- Gets bigger 1254cc engine with Shift Cam technology.
- Upgraded electronic aids and new paint schemes.
- Likely to arrive in India early next year.
BMW has unveiled the upgraded version of their bestselling adventure touring motorcycle in the form of the 2019 R1250 GS.
The biggest change on the motorcycle is the bigger 1254cc, boxer twin engine which produces 136bhp and 143Nm of torque up from the earlier 124bhp and 125Nm of torque. The engine uses, what BMW calls the Shift Cam technology; an upgrade from the regular variable valve timing system.
While the latter only alters valve timing, the Shift Cam system can additionally alter lift as well as duration. It also gets two cam profiles; one for ‘partial load’ good for economy and ‘full-load’ when the engine needs full performance. This has not only improved the power spread across the rev range but also increased fuel efficiency. The engine also gets new injectors, oil jet cooling and a slipper clutch.
Apart from the new engine, the 2019 BMW R1250 GS gets an upgraded electronics package which now includes two modes- rain and road, a traction control system and hill start control as standard. Also available is an optional package which consists of Dynamic Traction Control, ABS Pro, Hill Start Control Pro and Dynamic Brake Assist. The bike also gets a Bluetooth-enabled 6.5-inch TFT display as standard.
The bike will be available in three variants; standard, R1250 GS Exclusive and the R1250GS HP. While the base model gets a black and blue colour scheme, the Exclusive sports black front forks, drivetrain, gold calipers and redesigned radiator shrouds. The R1250 HP or ‘Rallye’ as it is likely to be called in India gets the BMW Motorsports paint scheme of white/blue/red along with gold rims with spoke wheels, a white frame and a flat single seat.
The 2019 BMW R1250 GS is likely to go on sale in global markets in the next couple of months. We can expect BMW to launch the bike in India early next year. It will compete against the Triumph Tiger 1200 and Ducati Multistrada 1260 here.
