2019 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure | More grunt | Sharp looks

While the new R 1250 GS had been revealed earlier in the year it was not until this week at EICMA that BMW took the wraps off the big daddy R 1200 GS Adventure for model year 2019.

BMW R GS Adventure Studio
2019 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure HP

Like the regular GS, the Adventure, as you expect, gets all the same updated mechanicals including the new ShiftCam version of the Boxer engine. 

BMW R GS Adventure Engine
2019 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure ShiftCam

This latest powerplant also realises a hefty 7 per cent increase in capacity from 1170cc to 1254cc courtesy of both a bigger bore and longer stroke. 

BMW R GS Adventure Engine
2019 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure ShiftCam

Power is up from 125 to 136 horsepower while torque is boosted further from 125 to 143 Nm. The rpm those peaks arrive at are unchanged for the power figure at 7750 rpm but peak torque now arrives 250 rpm earlier at 6250 rpm.

BMW R GS Adventure Engine
2019 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure ShiftCam

BMW claim that improvements lower in the rev range in regards to torque delivery are also notable, with 110 Nm already available as low as 2000 rpm, and the previous peak of 125 Nm already surpassed by 4000 rpm.

BMW R Dyno
BMW R 1250 GS Adventure on the dyno

The accompanying dyno chart shows a momentary slight dip in torque around 5000 rpm which presumably corresponds with when the short duration and low lift cam lobe swaps over to the more aggressive longer duration and higher lift lobe.

BMW R GS Adventure Action
2019 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

It will be interesting to see how this transition feels on the road but BMW are claiming much improved levels of refinement and smoothness with the updated engine. The gearbox too is claimed to work better than before. 

BMW R GS Adventure Scene
2019 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure HP

On the chassis front the new GS Adventure runs slightly less steering head angle (65.1 compared to 65.5-degrees of the previous model), a marginally shorter wheelbase (1504 compared to 1510 mm) and more castor (95.4 compared to 92.7 mm on predecessor).

BMW R GS Adventure Studio
2019 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

The new GS Adventure is also 15 mm longer but is 28 mm slimmer between the mirrors than before, however, at 268 kg BMW’s claimed wet weight figure is 8 kg heavier than quoted for the previous machine.

BMW R GS Adventure Action
2019 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

Wheel travel remains 210 mm at the front and 220 mm at the rear while the latest model benefits from Dynamic ESA ‘Next Generation’ with automatic load compensation. 

BMW R GS Adventure Studio
2019 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure HP

Rim and tyre sizes remain the same at 120/70-19 and 170/60-17, as do the brake rotor sizes of 305 mm (F) and 276 mm.

BMW R GS Adventure Studio
2019 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure HP

Likewise the 30-litre fuel capacity and 890-910 mm adjustable seat height remains unchanged but the low option now gets down as low as 820 mm. Presumably both the suspension and seat unit needs to be changed in order to realise that low figure, which would likely also reduce the wheel travel and ground clearance while possibly compromising suspension performance, and ruling out the fitment of ESA. 

BMW R GS Adventure Studio Exclusive
2019 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

The brilliant new 6.5-inch TFT screen is standard complete with bluetooth connectivity which allows navigation prompts to be displayed on the dash and your music/phone to be controlled via the well sorted BMW Multi-Controller. I love this technology. 

BMW R GS Adventure Dash
2019 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

At this stage we believe BMW Motorrad are expecting stocks of the new R 1200 GS Adventure just in time to buy yourself one for Christmas! Buy me one too while you are at it….

BMW R GS Adventure Studio
2019 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure HP
BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

Engine

Capacity cc 1,254
Bore/stroke mm 102.5 x 76
Output kW/hp 100/136
At engine speed rpm 7,750
Torque Nm 143
At engine speed rpm 6,250
Type Air/liquid-cooled 2-cylinder 4-stroke boxer engine with two overhead, spur gear driven camshafts , a counterbalance shaft and variable intake camshaft control system BMW Shift Cam
Compression 12.5/1
Fuel Premium unleaded 95 RON (option:
Valves per cylinder Ø intake/outlet mm 4
Ø Throttle valves mm 52
Engine control BMS-O
Emission control Closed-loop three-way catalytic converter, exhaust standard EU-4

Electrical system

Generator W

508

Battery V/Ah

12/12

Headlamp Full-LED (option:LED daytime riding light)
Rear light LED brake light/rear light
Starter W 900

Power transmission

Clutch Wet clutch with anti-hopping function, hydraulically activated
Transmission Constant mesh 6-speed gearbox with helical gearing system
Primary ratio 1.650
I 2.438
II 1.714
III. 1.296
IV. 1.059
V 0.943
VI 0.848
Secondary drive Shaft drive
Secondary ratio 2.910

Suspension

Frame construction type Two-section frame concept consisting of main frame with bolt-on rear frame, load-bearing engine.
Front wheel control BMW Motorrad Telelever, central spring strut, 37 mm
Rear wheel control Cast aluminium single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever, WAD spring strut, continuously adjustable spring preload by means of hand wheel, rebound-stage damping adjustable by hand wheel (Option: Dynamic ESA Next Generation)
Spring travel, front/rear mm 210/220
Castor(unladen weight according to DIN) mm 95.4
Wheelbase(unladen weight according to DIN) mm 1,504
Steering head angle(unladen weight according to DIN) °  65.1
Front Brakes Twin disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 305 mm, 4-piston radial brake callipers
Rear Brakes Single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, 2-piston floating caliper
ABS BMW Motorrad Integral ABS as standard (part integral), disengageable (option: ABS Pro)
Front Wheels Cross Spoke, 3.00 x 19”
Rear Wheel Cross Spoke, 4.50 x 17”
Front Tyres 120/70 R 19
Rear  Tyres 170/60 R 17

Dimensions and weights

Total length mm 2,270
Total width including mirrors  mm 952
Seat height 890/910 (820 to 910 possible)
Empty weight according to DIN, kg road-ready 268
Permitted total weight kg 485
Fuel tank capacity l 30

Performance figures

Fuel consumption (WMTC)l/100 km 4.75
CO2 g/km 110
Acceleration 0-100 km/hs 4.0
Top speed km/h >200

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