2023 BMW R1250RS review - do road bikes get much better?

[@Hughes500Bob]

There were 3 different suspension settings: MIN AUTO MAX. As of July 2023 we now have just Min and AUTO. Each has a significant impact. The suspension setting travels along with each driving mode. I prefer Dynamic for throttle response and ROAD for suspension for normal driving. Reviewers almost always never discuss the suspension setting they are riding in .... and it greatly affects the ride and handling. Spain looks amazing!

[@timrodierides]

Sorry

[@drewchadwick9318]

"MIN AUTO MAX" refer to ride height. Auto works well for me, but the key suspension setting is the compression/rebound setting, which can be set to ROAD or DYNAMIC. Switch to dynamic when the road gets twisty and the handling changes dramatically for the better

[@klockwerked1673]

Tim you're content is significantly unappreciated IMO, great video well done

[@timrodierides]

Really appreciate that - thank you :)

[@JW-cq4ez]

Why 18L liter micro fuel tank?? Sport touring needs 23L!

[@myflex6918]

7:30 "Ok, we are riding ein bisschen mehr dynamic now" I appreciate your motivation for implementing german language into your review! :D

[@timrodierides]

Haha I'll always seize an opportunity to demonstrate my poor command of Deutsch. A German colleague at a previous job once told me I speak "Rammstein Deutsch". I think that's a good thing 🤣

[@kikoy08]

Most of the wealthy guys buy 1250gs for status symbol in the philippines, and rarely, if not never, use the bike of what it is intended for. 98% road use and 2% and maybe lesser, for a little off-road use. This model is the best for touring.

[@milesdavis8665]

To bad they don't sell this model in the Philippines anymore

[@littlefish4270]

The GS is made mainly for the road by the manufacturer, the GSA for offroad a lot more & yes, most purchase a GS for on road duties. It's probably the best bike worldwide for riding out in the country or touring, ok for transport as well but a bit big. The GS is noticably better than the RS in every way except the RS better at cornering on smooth roads. Apart from that it's just no where near as comfortable & versatile as a GS.

[@petermcgarva7207]

I had a 2022 R1250RS, a great bike but really heavy to manoeuvre at low speeds. High speed sweepers are it element. Just bought a 2023 1250GS Trophy and it’s easier to ride all round. That engine torque is just awesome

[@bachmed00]

Heavy to manoeuvre? For real? Bmw is known for their heavy bikes steering light. I drove my dads K1600 Grand America a couple of times and was amazed by the fact that this monstrous thing of 360KG's would steer so easy at lower speeds. At lower speeds it almost felt the same as my own kawasaki ninja 650 from 2019. Which is like half the weight. Bmw knows how to balance the bikes.

[@petermcgarva7207]

@@bachmed00 yes, for real. Try actually riding one instead of comparing a different bike to what we are actually discussing.

[@markjennings-principals.p.5870]

I got the 23 GS as well and love it. I have the smaller tank and that thing is about as responsive as any motorcycle could be. The shift assist is amazing from 3-6. The only way you know it shifted is the RPM's change. Absolutely no remorse.

[@petermcgarva7207]

@@markjennings-principals.p.5870 the shifts get smoother 1-2 as you get more kms on it .

[@rodmitchell8787]

Quickshifters never work perfectly on high inertia twins ,especially in the lower gears that are more widely spaced

[@aluisious]

I sat one one of these years ago and didn't like it immediately. Felt like the front end was in a different zip code. I ride a Multistrada and this still felt like it was big and weird.

[@Poweredtwowheeler]

Tim you are in the premier league of motorcycle KZbin journalists. You seem to be able to inform educate and entertain. Have you ever worked at/for the BBC? Good luck with future projects and keep these videos coming please!

[@Michaelem72]

Yes they do! After test riding RS and GS I can say RS is pretty much better of GS in almost everything especially in suspension. The GS suspensions with Telelever and Paralever are quite rubbish and a big disappointment. Nobody seems to get this but that's it.

[@koop5365]

Rubbish

[@tonygaynor889]

The RS at you werestanding beside was on the roadtec01 tyres. Were the mitch05 not as good ??

