New BMW R 1250 GS and R 1250
Discussion
Press release here:
https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/deta...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huUzdjJKM-s
Note, the BMW S1000RR will be launched at EICMA 2018 in November (probably)
https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/deta...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huUzdjJKM-s
Note, the BMW S1000RR will be launched at EICMA 2018 in November (probably)
Had a quick test ride today... the engine is a nice improvement. Very strong low down, and just doesn’t run out of puff at the top end. Makes some lovely noises when the quick shifter does it’s thing at the top end. Not so smooth coming down the box, and no artificial pops like my XR.
I’d forgotten how nice the GS is to ride...
I’d forgotten how nice the GS is to ride...
Ceeejay said:
Had a quick test ride today... the engine is a nice improvement. Very strong low down, and just doesn’t run out of puff at the top end. Makes some lovely noises when the quick shifter does it’s thing at the top end. Not so smooth coming down the box, and no artificial pops like my XR.
I’d forgotten how nice the GS is to ride...
Is it good enough for you to consider placing a deposit?I’d forgotten how nice the GS is to ride...
Ceeejay said:
Had a quick test ride today... the engine is a nice improvement. Very strong low down, and just doesn’t run out of puff at the top end. Makes some lovely noises when the quick shifter does it’s thing at the top end. Not so smooth coming down the box, and no artificial pops like my XR.
I’d forgotten how nice the GS is to ride...
How different does it feel to the last of the 1200 water-cooled? I’d forgotten how nice the GS is to ride...
I’m a shameless whooore for anything with gold wheels but that’s not working. Black world work better.
And these paint schemes are getting a bit fru fru. Just wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong.
No doubt it’s a step up from the previous however and the new dash looks great.
As for the adventure lifestyle chop in the background fully kitted out to attack Matabeleland in a weekend, that, right there is the GS’s biggest problem.
Just my opinion of course but that should be enough for you lot
And these paint schemes are getting a bit fru fru. Just wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong.
No doubt it’s a step up from the previous however and the new dash looks great.
As for the adventure lifestyle chop in the background fully kitted out to attack Matabeleland in a weekend, that, right there is the GS’s biggest problem.
Just my opinion of course but that should be enough for you lot
Edited by Steve Bass on Monday 15th October 09:47
Have to say the Triumph 1200 Tiger I rode on Saturday, was a peach. Better quick shifter than the BMW I rode the week before - lot quite as light a clutch (but that was a good thing) and cruise control as standard.
At speedier speeds though, it did start to feel as though it was running out of puff, that might have been just me and not twisting the throttle more
At speedier speeds though, it did start to feel as though it was running out of puff, that might have been just me and not twisting the throttle more
gareth_r said:
Alex@POD said:
The rims are interesting, I've never seen spokes arranged "outside" of the rim like that. Is that new or have I just never noticed it?
BMW have done that for years, to allow the use of tubeless tyres on spoked wheels.Tim1989 said:
How different does it feel to the last of the 1200 water-cooled?
I haven’t ridden a 1200 for a year, but it certainly felt good... it’s just such a different delivery to my XR... I have a thing for boxers though. I’ve had a liquid cooled GS and RT... but it’s way out of my price bracket at the moment.
Steve Bass said:
I’m a shameless whooore for anything with gold wheels but that’s not working. Black world work better.
And these paint schemes are getting a bit fru fru. Just wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong.
No doubt it’s a step up from the previous however and the new dash looks great.
As for the adventure lifestyle chop in the background fully kitted out to attack Matabeleland in a weekend, that, right there is the GS’s biggest problem.
Just my opinion of course but that should be enough for you lot
Agreed with all that. For me, these news GSes represent an opportunity to get one of the previous models, cheap. A model that has been around for ever and has been perfected, mainly because I simply don't believe the new one will be reliable or without issue, for at least 2-3 years. And i say that as a BMW rider/driver. And these paint schemes are getting a bit fru fru. Just wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong.
