Nice write up Piggy and your findings mirror almost exactly my own. Only difference is I was comparing with a 2016GSA with bar risers fitted and the bars pulled slightly back. I also preferred the longer suspension set up even if it is a bit slower turning in. It just feels more settled which suits the character of the bike better for me.
I don't know whether my engine was mapped or not (second owner and no paperwork with it suggesting it was mapped) but honestly, in Dynamic mode, pick-up from low revs I found very little difference until 4K or so when the 1250 seemed to pull faster without the dead spot, so apart from anything else, is better fuelled. 1250 has more pick up but it's definitely not the night and day difference that some on here would have me and others believe. More pokey? Yes. "Night and day" more? No...no way. Comparing my GSA with a recently ridden MT10, now that was night and day in every respect (way more powerful. Smoother and whilst no more torquey , it just pulled more linearly without the 5K slight flat spot and kept on pulling way past the red line of the twin until you thought your eyes would pop and arms would be ripped from your shoulders. Now that bike would run rings round the 1250 and deserves it's "bonkers" title).
Yes, nail on head. Would I have one over my 1200? No. Oddly, I think that the boxer actually suits a very slightly more laid back character. Once it starts trying to be a Super Duke, sacrifices have to be made in other areas. I don't care that the 1250's smoother or faster, I just see the little amount of vibes I get as part of the character of the lump. Over sanitise that and the character goes missing. BMW have a habit of taking a near perfect recipe and sanitising it. The S1000RR and S1000R are arguably the best bikes in their class, but oh dear, they do seem to be sterile to boot!
I have the same Bridgestones as some of the new 1250's are shod with and do like them although I still don't think they're quite as good as the older Anakee II's I had in the wet. They inspire confidence in the dry though and have very stable and predictable handling...you can easily ride the things off the edge and after doing that several times, the back end just gives a little kick and reminds you that as well as cylinder heads about to touch down, the rider will follow in short order unless he backs off a little! No other tyre I've had fitted to an ADV bike has given me so much confidence when it comes to the twisties.
I think that the 1250 has sort of polarised opinion between just about everyone I know who's tried one. There's no denying it's stronger in several areas but as an all round package, most, including myself, wouldn't trade our 1200's in any time soon as they still cut the mustard as a great all rounder with few weaknesses. Engine is strong enough. Want to race or do track days? Buy a 160bhp super naked or 180bhp superbike. Neither will be as good all-round imho as the GS....any GS.
I don't know whether my engine was mapped or not (second owner and no paperwork with it suggesting it was mapped) but honestly, in Dynamic mode, pick-up from low revs I found very little difference until 4K or so when the 1250 seemed to pull faster without the dead spot, so apart from anything else, is better fuelled. 1250 has more pick up but it's definitely not the night and day difference that some on here would have me and others believe. More pokey? Yes. "Night and day" more? No...no way. Comparing my GSA with a recently ridden MT10, now that was night and day in every respect (way more powerful. Smoother and whilst no more torquey , it just pulled more linearly without the 5K slight flat spot and kept on pulling way past the red line of the twin until you thought your eyes would pop and arms would be ripped from your shoulders. Now that bike would run rings round the 1250 and deserves it's "bonkers" title).
Yes, nail on head. Would I have one over my 1200? No. Oddly, I think that the boxer actually suits a very slightly more laid back character. Once it starts trying to be a Super Duke, sacrifices have to be made in other areas. I don't care that the 1250's smoother or faster, I just see the little amount of vibes I get as part of the character of the lump. Over sanitise that and the character goes missing. BMW have a habit of taking a near perfect recipe and sanitising it. The S1000RR and S1000R are arguably the best bikes in their class, but oh dear, they do seem to be sterile to boot!
I have the same Bridgestones as some of the new 1250's are shod with and do like them although I still don't think they're quite as good as the older Anakee II's I had in the wet. They inspire confidence in the dry though and have very stable and predictable handling...you can easily ride the things off the edge and after doing that several times, the back end just gives a little kick and reminds you that as well as cylinder heads about to touch down, the rider will follow in short order unless he backs off a little! No other tyre I've had fitted to an ADV bike has given me so much confidence when it comes to the twisties.
I think that the 1250 has sort of polarised opinion between just about everyone I know who's tried one. There's no denying it's stronger in several areas but as an all round package, most, including myself, wouldn't trade our 1200's in any time soon as they still cut the mustard as a great all rounder with few weaknesses. Engine is strong enough. Want to race or do track days? Buy a 160bhp super naked or 180bhp superbike. Neither will be as good all-round imho as the GS....any GS.
