[Maximo]

I will likely be buying a 1250GS in the near future, and I'm wondering if there are any model years to avoid. I've been lurking in the board for a few months and can't quite tell if there are any. I've made the mistake of buying the first model year and had all the learning hiccups, but I don't get the sense that it exists with the 1250? Is that so? Or should I steer clear of any years?

thx

 

[Wellcraft]

I own a 2020 GSA with 18000 miles and so far no issues, just routine maintenance. I haven't read of any issues with the 1250 engine which debuted in 2019 but BMW is about to release a R1300GS probably as a 2024 bike sometime this year so maybe wait a bit and get a better deal on leftover 2023 1250. .

 

[Rick92040]

I havn't heard of any major problems with the 1250 engine but if your concerned about the first year than it was 2019. Stick with the 2020 or above and your good.

 

[Maximo]

I own a 2020 GSA with 18000 miles and so far no issues, just routine maintenance. I haven't read of any issues with the 1250 engine which debuted in 2019 but BMW is about to release a R1300GS probably as a 2024 bike sometime this year so maybe wait a bit and get a better deal on leftover 2023 1250. .

Good idea! Or buy someone's well-kitted 1250 who is itching to have the new 1300... I'm a sucker for buying a year or two old bike that the original owner farkled to my liking. I'm super lazy that way!

 

[76GMX]

If you're considering a 2022 or newer, be aware that later production 22's may not have the LED adaptive headlights, as there were supply chain issues. I scooped up the last one at my local dealer before they started being delivered with halogen headlights and those bikes are not upgradable to the adaptive LED headlights if I understand correctly.

Video about adaptive headlights
BMW R1250GS Adaptive LED Headlight vs Cornering Headlights. ENG /DEU - YouTube

Also, all 1250's have been recalled for a software update so check to see if that has been done.
Mine took over 4 hours to update by the dealer yesterday.

 

[Wellcraft]

If you're considering a 2022 or newer, be aware that later production 22's may not have the LED adaptive headlights, as there were supply chain issues. I scooped up the last one at my local dealer before they started being delivered with halogen headlights and those bikes are not upgradable to the adaptive LED headlights if I understand correctly.

Video about adaptive headlights
BMW R1250GS Adaptive LED Headlight vs Cornering Headlights. ENG /DEU - YouTube

Also, all 1250's have been recalled for a software update so check to see if that has been done.
Mine took over 4 hours to update by the dealer yesterday.

I owned a K16 and Kawasaki H2SXSE with adaptive headlight/cornering lights and I didn't find either all that useful, a nice feature to have but one I can easily live without.

Do you know what improvements or changes come with the software upgrade? My dealership told me about 3 hours for the download but I'm not all that anxious to get the software upgrade if there's no real benefit.

 

[BruceHarrisJr]

I owned a K16 and Kawasaki H2SXSE with adaptive headlight/cornering lights and I didn't find either all that useful, a nice feature to have but one I can easily live without.

Do you know what improvements or changes come with the software upgrade? My dealership told me about 3 hours for the download but I'm not all that anxious to get the software upgrade if there's no real benefit.

I had my 2020 GS's software updated about three weeks ago and it took about 3.5 hours start to finish. I was told that the maximum rpm has been reduced by 50 RPM's so as to minimize the possibility of over reving the engine while doing er stupid things. i.e. jumping off a ledge and when hitting ground having the transmission in too low of a gear and all the internal engine parts say "I quit"!. My service manager went on to say that the update included some minor 'fixes' to the bluetooth connection(s). That's all for now folks.. Lastly, my bike has performed flawlessly for 26,000 miles since new and I cannot tell a bit of difference in its day to day operation since the update.

 

[BMW Don]

Because it was mentioned in this thread-My '23 came with the Halogen headlight. Sorry to say but it's just fine. I would rate it as good/better then the LED that was on the '18 Triumph Tiger that I traded in on the GS.

 

[LosAlamosGS]

General wisdom is to avoid the first model year of any new vehicle. The manufacturer makes small tweaks to parts to fix issues that didn't show up in testing. Beyond that, I'm not aware of any significant design changes to the R1250 engine since its relatively new and nobody really has a good idea of long term reliability or high mileage issues. But in general, engine reliability of vehicles is only getting better as CAD and modeling improves.

To give you an example, the first water cooled engine from Porsche that came out in the 996 in the late 1990s was total garbage and wasn't completely redesigned until the 2009 model year. Many claim the cooling channels didn't cool all cylinders evenly and they tried to save money by using sealed ball bearings instead of oil lubricated surfaces. But computer modeling improved dramatically from the mid 90s when this was designed, and the 2009 direct injection engine is rock solid.

So I would be surprised if the R1250 motor isn't even more reliable than the R1200 liquid cooled engine.

 

[Maximo]

General wisdom is to avoid the first model year of any new vehicle. The manufacturer makes small tweaks to parts to fix issues that didn't show up in testing.

I learned my lesson when I bought '15 FJ-09, the first year. Lots and lots of hiccups that were later rectified.

thank you all for your input. I'm especially happy not to hear a pile of bad news about year X. Seems like overall it's a well-sorted package.

 

[MtsBMW]

In my experience…never buy the first few years of a new model. There is always stuff that comes up with recalls and upgrades. I recall my R1100…had some sort of oil mist issue that they sorted.

Buy the newest model you can afford. Ironically it’s usually the very last model year before they change that is usually the best model. And they toss on a lot of upgrades when they run them out.

With the 1300 coming out this year…buy a 2023 runout R1250! 😁

 

[MikePHX]

Good idea! Or buy someone's well-kitted 1250 who is itching to have the new 1300... I'm a sucker for buying a year or two old bike that the original owner farkled to my liking. I'm super lazy that way!

I feel the same way. One thing to check out is that RawHyde sells their old bikes that are well maintained and apparently they put all the GSA protection equipment on the GS models. Their prices seem reasonable too.
-Mike

 

[Maximo]

I feel the same way. One thing to check out is that RawHyde sells their old bikes that are well maintained and apparently they put all the GSA protection equipment on the GS models. Their prices seem reasonable too.
-Mike

whoa! I had no idea! Thanks for the tip!

 

[Cricketsman05]

I will likely be buying a 1250GS in the near future, and I'm wondering if there are any model years to avoid. I've been lurking in the board for a few months and can't quite tell if there are any. I've made the mistake of buying the first model year and had all the learning hiccups, but I don't get the sense that it exists with the 1250? Is that so? Or should I steer clear of any years?

thx

I have a 2019 with 22,000 miles on the clock with no issues but the GPS which has been replaced 5 times.

 

[Tim86]

If you're considering a 2022 or newer, be aware that later production 22's may not have the LED adaptive headlights, as there were supply chain issues. I scooped up the last one at my local dealer before they started being delivered with halogen headlights and those bikes are not upgradable to the adaptive LED headlights if I understand correctly.

Video about adaptive headlights
BMW R1250GS Adaptive LED Headlight vs Cornering Headlights. ENG /DEU - YouTube

Also, all 1250's have been recalled for a software update so check to see if that has been done.
Mine took over 4 hours to update by the dealer yesterday.

Nope, you're wrong about the LED lights. last 2022 and early 2023 models, right when the trophy's came, the bikes were delivered with halogen lights. But, at least in the netherlands and according to alot of inmates at ADVRiders, people (including me) received a voucher to get the LED lights when they're available. Last I heard that would be this summer. Though the new bikes are already getting the LED lights, so BMW has them in stock, just not for the people that helped them get to the nr 1 selling motorcycle company in various countries for 2022.