No doubt it’s a step up from the previous however and the new dash looks great.
As for the adventure lifestyle chop in the background fully kitted out to attack Matabeleland in a weekend, that, right there is the GS’s biggest problem.
Just my opinion of course but that should be enough for you lot
Edited by Steve Bass on Monday 15th October 09:47
308mate said:
Agreed with all that. For me, these news GSes represent an opportunity to get one of the previous models, cheap. A model that has been around for ever and has been perfected, mainly because I simply don't believe the new one will be reliable or without issue, for at least 2-3 years. And i say that as a BMW rider/driver.
That’s my plan now. There will be lots of ex pcp’s coming back in with very few miles on them...The original intention was to jot down some ‘first’ impressions of the new R1250GS, but as the day progressed, I thought of another approach.
My prior knowledge was based on one magazine’s first ride and anecdotal words from various BMW dealers.
To the bike; well, it looks pretty much as before with detail differences like valve covers, brake calipers and the TFT screen being the most obvious. I am sure that there is more to be seen, but that was my first impression.
Sitting astride brings back memories, apart from the TFT and keyless wake up and go procedure.
The engine is definitely quieter, a little less secure at idle than the current LC 1200, but thankfully one can engage first gear without (current LC) graunching. Clutch and transmission seemed pretty much as present, with perhaps the software controlling the Shift Assist being slightly improved. However, still nowhere near as good as the S1000 types.
I had been told that torque and drivability were greatly improved and were nothing short of astonishing. Well yes, but at first I was not converted and as the ride progressed I just focussed on how good a motorcycle the GS is. It’s been a couple of years since I have ridden a GS, three years since owning one and was delighted to reacquaint myself.
Chassis wise it felt as before, agile despite its mass and possessed with such good handling. The revised ESA felt more compliant and better controlled than the 1200GS, without exploring any of its limits.
The Hayes brakes are every bit as good as the Brembo and felt slightly better at the lever.
Back to the engine. The calibration is just about spot on whether in traffic, pottering down country lanes, or on open road.
In deference to the 600 mile new bike I did not attempt any WOT antics, but can attest that 6th gear 50mph overtakes were absolutely superb.
It does indeed pull very well!
Going back to the idle quality, I am sure that miles and first service will sort that out.
The TFT instrument pack I am not convinced about despite its superb legibility. I wasn’t confused or intimidated by the information available, it’s just that it seemed out of place on such a ruffty tuffty motorcycle.
Appropriate on an RT or such like, but on a GS???????????????
On the way home I did the obvious thing; compare the 1250 with my own 1200LC.
The published power difference is not as stark as one would think, in fact my 1200 felt sharper and peppier.
The reasons are probably wrapped up in the different bore / stroke architecture, inertia and 9000 miles, making the 1250 feel a bit dull next to the 1200.
BMW engines do get so much better with miles though.
The 1200 is noisier, slightly less smooth and if there is any real world fuel consumption difference I remain to be convinced.
Upon arriving home I thought of another angle; to go out on my R1200 Twin Cam.
Well, how many times does the opportunity to experience three subsequent iterations of an engine occur in one day?
Yes, a step change backwards brought no great surprise.
The TC oddly enough, feels a little like the 1250, torquey and sort of lazy. Much less refined of course and with a few generations of powertrain control techniques between them - not as well measured.
The transmission / driveline on the TC are dreadful in comparison to its younger relations and is the one thing that I dislike about my TC.
Apart from that though and despite its more agricultural powertrain the TC is still a class act.
What did I learn today?
The 1250 GS remains a superb motorcycle.
If you asked me to say that the 1250 is the new wunderkind I would decline. Different yes, better in small increments yes, but not a huge step-change.
In a way I am reminded of the changes made to Porsche 911 from the air cooled years.
