Very good review Rick. I have a 21 plate sport in yellow/ gold, absolutely love it after two GSA’s. The RS gives me confidence not worrying about the weight of the GSA when coming to a stop. It’s a true spots touring bike in my view. Good stuff👍🇬🇧
Glad you enjoyed the review! It’s the first time in a long while that I actually felt like I could comfortably do 3 hours in the seat racking up some high miles without having to properly stop. I think it has done well to realign the caveat sports tourer mantra to actually look after the rider. We can acknowledge that a lot of bikes out there on the market can go for miles, but the weak link is the rider - it’s great to feel like that’s now a consideration to making those high mileage trips more achievable.
I've never read it anywhere but in my opinion the 1250RS is more the big sister of the F900XR than the S1000XR. And both have twin cylinders, after all !
Great review Rick. I am looking to get one next month. One question though, did you not have the gear shift pro on your bike, as i noticed you using the clutch, or is this a running in proceedure?
Hi Paul! Glad you enjoyed the review! I must admit when I was riding this it was my first experience of a bike with a quickshifter - I think I was so focused on riding the bike and experiencing it as well as giving an honest assessment of the bike, I might have just defaulted to using the clutch out of habit! I don’t think there’s a running in procedure for using the clutch - just your usual varying the roads and road speeds to bed in the piston rings 😎👍
Had three GSs including a GSA then moved to a Multi V2S, lower and lighter but I miss the torque of the boxer, so next time it’s the RS with the optional high bars. All the benefits of the boxer but far easier to handle than a GS, much overlooked bike…..
The handlebar risers were an aftermarket product for the previous model, BMW acknowledged how many people bought those for their bikes and decided to make their own risers for the new model!
The most under valued bike in BMW’s stable imho which appears to have gone completely under the radar. Also one of its best. The 1200 is a bit of a bargain on the used market and remarkably, bung a Remus end can on it and published dyno figures lift a majority of the mid range up to 1250 power figures. All you need to add is panniers and a tail pack for an intercontinental tour. What did you think of the bar position as most people seem to add bar risers?
I completely agree, I do notice that the bikes that actually do the high mileage trips are things like the RS, most other end up being glorified commuters. Now it’s interesting about the risers because I was already told at the dealership that most people fit risers, I personally didn’t feel the need for them but I’ve got lanky long arms! But because owners of the 1200 fitted aftermarket risers, BMW have acknowledged this and now risers are an option / accessory available for the 1250!
Looks like a great all-round bike, with its taller 2.82 FD ratio better for open roads than the GS 2.91. What a pity that the fuel tank holds only 18 litres, limits its long-haul potential. It would be far more useful for serious touring with 20-21 litres. IanB
I agree, absolutely fantastic bike to ride - a larger tank would increase the range but I think it would start pushing it into the midst of the the R1250 RT or K1600 as long range weapons 😎👍
toying with the purchase of one, tri-colour with the single seat. tried her twice on two test rides and best rides I've had in a while, currently on a z900rs 22 plate and although love it, the battering I get with full-on wind is getting a bit much, and find it a little disorientating when coming from fast to slow, maybe thats a tinnitus issue more than the bike but it is an issue for me even wear plugs and best in class aero helmet.
That’s a really good perspective on it, I rose the 1250R and the RS nearly back to back and found I did prefer the RS for the same reason of the wind protection. I do love the heritage looks of the Z900RS, but I think the 1250RS is just such a solid all rounder, it’s as comfortable motorway munching as it is stuck in city traffic. And just clip on some luggage and you can be gone for the long weekend! Definitely a strong contender to have in a short list! Let me know what you go for or any other bikes you’re interested in!
I didn’t test the quick shift on this bike but I have done on the 2023 R1250R - same specifications BMW’s quickshifter system is very good, to get the best out of it you need to be holding onto the gears into the higher rev range, at which point til feels like a very fluid change. Downshifting is still my weakness due to the fact that I don’t have one on my bike so my experience is limited to the bikes that I test ride, I’ve found that matching engine speed and road speed is very much at the discretion of each particular bike’s’ gearing and will always take a little getting used to. Hope this helps!
