Feedback on the 2019 R1250GS

[F16Viper68]

I've been searching for a used R1250GS and was wondering if anyone is aware of any particular issues with these bikes?  There's one I'm interested in but it's a 2019 but only with 2600 miles.  I know the cams aren't an issue with the shiftcam engines but is there anything else I need to be aware of?  The driveshafts are now being covered by BMW so even if that becomes an issues, they'll take care of it.  

 

The good thing I've learned is most of my accessories (bags, seat, Nav 5, etc) will transfer over from my 2015 R1200GS except for the engine guards.  

 

Any feedback would be appreciated.  

 

Dave...

[wbw6cos]

@Chris K

@Lone_RT_rider

 

To the white courtesy phone, please 

[MikeB60]

My 2019 GS has been trouble free!

[F16Viper68]

Thanks everyone.  I'm looking at 2019 R1250gS with only 2604 miles.  :)  

[F16Viper68]

3 hours ago, TEWKS said:

Got nothing but an Opinion, everybody has one. 

 

I don’t think you’ll find any surprises with that year GS, Brad & DR probably would have talked about any known issues over the years.
 

I like low mileage bikes, and yeah I do understand the dangers of a thirty year old bike with mileage like that. Not a worry on a five year old machine IMO.

 

A couple in my area just for price comparison purposes.

 

2022 GSA

 

2023 GS

 

 

 

Thanks Pat.  I'm looking at a 2019 GS with 2604 miles for around $14,500.  It's fully loaded and ready to go.  Probably picking it up next Saturday. 

 

Dave...

[F16Viper68]

1 hour ago, TEWKS said:

 

From what I was seeing in a quick search for a 2019, you're doing very good on price!  

Thanks for the research.  Anyone want a very well care for 2015 R1200GS with 35,000 miles?  :)  

[Twisties]

We have a 2020 and a 2021 and both are doing great.  The 2020 had 14k-15k miles when I got it, and IIRC it's approaching 25k miles and just over two years of ownership.  My only complaint is that I'm not getting out and riding enough, but that's not the bike's fault.  The 2021, my wife's bike, had about 2k miles on it and now has about 10k miles over the same time period.  It has also been trouble free and a pleasure to ride.  One thing I'll note is that the 2020, and I would assume this applies to the 2019, has fewer riding modes than the 2021, and to access all of them on the earlier bikes you have to stop, remove the seat and plug a dongle in or take it out.  On the 2021 it's all done from the handlebar in one smooth menu.  

[Twisties]

16 hours ago, F16Viper68 said:

Thanks Pat.  I'm looking at a 2019 GS with 2604 miles for around $14,500.  It's fully loaded and ready to go.  Probably picking it up next Saturday. 

 

Dave...

I'd jump on that in a heartbeat! 

[F16Viper68]

1 hour ago, Twisties said:

We have a 2020 and a 2021 and both are doing great.  The 2020 had 14k-15k miles when I got it, and IIRC it's approaching 25k miles and just over two years of ownership.  My only complaint is that I'm not getting out and riding enough, but that's not the bike's fault.  The 2021, my wife's bike, had about 2k miles on it and now has about 10k miles over the same time period.  It has also been trouble free and a pleasure to ride.  One thing I'll note is that the 2020, and I would assume this applies to the 2019, has fewer riding modes than the 2021, and to access all of them on the earlier bikes you have to stop, remove the seat and plug a dongle in or take it out.  On the 2021 it's all done from the handlebar in one smooth menu.  

I didn't know you needed a plug but I can see now it's for the Dynamic Pro and Enduro Pro modes.  If those are anything like the 1250's I rode at the BMW performance center it turns off the ABS on the rear wheel.  

 

Thanks for the feedback.  Happy to hear your bikes are treating you well.

 

Dave...

[F16Viper68]

1 hour ago, Twisties said:

I'd jump on that in a heartbeat! 

The deposit has already been made.  :)

[Twisties]

3 hours ago, F16Viper68 said:

I didn't know you needed a plug but I can see now it's for the Dynamic Pro and Enduro Pro modes.  If those are anything like the 1250's I rode at the BMW performance center it turns off the ABS on the rear wheel.  

 

Thanks for the feedback.  Happy to hear your bikes are treating you well.

 

Dave...

For street riding you can just leave the plug in.  I leave mine in Dynamic Pro unless it's raining or I get on dirt.  There are two offroad modes, Enduro and Enduro Pro.  With the plug in you get Enduro Pro which as best I can tell is for roosting (sporty dirt riding, expert riders).  What I want is more control.  Regular Enduro is for me, but can't be accessed with the plug in place.  Hence the switching.

[Twisties]

[F16Viper68]

14 minutes ago, Twisties said:

Thank you very much for posting this matrix.

 

Me on a forest road trying to remember the differences. 
 

