Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to work around the world for some very interesting companies. But I’ve always found the time to visit the local motorbike dealers and test ride some of their local models. During these assignments, I have ridden BMW, Honda, Yamaha and Harley Davidson in all types of scenery and weather. My first ever BMW motorcycle was a BMW R1200GS TE Exclusive, which I thought was a brilliant motorcycle. Over the next few years, I explored the United Kingdom from East to West and North to South and managed to avoid most of the big cities. Riding a motorcycle is living the dream and being stuck in traffic is such a waste of time. During these trips, I discovered the bike`s flaws and wished I have chosen the GSA, which is more suited for touring as it has a bigger fuel tank.
Some Motorcycle History
I learned a lot in my early rides. So, in October 2021, I traded my old GS in and bought the mighty BMW R1250GSA Triple Black. I like the BMW R1200GS, but I quickly discovered that I liked the BMW R1250GSA motorcycle even more. These days I work from home, but at least once a week, I would leave my house at 08:00 am and take the bike out for a long ride out. During these trips, I would just follow my nose. I love riding through old villages, visiting old airfields etc. Basically, I’m exploring our past, a journey through history and time. But during these days out, I discover the things I love about the GSA and the things which I think BMW could improve on for riders like me in future bikes. My likes and dislikes are listed below.
My BMW R1250 GSA motorcycle likes
I love riding my BMW motorcycle, it is the perfect evolution of technology. Small changes, tiny improvements in performance, useability and reliability, plus interesting new technology thrown in. The BMW R1250’s overall design makes it unique and instantly recognisable on the road. The bike looks heavy and feels even heavy when you’re pushing it around. But as soon as you start its wonderful boxer engine and open the throttle, all that weight vanishes.
On the road, it’s surprisingly agile, light and easy to ride. The controls are similar to my old BMW R1200GS TE Exclusive. The GSA`s larger frame, windscreen and fuel tank are a real benefit as they increase your road presence, and your weather protection as they make you more visible to other road users. I`ve always liked the GS styling as you feel you sitting in something powerful, rather than holding on to it.
The BMW 1250 Boxer engine has a surprisingly calming roar as you accelerate away. I was warned that the engine’s quick shifter could be clunky at low speeds. But for me, it’s a huge improvement over my old bike’s quick shifter. But once you’ve put some miles on the clock, it gets a lot better, smoother and more refined and perfect for my styling of touring. My 2022 version of the BMW R1250 GSA motorcycle is also equipped with an eco-mode function similar to my car. This mode changes the engine performance profile and on a good day, I even managed to get 435 miles on a single tank which is personnel best for me.
My BMW R1250 GSA does not have the sleek looks or engine performance of the latest, Ducati Multistrada or KTM Super Adventure R. But, for me my BMW bike is the most enjoyable motorbike, I have ever ridden.
My BMW R1250 GSA dislikes
In my eyes, my GSA 1250 motorcycle is pretty much perfect. But there are several things, which I think BMW could improve on in their next generation motorcycles. I think the GS range should evolve into a sleeker, more aerodynamic design. There are plenty of images of the BMW M 1300GS, which might feature a new water-cooled engine. According to online rumours I’ve read, these next-generation motorcycles may even be equipped with radar cruise control and extra safety technology.
When my motorcycle’s rear brake lights are on, some fellow riders have complained that the indicator light is difficult to see. So please BMW, if you’re reading this blog. Can we look at that, I think safety is pretty important these days. Cleaning the bike is also a pain, it’s like cleaning a chandelier or painting the fourth bridge as there are so many little nooks and crannies to clean, rinse and dry. But it’s also part of the fun of owning a motorcycle and far more fun than driving a car these days. I’m also in the process of buying frame protectors to cover the odd gaps at the bike’s rear to solve this issue.
Motorcycle Customisation
One of the benefits you have with owning a motorcycle is the customization or adding accessories to your bike to make it unique. But in the motorcycling world, they have a special word for this process and it’s called “Farkling”. This word is so unique, that I couldn’t find it in my Oxford English dictionary. When I worked in the Middle East, a lot of colleagues would spend $15,000 or $20,000 on a new bike. Then, they would spend another $25,000 customising it or blinging it up according to a friend of mine in Dubai. Many of these motorbikes suddenly became three-dimensional works of art and they were never ridden again, which I thought was a shame. But Farkling for me has become an important part of motorcycling life as it’s what you do when it’s pouring down with rain outside.
For my current bike, the BMW R1250GSA. I have already added the mandatory fender extender, mudsling and Givi hand guard extenders in the first week of ownership. All of which had been ordered from Nippy Normans. Then, I added the Lone Rider side stander extender which was perfect for my needs. One accessory, I would recommend is the Cool Seat Cover as it keeps your rear end cool on a warm day. I have also added Wunderlich’s cylinder head protection plates and crash bar reinforcements.
The timing of this installation was perfect, as I dropped the bike a few days later. The additional protection worked perfectly and the only damage was my pride.
