In the world of big bikes, there’s one that many refer to as the ‘endgame.’ You know what I’m talking about: It’s the BMW R1250 GS. It’s highly considered as the ultimate adventure bike, so much so that, even some of those who already own perfectly capable big bikes—ADVs or otherwise—still yearn for this one. But why exactly is that so?
I was #blessed enough to have been given the chance to try this bike out—and for a proper review this time, not just a quick one-day ride. After a few hundred kilometers with it, I may have gotten my answer.
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Styling
As much as I try to find any complaints about the styling, I simply can’t. I wouldn’t change anything about the GS’ look if given the chance. It just screams adventure bike. It boasts that quintessential ADV design that I believe might never go out of style.
There’s a massive windshield—that’s adjustable, by the way—up front matched with a long, protruding beak underneath. Of course, there’s that unmistakable GS headlight in the middle of all that, too.
The specific Triple Black unit I got was also beefed up with hand and engine guards as well as pannier mountings at the rear that, together with the bulky fairings and the sleek colorway, give the GS a very macho look. Let’s not forget to mention the single-sided swingarm underneath—that’s the icing on the cake for me.
All that being said, I also do understand how this bike’s design could come off as a bit intimidating for some people. The looks may appear to be sound and perfectly balanced for an ADV fan like me, but I see how it can be somewhat too in-your-face for, say, riders who are more into the laid-back classics.
The saddle
The R1250 GS’ seat is easily one of the most comfortable ones I’ve ever sat on. It’s wide enough even for bigger-than-average butts, and it gives ample cushioning that does wonders during long rides. The biggest bonus here is that the seat can be adjustable just by making a few tweaks underneath and without using any tools.
Now, though the seat may be adjustable, it’s still quite high. With the standard suspension, seat height is 850-870mm, but can be lowered all the way to 800-820mm. Unfortunately for me, I got the one with the standard seat height.
If this is your first time checking out a bike review on Top Gear Philippines, then note that I’m only 5’5”, and this R1250 GS is one of the tallest bikes I’ve ever tried out. Just to keep it real and to give you an idea of what it’s like to ride something this big, straddling this one is definitely a struggle for me. It’s impossible to ride without my bulky boots on.
I’m only able to mount the GS by stepping on the left foot peg first. Getting the bike upright from the side-stand position also takes some effort without the right technique. Keeping it upright, meanwhile, needs even more. My legs were only long enough to allow me to one-foot this bike—had these legs been any shorter, I probably wouldn’t have been able to ride this GS out of RSA Motors Greenhills.
Tiptoeing often was not an option, either, as I literally need the tip of both my left and right boots on the ground when duck-walking the bike. Such is the life of a not-so-tall Filipino rider. When you get the bike rolling, of course, all your worries go away. At least until the next stop light or traffic jam.
As for the pillion seat, this one’s visibly high, but it still allows a very comfortable riding position for the backride. This seat is also very soft, and the rear foot pegs and the grab bar are also ergonomically correct for the average Pinoy. Taller pillions—six-foot-tall individuals, for example—might have issues with the seat position, though.
Engine performance
Like what I said before fhis thing’s basically a sportbike in adventure-bike clothing. At its core is a 1,250cc air- and liquid-cooled twin-cylinder boxer engine that puts out 136hp and 143Nm of torque. It’s one of the most enjoyable engines I’ve ever tried on a motorbike.
There’s plenty of power to go around the RPM range. If you’re riding on the highway, you won’t feel the need to shift across the six-speed manual transmission that much, even when you’re overtaking. Even without downshifting, the extra oomph will be there when you need it. And when you’re cruising on the expressway, revs will be kept at a minimum.
Perhaps the R1250 GS’ weakest point, however, is its fuel consumption. Riding mostly on the highway yielded 17km/L, and I reckon you’ll get just a little over half of that when you’re going around the city. I could think of quite a few four-wheelers that could do much better than that. But then again, if you’re loaded enough to get a GS, fuel expenses shouldn’t matter to you. Besides, the bike can carry up to 20 liters of fuel, so you’ll get pretty far with just one full tank.
