BMW R1250R Review (2019)

What Is It Like?

Choosing The R1250R

I have been riding for over 30 years but with a substantial break from biking which ended in 2005. Since then I have had a mix of cruisers / roadsters (Guzzi Breva and a Griso), a grand tourer (ST1300 Pan European) and 3 sports tourers with the last being a Honda VFR1200F which I owned for 5 years.

As I have got older I wanted something that did not weight my wrists as much, was lighter and as quick but also able to cruise to smell the roses. It needed to be practical to carry luggage and have the legs to tour.

I considered an adventure bike and initially looked at the VFR stable mate the Cross Tourer but that was heavier than my VFR and taller. I tried an Africa Twin DCT and liked that a lot but then realised it had tubed tyres which removes its practicality significantly.

A test ride of the R1250R sports version revealed it ticked the boxes with the exception of the obvious absence of any wind protection. Three months later I bought the matt green or pollux exclusive version with the addition of ride pro to get the dynamic mode, heated grips, LED indicators and a sports screen. I also added a Nav 6 sat nav.

Ownership

I collected the bike at the end of September as a very wet period arrived. I had leave so for the next two weeks I rode the bike in all weathers but mainly wet!

A total of about a 1,000 miles was quite good considering the conditions and as I write the bike has 1,700 miles on it as it goes into Winter hibernation. I have never had a bike with electrical wizardry so this is what I have spent time using and experimenting with.

Rain Mode

This mode reduces power and provides the greatest level of traction control. I live in the sticks and have a preference for quiet B roads in the counties of Powys, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. A lot of the roads were filthy wet and subject to a lot of seasonal agricultural activity. Rain mode provided an extra level of security although I did not knowingly activate the traction control at any point, that may well reflect my very cautious riding though.

I did find the range of controls and options rather daunting to begin with but a bit of experimenting and reference to the manual got me going. So changing from Rain to Road took a few goes, realising that the throttle must be shut to engage modes. It takes a bit of time to get this as a slick operation but I am getting there.

Road Mode

As the roads dried I started using Road mode and this is significantly different to Rain as it should be. Suddenly you get full horses and a faster throttle response.

The engine really is the star of the show delivering creamy smooth power from the lowest revs with beautiful fuelling and the torque being delivered is simply immense. If I have one criticism of Road mode it is that it is under damped, in time I will experiment with the settings to keep Road for the engine but stiffen up the shock.

Dynamic Mode

This mode transforms the bike into a full fire breathing roadster, with damping noticeably firmer without being harsh. The throttle response is fast, crack it open and its covers ground very rapidly. I can see me surprising a few sports riders next season on dry roads.

One thing I immediately loved is cruise control, flicking this on and off could not be easier and it gives your hand a rest throughout the day even at low speeds.

Mods

I removed the sports screen and fitted a Wunderlich Marathon screen which is relatively large but provides superb protection. Such screens are real Marmite options but I bought the R to be a true all rounder and the screen makes it an all weather tourer as well as retaining its fun.

I also put Wunderlich hand guards on to complete the tourer practicality and can report they work very well keeping the worst of the weather off, the real bonus is that your gloves stay drier for longer and hence warmer.

Comfort

As a 5'7 rider there is a slight lean to the bars but many will not notice this and to be honest this is the best riding position I have experienced.

Lovely wide bars give lots of leverage without the spread that occurs on adventure bikes.The seat is quite soft but very supportive, plenty good enough for a day ride. Foot pegs are bang on for me with some bend but not at all sporty and that's with the standard seat.

Fit And Finish

Superb is the only way to describe the fit and finish, everywhere you look is absolute top notch as you would expect from a premium product.

Run in service at 600 miles was included in the bike sale and I'm glad as £180 is not cheap but not as bad as other makes.

Any Downsides?

Having come from a super reliable Honda I have entered ownership of a very high tech BMW with some reservation and I have had some issues which I hope are not a sign of things to come.

The significant issue has been the keyless fuel cap which failed to open at a fuel station. I was 65 miles from home and managed to get home. BMW assistance were as efficient as ever and the bike disappeared for 36 hours and returned with a new cap. A search online shows this is a fairly common problem, indeed I have just read a Ride magazine review of the 1250RS where the same thing happened.

I have the tyre pressure sensor option and find it quite frustrating as I have an excellent gauge which I use to set the pressures but the sensor always records a higher setting. I have got used to this now and simply use the sensor to gauge whether there is a significant drop. I also had a problem with what I now assume was a sticking pressure valve that persistently kept reducing the pressure on the front.

To Sum Up

The R is everything I wanted and so much more. I have not had a chance to ride it in better weather but I am sure it will deliver on all fronts.

I am still sceptical of all the electronic wizardry but hope to proved wrong. The 3 year warranty and first class BMW Assistance removes my fears but this bike is intended to last me for 10 years plus.

- David J, 2019

Related Bikes

BMW R1200R - The model it replaces.

BMW R1250RS - Sports touring version.

The Second Opinion

BMW R1250R 2019

Tell us a bit about you

I am 61 year old male, about 5'10". I have been riding since I was 16, and have had probably had 20 to 30 bikes in that time.

Why did you choose it?

I enjoy day trips on a bike, and will happily do 500 miles or more in a day: I have done 1,000 in a day twice before. I enjoy moto camping occasionally: I commute by bike rarely. My wife will come on short trips, but hasn't been on this bike yet.

