1250 GS advice please

[BDG]

I’m thinking about buying a 1250 GS not the adventure for road use only. I’m not interested in taking a behemoth like that off road.

Currently got a mint 2 year old KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, done 18500 miles and it’s been faultless but just fancy a change. I’ve ridden the GS, great mid range but not as quick at the top end but think I could live with that despite riding with a bit of enthusiasm.

What faults, issues and problems have the 1250 GS’s suffered. I’m not asking to start a BM vs KTM argument but want to know what current 1250 owners have to say please. I’ve done loads of miles on 5 big KTM’s with very few problems despite their supposed reputation.

I have trawled the forum but unless I’ve missed something, just trying to bring everything together as the 1250 has been out for a year now and hopefully clocked a fair few miles. Thanks.

 

[SPL]

I also went from a KTM SA-S to the 1250 GS.

Went for the Rallye rather than an adventure as (to my mind) it's a better road bike and closer to the KTM in terms of performance.
Don't get me wrong, the KTM is faster once you're up into properly illegal speeds, but the BM is quicker in same gear roll-ons (tested side by side with a mate).
The GS is however more comfortable (especially wind buffeting), as well screwed together as the KTM, and generally more refined.

There have been numerous issues with leaking front brake calipers, which I have been fortunate enough to avoid.
Apart from that, they're pretty solid.
Of course there have been some teething issues with specific bikes, but mine has been spot on (unlike my KTM which was in the dealer for most of the 1st 2 months of ownershop).

You won't be disappointed with the GS.

 

[Deleted account 220214001]

I can't comment on KTMs and as you say: this shouldn't be a pissing contest.

I only wanted to comment on wire wheels vs alloys.

Wire wheels are stronger, but they are also considerably heavier. If you ride "enthusiastically" ( I like that - to the point, but modest enough) then centrifugal forces will come into play and steering will not be as quick. But perhaps more importantly, recent issues highlight the need to check and maintain them with more care, especially if you expect them to perform at high speed. They're also a bitch to keep clean!!

I chose my (1200 - but the same applies to the 1250) with alloy's for the above reasons as I am of the same mind as you with regard to off-roading. However, despite my reservations about wire wheels, I find that I am now limited in my choice of the kind of things I can do on my bike. For example, I'd actually quite like to go to Morocco one year (it's on my doorstep). There are also a few rallye's here in Spain which take in greenlanes which I couldn't hope to join with alloys. I already have a very slight dent in mine from a pothole. Not that wire wheel won"t also dent but they rarely split like an alloy can and ruin your whole tour.

Watching the thread too as my Select is due for decision time in Feb 2021...

 

[Boxerlust]

BDG nothing to worry about !
A few leaky Hayes front calipers that have been fixed easy with new seals the bike has been 100% reliable despite the all new shiftcam system.You'll love the engine , driveshaft and T-L chassis coming from the KTM.The KTM is faster on the Autobahn but the BMW beats it in the twisties... Don't worry about the idiots in the press who always talk about lack of front end feel.These guys are clueless.A T-L front with a 10 year old Showa shock on my ex R1200R still was better than the new Ohlins fork on my ex-R9T ridden hard on real roads.
If you legs are long enough get the GS 1250 with sports-suspension.Stiffer springs,20mm more ground clearance and 5 mm less trail help to show your KTM riding buddies that they are really "Not ready to Race"...
Only the stock Bridgestone or Michelin suck but I had my dealer exchange them for Conti TA3... which are great tires except for wear.
Happy New Year !

 

[DC]

i also can't comment on KTMs ..My 1250 GS Rallye is perfect what I do on it. It tours ,it scratches it can commute. I have no issues at all ,mines a mid sept 19 plate 2020 model. it has done 4500 miles, its been back to the dealership once, that was to be serviced. great bikes in my opinion .I sold a GSA TB and find the smaller GS great

 

[BDG]

BDG nothing to worry about !
A few leaky Hayes front calipers that have been fixed easy with new seals the bike has been 100% reliable despite the all new shiftcam system.You'll love the engine , driveshaft and T-L chassis coming from the KTM.The KTM is faster on the Autobahn but the BMW beats it in the twisties... Don't worry about the idiots in the press who always talk about lack of front end feel.These guys are clueless.A T-L front with a 10 year old Showa shock on my ex R1200R still was better than the new Ohlins fork on my ex-R9T ridden hard on real roads.
If you legs are long enough get the GS 1250 with sports-suspension.Stiffer springs,20mm more ground clearance and 5 mm less trail help to show your KTM riding buddies that they are really "Not ready to Race"...
Only the stock Bridgestone or Michelin suck but I had my dealer exchange them for Conti TA3... which are great tires except for wear.
Happy New Year !

