Should I buy an R1250RS, or...?

I'm thinking about whether to make a change in my bikes for the upcoming season. I won't be able to do any test riding anytime soon, due to winter snow, ice, etc., so I'll ask questions instead. I visited the local dealer and checked out the offerings that were in stock.

One possibility for a new bike is an R1250RS. I got to sit on one at the dealer. It feels promising, but sits a bit farther forward than I prefer.

The RT looks and feels bulkier than I'd prefer.

What else should I look at? I have a 30" inseam, so the GS is a bit tall for my taste, but not impossible. I think I'd like more weather protection than the R. I posted elsewhere questions asking about the F900XR and F850GS, but am happy to chat about them here as well.

What else should I look at?

I once owned an R1100RS, which I liked, other than that it was a lemon. The dealer was diligent at fixing what broke, but things broke often. I put almost 50K on it, until it had one too many thing go wrong with it.

I currently own a K1200RS, which has a number of strengths (including reliability), but is heavy and thirsty. I have over 90K on it. Technology has come a long way since it.

I put barbacks on both of them, to bring the handlebars up and back a bit. That helped me with the riding position.

I'll do general riding, some touring, occasional two-up riding, etc. I'll definitely get saddlebags and probably a top box for it.

Recommendations?

A factory lowered R1250GS should be a good fit for a 30 inch inseam. I too have a 30 inch inseam and have been riding a lowered R1200GSA with no issues for 4 years.

I've got an RT, an 850GSA and a 1250R. I've often thought that the RS would be the sweet spot between the RT and R, knowing what I know now I thing I would have gone for the RS. Its a sporty bike but has enough protection to tour in my opinion.

YMMV

I too have a 30" inseam that goes really well with the 37" seat height of my 640 Adventure. But back to Beemers just remember that you can put the super low seat of the GS and any model of GS. I found I could just about flat foot the GS Adventure with the low seat.

coachz said:

I've got an RT, an 850GSA and a 1250R. I've often thought that the RS would be the sweet spot between the RT and R, knowing what I know now I thing I would have gone for the RS. Its a sporty bike but has enough protection to tour in my opinion.

YMMV

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I've toured on my 1200RS a few times, getting caught in light to heavy rain over several days last summer on a trip. It's got some protection, but nothing like my GT had and I suspect the RT has.

I'm keeping the RS, but presently looking at a 15 RT or an 18 Wing for a true touring motor.

66789 said:

One possibility for a new bike is an R1250RS. I got to sit on one at the dealer. It feels promising, but sits a bit farther forward than I prefer.

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I had a 2003 K1200RS and the forward lean was similar to my R1250RS. The 03 had adjustable bars and I had them in the forward position, probably the same position as your 98 fixed bars.
Swaping the bars with R1250R bars will sit you up more or you could get aftermarket bars or risers.

The suggestion of a lowered GS is another option that might work for you.
The RS is cheaper than a GS.

I test rode both an R1250RS and R1250RT and ended up purchasing an RT (actually a 1200RT, but close enough). The RS was super fun to ride and handled a bit better than the RT, but I found the riding position to be too aggressive for longer rides. The wind protection was also merely adequate, nothing more. On the other hand, while the RT looked and felt significantly bulkier (while stationary), after getting the bike moving the weight completely disappeared, even at parking lot speeds. The wind protection is also phenomenal. For this reason, if you plan on doing long tours I would recommend reconsidering the RT or maybe taking a look at a 1250GS. Unless you add bar risers, lowered footpegs, and an aftermarket windscreen to the RS, I think you'll find it too sporty for long distance riding.

I considered an RS..But chose the RT because I ride 2-up 80% of the time. If that wasn't the case, Id do an RS in a heartbeat. First 2 add-ons would be a taller windshield and a handlebar conversion:

https://forums.bmwmoa.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=86520&d=1642599385&thumb=1&stc=1

It depends on what is most important to you

I moved to an R1200RS from a couple of generations of RTs. In look at the current RT. Is just to big too bulbous for me. The huge tank makess it more top heavy.

The RS is lighter, more sporting a suits me much better. The fairing is very good but the weather coverage is not as protective as heRT. The suspension is also better For more sporting riding in my opinion.

I did get bar risers and peg lowers to address my older knees

45k miles as and still lovin it. The new R1250Rs is on Evan better

Take one for a ride

66789 said:

One possibility for a new bike is an R1250RS. I got to sit on one at the dealer. It feels promising, but sits a bit farther forward than I prefer.

The RT looks and feels bulkier than I'd prefer.

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I feel your pain. Back in 2018 I went to my local BMW dealer wanting to try the R1200RS. (Note, I had no intention of buying a bike. I'm retired and occasionally test ride bikes just for the fun of it.) I wasn't interested in an RT because of its size and weight. Alas, the dealer didn't have an RS that I could test ride and suggested since I was there I might as well try an RT. Forty five minutes on winding roads through the foothills around Eugene, OR sold me on the RT. If I could have done a back to back comparison the an RS I don't know which I might have picked. Three years later I'm loving my RT but that's just me.