So I really was after an all-rounder. My previous bike was a Ninja 1000SX which my wife found very uncomfortable. Prior to that I had a couple of Harleys, but didn't find them comfortable on longer trips.

I have had two BMW R1200GS, which were very comfortable, but too top heavy when loaded. I dropped one of them twice when I lost my footing, and was always a bit intimidated after that, especially two-up.

What is good about it?

The 1250R feels like a much lower bike than the GS, and that is what really sold me on this one. The 1250 engine is much less agricultural than I remember my 1200s being.

I prefer the power delivery of the twin over the four cylinder Kawasakis I had before, it's not as smooth, but the torque more than makes up for that on real roads. I think shaft drive is preferable to chain, or even belt drive. The clutch is delightfully light.

The hill start control is nice to have, and it works much more smoothly now than on earlier BMWs. I have added a Givi tanklock bag and the BMW GS top box; combined with a Lomo bag I have more than enough carrying capacity for short camping trips. If I was to go for longer trips, and needed more carrying capacity I would probably get SHAD panniers; the genuine BMW boxes are too expensive.

The TFT screen is great, easy to view, and easy to use. The sat nav guidance, which works through a phone app, is much better than I expected it would be, and makes the BMW Garmin an expensive, and unnecessary, frippery. I use an Android phone and Sena headset, and have had no real connectivity problems; I have heard that riders who use Apple phones don't have the same happy experience.

My bike is in the Motorsport colours which I think makes the bike look great. The dark colours make the bike look very anonymous.

What could be improved?

The suspension is not as good as the GS Telelever set up, and isn't as good as that on my Kawasaki. I did have the Ninja set up by an suspension specialist which transformed the handling; not something that can be done when you have the BMW electronic suspension.

The BMW quickshifter is not good on upshifts below third gear; after that, and once you get used to it, it is good. The downshifts are good in all the gears, even second to first. The chrome silencer is rather ugly. The headlight is not led, which is quite quaint these days!

Any mods or upgrades?

I have added the BMW Vario top box and a Givi tanklock tankbag. The previous owner had added the fly-screen and a Wunderlich cover for the front of the engine, as well as X-Head cylinder protectors. Based on previous experience with GSs I will probably add a Mudsling rear fender extender. If I use the bike much in winter I will add GS hand guards.

What is the economy like?

The fuel economy is excellent; I get 60+ mpg, which is good for more than a 200 mile tank range.

How is the engine?

The 1250 engine is much less agricultural than I remember my 1200s being. I prefer the power delivery of the twin over the four cylinder Kawasaki's I had before; it's not as smooth, but the torque more than makes up for that on real roads. I can't feel the shift-cam working. The engine doesn't sound as good as a V-twin, but the exhaust note is quite appealing.

How does it handle?

The 1250R handles well and is very flickable, but it doesn't feel as well set up as my Ninja, and the GS Telelever system gives a smoother ride than regular telescopic forks, in my opinion. The bike does record lean angles; 40 degrees of lean on the BMW feels more dramatic than it would on the Ninja.

What are the brakes like?

The brakes work very well, the rear in particular is much better than those from some other manufacturers.

Is it comfortable?

The jury is still out on all-day comfort on this bike as I have only done a couple of 400 mile days since buying the bike, but I think it is going to be good.

It has a large saddle, with plenty of room to change position, and I have the optional, higher, BMW fly-screen, which works brilliantly for someone my height. The screen isn't so high that it creates the noisy turbulence that seems to be a feature of every other faired bike I have tried.

I wear an open faced helmet most of the time and this screen keeps the wind off my chest, and the bugs off my teeth. The screen isn't adjustable, but I haven't wanted it in a different position anyway.

The cruise control is a real boon for anyone who likes to do long days, and it works very smoothly. The BMW heated grips are great (Kawasaki could learn a lesson here!). A taller rider might find the riding position a bit cramped, but for me it is ideal.

How reliable have you found it?

I have had no issues with reliability in the short time I have had the bike, but I did buy from a BMW dealer to get their warranty.

What's the servicing frequency and cost like?

I don't know about service costs, but a simple flat twin ought to be cheaper to service than a four.

To Sum Up

The R1250E is powerful, characterful, economic to run and comfortable, this bike ticks a lot of boxes for me. I think BMW dealers use these for loan bikes and consequently there are plenty of good used models on the market. That makes them much cheaper to buy used than a GS, though of course the plentiful supply will be reflected in trade in values.

- Alan B, 2021

A Few More Thoughts

Choosing The R1250R

Having taken delivery of my first BMW, I was eager to get out and get it run in and having just done 250 miles I am amazed. Previously I've had three Harley Davidsons, a Road King, a V-Rod Muscle, a 2019 Fatboy and a Ducati Scrambler.

I knew from the moment I test rode the R1250R that I loved the way it rode, but every mile on this bike just makes me grin more and more.

What's Good?

It rides like a dream. Every corner and roundabout is a pleasure to lean into and come out the other side grinning from ear to ear.

Plus I've not even experimented with the Dynamic and Dynamic Pro settings yet. The power is delivered precisely when you want it, without dramas.

Two Up

I've had a pillion passenger for a little ride to the coast, along some very nice country roads and I could not feel a difference in the way the bike handled, except for a bit of diving at the front end when I applied the front brake. That would probably be cured by using a different ride mode to Road.

To Sum Up

This could very well be the only bike I have ever had that I will never tire of. It may well be a keeper.

- Terry H, 2019

More Info

Check out this video review from TheMissendenFlyer.