2021 BMW R 1250 GS Review | Motorcyclist
These days there’s no shortage of purpose-built motorcycles. However, for the motorcyclist seeking a do-it-all street bike, BMW Motorrad sure makes a solid case with its versatile 2021 R 1250 GS ($26,281.98 as tested).
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BMW has been crafting its GS adventure motorcycles for more than 40 years and it shows in the exquisite polish and attention to detail. Swing a leg over the 549-pound GS and it feels like a big dirt bike, only with a much more comfortable seat for rider and passenger. The cockpit is slim and the handlebar has a pleasing upright bend that’s a good balance between on- and off-road use. Our only gripe ergonomically is the footpegs are a tad small. However, we appreciate the easily removed rubber inserts for better grip against the sole of the boot during wet or off-road riding escapades.
Press the starter button and the horizontally opposed 1,254cc boxer twin purrs to life. Again, BMW Motorrad has a long engineering history with this engine configuration (well over 90 years) and it has demonstrated how effective it is, in terms of performance and sporting character...
Find out more: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-bmw-r-1250-gs/
Photography/video/edit: Joseph Agustin
Motorcycle Riding Gear Worn
Helmet: Shoei Hornet X2, https://www.shoei-helmets.com/
Jacket: REV’IT! Offtrack, https://www.revitsport.com/us_en/
Gloves: REV’IT! Cayenne Pro, https://www.revitsport.com/us_en/
Pant: REV’IT! Jackson, https://www.revitsport.com/us_en/
Boots: TCX Jupiter 4 Gore-Tex
Motorcyclist Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/motorcyclist
Shop Products We Use: https://www.amazon.com/shop/motorcyclistmagazine
See more from us: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/
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BMW has been crafting its GS adventure motorcycles for more than 40 years and it shows in the exquisite polish and attention to detail. Swing a leg over the 549-pound GS and it feels like a big dirt bike, only with a much more comfortable seat for rider and passenger. The cockpit is slim and the handlebar has a pleasing upright bend that’s a good balance between on- and off-road use. Our only gripe ergonomically is the footpegs are a tad small. However, we appreciate the easily removed rubber inserts for better grip against the sole of the boot during wet or off-road riding escapades.
Press the starter button and the horizontally opposed 1,254cc boxer twin purrs to life. Again, BMW Motorrad has a long engineering history with this engine configuration (well over 90 years) and it has demonstrated how effective it is, in terms of performance and sporting character...
Find out more: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-bmw-r-1250-gs/
Photography/video/edit: Joseph Agustin
Motorcycle Riding Gear Worn
Helmet: Shoei Hornet X2, https://www.shoei-helmets.com/
Jacket: REV’IT! Offtrack, https://www.revitsport.com/us_en/
Gloves: REV’IT! Cayenne Pro, https://www.revitsport.com/us_en/
Pant: REV’IT! Jackson, https://www.revitsport.com/us_en/
Boots: TCX Jupiter 4 Gore-Tex
Motorcyclist Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/motorcyclist
Shop Products We Use: https://www.amazon.com/shop/motorcyclistmagazine
See more from us: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/
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SportsTranscript
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00:41 - Hey folks, we just got done riding BMW's 2021 R1250GS.
00:46 This is BMW Motorrad's heavyweight adventure
00:54 touring motorcycle.
00:57 Now it's crazy to think,
00:59 but BMW Motorrad has been crafting these motorcycles
01:03 for 40 years.
01:05 Isn't that crazy?
01:07 This 2021 model is essentially the same
01:12 as the 2019 model year R1250GS
01:18 that received a host of improvements.
01:23 We test rode the R1250GS in adventure trim
01:28 that model year.
01:30 Make sure to check out the links in the description
01:35 of this video to read and watch that content.
01:39 We did a really nice review on that vehicle.
01:42 Check it out.
01:43 Now we are finally getting to swing a leg over
01:47 it's lighter, more nimble brother in the standard R1250GS.
01:52 Let's begin with the engine.
01:56 BMW has been crafting its boxer twin cylinder engine
02:01 for over 90 years.
02:02 Isn't that crazy?
02:03 They've literally been manufacturing this power unit
02:07 for over 90 years.
02:09 And the latest rendition of this liquid cooled boxer twin
02:13 is just unbelievable.
02:15 I love the signature power torque and feel of this engine.
02:20 It has a ton of power.
02:25 It has a ton of charisma and sound.
02:28 It is smooth and it is very well suited to riding
02:34 on road and off.
02:36 And it's kind of crazy because in comparison
02:40 to other manufacturers with their parallel twin formats,
02:45 their B4 formats, this boxer twin
02:49 with the horizontally opposed pistons
02:52 on either side of the engine,
02:54 you'd be amazed at how well this motorcycle rides
02:58 on road and off road.