Ride and handling
I strongly believe that it’s in this category that the GS excels the most. Only a few upmarket adventure bikes can compare to the R1250 GS in terms of ride comfort. When you’re on poorly paved provincial highways, you’ll barely feel any of the bumps on the road. When you’re strolling on asphalt-covered expressways, it gets even better. Much, much better.
The windshield up front is one of the best in the business. It’s not just there for styling purposes—it actually works like a charm to protect the rider from the wind when on the highway. It’s also thanks to this setup that I was able to ride the GS for longer distances and for hours on end without feeling that much fatigue.
While I wasn’t able to take this off-road, I reckon the dynamic suspension will be able to take on even the toughest terrain. The bike may be a bit heavy for enduro riding, but I’ve seen enough videos online to confirm that this bike can still go through tricky trails like other smaller dirt bikes.
What I was able to do was ride the GS through some winding roads, and boy does this adventure bike really impress. If you’ve never ridden any GS model before, you’d be forgiven if you thought these babies were hard to handle. They are pretty massive, after all. But despite all that heft, the R1250 GS just feels absolutely light on its feet, especially with the huge 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels. Seriously, it has no business being this easy to ride. Not to mention those Brembo brakes paired with ABS are just superior. This really is a sportbike in disguise.
Now, the GS doesn’t come without setbacks, of course. Its sheer size makes it really—and I say really—difficult to push around. For the average Pinoy like me, a 249kg behemoth like this is just too big for everyday use. Moving it around a parking lot is already a damn chore.
If I had one in my garage, I’d bring this on trips to Subic or Pampanga in a heartbeat, but you won’t ever see me use this for anything outside of long rides. I’d even think twice about taking this out for a quick ‘coffee run’ on weeknights. I’ll just make sure I have a small scooter for the other stuff.
Extra features
The R1250 GS is one of the most complete bikes I’ll probably ever come across in my lifetime. It has all the creature comforts that you’d ever look for in a motorcycle. And If I’m being completely honest, I actually think there’s too much tech here.
For example, the three standard riding modes—Eco, Road, and Rain—are enough for someone like me. While the optional Riding Mode Pro package beefs that selection up further, I didn’t really need it.
Smartphone connectivity is also available through the Motorrad app, but I’m not really a fan of it. Though I do see its benefits, as I reckon it’s probably nice to have so you can keep track of all your rides and monitor your bike regularly. Personally, I just don’t find the idea of connecting my phone to a motorcycle all that appealing. Yet.
All that being said, I also have to commend how well BMW covers the basics with this bike. The digital instrument cluster still has all the important information I need and then some. The placements of all the buttons—save for the cruise control toggle—are all ergonomic. There’s also a keyless ignition system, too, which I like.
Speaking of cruise control, this is one of my favorite features in the GS. Can’t say no to tech that’ll keep your hands from going numb after consecutive hours of riding. In addition to these, the gear indicator on the digital panel and the handguards are also much appreciated.
Of course, the engine guards are also huge bonuses. See, I actually fell at some point when I was riding the GS. I got a bit unlucky and slipped on a mossy patch while going very slowly on a downhill road. I lost traction in the front wheel and realized I immediately lost control. I got out unscathed, but the GS did slide down a few meters. To my surprise, when we finally got the bike up, there was only a small scratch on the engine. If it weren’t for the crash guards, the damage probably would’ve been way worse.
Verdict
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: I understand now what it means to have a GS. It’s not a status symbol. It’s not a reward you get yourself because you’ve done well in life. It’s an experience. One that you might never get again in another big bike. Yes, it has a few flaws, but in the grand scheme of things those are just very tiny nitpicks.fx
Would I get one if I could afford it? Ask any rider that question and I bet you’d get a resounding yes every time. Personally, I would. But that won’t change the fact that this thing’s too cumbersome to use regularly in the city. I reckon much like the GS owners out there, I’ll have to have at least two bikes in my garage—this ultimate adventure bike for leisure riding and a small scooter for just about everything else.
SPECS: BMW R1250 GS Triple Black
Price: P1,575,000
Engine: 1,250cc air- and liquid-cooled twin-cylinder boxer engine
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 136hp @ 7,750rpm
Torque: 143Nm @ 7,550rpm
Seat height: 850-870mm (33.4-34.2 inches)
Score: 19/20
More photos of the BMW R1250 GS Triple Black