The car became more civilized, easier to drive; more secure in adverse conditions, heavier and as a result - lost some of its character.
All done to broaden the customer base - with just a small nod to legislative obligation.
It is progress and we should not stand in the way of that, but I wonder if we are getting just a bit too cosseted.
There seems to be little need to adapt, understand and come to terms with these days.
It’s all done for you by the manufacturer; just plug and play.
These are just the thoughts of a motorcyclist, not a BMW fanboy and are as objective as I can make them.
My prior knowledge was based on one magazine’s first ride and anecdotal words from various BMW dealers.
To the bike; well, it looks pretty much as before with detail differences like valve covers, brake calipers and the TFT screen being the most obvious. I am sure that there is more to be seen, but that was my first impression.
Sitting astride brings back memories, apart from the TFT and keyless wake up and go procedure.
The engine is definitely quieter, a little less secure at idle than the current LC 1200, but thankfully one can engage first gear without (current LC) graunching. Clutch and transmission seemed pretty much as present, with perhaps the software controlling the Shift Assist being slightly improved. However, still nowhere near as good as the S1000 types.
I had been told that torque and drivability were greatly improved and were nothing short of astonishing. Well yes, but at first I was not converted and as the ride progressed I just focussed on how good a motorcycle the GS is. It’s been a couple of years since I have ridden a GS, three years since owning one and was delighted to reacquaint myself.
Chassis wise it felt as before, agile despite its mass and possessed with such good handling. The revised ESA felt more compliant and better controlled than the 1200GS, without exploring any of its limits.
The Hayes brakes are every bit as good as the Brembo and felt slightly better at the lever.
Back to the engine. The calibration is just about spot on whether in traffic, pottering down country lanes, or on open road.
In deference to the 600 mile new bike I did not attempt any WOT antics, but can attest that 6th gear 50mph overtakes were absolutely superb.
It does indeed pull very well!
Going back to the idle quality, I am sure that miles and first service will sort that out.
The TFT instrument pack I am not convinced about despite its superb legibility. I wasn’t confused or intimidated by the information available, it’s just that it seemed out of place on such a ruffty tuffty motorcycle.
Appropriate on an RT or such like, but on a GS???????????????
On the way home I did the obvious thing; compare the 1250 with my own 1200LC.
The published power difference is not as stark as one would think, in fact my 1200 felt sharper and peppier.
The reasons are probably wrapped up in the different bore / stroke architecture, inertia and 9000 miles, making the 1250 feel a bit dull next to the 1200.
BMW engines do get so much better with miles though.
The 1200 is noisier, slightly less smooth and if there is any real world fuel consumption difference I remain to be convinced.
Upon arriving home I thought of another angle; to go out on my R1200 Twin Cam.
Well, how many times does the opportunity to experience three subsequent iterations of an engine occur in one day?
Yes, a step change backwards brought no great surprise.
The TC oddly enough, feels a little like the 1250, torquey and sort of lazy. Much less refined of course and with a few generations of powertrain control techniques between them - not as well measured.
The transmission / driveline on the TC are dreadful in comparison to its younger relations and is the one thing that I dislike about my TC.
Apart from that though and despite its more agricultural powertrain the TC is still a class act.
What did I learn today?
The 1250 GS remains a superb motorcycle.
If you asked me to say that the 1250 is the new wunderkind I would decline. Different yes, better in small increments yes, but not a huge step-change.
In a way I am reminded of the changes made to Porsche 911 from the air cooled years.
The car became more civilized, easier to drive; more secure in adverse conditions, heavier and as a result - lost some of its character.
All done to broaden the customer base - with just a small nod to legislative obligation.
It is progress and we should not stand in the way of that, but I wonder if we are getting just a bit too cosseted.
There seems to be little need to adapt, understand and come to terms with these days.
It’s all done for you by the manufacturer; just plug and play.