[@drewyager4020]

Mitch5 roads are garbage for heavy bikes. The Metz are very good except for heavy front braking. You want a great tire then the Conti road attack or sport attack is the way to go

[@TheMonkini]

Where is Mahaka? Looks lovely to ride.

[@timrodierides]

South Spain between Cartagena and Almeria! It’s Mojacar (I absolutely annihilate the Spanish language when I speak it 😅)

[@leonardoatx3]

Great bike, with those 22 degrees and heated grips not being what to look for while sweating, maybe for the twisties the better bike is maybe precisely the R1250 naked that you've briefly shown 👍✌️

[@Paughco]

Needs the Remus exhaust. Glad I got rid of that chrome bazooka on my '22 R1250RS. Keep on rockin' in a free world.

[@leonardotaggio6995]

I have a R1250RS SE. And I love it!!!!

[@timrodierides]

They're great bikes! I'm glad you're enjoying it :)

[@paulv22]

I have a 2020. The RS has had cornering ABS at least since the Shiftcam versioin.

[@timrodierides]

It's now standard, I don't think it was before?

[@paulv22]

@@timrodierides Yeah, that's probably the case. In the US, BMW typically has the base bike and some very expensive option package. In this case I think it included ABS "Pro", quick shifter, dynamic ESA, etc, etc, etc.

[@drewyager4020]

I love my 2020 exclusive. Try Conti road attacks you won’t believe how it wakes the bike up

[@alexandthebeauty]

nice video, thx and greetings from Germany :)

[@bradjacobs1844]

You’ve talked me out of ever owning this bike. No feel in the front end, sore palms, cheap plastic tank cover, sliding the tire at low speeds….

[@timrodierides]

To be fair the slide was because of super dusty roads, not the bike. But yep, otherwise that's as I found it

[@THEREALZENFORCE]

Beautiful bike but i rode one and i was pretty disappointed : too much vibration in the handlebar and pegs, spongy throttle, weak brakes, bad tractor like noise, weak engine compared to a Bmw 2013 K1300S or K1300R, bikes where you really feel the 140Nm from down low and are 2 seconds quicker in a quarter mile and 4 seconds quicker from 0-124mph the K1300S and K1300R have same pull at one more gear and way more pull at same gear than the R1250RS.

[@timrodierides]

Sure, and an S1000RR is quicker than a Grom too…

[@panjandrum.conundrum]

"Scuffed to buggery" in German is, I believe, "arschverkratzt." But don't quote me; I'm a freelancer, and made it up.

[@windyrun7979]

BMW really needs to put the same forks and bars as the R1250R on this bike to let it reach its full potential. Useful to hear about the black plastic piece. I was wondering myself about it versus the metal one on the Triple Black version.

[@LonelyTreeSunset]

The bars can be, and there's an option now to do it from factory. Agree though that the front geometry should be carried over from the R. This can be remedied somewhat with sport orientated tyres that have a more aggressive profile.

[@jetrex1986]

Has it not got the same forks as the R?

[@ianrodie8286]

@@jetrex1986 I thought it did, The R doesnt have the paralever suspension of the RT.

[@windyrun7979]

@@jetrex1986 The RS forks extend out about 1" at the bottom thus extending the rake? whereas the R fork is straight at the end thus being more nimble

[@jetrex1986]

@@windyrun7979 Thanks for the info as I have a 19 R1250r sport

[@RabbitStu-M7UTS]

The screen looks the same as the r1200rs. if so an after market one like a puig is quieter. I do love my R1200RS. the 1250 seems like anice evolution.

[@ewganhoff]

That looked painful dawdling along at such a relaxed pace most of the time. Seemed like you were constantly getting held up by the rider in front. I'd just be screaming "fcking hurry the fck up!!!" non-stop in my helmet.

[@timrodierides]

Haha, there were chances to go much faster - annoyingly the wind from the screen ruined the audio in that footage so I mostly had to use the slower stuff anyway. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it

[@0202pmurT]

That's the tradeoff for scenic twisties on a sport tourer. Avoid peak tourism weekends if you can.

[@BN1960]

Interesting that in GS reviews, nobody ever asks - is this a better off-road bike than an RS?