This demonstrator didn’t have it equipped for doing the walk around but I did test ride another one which did have the quickshifter (R1250 R) , the BMW quickshifter system is very smooth!
I’m 6ft, I found that with the screen in the up position the air was just catching my shoulders on the highway. In the lowest position I could feel the air across my upper chest but not onto my abdomen. The force of the wind was not hard at 70mph so there is definitely some deflection happening. Hope this helps!
I tried a puig touring screen on mine but it didnt help much. Thats my one gripe with this awsome machine, the turbulent air hits me right at the helmet. Even with my arai or shoei with earplugs its a tad noisy. @@rick.cutler
Nice bike, boring and weird paint scheme. We can already see it's black so why put on a big logo on the side spelling it out?! I'm not seeing Ferrari putting a big 'Red' ugly sticker on the side of their cars!
Got to agree with you there, I think they could have spared us the stickers saying triple black and pushed the boat out a bit further with the Matt / satin finishes
It’s the full system Akrapovic which can be specified from the factory build, or ordered from the BMW service desk in the dealership. I think this one sounds pretty damn good - have a look at my R1250 R video and you’ll hear the difference in the two bikes, same engine but with the stock exhaust: ruclips.net/video/xxGGcpDsIjA/видео.html Let me know what you think!
Very good review Rick. I have a 21 plate sport in yellow/ gold, absolutely love it after two GSA’s. The RS gives me confidence not worrying about the weight of the GSA when coming to a stop. It’s a true spots touring bike in my view. Good stuff👍🇬🇧
Glad you enjoyed the review!
It’s the first time in a long while that I actually felt like I could comfortably do 3 hours in the seat racking up some high miles without having to properly stop. I think it has done well to realign the caveat sports tourer mantra to actually look after the rider. We can acknowledge that a lot of bikes out there on the market can go for miles, but the weak link is the rider - it’s great to feel like that’s now a consideration to making those high mileage trips more achievable.
I've never read it anywhere but in my opinion the 1250RS is more the big sister of the F900XR than the S1000XR. And both have twin cylinders, after all !
It is indeed! But even though they’re both twins, because the 1250 is a boxer, it behaves completely differently to the 900 parallel
Intersting and enjoyable review of a bike I appreciate so much that I just bought it 😉 thanks ✌
Hope you enjoy it! I really enjoyed the time I spent on the bike and I could see myself owning one too!!
@@rick.cutler Thanks, subscribed!
Stay tuned - I’ve already taken out the R1250R the naked version of the RS, so that review will be coming soon too!
@@rick.cutler Yes ! That one is nice too, a really solid roadster, ride safe ✌
Always! And you too! Keep that RS rubber side down 😎👍
Great review Rick. I am looking to get one next month. One question though, did you not have the gear shift pro on your bike, as i noticed you using the clutch, or is this a running in proceedure?
Hi Paul! Glad you enjoyed the review!
I must admit when I was riding this it was my first experience of a bike with a quickshifter - I think I was so focused on riding the bike and experiencing it as well as giving an honest assessment of the bike, I might have just defaulted to using the clutch out of habit!
I don’t think there’s a running in procedure for using the clutch - just your usual varying the roads and road speeds to bed in the piston rings 😎👍
Week 7 waiting on my delivery of my triple black RS. Hurry up 😂
I must admit, I think it’s worth the wait!!
Had three GSs including a GSA then moved to a Multi V2S, lower and lighter but I miss the torque of the boxer, so next time it’s the RS with the optional high bars. All the benefits of the boxer but far easier to handle than a GS, much overlooked bike…..
The handlebar risers were an aftermarket product for the previous model, BMW acknowledged how many people bought those for their bikes and decided to make their own risers for the new model!
Great video!! Thank you!! 👌
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great review!
Glad you enjoyed it! If there’s any questions you would answered in future videos on any bike let me know!
The most under valued bike in BMW’s stable imho which appears to have gone completely under the radar. Also one of its best. The 1200 is a bit of a bargain on the used market and remarkably, bung a Remus end can on it and published dyno figures lift a majority of the mid range up to 1250 power figures. All you need to add is panniers and a tail pack for an intercontinental tour.
What did you think of the bar position as most people seem to add bar risers?
