SA Launch BMW R1250gs & Adventure
Bike SA|April 2019

Having been on a number of BMW GS launches in the past, you get used to the level of advancement one can expect on the next model.

Gavin Morton
SA Launch BMW R1250gs & Adventure

The international launch took place 10 weeks ago and for some reason BMW Motorrad SA had released stock to the their authorised Dealers who in turn had delivered a number of these motorcycles into the market by the time we had the privilege to ride them.

Bike SA had already published Sir Alan Cathcart’s review on the BMW 1250 GS and BMW 1250 GS Adventure. With this in mind I am certainty not going to bore you with all the technical details but will just give my honest opinions and views of these bikes that I had the pleasure to ride.

An early start with a 7 am flight from Johannesburg to Durban and in true BMW Motorrad style, I felt like a Government VIP as we were whisked from the airport in a fleet of X class BMW’s and promptly delivered to the Beverly Hills Hotel in Umhlanga. We were served a lavish breakfast followed by a presentation of the new models. It was all very interesting but nothing new as we already had feedback from friends that had purchased the bike. We were introduce to Chris Modise, the new National Sales Manager for BMW Motorrad, who took us through the new features of the range.

The 1250 Boxer motor has not changed much over the years, but it has been refined over time. They have increased the capacity from 1200cc to 1250cc which has increased the horse power from 125 to 136 - but the most significant change comes in the form of the torque increase. Listening to just how this has been achieved is all very interesting and the new variable valve opening mechanism is how this has been achieved. Very interesting if all the tech impresses you but what has it done to the ride?

After the presentation, we were all given a bike to ride for the day. I chose to ride the R1250GS Adventure HP first - that classic colour scheme is just awesome! I personally would take a bit of time getting used to the bling gold rims.

Denne historien er fra April 2019-utgaven av Bike SA.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra April 2019-utgaven av Bike SA.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA BIKE SASe alt
A Ladies Perspective What a Surprise Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX
Bike SA

A Ladies Perspective What a Surprise Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX

I’m sure as everyone knows by now there is little that compares to my BMW K1200S and out of the 13 different bikes I’ve been lucky enough to ride over the 18 months I’ve been riding, I finally came across one that I’m almost certain I’d swap my bike for…

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2022
Goodwood's 79th Members Meeting - Hunting, Shooting and - Racing
Bike SA

Goodwood's 79th Members Meeting - Hunting, Shooting and - Racing

For that’s what marked the 79th Goodwood Members Meeting aka 79MM, held this year on April 9-10, which this time included two thrilling motorcycle races, each with a blanket finish which in Race 1 saw less than a second covering the first four bikes home.

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 2022
MIDWEIGHT PUNCH - TRIUMPH TIGER SPORT 660
Bike SA

MIDWEIGHT PUNCH - TRIUMPH TIGER SPORT 660

The Triumph brand seems to be going from strength to strength worldwide. New models are seeing the light of day in various sectors, and here in South Africa there is a carefully planned dealer expansion program in action.

time-read
7 mins  |
June 2022
Isle of Man TT-winning ABUS NORTON NRS588 GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Bike SA

Isle of Man TT-winning ABUS NORTON NRS588 GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Exclusive track test of the last British bike to win the Isle of Man Senior TT in 1992, after what's widely considered to be the most exciting race ever held in the Island

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 2022
NORTON ROTARY RACERS HISTORY - Rotary Race Record
Bike SA

NORTON ROTARY RACERS HISTORY - Rotary Race Record

For eight successive seasons the world’s first - and so far only - Rotary-engined racebikes swept to serial success on British racetracks. Here’s a timeline on their ebb and flow.

time-read
7 mins  |
June 2022
MOTO MORINI'S Alberto Monni - INTERVIEW
Bike SA

MOTO MORINI'S Alberto Monni - INTERVIEW

Exclusive interview with Moto Morini's CEO Alberto Monni, responsible for directing its ride along the comeback trail since its 2018 takeover by Zhongneng Vehicle Group/ZVG

time-read
9 mins  |
June 2022
KAWASAKI NINJA 1000SX - Surprise Package
Bike SA

KAWASAKI NINJA 1000SX - Surprise Package

I’ve recently written in my Editor’s note bemoaning the lack of available Sports-Touring motorcycles nowadays.

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2022
DRYSDALE HISTORY PART 4/5: 25 YEARS ON FROM CREATION OF FIRST 750-V8
Bike SA

DRYSDALE HISTORY PART 4/5: 25 YEARS ON FROM CREATION OF FIRST 750-V8

2002 1000-V8 Bruiser mega-Monster was a Naked roadster with added muscle - the answer to the question of how to out-max a Yamaha V-Max!

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2022
GODIER & GENOUD KAWASAKI 1000 - Enquring Excellence
Bike SA

GODIER & GENOUD KAWASAKI 1000 - Enquring Excellence

Exclusive track test at France's Carole circuit of what's arguably the first motorcycle of the modern era - the title-winning Kawasaki Endurance racer built in 1975 by Frenchmen Georges Godier and Alain Genoud

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 2022
Unnecessarily Fast, or Unnecessarily Dangerous?
Bike SA

Unnecessarily Fast, or Unnecessarily Dangerous?

“The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” This truism comes from boxing, but applies to all walks of life. Innovative MotoGP superstar Marc Marquez, however, adds a new twist.

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2022