almost seamless.
Together with the 14% more torque and 9% more output, you can be the laziest rider around and still reap plenty from the powerplant.
Just quick shift through to fifth or sixth and leave it there like an automatic.
If you suddenly need to drop a gear or two for a tight corner, just slam it down without touching the clutch and there is no rear-wheel hop, just a planted feel as the rear hunkers down and tracks around the bend.
More tech
The GS range has gradually added more and more technology with each new model over the years.
Now it is simply a technological tour de force with a host of rider aids, engine modes, electronic suspension settings and connectivity functions too numerous to mention in a review.
It would take a book to learn about all the features. But there are two worth a special mention.
First is the fact that you can now customise your settings and save them with the optional “Riding Modes Pro” plug.
No more will you have to stop and fiddle with ABS and traction control settings when your wheels hit the dirt. Just change engine modes on the fly to the Pro setting.
The other is the magnificent 6.5-inch colour TFT instrument screen.
It’s like having a flat-screen TV in front of you.
The screen is so enormous with big, clear numbers and letters you can see them in your periphery vision without having to look away from the road.
Not that you have to look too far, as it is set further forward and higher.
We rode the Rallye model around the hills and valleys of the Northern Rivers region where you ride through thick forests that are almost like midnight even on a bright, sunny day.
Yet riding in and out of these lighting extremes, the screen was clear and easy to see.
Knobby tyres
Andy and Steve of Ballina Motorcycles let me ride the knobby-shod Rallye version, even though they say less than 10% of GS customers ever fit knobby tyres.
In their neck off the woods, some of the tarmac roads are so poorly maintained they are like riding off-road, anyway.
The Karoo knobbies lack tar grip so the traction control light was constantly flashing as I rode around the region.
And at the end of the day’s ride, the knobs had been chewed substantially. These tyres really are designed for the dirt and you can expect low life if you do too much asphalt.
If you opt for this model and these tyres, you need to do about 80% of your riding on gravel.
Ride
One of the biggest attractions of the GS range is the ride and handling.
The clever telelever front suspension is an amazing mix of plushness, precise steering and unflappable stability on the tar and dirt.
Together with the electronic suspension adjustment with an automatic preload mode that adjusts for load, you can select the right setting for every type of terrain.
At the end of our day riding some of the most jarring roads imaginable, my delicate rear end and my damaged back felt like they’d been to a day spa!
BMW R 1250 S model pricing
All that extra tech, engine capacity and power has added about $1600 to the starting price of the GS range.
But it’s worth it for the upgrade in sophistication and useful technology.
While many bikes are a jack of all trades and master of none, the GS range continues to master a variety of terrain and riding purposes.
(Plus on-road costs)
BMW R 1250 GS |
$23,490 |
BMW R 1250 GS Rallye |
$24,940 |
BMW R 1250 GS Rallye X |
$29,890 |
BMW R 1250 GS Exclusive |
$28,140 |
BMW R 1250 GS Spezial |
$31,390 |
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
Why are adventure bikes getting bigger?
When Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor rode around the world in 2004 on BMW R 1150 GS Adventure bikes we saw how difficult the bigger bikes were in tough terrain.
Since then, BMW has gone to an R 1200 GS and now an even bigger R 1250 GS.
Meanwhile, Ducati from a Multistrada 1200 to 1260 and KTM Super Adventure from 1190 to 1290.
Now Harley-Davidson is promising a 1250cc Pan America adventure bike in the next couple of years.
Do we really need bigger and more powerful adventure bikes?
Sure, the new bikes come with a host of electronics that make them easier to ride in tough terrain.
But even a Harley-Davidson cruiser in the right hands can do some adventure work.
Just check out this video where a BMW R 1200 GS has a hard time keeping up with the female rider!
How embarrassing!
But does that mean we should be buying bigger bikes to go adventure riding?
Is bigger better?
No doubt Charley and Ewan played a big part in the popularity of BMW’s 1200cc GS models and the advent of similar-sized models from Ducati, KTM, Yamaha, Triumph and Moto Guzzi.
Most are a tour de force of electronic wizardry that allow riders to adventure further and further off piste.
But if there is one thing any off-road rider will tell you is that they expect to crash.
That’s fine on a small bike, but on a tall and heavy behemoth like this new crop of adventure bikes, even a small crash can have big consequences.
Even if your bike survive the crash, you may not. And there may still be a 230kg+ bike to wrestle back to its vertical position.
But in recent years, adventure riders and adventure bikes are downsizing.
The slightly smaller 998cc Honda Africa Twin quickly became a top-selling adventure bike in Australia. Honda is also rumoured to be making a smaller version.
And Moto Guzzi is replacing its 1150cc Stelvio next year with an 853cc V85 TT.
The new generation of scramblers are now adding more off-road oriented versions to appeal to those wishing to downsize from behemoth adventurers.
There is also now a baby adventure sector for novice adventurers. The include the Kawasaki Versys-X 300, BMW G 310 GS, 400cc Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda CB500X, Honda 190cc Night Hawk and Suzuki “Baby-Strom” DL250.
While we don’t expect riders to head off into the single trails on their Harleys, we should be seeing more smaller adventure bikes in the outback.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com