The BMW R 1250 R is a bike that has gone somewhat unnoticed. For being a classic naked with “simple” lines and for having the best-selling R 1250 GS alongside it in the range. But have the big naked roadsters really lost their appeal among motorcyclists? I hope not, because this R really is a marvel!
The R 1250 R is just that, a bike that doesn’t like to be seen. If it were a car, it wouldn’t have aerodynamic appendages, colored calipers or big exhaust tips, but it would be one of those luxurious touring cars that you’d have the confidence to take around the world. This is a naked car that doesn’t need or want botox. It knows what it’s worth and it’s for motorcyclists who know what they want that it was built, even if sales aren’t huge in the end.
All in all, the R 1250 R is a bike that has its place in the range and let’s hope it keeps it, just like the excellent R 1250 RT or the sportier R 1250 RS. It’s not that the R 1250 GS isn’t also a fantastic bike, but for the use that many motorcyclists give it, sometimes they could be better served with the bike that’s a few meters away at the dealership. But let’s leave that to other forums!
FEATURES AND MODIFICATIONS
This bike comes equipped with the familiar 1,254 cc air/liquid-cooled twin-cylinder boxer engine that delivers 136 hp of power, with a maximum torque of 143 Nm at 6,250 rpm. It has the latest Euro 5 updates and incorporates the ShiftCam variable camshaft control system, with the final drive being shaft-driven. On the bike, around the tubular steel frame we find an inverted fork, a beautiful rear monoshock and a Paralever shock absorber, while the braking system consists of generous 320 mm discs and Brembo 4-piston radial calipers. In terms of numbers, the wheelbase is 1,512 mm, the seat is 820 mm from the ground and the tank is larger than normal for a naked bike, with a capacity of 18 liters of petrol. The overall weight is 239 kg in running order.
This generation of the R 1250 R was upgraded at the end of last year, so it has several changes to the standard and optional equipment. Standard equipment includes full LED headlights (optional adaptive cornering lights), TFT instrumentation with connectivity and traction control (DTC), as well as ABS Pro and Dynamic Brake Control (DBC). There are three driving modes as standard (Eco, Rain and Road), as well as Hill Start Control (HSC), a USB charging socket and intelligent emergency call.
In terms of options, there is of course Dynamic ESA (the electronically adjustable suspension with load compensation and automatic damping motor), seat heating, the Option 719 machined parts pack and the sports exhaust. You can also opt for the Pro driving modes and, of course, the Dynamic, Tour and Comfort packages, with lots of additional equipment that customers usually don’t do without. This was also the case with this test unit, so the (starting) price of €16,441 quickly went up to €21,011, also because it came with adaptive cornering lights and a few other perks. And there are still plenty of extras available, designed to embellish the whole, offer cargo space, other seats, windshields, etc. You can find out more on the brand’s website or at the dealership.
THE BEST Engine response; dynamic behavior; overall quality of the whole TO BE IMPROVED Price with options
Oh, and remember when I said that this R 1250 R doesn’t like to show off? As it turns out, it’s not so much, as evidenced by the new Sport livery or the fact that you can choose a single-seater version, ideal for those who like to enjoy cornering without constantly getting head-butted in the back of the helmet!
EASY
It’s obvious that this R has a “downside” that isn’t a fault, it’s a quirk. The total lack of aerodynamic protection, which will be missed by drivers who do a lot of highway riding. On the other hand, on short laps and in the city, it feels good to have nothing in front of you. It’s just you, the bike beneath you and the road, along with a very pleasant riding position that’s right for all types of height, as you can easily move around in the comfortable seat. Everything is easy and pleasant, in a very robust and high-quality package. And, of course, we have a strong and emotional engine, as many of you will already know, with good low revs and an exciting sound, combined with an excellent gearbox and a matching two-way quickshifter, which we don’t always find in the same bike.
It’s been a good few days at the controls of this roadster, almost always in Dynamic mode but with the ESA suspensions normally in Road, as in Dynamic they get quite stiff and seem to have very little travel, although it’s always personal taste that rules in this field. Braking is strong and tactile, as is the BMW tradition, and in general, with the various packs installed we have all the equipment we need and then some. And in this “some more” we find the Sport information from the excellent TFT instrumentation, which gives us information on lean angles, DTC, braking pressure, etc. The on-board computer also recorded an average consumption of around 5.4 l/100 km (riding fast but not too hard on the highway) and in terms of dynamics, we also liked the Metzeler Roadtec 01s, which suit this model very well, both in terms of grip in the dry and probably in the wet, and also in terms of longevity. We also checked out the excellent front lighting and the good passenger seat with its grab handles. In fact, there was nothing we didn’t like about this R 1250 R. An excellent high-cylinder roadster with great quality that can offer both easy commuting and more emotional weekend rides.