03:01 I love how maneuverable this 500 some pound motorcycle is.
03:06 It is very easy to put where you want it on the road.
03:13 The 19, 17 inch wheel combo.
03:17 I'm not traditionally a big fan of 19, 17 inch wheels,
03:21 especially for off road use, but on this BMW GS,
03:27 they have literally perfected the 19 inch,
03:30 17 inch wheel combo.
03:32 It is unreal how good this motorcycle handles off road.
03:37 We didn't get a chance to ride this vehicle
03:41 very much off road, this particular one,
03:44 but we spent an insane amount of time
03:47 in the most precarious conditions on street tires
03:51 on that 2019 R1250GS Adventure.
03:55 And I was literally blown away
03:57 at how a nearly 600 pound motorcycle can handle so good
04:01 in the mud, in the rocks, on OE street tires.
04:05 Unbelievable.
04:07 This R1250GS has a smorgasbord of electronics.
04:12 Traction control, ABS, heated grips, cruise control.
04:18 It has all the bells and whistles
04:21 to make for a superior ride.
04:23 I love the 6.5 inch color TFT display.
04:28 If it had touchscreen, it would be literally perfect.
04:32 But the BMW multi-wheel control.
04:35 BMW has been using that multi-wheel control
04:38 for I think nine years ago.
04:40 They debuted it with the K1600 GTL sport touring bike.
04:44 I like the multi-wheel, I'm used to it.
04:46 I know how to work through its functions.
04:48 It works really good,
04:50 but touchscreen would be even better.
04:54 Now, speaking of electronics,
04:56 BMW has endowed this 2021 R1250GS
05:01 with higher spec IMU powered ABS.
05:05 You can manually disengage the rear ABS
05:10 via the Enduro mode, but front ABS is always on.
05:15 I'm not a big fan of front ABS
05:17 and the really, really gnarly stuff,
05:20 but just riding a little bit off road on this thing,
05:23 I was really impressed how that front ABS works.
05:28 It's very accurate.
05:30 It has very little lever kickback,
05:32 but just enough to tell you that the ABS is intervening.
05:36 And the ABS cycle is so fast and so responsive
05:40 that even when you're actuating that front brake lever
05:44 on hard pack slick dirt,
05:47 the ABS responds in such a fast way
05:50 that you can still slow the bike down very well.
05:53 Now, this particular R1250GS
05:57 is fitted with the premium package.
06:00 It's also fitted with this accessory hard luggage system.
06:05 It's very easy to use.
06:08 I like that the bags are waterproof,
06:12 so you can put your stuff in there.
06:13 It's gonna stay dry.
06:15 The lever is easy to access
06:18 and you can remove these bags very easily
06:20 and take them with you when you are out on a ride.
06:25 Overall, I'm really impressed as always
06:28 with this R1250GS from BMW Motorrad.
06:32 This is one of the few bikes out there in the marketplace
06:36 that can literally do it all.
06:38 You can ride this motorcycle
06:40 in a very sport fashion on pavement.
06:44 You can ride it off-road.
06:45 Feels very much like a dirt bike
06:47 with its ergonomics package,
06:49 despite having those two huge cylinders
06:52 on either side of the bike.
06:53 You'd be amazed at how much this bike feels ergonomically,
06:57 like a 450 motorbike.
06:59 I also like that it's touring friendly.
07:02 You can bring a passenger with this wide rear passenger seat.
07:06 It's got luggage accommodations.
07:08 You can travel all across the continental United States
07:11 on this bike, very comfortable.
07:14 You see a dirt road, you can go off on that dirt road
07:17 and wail and have a good time on that surface too.
07:20 It's a very versatile motorcycle
07:23 and I would absolutely spend the $26,000
07:28 on this up spec R1250GS.
07:33 It checks all the boxes for me.
07:34 It is smooth.
07:36 It's fun to ride.
07:37 It has a high level of practicality.
07:40 It comes with a three-year manufacturer's warranty
07:43 with roadside assistance and just the fit and finish
07:48 and pedigree of making these motorcycles for 40 years.
07:53 It just shows in how well it functions
07:56 and how well it's put together.
07:58 Well, folks, that's a wrap from our 2021 R1250GS review here.
08:07 Make sure to surf on over to MotorcyclistOnline.com.
08:11 That's where all of my written content lives.
08:14 Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel
08:17 if you like this video content.
08:20 Give it a thumbs up and also give it a thumbs down
08:22 if you don't like it.
08:23 And we'll see you next time.
08:24 Thanks for watching.
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