BMW announce new R 1250 GS and RT
BMW has unveiled the next-generation versions of their boxer-engined touring models – the R 1250 GS and R 1250 RT – which boast several changes over the models they replace.
The major change for 2019 is a capacity increase from the long-running 1170cc to 1254cc for more power and torque. The larger engines also add ‘ShiftCam’ variable valve timing technology for increased fuel efficiency and refinement.
There’s also an LED headlight and multifunction TFT instrument display for the GS and a new secondary front spoiler on the RT. Both models get two riding modes (Rain and Road), Active Stability Control and Hill Start Control as standard, with an expanded range of rider assistance technologies available as extra-cost options.
New and Familiar Families
The lineup within the GS off-road touring family has changed for 2019: the standard model remains, but the R 1200 GS’s Rallye, Rallye X and Tour have been replaced with new ‘Exclusive’ and ‘HP’ variants. There’s no mention of an ‘Adventure’ version (currently available on the R 1200 GS) at this stage, with the off-road oriented HP likely to take that role.
Almost identical stylistically to the R 1200 GS it replaces, the new R 1250 GS standard is offered in a choice of ‘Blackstorm’ or ‘Cosmic Blue’ metallic paint for 2019. Asphalt Grey fuel tank trim, Granite Grey matte metallic cast alloy wheels and black brake calipers are common to both colour options, along with a silver frame, black subframe and “galvanised plastic” radiator trim.
On the R 1250 GS Exclusive, Blackstorm is combined with Night Black paint on the wheels, fork tubes, front guard and fuel tank. There’s also a matte black finish for the engine and shaft drive, while the frame is finished in Agate Grey metallic. Brake calipers are gold and stainless steel replaces plastic for the radiator trim pieces. ‘GS’ identification is more prominent, too.
The R 1250 GS HP is the more ‘ready to rally’ version, with wire spoke wheels replacing the cast alloy rims, a radiator guard added and the front wheel cover and frame guard extended. Finished in BMW’s racing red/blue/white on the tank and plastics, the HP also features a lower windscreen, slimline ‘Rallye’ seat and some of the blackout finishes seen on the Exclusive.
The R 1250 RT lineup for 2019 is essentially unchanged from the current R 1200 RT, retaining the standard, ‘Elegance’ and ‘Sport’ variants, but the ‘Spezial’ is gone, replaced with the ‘Option 719 Spezial’ package of alternative paint and trim finishes to the standard model.
Styling is essentially the same as the outgoing R 1200 RT, but all MY19 R 1250 RT variants feature an engine spoiler and additional front spoiler.
Offered in Alpine White, the standard R 1250 RT can be optioned to Blue Planet or Sparkling Storm metallic finishes under the Option 719 Spezial banner. Common to all are Silver metallic cast alloy wheels and an Aluminium Silver finish for the drivetrain. Black fuel tank trim, a black front spoiler and black brake calipers on the standard model are replaced with body colour, body colour and gold, respectively, when Option 719 Spezial is selected.
Step up to the R 1250 RT Sport and you get a choice of Mars Red or Slate Dark metallic paint, matched with Slate Dark metallic lower body and tank panels, decals on the tank and panniers, Asphalt Grey wheels and Agate Grey head covers. A lower windshield defines this model against the standard RT, with other style points including a blackout engine treatment, black windshield trim, body-coloured front spoiler and gold brake calipers.
Only Carbon Black metallic paint is offered on the R 1250 RT Elegance, combined with Granite Grey metallic tank and body trim, Silver metallic wheels and an Aluminium Silver engine finish. Gold calipers, a Night Black engine spoiler and body-coloured front spoiler feature, with chrome trim added to the windshield mounts, handlebars and panniers.
More Power…with ShiftCam technology
The primary change on the MY19 R 1250 range is the capacity increase and other engine modifications aimed at improving performance, smoothness and efficiency. The increase to 1254cc comes via changes to both bore and stroke with the bore enlarged from 101mm to 102.5mm, while stroke has increased from 73mm to 76mm.
Against the 1170cc version it replaces, the new, larger boxer twin produces eight more kilowatts (100kW vs 92kW – a 9 per cent increase) and 18 more newton metres of torque (143Nm vs 125Nm – a 14 per cent increase), making it the most powerful serial production BMW boxer engine to date. Peak power is achieved at the same 7750rpm as the old model, but maximum torque arrives sooner in the rev range: 6250rpm against 6500rpm.
