BMW R1250 R

[Stevemtb]

I'm trying to move on from two bikes to one that does it all, thats spirited short morning rides to some touring etc and the BMW R1250 R has made the shortlist, unexpectedly to me too!
I've had a brief as in an hour demo and it's pretty amazing, stonking engine and hides the weight well, but an hour really isn't enough, if there are any owners on here any feedback would be appreciated.
I'd be looking @ 2 years old, with as many of the packs that the first owner could afford! Any must have options?
I'm 6'2" and a little bit concerned over the all day comfort with regards to leg room, wind blast not an issue with a small screen I believe?
cheers.

[Chipchap]

Spareparts on here had one for 4 or 5 months. Really enjoyed it but ended up missing his GS. So he bought another GS.

Realisation was that the R1250R was a very accomplished bike for the inner city commute but that the GS was a better all rounder.

I shall message him to respond.

[spareparts]

Cheers Al

Stevemtb said:

I'm trying to move on from two bikes to one that does it all, thats spirited short morning rides to some touring etc and the BMW R1250 R has made the shortlist, unexpectedly to me too!
I've had a brief as in an hour demo and it's pretty amazing, stonking engine and hides the weight well, but an hour really isn't enough, if there are any owners on here any feedback would be appreciated.
I'd be looking @ 2 years old, with as many of the packs that the first owner could afford! Any must have options?
I'm 6'2" and a little bit concerned over the all day comfort with regards to leg room, wind blast not an issue with a small screen I believe?
cheers.

The R1250R is a cracking bike. After 3 previous GSes (2 x 1200, 1 x 1250), I was looking for something slightly smaller but still offering the same torque, drive, and usability of the GS - as a road-focused machine. I thought the R would offer that.

A couple of things about the R:
The 1250 engine is a torque monster - and you have already experienced that.
Comfort: it's perfectly fine for long days in the saddle, but I think if you are over 6ft, you would find the high seat more helpful to reduce leg bend and just give more room given the boxer engine.

My biggest gripes:
1) [this does not apply to the latest MY23 model just released] - The non-LED headlights are poor.

2) Windblast on a naked bike is a very personal thing. I tried different screens, but in the end - no screen is the best/quietest to allow clean air hit you. With a screen (this includes the BMW sport screen) wind always seemed to vibrate around my helmet in someway. Whether this is an issue for you will depend.

And the biggest issue with the R? The GS exists.
I know people are tired of me saying this, but...
The GS is more comfortable than the R over distance. It handles better over broken tarmac as the front end telelever maintains tyre contact without transmitting direct bumps etc of the R's traditional forks. The GS suspension has a wider range of adjustment - greater comfort over the bumps, but equally sharp/firm handling when on smooth tarmac. The GS has slightly shorter gearing all round that keeps it more accelerative than the R. The GS is actually more fun to ride when just hooning. The aero on the GS is better in poor weather as it provides a high degree of protection from the elements. There are more accessories and farkles for the GS to make it bespoke to your needs and wishes. There are no conditions on or off-road that the GS cannot easily handle.
In short, the GS does 95% of what the R does, but the R only does 70% of what the GS does.

I sold my very fully loaded R after a few months, as nice a spec as it was - it just didn't deliver as much or as well as the GS. I'm now on my 4th GS.

Gone.

[Moopig]

Surely if the wind is a problem, there is always the R1250RS, my Dad has had a 1200RS and a 1250RS and has absolutley loved them, and I think he's a rather demanding customer

[Stevemtb]

Thanks for such an informative response, very helpful. I hear what you're saying regarding the GS being the better bike for pretty much all conditions, uses etc but they're just not my thing, rode one a few years ago and just not for me, probably short sighted but thats what I felt.
The wind blast on the R is going to be an issue by the sounds of it and the low seat I found a bit odd, but a higher seat could help I suppose.
Your 1250 R looks a great bike, ideal spec for me but think I'll move onto the next possible option of a Multistrada or even XR900, cheers.

[spareparts]

Moopig said:

Surely if the wind is a problem, there is always the R1250RS, my Dad has had a 1200RS and a 1250RS and has absolutley loved them, and I think he's a rather demanding customer

The RS is a good alternative from the wind perspective.

ChipChap (Al) had an RS for a while and toured on it too. Al.... did you stick with the RS?

[Chipchap]

I truly loved my R1200RS Iconic for the 10000 miles that I had it. However it soon became apparent that I was trying to make it a GS by fitting bar risers raised nav bracket taller screen etc.

Now on my 2nd GS. Done 23000 miles on GS's now.

Take and extended ride on a GS 1250.

[spareparts]

Stevemtb said:

Thanks for such an informative response, very helpful. I hear what you're saying regarding the GS being the better bike for pretty much all conditions, uses etc but they're just not my thing, rode one a few years ago and just not for me, probably short sighted but thats what I felt.
The wind blast on the R is going to be an issue by the sounds of it and the low seat I found a bit odd, but a higher seat could help I suppose.
Your 1250 R looks a great bike, ideal spec for me but think I'll move onto the next possible option of a Multistrada or even XR900, cheers.