 

[F16Viper68]

Does anyone know if the High Start Control is standard on the 2019 GS?  

[Boxflyer]

Hi Dave, @F16Viper68

Just another 9396 miles and we can do the Cam Timing / Valve Clearance checks along with the Adaptation Values Reset...this bike will be runnin' RIGHT!

 

Brad

[F16Viper68]

1 hour ago, Boxflyer said:

Hi Dave, @F16Viper68

Just another 9396 miles and we can do the Cam Timing / Valve Clearance checks along with the Adaptation Values Reset...this bike will be runnin' RIGHT!

 

Brad

Can you please put me down for Cam Timing / Valve Clearance checks for START 2025?  :)

 

Dave...

[F16Viper68]

1 hour ago, TEWKS said:

Not to be a wise ass but do you mean “Hill Start”? My 2014 RT has it and I’ve used it two times. Just because I wanted to see if it was actually equipped, and the second time because I forgot I tried it the first time.  IMO, it’s a useless trinket. 
 

And I realize, I didn’t answer your question, because I don’t know the answer. 

Yep, per the reading I found it's called Hill Start Control Pro.  I'm not sure if it's the same thing that's installed on your RT.  

[F16Viper68]

4 hours ago, Twisties said:

What mode do the most of the 1250 riders pick? I can see either Road or Dynamic Pro being my default on the road.  Off-road it would be Enduro Pro. 

 

Dave...

[Chris K]

Hi Dave, my 2021 GS has a choice of seven ride modes. The ones shown in the matrix above and also an added Econ mode. If the 2019 you are looking at has the TFT screen it is probably like mine where you can choose 4 of the 7 modes to put in the menu for use at any time. I have chosen Road, Dynamic Pro, Rain and Enduro Pro for most all of my riding. 

[F16Viper68]

2 minutes ago, Chris K said:

Hi Dave, my 2021 GS has a choice of seven ride modes. The ones shown in the matrix above and also an added Econ mode. If the 2019 you are looking at has the TFT screen it is probably like mine where you can choose 4 of the 7 modes to put in the menu for use at any time. I have chosen Road, Dynamic Pro, Rain and Enduro Pro for most all of my riding. 

Thank you.  I think I'll probably end up going with same four you picked. It will be fun trying all of them out.  

 

Dave...

[F16Viper68]

Long day (630 miles and 12 hours) today but she’s home. Still can’t believe I found a 2019 R1250GS with 2604 miles on it. I added one year of a BMW factory warranty just in case anything comes up. 

[F16Viper68]

I swear the 2015 is giving the 2019 side eye. 😂

[MikeB60]

Nice bike!

[F16Viper68]

9 minutes ago, MikeB60 said:

Nice bike!

Thanks, Mike. I really like this paint scheme. 

[F16Viper68]

3 minutes ago, TEWKS said:

 

Speaking of "paint" is that the Azure Gray or Area 51 on that F150? Both nice colors, I probably would have gone with the Azure Gray if available on the XLT but at the time, it was only Lariat and above packages.  Nice bike also! 

It’s Azure Gray Metallic Tri-Coat which has the metallic flake in it that really shows up in the sunlight.  It’s also why my wife has nicknamed my truck “Sparkles”.  :).  At first I wanted the Area 51 but after seeing the Azure Gray, it wasn’t even a decision.  I’ve heard they discontinued the Area 51 in 2024 due to lack of sales.  

 

Dave…

[F16Viper68]

The whole truck this time 

[Bernie]

2 hours ago, F16Viper68 said:

I swear the 2015 is giving the 2019 side eye. 😂

Nice bike, congratulations!

I am glad you didn’t get the Golden Wheels, your 2015 GS would have probably kicked her out of the garage.

Many happy and safe (S)miles.

Nice looking truck.

[F16Viper68]

14 hours ago, Bernie said:

Nice bike, congratulations!

I am glad you didn’t get the Golden Wheels, your 2015 GS would have probably kicked her out of the garage.

Many happy and safe (S)miles.

Nice looking truck.

Thanks, @Bernie.  Man the gold rims are a polarizing subject.  So is welding it turns out, but that's a story for a different thread.  :)

 

When's the next lunch?  

 

Dave...

[Bernie]

Not until sometime after I receive my triple black “**** Rims”, most likely after the UnRally. 

[F16Viper68]

7 hours ago, Bernie said:

Not until sometime after I receive my triple black “**** Rims”, most likely after the UnRally. 

Wow, you haven't received a replacement yet?  ETA on the new rim?

 

Dave...

[Bernie]

I picked it up Friday, but I found some more damage. I guess I should have had one of sump bash plates installed.

Waiting for the adjuster to return my call, maybe nothing. But if it is important, I want to change the part also.

Stuff happens. 

