2023 BMW R 1250 RS Full Review! Is This The Best Sport Tourer Money Can Buy? 

I would LOVE this bike. My only concern is the BMW reliability. It seems yours has been fine. Did you maintain it at a BMW dealership?

Yes. 6000 mile intervals. Expensive but worth it by my opinion. The least expensive modern bike's I've owned hands down were in the Yamaha line. Super Tenere and FJR1300. Their service intervals for especially valve clearance are way longer. Low maintenance cost bikes in the first place. I just broke 50,000+ miles on the odometer of the R1250rs.

Hi@@colfaulkner1 I also owned FJR1300 before, but switched to Super Tenere because of the too cramped position on FJR. However, the ST engine is a bit too boring and dull for me and I do not do any off road, so I am looking for a new bike. R1250 RS is also on my list. How do you compare its wind protection, seating position, knees/hips bend, engine buzz versus Super Tenere? Can you mount a top box on it and how would the pillon feel, more or less space than in ST?

This is fine as I also went from the fjr to the super tenere then to a few others and now the BMW. I think the wind protection of both Yamaha's are better than the BMW by a slim margin. seating position of the FJR is slightly superior but as you stated it can be a bit cramped, knees/hips bend a little better on the super tenere than the BMW, engine buzz on the BMW a bit better than both Yamaha's, Yes you can mount a top box, I don't carry passengers because of my medical condition but I can see the Super Tenere could be a bit better than the BMW. I now have about 53,000 miles on the BMW and it's been a total gem. Hope this helps.

@@colfaulkner1 Thank you very much

I totally agree. Just bought one and it's the best bike I have ever owned besides the 1600 bagger . The RS is a lot more nimble though..

Did you test one yourself?

@@imprezabob Nah I bought it blind. Honestly, love it so far. I will say you can get 90% of this bike from a japanese bike BUT the last 10% is amazing BMW. If you got the money, this thing is NICE. Mods so far? Windscreen (I am 6ft tall), handlebar from Wunderlich (tried the bar risers, need a bit more) and some BMW side bags. Very nice, keeping this one for a loooonggg time.

How much u paying if u don’t mind me asking ? I want a 2024

​@@michaelgarcia8293Is the 2024 same as 2023 other than the colors? Thank you

How about two up?

@@r12rtpilot great two up. My wife loves riding with me now and she hated my previous bikes. With a Shad top case with a back rest she can ride for many hours.

I agree. I have a 2023 and I don’t see how you would adjust the seat height. I wish it was adjustable.

did u call this heavy?, ride a road king, and ask about something lighter??. no 1, this bike is med light, a light ST'er. no.2, those so-called ST'ers that are the ol dorko dad adv bikes with street tires are Not ST in any way shape or form. neither are the kawy an suzy offerings also falsely called ST. they are squid missiles with situp position an bags. and jokes of a FLYscreen. they will buzz u to death at the rpm they turn at anywhere near a realistic highway speed, and offer no wind protection. this 1250 is like 520lbs. a true ST would be a Concours 14, or maybe a yamy FJR 1300. around 680 for the connie an less for the FJR like 6-something. alot less than a road king, and perfect ST'ers. quintessential. no they arent like goldwings, those r 800+. if ur still a squid but older, an dont want to admit it, thats why they made the kawy sx, an suzy gt, so u think u think u look mature and/or for the ride position on ur older now squid back. but u still wanna wahhhh between lights. try them a few, very few minutes on the highway tell me Im lying. squid missiles gixxer an ninja same things. Concours 14. squids walk right by it cos it dont say ninja. think thats some goldwing thingy. dont buy the hype on these so-called ST's. bs. u really want?. chk out the Concours just saw a still new '22 for 10k even. DRIVESHAFT. SMOOTH. if u ride a road glide itll seem like a 600 to u. and while these ol boxer engines r smooth an tq'ey, they still seep oil in to the L cylinder while on kickstand, an burn/blow that out on startup. yes, I looked at them. I ride a Concours. lovit.

I've had my 22 for just over a year and I don't feel heat from the heads. I do some highway riding but I don't go on super long rides.

I’m 6’2”. I got an MRA screen with spoiler and it made a big difference with buffeting

Did you know there are two more positions for the screen? You need to undo the screws that hold the screen on and you can shift it up to a hidden set of holes. I was at my dealer the other day and they didn't even know. You might be able to find the slightly higher position could work for you.

@@TheGeekZone I did not, thank you.

@@MoraleHazardI’m 6’ and have the screen at lowest setting which gives me no shoulder pressure and a clean airflow over my helmet

I cross-shopped with both in '22; ninja is a bit more sports over tourer and I found it heavier to handle, gsx pillion seating position is compromised as is luggage space. Pillion comfort was priority for me as we tour two up (and I ride twisties solo) as was shaft drive to skip chain maintenance on long trips. Love my RS

I've owned the SX. I own the GT now. I took the RS on a brief test ride, so my experience with the BMW is somewhat limited, but here's my evaluation. I'll list the bikes best to worst in each category. Appearance - GT, SX, RS Comfort - RS, GT, SX Quickshifter - GT, SX, RS Brakes - RS, SX/GT Engine smoothness - RS, SX, GT Power delivery (low end) - RS, SX, GT Power delivery (mid) - SX, RS, GT Power delivery (high end) - GT, SX, RS They are all very good bikes. Overall, the RS is probably the best of the bunch, but it comes with more CCs and a much higher price point. The SX and GT are stuck with chain drives, while the BMW has the virtually hassle free shaft drive. The SX and GT are quite close in comparison. It's really a matter of preference as some categories favor the GT and some the SX.

