BMW’s known for adventure bikes and touring bikes, so it’s easy to forget the company also makes standards as well. Maybe the new 2019 BMW R1250 R will help remind some buyers that not all Beemers are long-legged mile-eaters—they make great city-oriented machines as well.
As the name suggests, the R1250 R utilizes BMW’s new Shiftcam engine, a liquid-cooled 1254 cc flat twin with variable valve timing on the intake side. The variable valve timing supposedly greatly enhances power delivery, makes for a smooth ride, cuts tailpipe emissions and saves gas. And, it produces 136 hp at 7,750 rpm and 105 lb-ft of torque at 6,250 rpm. The gearbox has six cogs, as you’d expect.
And, as with the other R1250 models, the R has a two-part steel frame, with bolt-on rear subframe and engine serving as stressed chassis member.
The R model stands apart from the other R1250s due to its lack of specialized equipment—no off-road suspension, no touring-friendly bodywork, etc. It’s an old-school naked bike, with only a minimal flyscreen. Telescopic forks handle suspension duty up front; a BMW Paralever design does the job in back. An electronic suspension adjustment system is optional.
The front brakes have dual 320 mm discs and radial four-piston calipers. There’s a single 276 mm disc in back, with two-piston floating caliper. ABS is standard, leaning ABS (ABS Pro) is optional.
Seat height is 820 mm, but with accessory seats, you can achieve a range between 760 and 840 mm. Fuel tank capacity is 18 L. Wet weight is 239 kg. Front and rear wheels are 17-inchers, made of die-cast aluminum.
Two riding modes are standard, along with Automatic Stability Control and a hill start assist feature.
Several options bundles are available for the R1250 R, including a Comfort package (chromed exhaust, heated grips, RDC tire pressure control), a Touring package (Dynamic ESA, Keyless Ride, wiring for a GPS unit, cruise control, centre stand, sidecase mounts) and a Dynamic package (daytime riding light, LED indicators, up/down quickshifter, sport windshield, and Pro riding modes). Other available options include leaning ABS, as mentioned above, sporty bodywork panels, an alarm, and accessory seats.
The R1250 R will be the lowest-priced Beemer with Shiftcam technology when it debuts at $17,400 next season.