These are just the thoughts of a motorcyclist, not a BMW fanboy and are as objective as I can make them.
sjwb said:
The original intention was to jot down some ‘first’ impressions of the new R1250GS, but as the day progressed, I thought of another approach.
My prior knowledge was based on one magazine’s first ride and anecdotal words from various BMW dealers.
To the bike; well, it looks pretty much as before with detail differences like valve covers, brake calipers and the TFT screen being the most obvious. I am sure that there is more to be seen, but that was my first impression.
Sitting astride brings back memories, apart from the TFT and keyless wake up and go procedure.
The engine is definitely quieter, a little less secure at idle than the current LC 1200, but thankfully one can engage first gear without (current LC) graunching. Clutch and transmission seemed pretty much as present, with perhaps the software controlling the Shift Assist being slightly improved. However, still nowhere near as good as the S1000 types.
I had been told that torque and drivability were greatly improved and were nothing short of astonishing. Well yes, but at first I was not converted and as the ride progressed I just focussed on how good a motorcycle the GS is. It’s been a couple of years since I have ridden a GS, three years since owning one and was delighted to reacquaint myself.
Chassis wise it felt as before, agile despite its mass and possessed with such good handling. The revised ESA felt more compliant and better controlled than the 1200GS, without exploring any of its limits.
The Hayes brakes are every bit as good as the Brembo and felt slightly better at the lever.
Back to the engine. The calibration is just about spot on whether in traffic, pottering down country lanes, or on open road.
In deference to the 600 mile new bike I did not attempt any WOT antics, but can attest that 6th gear 50mph overtakes were absolutely superb.
It does indeed pull very well!
Going back to the idle quality, I am sure that miles and first service will sort that out.
The TFT instrument pack I am not convinced about despite its superb legibility. I wasn’t confused or intimidated by the information available, it’s just that it seemed out of place on such a ruffty tuffty motorcycle.
Appropriate on an RT or such like, but on a GS???????????????
On the way home I did the obvious thing; compare the 1250 with my own 1200LC.
The published power difference is not as stark as one would think, in fact my 1200 felt sharper and peppier.
The reasons are probably wrapped up in the different bore / stroke architecture, inertia and 9000 miles, making the 1250 feel a bit dull next to the 1200.
BMW engines do get so much better with miles though.
The 1200 is noisier, slightly less smooth and if there is any real world fuel consumption difference I remain to be convinced.
Upon arriving home I thought of another angle; to go out on my R1200 Twin Cam.
Well, how many times does the opportunity to experience three subsequent iterations of an engine occur in one day?
Yes, a step change backwards brought no great surprise.
The TC oddly enough, feels a little like the 1250, torquey and sort of lazy. Much less refined of course and with a few generations of powertrain control techniques between them - not as well measured.
The transmission / driveline on the TC are dreadful in comparison to its younger relations and is the one thing that I dislike about my TC.
Apart from that though and despite its more agricultural powertrain the TC is still a class act.
What did I learn today?
The 1250 GS remains a superb motorcycle.
If you asked me to say that the 1250 is the new wunderkind I would decline. Different yes, better in small increments yes, but not a huge step-change.
In a way I am reminded of the changes made to Porsche 911 from the air cooled years.
The car became more civilized, easier to drive; more secure in adverse conditions, heavier and as a result - lost some of its character.
All done to broaden the customer base - with just a small nod to legislative obligation.
It is progress and we should not stand in the way of that, but I wonder if we are getting just a bit too cosseted.
There seems to be little need to adapt, understand and come to terms with these days.
It’s all done for you by the manufacturer; just plug and play.
These are just the thoughts of a motorcyclist, not a BMW fanboy and are as objective as I can make them.
I also had a test ride on a 1250 GS today and was left with the same impression. I currently had a shed of a 116k mile 2005 GS, but ran a 2013 LC version alongside the 2005 one for a while, but there were so many issues with it that I got rid.My prior knowledge was based on one magazine’s first ride and anecdotal words from various BMW dealers.