Hmm, sports suspension, didn’t realise they did this. Thanks, I need to check up. I’m 6’ 2” so extra height shouldn’t be an issue. Thanks for the feedback so far folks

 

[BDG]

I can't comment on KTMs and as you say: this shouldn't be a pissing contest.

I only wanted to comment on wire wheels vs alloys.

Wire wheels are stronger, but they are also considerably heavier. If you ride "enthusiastically" ( I like that - to the point, but modest enough) then centrifugal forces will come into play and steering will not be as quick. But perhaps more importantly, recent issues highlight the need to check and maintain them with more care, especially if you expect them to perform at high speed. They're also a bitch to keep clean!!

I chose my (1200 - but the same applies to the 1250) with alloy's for the above reasons as I am of the same mind as you with regard to off-roading. However, despite my reservations about wire wheels, I find that I am now limited in my choice of the kind of things I can do on my bike. For example, I'd actually quite like to go to Morocco one year (it's on my doorstep). There are also a few rallye's here in Spain which take in greenlanes which I couldn't hope to join with alloys. I already have a very slight dent in mine from a pothole. Not that wire wheel won"t also dent but they rarely split like an alloy can and ruin your whole tour.

Watching the thread too as my Select is due for decision time in Feb 2021...

Good point about the wheels, I’ve no desire for cleaning wire wheels instead of alloy wheels, if I’m off roading or doing serious adventure travel it won’t be on a 1250

 

[Mr Bean]

I also went from a KTM SA-S to the 1250 GS.

Went for the Rallye rather than an adventure as (to my mind) it's a better road bike and closer to the KTM in terms of performance.
Don't get me wrong, the KTM is faster once you're up into properly illegal speeds, but the BM is quicker in same gear roll-ons (tested side by side with a mate).
The GS is however more comfortable (especially wind buffeting), as well screwed together as the KTM, and generally more refined.

Nearly bought 1290 after the conversation we had in Portugal last year. However, took one out for a test and whilst it had a significant top end advantage over the 1200 I had at the time, there was nothing else I preferred about the KTM.

Following a number of 'events' I now have a 1250 TE and am delighted with it - no regrets.

The TFT screen on the GS is way ahead of the KTM's effort.

 

[ymfb]

Ive done about 4000 miles on my 1250 GSA, I've had no brake issues, but as have others on here it’s had some software issues, which didn’t effect anything, apart from possibly stalling and displaying a go to dealer message on the TFT, bizzarely the last time it appears that it has upset the tracker, or more likely the dealer upset it.

I’m really pleased with it.

 

[Boxerlust]

As for the wheels like everything in life it's a compromise...If you opt for the sports-suspension you get wire-wheels as you can get that option only on the HP.
Cast wheels are a little lighter but wire wheels wont bend if you hit the occasional pothole.
For that reason I prefer wire wheels !
Another thought is the luggage system ; Vario or Aluminum bags.
Vario bags are more practical if you like to filter/split lanes but when you have a mishap during a holiday trip the plastic cases will likely be toast while the aluminun ones will be dented.
Of course if you go the aluminum route it is more economical to go with the ADV because you can save yourself 1 grand or so you would have to fork out for bag/top case mounts and passenger pegs you would have to buy for the regular GS but come stock on the ADV.
Of course 20 vs 30 L tank range are also worth taking into consideration as also the ADV windshield which I run on my regular GS is much better than the one that comes on the regular GS.
Try Both and then decide.
But I think the sweet spot is the regular GS with the ADV (sports) suspension ! (If you don't need aluminum cases and the additional 10 liters in the tank) You get a slightly lighter and more manageable bike...But the ADV can embarrass sportsbikes,too.The bikes are amazing how well they handle if you don't know that already.

 

[Pit]

One year and 20.000Km here, including two weeks doing on and off road in Morroco and 1200km days with no issues ;-) (gs1250 exclusive)

 

[Deleted account 220214001]

As for the wheels like everything in life it's a compromise...If you opt for the sports-suspension you get wire-wheels as you can get that option only on the HP.
Cast wheels are a little lighter but wire wheels wont bend if you hit the occasional pothole.
For that reason I prefer wire wheels !
Another thought is the luggage system ; Vario or Aluminum bags.
Vario bags are more practical if you like to filter/split lanes but when you have a mishap during a holiday trip the plastic cases will likely be toast while the aluminun ones will be dented.
Of course if you go the aluminum route it is more economical to go with the ADV because you can save yourself 1 grand or so you would have to fork out for bag/top case mounts and passenger pegs you would have to buy for the regular GS but come stock on the ADV.
Of course 20 vs 30 L tank range are also worth taking into consideration as also the ADV windshield which I run on my regular GS is much better than the one that comes on the regular GS.
Try Both and then decide.
But I think the sweet spot is the regular GS with the ADV (sports) suspension ! (If you don't need aluminum cases and the additional 10 liters in the tank) You get a slightly lighter and more manageable bike...But the ADV can embarrass sportsbikes,too.The bikes are amazing how well they handle if you don't know that already.

