All big and clever manufacturers are using one engine to power a whole platform of bikes– from adventure tractors to supersport missiles. Take the tried and tested Honda CB/CBR/ CBX combo, for instance. Or the brand new Ducati V4 dynasty: a superbike, a naked and (if the rumours are true) the upcoming Multistrada. Hugely different bikes can use the same powerplant with small – or sometimes no – changes. It makes much more sense than building separate engines for each one. But sometimes the rest of the packaging of one or two models becomes so alluring that they steal the limelight, leaving the others behind – no matter how good they are.
I feel that's the case with the R1250RS. BMW has a great engine in the new 1250cc boxer, and a deliciously sporty, yet comfortable chassis to create a sports tourer for big miles and rapid fun. On paper, the new RS should be flying out of the dealerships. But – and it's a big but – BMW also has the adventure riders' dream, the GS, and the heavy-duty touring machine, the RT, which are going to lure a lot of riders away from the charms of the RS.
And that's a real shame, because as we found on our test ride, it's a brilliant bike for sporty touring – or even just a blast to the coast for some ice cream!
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT?
The RS is a traditional sports tourer in its looks, handling and power delivery. If you're being overly critical you might say that it looks a little dated, but it's certainly true to its sports touring roots. The big visible update for 2019 is the new LED headlights, which provide a better and longer beam of light in the dark. Other than that, the overall appearance of the bike has not changed much from the previous incarnation that had the 1200cc engine.
Esta historia es de la edición October 2019 de Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
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Esta historia es de la edición October 2019 de Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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Honda CRF1100L ES Africa Twin
Without panniers he was adventuring nowhere - so at least Bertie's got something sorted now
BMW R 12 nineT
Chad gets a track day surprise when BMW's R 12 nineT turns out to be surprisingly fun on track
Test fleet: VOGE 525 DSX
After testing the Voge's abilities on a long ride, it was time to take it to the Cotswolds and see how it would manage on the rougher stuff
Portuguese Perambulations
Nearly over before it had begun, a brief workshop stint allows Spain and Portugal to be explored
Highway to Heaven
Three friends take on the challenge of riding the length of Canada, from Vancouver in the southwest to Inuvik in the north. The road is long, the conditions merciless, and wildfires are tearing through the country. To top it all off, the final leg of the journey is the ultimate test of gravel riding skills, nerves, and courage - it's the legendary Dempster Highway...
Battlaxes at the ready!
We tend to take tyres for granted, never really looking at them in any detail, or at how they work, just hoping that they keep us shiny side up at all times. Even in the wet
Ducati Riding Experience
When I rode the Ducati DesertX to France last year, I did have a bit of an explore on some easy fire roads and gentle green lanes in the wilds of the Médoc area, but was left with the feeling that, had I the experience, the DesertX would have been capable of taking me along some more extreme trails to some even more exciting places. If only there was a way of finding out just how well the Italian adventure bike could cope with some more extreme terrain...
Four pot flyer
Many said that sports bikes, and particularly bikes in the traditional Supersports class that was populated by 600cc inline fours, were dead. Maybe they spoke too soon?...
Eastern adventurer
With an increasing interest in smaller capacity adventure bikes, the market expands with a new entry
First Time Lucky?
It's ironic that the first all-new MV Agusta model to hit the marketplace right after Italy's No.1 trophy brand was acquired by Austrian giant Pierer Mobility, owner of off-road titans KTM, should be the company's first dual-purpose model of the modern era, powered by MV's all-new 931cc three-cylinder engine that's destined to form the basis of a whole series of new models in coming months and years.
