This is it..the new BMW R1250GS Exclusive
I bought my first GS in 2009 and am now on my 3rd one; each model introduced new features and was better than the last; air cooled to water cooled, 100bhp to 125bhp, Dynamic Electronic suspension adjustment, riding modes, quickshifter; each change made a good bike even better. So have BMW done it again with the newly announced R1250GS?..only one way to find out; have a test ride 🙂
Wednesday 17th Oct 18
I booked the test ride with BMW Wollaston in Northampton where I had bought my 3 previous GSs..I think they could smell another sale coming on; but Mrs M told me firmly as I left NOT to come home with another new bike 🙂
The bike they gave me was the R 1250 GS Exclusive..top of the range with ALL the extras.
In terms of external looks it is exactly the same as my R 1200GS TE (apart from the colour); its inside the engine where the differences are. The engine capacity is up from 1200cc to 125occ, but the really clever stuff is the new BMW ShiftCam variable camshaft control. This supposedly ensures more powerful torque curve over the entire engine speed range, providing greater control in every riding situation say BMW. BHP is up from 125 to 136 and TORQUE a massive 105ft/lb, so it should be quiet lively to ride..I’ve got 2 hours to find out 🙂
My first impression was that the engine is much smoother than mine, and when I wind the throttle on for the first time, WOW the thing jumped forward and took off; without wheelie control the front wheel would have been in the air for sure!! This ShiftCam thing absolutely does deliver immediate power; and at any engine speed. The result is that this GS jumps out of the corners and I find myself riding one gear higher than I normally would; strong performance with fewer gear changes. The quickshifter is also much smoother than mine on both up and down the gearbox.
The bike has an entirely new electronic dashboard and its is fantastic; I love it.
The new electronic dashboard
So when I returned the bike Gary the motorcycle salesman, was eager to know what I thought. He looked a bit disappointed when I said “the standard screen is crap, I’ve got so many flies on my visor”..which was true. The first thing anyone over 5′ 5 tall will do is fit a bigger after market screen. Then I told him the engine was great and this bike is fun to ride. No doubt about it, the changes have made a good bike even better; BMW have done it again!
So will I buy one? the answer is NO…why? They no longer offer Red as a colour, only black or blue..how boring. 🙁
I’ve had my GS remapped by Hilltop Tuning and the result produced a DYNO run of 122 BHP at the back wheel and 90 ft/lb torque both of which are a big increase from standard; I also have a full Akropovic exhaust system which helps. In comparison with the new 1250GS my current bike performance can be broadly summed up as, “the same but one gear lower.”
What I mean by that is to get the same instant power delivery and leap forward of the 1250GS I have to be one gear lower on my 1200GS so that the motor spins up quicker..the result feels pretty much the same and the arrival speed at the next corner is the same.
No doubt about it that new ShiftCam thing really works and makes this an easy bike to ride quickly, but not enough of an improvement over my current bike to make me rush out and buy one today.
My NEW GS 2016
Sorry Gary, I’ll wait a year or so and pick up a nearly new one with a just a few 1000 miles on it 🙂