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BMW is celebrating 40 years of adventure by unveiling the 2021 R 1250 GS

BMW’s best-selling ADV gets a whole raft of upgrades.


BMW R 1250 GS

When BMW released the very first R 80 GS, the engineers behind the motorcycle took a little side project of theirs without the approval of top management. The team wanted to build a prototype motorcycle that was capable of off-road use with the best characteristics and components to survive the grueling International Six-Days Enduro. At that time, it was considered the Olympics of motorcycling. When the bike was finally launched in 1980, it was the first large-displacement dual-sport bike available at that time winning numerous titles including the Paris-Dakar Rally. Four decades later, it remains BMW’s best-selling motorcycle and its latest version, the R 1250 GS now gets a whole new slew of upgrades for 2021.

BMW R 1250 GS

The GS, which stands for Gelände Straße, German for ‘off-road’ and ‘street’ has been a badge that BMW carries on the R 1250. For 2021, celebrating its 40th year of production, it gets a special edition livery to commemorate this milestone for the Bavarian motorcycle manufacturer. It is powered by a legendary two-cylinder boxer engine with a Euro5 compliant, 1,254 cc displacement. It is capable of churning out 136 hp and 143 Nm of torque. BMW’s ShiftCam technology brings superior power delivery across the entire speed range while at the same time, lowering emissions values. 

BMW R 1250 GS

Both the R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure models now come with BMW Integral ABS Pro as a standard feature. It’s a braking system that provides additional safety particularly useful when traveling in inclined positions. It works by thinking further ahead and factors the need for more braking power when traveling up and down a hill. It works hand-in-hand with the bike’s additional riding modes now available. 

The Hill Start Control drive-off assistant now comes standard in both models which enables convenient stopping and starting when driving uphill, giving you more ease of control over the motorcycle. Meanwhile, Hill Start Control Pro (HSC Pro) goes beyond the Hill Start Control comfort system by noticeably improving the starting performance of the bike in all conditions. 

BMW R 1250 GS

BMW has also given its standard full-LED headlight which already does an excellent job of illuminating the road by adding a newly developed swivel function. With this adaptive headlight function, this optional feature allows the low-beam headlight is turned into the curve depending on the inclined position of the bike. In addition, an optional cruising light could keep the two front indicator bulbs on but permanently dimmed simultaneously for additional visibility and illumination.

The BMW R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure already have a 12 V vehicle voltage socket and a USB-A socket with 5 V power supply to charge your favorite handheld devices. Its handlebar height can now be adjusted with optional handlebar risers. 

BMW R 1250 GS

Both models now come in Standard, Rallye Style, and “40 Years GS” anniversary edition variants. In their basic versions, both the BMW R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure is clad in white and Ice Grey solid paint. The Rallye style variants come in triple black style offered in two expressive color concepts. Meanwhile, the “40 Years GS” anniversary edition commemorates the 40th anniversary of the GS model that comes in a black and yellow color scheme based on the legendary R 100 GS “Bumblebee”. 

BMW Motorrad Philippines has confirmed that the 2021 R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure should land in Philippine shores sometime in mid next year. It’s still quite a long wait, especially for its loyal customers. Let’s just hope that the global pandemic would no longer cause any additional delays on its arrival. 


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