The performance increases are, however, slightly offset by greater weight, with both the GS and RT 5kg heavier than the models they replace (R 1200 GS - 244kg, R 1250 GS - 249kg, R 1200 RT - 274kg, R 1250 RT - 279kg).
Added to the larger boxer twin engines, and a first for a volume-produced BMW motorcycle powerplant of any type, is ‘ShiftCam Technology’. Essentially a variable valve timing system, ShiftCam alters the timing and stroke of the inlet valves, via asynchronous camshafts, for increased power and torque across the entire rev range, as well as improving combustion for better fuel economy and reduced emissions.
The camshafts feature both small (partial-load) and large (full-load) cam lobes, with axial shifting of the camshafts meaning that, depending on the load and engine speed, inlet valves are opened by the small or large cam.
Different degrees of opening for each pair of inlet valves on each cylinder improves agitation of the fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber for more efficient burning, while also reducing idle speed by 100rpm.
According to BMW, application of the ShiftCam technology on the boxer twin not only improves performance and smoothness of operation, but also reduces fuel consumption by four per cent, despite the capacity increase.
Other new additions on the larger engine include a knock sensor system (allowing the use of fuel below the recommended RON95 rating) and ‘BMS-O’ engine control that operates the fully sequential EFi via 52mm throttle bodies and new twin-jet injection valves.
The camshafts are now rotated via a toothed chain instead of a roller chain and a new 2-into-1 exhaust system has been fitted, with shorter, wider pipes that exit almost vertically from the cylinders.
Also of note is the integration of the clutch and 6-speed gearbox into the engine housing. BMW says this reduces the overall weight and volume of the drivetrain, as well as torsional movement. The gearbox itself has been optimised and includes an anti-hopping function that reduces the transfer of engine braking torque to the rear wheel under simultaneous hard braking and downshifting.
Standard Tech, Extra Tech
Standard electronic features carried over from the R 1200 range to the R 1250 include the selectable ‘Rain’ and ‘Road’ riding modes, as well as Automatic Stability Control (ASC) and ABS. A new standard feature on both GS and RT variants is Hill Start Control, with the GS also adding an LED headlight as standard, while both variants can add LED DRLs as an option.
The GS now features a full-digital, full-colour 6.5-inch TFT instrument display, while the RT retains a combination analogue/digital set-up with a 5.7-inch TFT screen. On the GS, the instrumentation also features ‘Connectivity’, which allows faster access to bike and connectivity features via the TFT display.
Music and phone functions can be displayed and accessed on screen when the optional BMW Motorrad Communication System is added. There’s also an available Connected App that adds a basic sat nav with route logging and travel stats to the display.
Optional is the ‘Riding Modes Pro’ upgrade that was also available for the R 1200. To Rain and Road, Riding Modes Pro adds a third ‘Dynamic’ mode and Dynamic Traction Control. On GS variants, this upgrade also includes ‘Dynamic Pro’, ‘Enduro’ and ‘Enduro Pro’ modes
The “Pro” riding modes can be customised, allowing the throttle response, ABS and ASC intervention to be altered to suit individual requirements. Optional ‘ABS Pro’ for the GS (standard on the RT) adds lean angle-sensitive braking intervention, while Dynamic Braking Control negates unintentional accelerator activation when braking. There’s also a ‘dynamic brake light’ included with this upgrade that flashes when the motorcycle is decelerating.
Another option is Hill Start Control Pro that upgrades the standard HSC with the ability to activate the parking brake after stopping on a slope.
The Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) remains optional, but has been updated to “Next Generation” spec for the 1250 RT, adding automatic riding position compensation to the automatic damping adjustment for riding speed, surface and manoeuvres of the current ESA. While suspension modes are pre-set to co-ordinate with the Riding Modes, Dynamic ESA “Next Generation” allows damping settings to be selected independently of the Riding Mode and also selected on the move.
Pricing, Arrival TBC
As with the R 1200, a range of accessories will be available for the R 1250, including different seats and wheels, performance exhaust systems and a full set of HP trim parts, as well as a variety of luggage and cosmetic options.
Local delivery times for the new R 1250 GS and R 1250 RT have not been revealed at this stage, nor has pricing, but expect the new arrivals to carry a premium over the current R 1200 offerings, which start at $24,950 for the GS range and $34,290 for the RT variants (plus ORCs).