Try the MRA screen with the spoiler. I’m 6’2” no more buffet

@@goldie6579 can you elaborate? MRA?

@@TheDennzio google MRA Vario screen. Made a big difference reducing wind buffeting for me 6’2”

How do you like it so far? Thank you.

He didn’t buy one

That is good to know. I did not realize it wasn’t standard.

@@HRCfan17 Bought mine in Europe (Ireland) and centre stand included.

A r nine t is one hell of a first bike, I have one and am lucky enough to have the 1250rs too. They may both have boxer twins but that’s where the comparison ends, the rs is effortlessly fast and so competent it will flatter most peoples ability. Test ride and see what you think

thanks

There is no reverse gear.

I know. Somehow the shifter can be reversed to the GP shift pattern.

The 24 was made a year later than the 23

Yes

You’d definitely want to order it with the higher “sports” seat. I did and I’m 1.8m.

Check cycle ergo page, put in your measurements and see the whole ergonomics. Nobody with long distance touring in their mind would buy this style of bike, the forward lean is just too aggressive…

You could tell by the red in the rev counter that it wasn’t!! It decreases as the bike warms up.

I have bar risers fitted, and it is a huge improvement. You need to extend the clutch hydraulic line with an adapter though. I am also looking at the wunderlich alternative bars which are more like the R1250R style.

@@mickfeck Nice bike for sure.👍

The R1250RS puts out a little more torque and a lower RPM than the KTM. The KTM is also ugly.

I would also expect to get 100k trouble free miles from the Beemer...probably not with the Kaboom.

@@aaronbehindbars I had a 2012 R1200GSA and didn’t even make it to 30k miles before multiple things started failing.

@@aaronbehindbars Yeah, I didn't want to go there but KTM's reputation isn't great on that.

@@JonBecker81 You're not auggesting that your experience is characteristic of BMW bikes because one data point provides very little useful info. Admittedly, I am referencing anectdotal info, but I honestly can't think of seeing a used KTM with 100k+. I see BMW boxers with high mileage all the time. Modern bikes are heavily reliant on electronics and that seems to ve the primary issue with most bikes that have weitd faults and bugs. I ride Japanese bikes and never had a major failure. Worst thing I ever had a neglected old Kawasaki that had lots of little issues from sitting for years.

Will it make that much difference considering it's a boxer engine? Thank you

This is the type of motor that grows on you. When I bought my 2022 RT I really didn't like the sound of the motor. Over time, I have become increasingly appreciative of the way this engine builds power. It is extremely capable and pretty damn fast throughout a very wide rpm range. In the curves you can accelerate out of turns with ease without constantly changing gears. These bikes are not impressive to listen or to look at, but they are superior machines. I have grown to have a lot of fun on my RT

@@keithchelini5776 Thanks Keith, I currently have a couple of Triumphs, Bonneville T120 with PTwin 270 crank & Tiger Sport 660 with a Triple, and both engines have a lot of character, you could even say quirkiness. I also received some feedback from another channel asking about whether I had tried the dynamic riding mode, and I hadn't. I'll try it again in dynamic, because it's really coming down to this bike vs the MG V100 Mandello.

@@Big_DT Nice collection! I have had a couple of Triumphs myself (1200XC, Speed Triple RS) and they are special bikes. The Guzzi is definitely a compelling option. My first bike was a Moto Guzzi V7 Mandello. I didn’t keep it long. No fault of the bike. Those bikes have a lot of character. Dynamic mode is the happy spot for the BMW’s. Road mode is just sleepy. Happy hunting!

@@keithchelini5776 Thanks, and not quite as nice as your collection, but I'll keep chipping away at it.😉. I hear you on the engine growing on you over time. Like I said, I really liked everything about the bike, except the way the motor developed it's power and how it sounded, just seemed a bit boring. I'll give it a go in dynamic mode and see if I like it better.

Damn your right. Especially with the black bars.

I have the ‘23 with heated seats and have not noticed any comfort issues.

@@mickfeck my damn fat arse 😂

Yes

I'm the same height as you, so I ended up getting the low seat option. I ride the "Road" suspension in the lowest setting and feel conformable with a pillion in the back. My inseam is 29".

Absolutly, my RS has Dynamic Pro which means you can dial down the anti wheelie aspect. 2nd and 3rd gear wheelies no problem.

Im a big guy, but when I went to Texas, all of a sudden, I was the skinny guy. 😂

He's in Boulder, CO too. Plenty of twisty canyons to ride there.

Well then don't watch them lol

@@erickadame130 yes, i stopped watching them.

@@grtbgfgood

Wah

Please ride a 2019 RS.

How far do you want to go between stops?

I thought that when I bought mine but consumption is good on a long ride so by the time you go onto reserve you are ready for a leg stretch anyway.

I live more remote then most people, so I have a diffrent need.

Why? Can't get a ticket for it. You have the right to question your accuser... How do you get caught speeding in the past? Lol

Looking ahead is a vital part of rider safety, hands on bars or not!

OK karen

Find the Dealer that will let you test ride both / all. Hopefully, solo tests or your leader rides the way that you do.

@@SmittyAZ That's just it😀. I've owned a 1200gs and test rode both of the new bikes and still can't decide.

@@blakeusry124 Just today, I couldn't decide on a 22 speed triple RR in white, or a 22 April Tuono factory in black. Both new leftovers at a steep discount. I bought both since I'm an idiot and there will be a dozen in the garage and maybe the added expense if a storage room. 🤪🤑🤪🤑

@@SmittyAZ That's a good problem to have. I wish I had those problems 😀

@@blakeusry124 If I had chosen one of them, I'd always think about the other for $3-4500 off.