The Multi is a fantastic bike - especially in 1260 V-twin or latest V4 form. They are good for 6ft'ers. The seat choice is important as they can wedge you in a bit. Aero on the V4 is the best I've experienced on ANY bike. They really have applied all the Ducati windtunnel testing to the latest Multi and it works. The V4 is wonderful on song - but thirsty - I drained half the tank in an hour test hoon. It's not great at slower engine speeds or chuntering about town. I found it very poor. The V4 is really just a superbike on stilts.
The 1260 V-twin is lovely and the character suits the bike better when not pinning it imho. The 950 version is slimmer and has great ergos - I haven't ridden it but would like to give it a try. I suspect it could be the sweetspot of the Multi range. But now you're into mid-capacity tourer/ADVs, and that's quite a different market too.

If you like road focus, the latest Tracer 9GT is supposed to be quite good.

[nordboy]

IMO, over many many miles ridden, the R1250RS is one of the best overall bikes I've ever ridden, and I've got to ride and put loads of bikes through the mill somewhat over the years.

[Drawweight]

My 1250 GS is going this afternoon and I’m taking delivery of a 1250R on Thursday so I’m taking a leap in the dark.

I’m finding the GS a bit much 2 up and am hoping the lower pillion seat will help a bit.

I’ll update when I get it.

[TT1138]

Stevemtb said:

Thanks for such an informative response, very helpful. I hear what you're saying regarding the GS being the better bike for pretty much all conditions, uses etc but they're just not my thing, rode one a few years ago and just not for me, probably short sighted but thats what I felt.
The wind blast on the R is going to be an issue by the sounds of it and the low seat I found a bit odd, but a higher seat could help I suppose.
Your 1250 R looks a great bike, ideal spec for me but think I'll move onto the next possible option of a Multistrada or even XR900, cheers.

If you mean the F900XR I’ve written about my old one on here a few times in detail. If interested I’ll try and find the write up. My takeaway was that of BMWs middleweights the F850GS is a far superior bike to the XR.

[conkerman]

Does it have to be a BMW?

How about a GSX-S1000GT?

Seems to be a pretty well regarded bike. I have the older GSX-S1000F and it is a pretty capable bike (other than luggage).

I think the R models are often the connoisseurs choice.

I just find the boxer a bit of a boring engine.. I have a R1100S (My second) and used to have a 2016 R1200GS.

Edited by conkerman on Tuesday 23 May 14:23

[Stevemtb]

Thanks for a ll the input so far, all very helpful. I'm out on a F900XR later this week, had very good reviews, I'm not chasing massive bhp so @100 will be fine I think, more fun to wring it out than barely scratching the surface I've always thought. We'll see, so fun handling and seat to peg important to me with my creaky hips!..not even bad looking for a Beemer...

[Drawweight]

Well it’s here.

No ride impressions yet as it came straight off the van and into my shed. It got delivered a day early so no insurance on it yet.

First surprise was it feels lower than my low seat GS was in spite of both supposedly being 820mm. I can flat foot easily whereas although I could do the same on the GS it felt like a stretch.

[HHZ]

I've had a couple of GS's, as well as an R.
I prefer the look of the R, and for shorter days I loved it, but I like to have a bike on which I can do ten hours or more, on rare occasions.
I'm 5'10" and found the R was cramped on long days, and the GS was superbly comfortable, apart from screen noise.
I really enjoyed the long distance comfort of a Ninja1000SX that I had for a year. I did one day of over 1000 miles on that bike. The 4 cyl engine is great; gel seats were a saviour.
I'm on a KTM 890 adventure now, and set off for Greece tomorrow. We'll see how this suits me; initial impression is not great and I could see me looking to part ex next month 🤣

[black-k1]

Drawweight said:

Well it’s here.

No ride impressions yet as it came straight off the van and into my shed. It got delivered a day early so no insurance on it yet.

First surprise was it feels lower than my low seat GS was in spite of both supposedly being 820mm. I can flat foot easily whereas although I could do the same on the GS it felt like a stretch.

That looks nice! I like the blue.

[snagzie]

The GS probably has a wider seat hence being the same height but harder to get the feet on the floor.

Thinking about these bikes too The GSXS1000F I have is a bit lairy for me now although it hasn't missed a beat.

[Stevemtb]

Congratulations on the R1250 R purchase, looks great in the blue too, my issue is it's way too low for me, so off the radar unfortunately.
I took the F900XR out yesterday, what a brilliant bike, think I'm set on it. Amazing what 105 bhp can feel like when twinned with a torquey err twin! The way it steers was unexpected, very sweet handling and fun, just needs a taller screen and I'm set. Now to sell my Hyper and 92 Blade....am I mad?

[Drawweight]

First 120 miles mostly with the missus on the back and it’s a thumbs up from her. Almost as big a seat as the GS and the BMW top box seems to sit further back than the Vario I had on the GS and is comfier on her back. Lower seat so easier to mount.

Rider impressions, obviously it’s lighter and smaller and feels it. It’s more head down than I expected but have found out the blue colour option also activates the lower more forward bars. Something to consider if you’re looking at buying. I certainly felt it in my arms afterwards.

Usual huge amount of torque off the 1250. Gearbox and assist pro seems smoother. Very stable in the bends and Brembo braked all round.

All in all I like it but I’m going to have to do something about the riding position if I’m going to be doing serious mileage. If I was younger I could suck it up but unfortunately aches happen all to readily.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I must admit, as much as I want to hate them ill end up buying a GS!