To the bike; well, it looks pretty much as before with detail differences like valve covers, brake calipers and the TFT screen being the most obvious. I am sure that there is more to be seen, but that was my first impression.
Sitting astride brings back memories, apart from the TFT and keyless wake up and go procedure.
The engine is definitely quieter, a little less secure at idle than the current LC 1200, but thankfully one can engage first gear without (current LC) graunching. Clutch and transmission seemed pretty much as present, with perhaps the software controlling the Shift Assist being slightly improved. However, still nowhere near as good as the S1000 types.
I had been told that torque and drivability were greatly improved and were nothing short of astonishing. Well yes, but at first I was not converted and as the ride progressed I just focussed on how good a motorcycle the GS is. It’s been a couple of years since I have ridden a GS, three years since owning one and was delighted to reacquaint myself.
Chassis wise it felt as before, agile despite its mass and possessed with such good handling. The revised ESA felt more compliant and better controlled than the 1200GS, without exploring any of its limits.
The Hayes brakes are every bit as good as the Brembo and felt slightly better at the lever.
Back to the engine. The calibration is just about spot on whether in traffic, pottering down country lanes, or on open road.
In deference to the 600 mile new bike I did not attempt any WOT antics, but can attest that 6th gear 50mph overtakes were absolutely superb.
It does indeed pull very well!
Going back to the idle quality, I am sure that miles and first service will sort that out.
The TFT instrument pack I am not convinced about despite its superb legibility. I wasn’t confused or intimidated by the information available, it’s just that it seemed out of place on such a ruffty tuffty motorcycle.
Appropriate on an RT or such like, but on a GS???????????????
On the way home I did the obvious thing; compare the 1250 with my own 1200LC.
The published power difference is not as stark as one would think, in fact my 1200 felt sharper and peppier.
The reasons are probably wrapped up in the different bore / stroke architecture, inertia and 9000 miles, making the 1250 feel a bit dull next to the 1200.
BMW engines do get so much better with miles though.
The 1200 is noisier, slightly less smooth and if there is any real world fuel consumption difference I remain to be convinced.
Upon arriving home I thought of another angle; to go out on my R1200 Twin Cam.
Well, how many times does the opportunity to experience three subsequent iterations of an engine occur in one day?
Yes, a step change backwards brought no great surprise.
The TC oddly enough, feels a little like the 1250, torquey and sort of lazy. Much less refined of course and with a few generations of powertrain control techniques between them - not as well measured.
The transmission / driveline on the TC are dreadful in comparison to its younger relations and is the one thing that I dislike about my TC.
Apart from that though and despite its more agricultural powertrain the TC is still a class act.
What did I learn today?
The 1250 GS remains a superb motorcycle.
If you asked me to say that the 1250 is the new wunderkind I would decline. Different yes, better in small increments yes, but not a huge step-change.
In a way I am reminded of the changes made to Porsche 911 from the air cooled years.
The car became more civilized, easier to drive; more secure in adverse conditions, heavier and as a result - lost some of its character.
All done to broaden the customer base - with just a small nod to legislative obligation.
It is progress and we should not stand in the way of that, but I wonder if we are getting just a bit too cosseted.
There seems to be little need to adapt, understand and come to terms with these days.
It’s all done for you by the manufacturer; just plug and play.
These are just the thoughts of a motorcyclist, not a BMW fanboy and are as objective as I can make them.
The new bike does everything very well, but is almost a little bland, kind of like a modern Audi. Good but boring. Very easy to ride, with great brakes, far better gearbox than the previous generation 1200cc bikes, but almost over engineered. The bike I rode did not suffer from lean cruise surging that plagued by 2013 LC model and had good fuelling across the whole range. Personally I thought the dash was very easy to read at a glance.
Would I buy one? Let's get a ride on the 1290 S KTM and new Ducati Multi strada first I think.
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