I completely agree, I do notice that the bikes that actually do the high mileage trips are things like the RS, most other end up being glorified commuters. Now it’s interesting about the risers because I was already told at the dealership that most people fit risers, I personally didn’t feel the need for them but I’ve got lanky long arms! But because owners of the 1200 fitted aftermarket risers, BMW have acknowledged this and now risers are an option / accessory available for the 1250!
Looks like a great all-round bike, with its taller 2.82 FD ratio better for open roads than the GS 2.91. What a pity that the fuel tank holds only 18 litres, limits its long-haul potential. It would be far more useful for serious touring with 20-21 litres.
IanB
I agree, absolutely fantastic bike to ride - a larger tank would increase the range but I think it would start pushing it into the midst of the the R1250 RT or K1600 as long range weapons 😎👍
toying with the purchase of one, tri-colour with the single seat. tried her twice on two test rides and best rides I've had in a while, currently on a z900rs 22 plate and although love it, the battering I get with full-on wind is getting a bit much, and find it a little disorientating when coming from fast to slow, maybe thats a tinnitus issue more than the bike but it is an issue for me even wear plugs and best in class aero helmet.
That’s a really good perspective on it, I rose the 1250R and the RS nearly back to back and found I did prefer the RS for the same reason of the wind protection.
I do love the heritage looks of the Z900RS, but I think the 1250RS is just such a solid all rounder, it’s as comfortable motorway munching as it is stuck in city traffic. And just clip on some luggage and you can be gone for the long weekend!
Definitely a strong contender to have in a short list! Let me know what you go for or any other bikes you’re interested in!
Did you test the quickshift?
I didn’t test the quick shift on this bike but I have done on the 2023 R1250R - same specifications
BMW’s quickshifter system is very good, to get the best out of it you need to be holding onto the gears into the higher rev range, at which point til feels like a very fluid change.
Downshifting is still my weakness due to the fact that I don’t have one on my bike so my experience is limited to the bikes that I test ride, I’ve found that matching engine speed and road speed is very much at the discretion of each particular bike’s’ gearing and will always take a little getting used to. Hope this helps!
@Rick Cutler that was a mega review. Really enjoyed the video mate 👍
Glad you enjoyed it! Hope it was as entertaining as it is informative!! ☺️👍
No quick shift ?.
This demonstrator didn’t have it equipped for doing the walk around but I did test ride another one which did have the quickshifter (R1250 R) , the BMW quickshifter system is very smooth!
How is the wind protection on the highway?
I’m 6ft, I found that with the screen in the up position the air was just catching my shoulders on the highway.
In the lowest position I could feel the air across my upper chest but not onto my abdomen.
The force of the wind was not hard at 70mph so there is definitely some deflection happening.
Hope this helps!
It's shite , I have replaced the crap BMW screen
What screen did you replace it with?
Mra vario
I tried a puig touring screen on mine but it didnt help much. Thats my one gripe with this awsome machine, the turbulent air hits me right at the helmet. Even with my arai or shoei with earplugs its a tad noisy. @@rick.cutler
You can easily ride all year without heated seat... I know from experience. It's nice, yet certainly not a must have...
Nice bike, boring and weird paint scheme. We can already see it's black so why put on a big logo on the side spelling it out?! I'm not seeing Ferrari putting a big 'Red' ugly sticker on the side of their cars!
Got to agree with you there, I think they could have spared us the stickers saying triple black and pushed the boat out a bit further with the Matt / satin finishes
Information for the color blind. 😊
factory exhausts are so .... lets not even go there
At least in this case it’s a factory Akrapovic 🤭👍
@@rick.cutler is this an aftermarket one ?? I guess I'm just too used to my straight piped CBR 😭
It’s the full system Akrapovic which can be specified from the factory build, or ordered from the BMW service desk in the dealership.
I think this one sounds pretty damn good - have a look at my R1250 R video and you’ll hear the difference in the two bikes, same engine but with the stock exhaust:
ruclips.net/video/xxGGcpDsIjA/видео.html
Let me know what you think!
@@rick.cutler I'll take a look, 1250 GS is on my wishlist
That might be the 1300 GS by September! 🤫