What else might you consider? It depends on your priorities of course. Do you want to stay with BMW? If not bikes in roughly the RS category I might try are the Ducati Multistrada V2 and the Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX. YMMV.

Good luck whatever you choose!

When I last looked for a bike, I spent a lot of time looking at the R and RS models hoping to save a little cash over the RT. But I knew I wanted panniers and wind protection, and by the time I farkled either bike into the shape I wanted, there really wasn't much cost savings, and neither offered cruise control at the time. I found a low miles RT that fit the budget and has been better than I ever expected, so that has proved to be the right choice. The size really has not been an issue - the basic dimensions are similar, the panniers are removable, the monster tank does not have to be 100% full. In any real world use, the handling and performance differences would be insignificant. Occasionally, on hot summer days, when the wind protection is a little too good, I think about a new R or RS, but now I would be unwilling to give up the Telelever front suspension.

akbeemer said:

A factory lowered R1250GS should be a good fit for a 30 inch inseam. I too have a 30 inch inseam and have been riding a lowered R1200GSA with no issues for 4 years.

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Yup, 5'4" with a much shorter inseam and riding a 2016 R1200GSA Low Suspension bike with Sargent LOW seat and Wunderlich Seat lowering bushings - NOT AN ISSUE.

Thanks, everyone. I sat on several Beemers the other day at the local dealer. Considering that the high temperature yesterday was about 10 degrees F, I elected not to do any test rides. LOL. (I have ridden in colder weather, but on my own bikes.)

There's a lot to like about the bike.

That said, the R1250RS's handlebars are farther forward than my back may want. I can, of course, add barbacks or higher handlebars to it.

I also sat on several other bikes, including the RT, GS, F900XR and S1000XR. There's a lot to be said for the more upright seating positions.

One detail that I learned: the R1250RS has not yet received the adaptive LED headlights. That's too bad. As the weather warms up, I'll take a few test rides, including in the evening, to see (literally) how well the headlights work.

stooie said:

I feel your pain. Back in 2018 I went to my local BMW dealer wanting to try the R1200RS. (Note, I had no intention of buying a bike. I'm retired and occasionally test ride bikes just for the fun of it.) I wasn't interested in an RT because of its size and weight. Alas, the dealer didn't have an RS that I could test ride and suggested since I was there I might as well try an RT. Forty five minutes on winding roads through the foothills around Eugene, OR sold me on the RT. If I could have done a back to back comparison the an RS I don't know which I might have picked. Three years later I'm loving my RT but that's just me.

What else might you consider? It depends on your priorities of course. Do you want to stay with BMW? If not bikes in roughly the RS category I might try are the Ducati Multistrada V2 and the Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX. YMMV.

Good luck whatever you choose!

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I noticed one detail in here that I didn't address.

I'm not wedded to buying another BMW, and I am open to suggestions.

That said, there is an excellent BMW dealer just a few miles from me, whereas I don't think there's a Ducati (or Moto Guzzi) dealer anywhere near me. There are various Honda, Yamaha, etc. dealers in the area, but the closest ones to me didn't have the best reputations last I heard (which, admittedly, was some years ago). So, I'll do some research, but I'll probably stick with BMW, absent a compelling alternate choice.

66789 said:

I noticed one detail in here that I didn't address.

I'm not wedded to buying another BMW, and I am open to suggestions.

That said, there is an excellent BMW dealer just a few miles from me, whereas I don't think there's a Ducati (or Moto Guzzi) dealer anywhere near me. There are various Honda, Yamaha, etc. dealers in the area, but the closest ones to me didn't have the best reputations last I heard (which, admittedly, was some years ago). So, I'll do some research, but I'll probably stick with BMW, absent a compelling alternate choice.

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Go ride a Yamaha FJR before you buy.

bigjohnsd said:

Go ride a Yamaha FJR before you buy.

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Now why would you suggest buying a Yamaha FJR? Ya sure, the FJR is rock solid reliable, and the FJR community is super helpful in providing information and advice. So okay, they handle very well and have plenty of usable power, are a hoot to ride and eat miles with ease, and there are plenty of accessories available for them. But other than that they are meh….. oh, and they are priced to sell. But other than that?

akbeemer said:

But other than that?

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I've had five Yamahas. Still have three. Yamaha makes a great bike! But, other than that, who in their right mind would buy one?

A word of advice, test ride the FJR before commiting

I had an FJR before joining the BMW ranks. Loved the bike, couldn't stand the engine heat or the intrinsic handle bar vibrations. Complete deal breaker, couldn't get rid of the high pitched handle bar buzz no matter what I tried. Sure was fun to ride though.

I'll do some research, but I don't think there's a Yamaha dealer in my area with which I want to do business. Also, the last time I was on an FJR, it was pretty buzzy. But that was some years ago. Are the new ones smoother?