Of course.

I will likely go for the HP (assuming that I trade mine in), but see below because I might have to go for a ADV.

To be fair, you live in Norcal whereas BDG lives in UK. If I lived in Calif. then I too might have an ADV but here in the EU it is largely pointless. For now.....

They say that 2020 is the year of the electric vehicle. Whilst I doubt that petrol will disappear any time very soon, I am planning to keep my 1250 (if I buy it) as I'm 55 next year and a mere 10 years from retirement when my slary will drop by over 50% (or even 75% if I go for promotion) so I don't want to buy another (almost) €30k bike; I have other plans for my money as well and the 1200 is a good bike. My point is that in a decade we could potentially be left with half the number (or less) of "petrol" outlets that we have today across Europe and having a big tank range might be quite an advantage even if it will cost what it now costs to fill a Range Rover by then.

The other advantage of an ADV is that they tend to depreciate much less than the other GS's. Probably even more relevant if my (back of fag packet) predictions prove true.

 

[Boxerlust]

Don't worry ELECTRIC won't go NOWHERE !
I a few years the carmakers will realize that they wasted billion$$$ on the C02/Climate change fraud because where does all the "clean" electricity comes from ?
Who can afford all these expensive electric cars ?
Which country can afford the infrastructure ?
Who has the time and patience to re-charge the batteries ?
And the batteries are very toxic in production and recycling !
Electric cars have no change are are for idiots and frauds like the criminals and frauds in politics,finance and industry who push them.
Automakers like Volkswagen who fell for the hysteria generated by frauds on Wall-Street and their puppets in politics will be hurting having wasted billion$$$ on technologies nobody wants or can afford !
They wish they would have stuck with their TDI Diesels and invested in synthetic fuels...but oh well idiots and frauds run the show.Brexit and with this the collapse and demise of the EU bankster union can't come early enough....
And then we run like god intended on affordable fuel again where you can fill up your tank in 5 minutes and get 600 mile range if you have a TDI...
As for the 1250 ADV it is nice to have a 30 liter tank.But the regular GS is a little more manageable due to less weight and smaller size.This is a personal decision which is more important.Fuel up more often and have a lighter bike or have the convenience to have 100 miles more range !?

 

[Deleted account 220214001]

Hmmm,

Slightly off topic (I know, I started)

I don't share your lack of faith in electric. What I do share is your cynicism about politicians; I think it will be no cheaper because they will quickly tax it all somehow. Battery tech and prices are coming down every day. The latest Tesla has 18 moving parts (including the wheels). Today they are made of Li-Ion, tomorrow who knows what they'll be made of but with 7bn people on the planet and set to double by 2050, I should think that there will be no shortage of bright sparks to think of something.

I could quite easily turn the conspiracy theory around on you and say that this dependence on fossil fuels is an American advantage because it is a controllable resource and that's just the way they like it. Not only that they make a lot of money from it and they would prefer not to change anything. Hence why we are where we are today.

Electric vehicles might not be battery powered necessarily. I'd prefer to see hydrogen engines being developed further (and this is where my cycnicism agrees with yours), but I fear, as do the politicians, that taxing the most common element in the universe might prove tricky and we couldn't have that at all.

Fossil fuel's days are numbered whether by design, necessity or conscience.

 

[Morety]

I'm afraid I find the whole electric argument pretty insidiously flawed at present since 1) it relies on rare earth metals (which currently are NOT being recycled) and 2) requires fossil fuels to be burnt to charge them anyway and will fuel rapid turnover in more manufacture, probably no less carbon footprint in whole life costs so part of me still thinks "why bother?" when I prefer by far the sound, character and feel of an infernal combustion engine. I do run a hybrid car because that makes much more sense for clean running in urban areas. Not interested in the performance of electric...bikes and cars are all fast enough as it is...at least faster than toe roads are safe to use these days. Some will champion electric. I'm not one of them and will mourn the loss of the petrol engine when that day finally arrives. Perhaps a topic for a separate thread of its own?

 

[DC]

Hmm, sports suspension, didn’t realise they did this. Thanks, I need to check up. I’m 6’ 2” so extra height shouldn’t be an issue. Thanks for the feedback so far folks

I thought about sports suspension on my Rallye, to raise it a little, but was told the setoff is that the bike will be more softer due to the longer travel! no idea if that is correct. I know Nutty ordered the 2016 Rallye with SS ,dont think he was a fan of it

 

[Doc]

1250 adv exclusive for me.My first bmw purchased after moving various gs;s around Europe for a client.Great for two up touring and have had no issues with mine yet .Touch wood