Future BMW GSA1250 “Farkling” Projects
When I bought the bike, I didn’t include the standard BMW hard luggage, so you might be wondering why. Well, I had already seen both Lone Rider`s Motobags and Bumot Xtremeda soft panniers being used and I thought they looked like a better option. Both luggage systems had great reviews online and are more suited for my needs. Even in August, I still don’t know which one to choose, I might just flip a coin and decide that way. I`m even thinking of touring in Europe in 2023, so i have time to choose the right luggage. I just hope i don’t spend hours in queues at Dover. But with Brexit, i need more documents which i have to pay for. All Brexit did was stop my freedom of movement.
My old bike Vario Top was brilliant as it was adjustable. It was perfectly sized for my cameras. Now, I want a hard-top box that is wide enough for my helmet, drone and cameras. I even have this crazy idea of mounting a solar panel to the top of the top box, which would be perfect for touring. I’m also looking at what sort of cameras I will add to the bike. The Innovv K3 dash cam range is my current preferred choice as ABikeThing has this front dash cam grill. I have never seen it anywhere else, it’s a great solution as it perfectly hides the camera away from prying eyes.
My professional career allows me to work from home. When I’m not working, I’m writing science fiction or I`m working on my bike. As I said, Farkling can be a lot of fun, expensive, but rewarding and it all started with a single word.
Discovering inspiration, whilst exploring the future.
For me, my BWM R1250GSA motorcycle is one of the finest ways to relax and discover the world around me. Riding my bike inspires me to write better as it gives me ideas. It helps me develop my characters, create new alien technology and build new alien worlds to explore. Ever since the dawn of time. Humanity has been exploring the Earth either on foot, horseback or they`ve sailed across the world’s oceans. But humanity has also been blessed with an amazing gift called imagination. With this gift, we have created literary masterpieces, stunning works of art and have even built spacecraft that have recently left our solar system, all because we had a single idea.
The Daimler Reitwagen was designed and built by Gottlied Reitwagen and Wilhelm Maybach in 1885. This machine is widely regarded as the world’s first true motorcycle. But 150 years later, its descendants have proved to be one of the finest ways to explore the earth. If we could go back in time to show these men a modern motorcycle, they would be stunned. A modern motorcycle and its rider may look like something straight out of a Jules Verne science fiction novel. Science fiction is designed to make the reader think about humanity`s future. It’s designed to prepare society for the possibilities of tomorrow. Many of today’s technologies have their roots in exciting science fiction literature.
Our homeworld, the Earth is located in the Milky Way, a spiral Galaxy that has an estimated diameter of 100,000 lightyears. It’s been estimated that there are 100 to 400 billion stars in the Milky Way. So far, we have detected thousands of Exoplanets. Some of these exoplanets may contain intelligent life, so you have to ask, how do they explore their homeworlds?
Update BMW R1250GS December 2022
My BMW R1250GS Adventure motorcycle is probably the best bike i will ever own. I’ve already started to see the new spy shots of the new BMW GS1300 on the internets. This new BMW motorcycle is rumoured to have more power, a lighter frame and some interesting new technology such as a radar safety system. The online images are also suggesting that it has a new front, new nose which is interesting. I assume a version of the current adaptive light technology will be carried forward into this new model. This new motorcycle could also be more streamlined. But does all of this new technology and added power interest me… I’m 50/50 on this topic.
My current bike, a BMW GSA1250 Triple Black is already perfect for me and it’s a very practical machine. I don’t ride many miles each year and i don’t ride it to my day job either as that’s not pleasure. I’ve spent a lot of time and money customising it to my needs. I would be interested in an electric GSA with at least 500miles range. So, I’m already thinking of skipping a generation of BMW Motorcycles, but that could change when i finally get to see the final version of the new BMW GS1300.
BMW GS1300 News
I`m actually looking forward to seeing the BMW R1300 GS being revealed at the end of September 2023. According to my own research, this new BMW GS will use a different frame as BMW have said goodbye to the trusted tubular steel frame that my current 1250GSA uses. This new bike seems to be using a two-part aluminium frame, which could make it lighter and make it more compliant with Euro regulations. A lighter frame could also increase range.
When I first saw the spy shots on the internet, I instantly noticed how sleek this new motorbike is. The GS1300 bodywork is a lot more integrated than my current 1250 or older 1200. This new GS model also seems to retain the trusted telelever suspension system. which stops the nose from diving on braking.
The BMW GS1300 motorbike also houses a new nose that looks as if it`s been fitted with the latest version of BMW radar assisted adaptive cruise control and blind spotting monitoring system. This would match the Ducati Multistrada abilities, but i don’t think it would match the Ducati sleek frame. Hidden away under the BMW camouflage is a new main LED light cluster. This new light replaces the classic monocle look that has adorned the GS range for the last thirty plus years. There is also a new type of Vario pannier being tested in the spy shots. This new design is nicer than the old style which I once had on my old GS1200 TE Exclusive.
But will this new design tempt to trade in my trusted BMW R1250 GSA, I don’t know. It`s too early to say. But this new bike needs to be something really special for me to change.
Ride safe, stay safe, be safe…..
PS I also review books.
Regards
Marc.