[@timrodierides]

Yeah but no one takes a GS off-road remember

[@BN1960]

@@timrodierides damn right - Starbucks or polishing it for me

[@Fee.1]

I could never enjoy a bmw boxer motor in a sport touring bike

[@DieTabbi]

interesseting comparrison, But why the hell you did this? Compare 2 totall different bike types?

[@timrodierides]

WHY THE HELL DID YOU MAKE ME FREE CONTENT ARGHHHHHH

[@wandering_armadillo]

Cute socks and hope you got to ride the bike without other test riders about slowing you down on those delicious roads :)

[@troppo4872]

Sorry Tim - just let me adjust my beard... aahh, that's better... What is the point of this motorcycle? Bent over with a vague front end that is raked out so it steers slowly.. Sure, you can fix the ergos - which is why there is a lot of aftermarket options available...and why most owners fit them...but you are still stuck with the slow steering. An RT handles better (I've owned one and also ridden an RS for 2 days..), an XR/R/RR goes MUCH better (owned an XR...not as good as an SAS, though.. ;-) ) and...dare I say....a GS is far more practical and useful if you want a do-it-all boxer... The R1250R isn't bad, but I still would buy a GS. Good review...I like reading between the lines...

[@wandering_armadillo]

The point of this bike is that it's perfect for me! I'm petite and it fits me well, no chain maintenance to worry about, has oodles of charm and engine braking with the Boxer lump ... and is quite unique compared to the GS. And cheaper. And better looking.

[@rafaelcordoba13]

I thins the BMW s1000xr is a better bike. The quickshifter is a LOT better and the engine can be docile and monster.

[@barney3417]

Iv'e owned an XR and yes the quick shifter is far better and it can be a hooligan but docile is the wrong word, it's sluggish/flat unless it's being ridden in the higher revs.I changed it for a 1250GS and am now changing for an RS SE as I have no intention to go off road( not intentionally anyway)

[@rafaelcordoba13]

@@barney3417 I understand, I renter a GS and also the 1250R in the alps for 2 weeks…, that torque is addicting. It pulls and pulls forever. I still need to try the RS but I’m sure it will be even better :-)

[@simonhousam1989]

@Grumpy Old Git I’ve owned several GS’s a couple of RT’s a RS and a R all of which are very very good and now I ride a 2023 S1000XR and it’s certainly not flat in the lower rev range and is absolutely rapid in the upper range. It’s my first in-line 4 for 30 years and I’m very impressed.

[@rchrms]

@@simonhousam1989 would you get the R or the RS? do love the riding position of the R but do need the RS wind protection 🤔 Would a big screen and handle guards be enough for the R?

[@barney3417]

@@simonhousam1989 Hi Simon, My XR was a gen 1 which was! and viby!! I understand the gen 3 is a lot better but none have the torque of the boxer thats just by design.

[@drewyager4020]

Only one. The KTM Super Duke GT

[@MotoTvWoodsFarm]

🏍️😍🤗🤗

[@wwfww]

Call me crazy but i like me a heavy bike

[@littlefish4270]

Haha, a joke, the GS is easier to ride, absorbs bad roads bumps a ton better, more comfortable, better wind protection, this why the RS is not a big seller cause its limited.

[@timrodierides]

Haha, a joke, maybe you're right

[@ad78]

sorry but my Gen 2 XR is much superior

[@wandering_armadillo]

Says the viewer watching RS videos....;) enjoy your XR and let us RS aficionados enjoy our beautiful bikes!

[@ad78]

@@wandering_armadillo oh it happened that it popped up on my recommendation. Of course its motorrad. I would like to have a shootout soon with the new RS touring package and XR just to be fair :)

[@wandering_armadillo]

@@ad78 I did see an XR blacked out at my local dealer and it did look sweet. Apparently vibey though and....I would need a ladder to get on it haha😄

[@ad78]

@@wandering_armadillo i got more vibe on my R9T. Yes, its taller than GS lol

[@austinmatthews347]

The riding position is that awful 1990s sports tourer style neither sporty nore comfy satnav is in a stupid position basically its a nonsense just another wsy for bmw to grab more money absolutely shite the r is better

[@A_Pt_9298]

Why do I keep on seeing slightly different versions of the gen 1 Fazer 1000 ? 🤔🥱 BMW have done this throughout history with various cars, copied other brands , but now they're doing it with motorcycles ...hmm