BMW R 1250 GS: Competition Check

BMW Motorrad has launched the new R 1250 GS in India. Available in four variants, it is the German bike maker’s flagship adventure motorcycle. In the Indian market of Adventure motorcycles, the R 1250 GS competes against the Triumph Tiger 1200 and the Ducati Multistrada 1260. Let’s see how the new R 1250 GS stacks up against its rivals.

Design and features

In terms of looks, the new R 1250 GS is largely similar to its predecessor, the R 1200 GS. It carries forward the beak-like front fairing, bulky body panels and the sculpted fuel tank with slight revisions keeping the motorcycle looking fresh and modern. On the feature front, the motorcycle now features an all-LED headlamp as standard equipment and a Bluetooth enabled 6.5-inch TFT instrument console with a multifunctional display. Other electronic features include cruise control, two riding modes (rain and road), ABS, traction control and hill start control now as a standard feature.

Now the Tiger 1200 is, Triumph’s flagship adventure motorcycle. Sporting a revised design similar to the now-discontinued ‘Explorer’ model, the motorcycle has an LED headlamp with cornering function and a tilt-adjustable 5-inch TFT instrument console carry forwarded from its smaller sibling, the Tiger 800. Apart from the five-riding modes, the Tiger 1200 comes with an additional ‘Off Road Pro’ mode and updated cruise control.

The Italian Ducati Multistrada 1260 sports a large fascia similar to the previous model but with an improved design for the air flow and light-weight five-spoke alloy wheels. For electronic gadgetry, the 1260 packs a host of features like vehicle hold control, four riding modes, power modes, cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control and cruise control. The riding modes allow the rider to change the power output and the throttle response depending on the riding environment. Other features include a bi-directional quickshifter, LED headlamps with cornering feature and a colour TFT display with multimedia function and phone pairing.

Cycle parts

The R 1250 GS continues to sport the much-admired Telelever forks with central spring strut for the front. The rear comes equipped with a hydraulically adjustable monoshock mounted on the single-sided swingarm. For braking, the R 1250 GS uses 305mm dual-floating discs with 4-piston fixed calipers for the front and a 276mm disc at the back with a dual-piston floating caliper.

For the Tiger 1200, the unsprung weight of the motorcycle features 48mm inverted front forks for the front and a monoshock for the rear with preload and rebound adjustment; both WP units. Slowing down is done by 305mm twin-discs up front with 4-piston Brembo calipers and a 282mm single disc for the rear with a 2-piston Brembo caliper. The motorcycle rides on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel shod with off-road based dual-purpose tyres.

The Multistrada 1260, on the other hand, features an updated Skyhook active suspension which allows the motorcycle to maintain a stable posture unaffected by the road conditions. The bike rides on 48mm upside down forks up front and a monoshock for the rear; both fully-adjustable. Braking is done by by Brembo calipers mounted on 320mm twin discs up front and a 265mm single disc for the rear.

Engine

Powering the R 1250 GS is the same boxer engine that is now upsized displacing 1254cc and also features BMW’s ShiftCam Technology which alters the valve timing and stroke for better combustion. The updated motor now produced 132bhp of max power and 143Nm of peak torque and comes coupled to a constant mesh 6-speed gearbox with helical-cut gears. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel via a shaft drive.

The Tiger 1200, on the other hand, features a 1200cc, inline-three cylinder engine producing 139bhp and 122Nm of torque. The motor comes mated to a six-speed constant mesh transmission and a shaft drive for final output.

The Multistrada 1260 is powered by a new 1262cc V-twin Testastretta DVT engine that also does duty on the XDiavel. The motor is capable of producing 156bhp of max power and 129Nm of peak torque. Transmission duties are handled by a 6-speed constant mesh gearbox with a chain drive for final output.

Pricing

The BMW Motorrad R 1250 GS is available in India in four variants, Standard (Rs 16.85 lakhs), Pro (Rs 20.05 lakhs), Adventure Standard (Rs 18.25 lakhs) and the Adventure Pro (Rs 21.95 lakhs).

The Triumph Tiger 1200 is limited to only one variant in India, the XCx trim which is priced at Rs 17.03 lakhs.

The Ducati Multistrada 1260 is offered in three variants, Standard (Rs 15.99 lakhs), S (Rs 18.06 lakhs) and the top-spec Pikes Peak (Rs 21.42 lakhs).

(All prices are ex-showroom, India)