BMW R1250 GS - 143Nm with Pirelli Scorpion Rallye STR - Test in the Description

Short testride, only one big question: how it feels to accelerate the boxer with the lowest rpm as possible out of corners? Is there enough torque, is it already to much, is it controllable?
My test isn`t about the whole bike in general, it´s electronical functions and features.
I´m only using a GoPro Hero 5 without an external mic. I have to use one in the future, I know :-(
(Maybe I repeat this shot later with an external mic)
This time: no Mic, no time-consuming Video cutting: RAW test.
I´m normally riding the last aircooled modelfrom 2001, the R1150GS. It is modified like usually, and it´s still a famous bike. A friend of mine just bought the R1250GS, and all I wanted to know is: is she able to paint black stripes on the streets out of corners ;-) ?
Yes, it´s impressive how low you can stay with the rpm. This is the section which most of the drivers try to avoid, but every skilled Cow-Boy knows what I mean: NOTHING beats torque, now matter how many horsepower is possible. Less rpm results in less centrifugal forces, less necessary body power, less load-cycle changes. If you know how to use the advantages of the boxer engine, it´s a masterpiece from BMW. If you only want to rev it up like every other regular engine, the advantages will be hidden away from you, and the 136PS maybe won`t convince you compared to other engines.
For my test ride I didn`t want to go into any electronical settings, and the countless switches and buttons on the handlebars just consternated me. I didn`t want to touch them, I expect that it´s also possible to ride the bike without first studying the FM ;-) .
The electronical throttle lever needs extremely little power, you have to get used to this special feeling when you come from other bikes. But: the clutch also needs only little power, which is very good. Ergonomics are fine. The bike doesn`t feels that big that it looks like. Gearbox seems normal for me, brakes are inconspicuous good.
The engine is great. Because I´ve tested hundreds of different bikes, I can feel how thoroughly it is been mapped and optimized. It´s possible to cruise in high gears with rpm`s only less over the idle.
6th gear at 50kmh: absolutely no problem for cruising.
No matter how far or how fast you open the throttle, you instantly will get the answer from the engine. No holes, no stuttering. It´s only about the angle of throttle and the rpms how fast you accelerate, but it is alltimes smooth. (As a remark: I´m not sure if I heard sometimes slightly pinging in midrange by half-throttle)
You get used to this really quick. BMW´s always rides in it´s best way if you change your riding style to "brake earlier and softer- take the whole corner on the throttle", and so this 1250 does it too. The torque is impressive, but never to much that it would be hard to control. For me, it could be 20Nm more than that to keep the traction control busy. You easily are able to paint black stripes with your rearwheel without disruption from the traction control. If the traction control works, you only see a flashing light. Shifter and blipper are working inconspicuous too, you get used to use them really quick.
In this way, you can do powercruising at its best. But if you go harder, the bike clearly tells you that it´s not made for that. The front moves up and down, and you have to work hard on the handlebar if you change to more agressive riding. You exactly have to know how to restrain the wildgone cow. It´s possible, but it´s not that easy as the cruising style is, and your comfort zone is way smaller if you ride it to hard.
Maybe that´s also an effect of the Pirelli Scorpion Rallye STR, which I also use on my GS 1150 at the moment. Very good grip on the streets, good controllable, but they need a adaptation in planning the corner lines. I´ve lowered the hot pressure to 2,4bar front / 2,6 bar rear to get more feedback.
In the forest they are not on the level of the famous K60, the front tire shows lack of side guidance in the sand. Grip is acceptable there.
On the end: the 1250GS is a great bike, and at the moment I don´t know much engines on the market which make over 140Nm in such good manners.
If you like my short test, please subscribe. More bikes will follow.

[@Ducati297]

Hey, totally agree with what you reported. This bike is really impressive. I think you can even go faster if you have tyres more « sport tourism » like pirelli Scorpion Trail II, but i had these STR on my last bike they were good too for what they are. I also have a great bike, a ducati multistrada enduro 1260 but this BMW is a masterpiece, hard to follow on little twisty road. Regards from Corsica !

[@instrukta]

Thanks for your reply. Duc 1260 Multi is the next one on my "list of interest", right next to the 1290 KTM ;-) I remember a few years ago I tested the 1000DS, and I liked it a lot. Ride safe!

[@Ducati297]

I hope you will test this ducati soon, I’m really in deep love with it !