That was only the second time in 400K miles I couldn’t ride the bike home.

Once because of a broken collar bone and once because of a cracked rim. The tire has yet to loose any air pressure.

These BMW bikes are so unreliable. 

[F16Viper68]

Now that she's home, time to start the customization process.  I'm now in the process of installing the Admore brake light, PIAA driving lights, Skene Photon Blaster lights, battery tender lead, Gerbing heated gear outlet, and a Hex EzCan controller.

 

Before:

 

During:

 

 

Ran five pairs of wires through here. Happy with the way it turned out.  Too bad it will be hidden under the gas tank.  :)

 

 

It's hard to make this section look good but it will be under the tail.  

 

 

Now I just need to get it all put back together.  

 

Dave...

 

 

[F16Viper68]

Well I'm happy to report she's all back together. Looking forward to taking it out for a long ride tomorrow. I'm pretty happy how everything turned out.  

 

[F16Viper68]

6 hours ago, Rougarou said:

 

A clean garage is the sign of a sick mind

I can't say I disagree but that's the way I'm wired.  It does make it a lot easier to find stuff.

 

 

[F16Viper68]

Yep, both systems do work.  Mind you my entire shop isn't this organized but I do know where everything is located.  It sucked when we moved ten years ago because I didn't know where anything was but I did at the old house/shop. 

 

Dave...

[F16Viper68]

I decided to go a different way with the luggage set up vs the Varios and Givi top case.  I picked up a set of Brooks Autosports panniers and top case. They originally sent me the wrong racks which shouldn't have worked but they didn't realize I have a shop full of metal work machines.  :)  They've since set me the correct racks and I'm in the process of installing the correct ones.  Regardless, so far so good. 

 

 

 

[RandyShields]

19 hours ago, F16Viper68 said:

I picked up a set of Brooks Autosports panniers and top case.

Those look great!

[RTinNC]

On 5/18/2024 at 8:31 PM, F16Viper68 said:

I swear the 2015 is giving the 2019 side eye. 😂

Pretty bike !  Good luck and many miles of smiles 👍

 

I like the white though 😁

 

And nice F-150! 

[F16Viper68]

1 hour ago, RTinNC said:

Pretty bike !  Good luck and many miles of smiles 👍

 

I like the white though 😁

 

And nice F-150! 

 

Thanks. I liked the white one too but it was time for an upgrade.  I was sad to see it ride down the driveway.  

[F16Viper68]

I decided to add some tank protection to the 1250. The tank bag was rubbing on the 1200 which marred up the paint a bit so when I transferred the bag over, I knew I was going to have to find a way to protect the tank.  Rather than go with a clear film, I found a company called Motografix which offered an alternative.  

 

 

 

 

Dave...

[RTinNC]

Wow that looks great!

[wbw6cos]

Snazz zeee, Dave.   Nice look!   I cannot wait to see it in person.

[F16Viper68]

I've been struggling a bit with the amount of heat my 2019 R1250GS has been throwing off while riding vs. my 2015 R1200GS.  I have utterly no clue why but it seems to be worse on my left side which is contrary to most of my research.  Most other riders state the 1250 is cooler than the 1200 but if they do complain, it's their right foot/leg is hot which seems to be coming from the catalytic converter. 

 

Well in an attempt to reduce the amount of heat, I decided to replace the factory exhaust header with a Akrapovic header with the exhaust flapper. It's a piece of work but it has seem to help the situation.  

 

I had no idea the next header would come in pieces. 

 

I always wanted to use these ridiculously long needle nose pliers.  :) Disconnecting the rear O2 sensor. 

 

Well she's out.  Scariest part is removing the two lambda sensors and O2 sensor once you realize how much they would cost to replace.

 

FYI...if anyone finds this thread, don't follow the directions from Akrapovic. Just use the factory service manual (yes, it's available for this year) to remove the header.  The instructions from Akrapovic missed a few critical steps which will stop you dead in your tracks.  

 

Prime example of the silliest of the instructions is it tells you to mark the cables for the exhaust flapper but the Akrapovic flapper opens the opposite way of OEM so you have to reverse the cables.  Never mind the fact, the cable ends are different sizes so you can't screw it up. 

 

All done. The bike didn't get louder, from what I can tell and it seems to be throwing less heat. Did it increase the HP?  Time will tell. I reset all the settings via the GS-911 so I'll need to ride it some more to see how it performs. 

 

 

Dave...

 

 

 

[Paul Iceman Mondor]

On 5/10/2024 at 10:45 AM, F16Viper68 said:

I've been searching for a used R1250GS and was wondering if anyone is aware of any particular issues with these bikes?  There's one I'm interested in but it's a 2019 but only with 2600 miles.  I know the cams aren't an issue with the shiftcam engines but is there anything else I need to be aware of?  The driveshafts are now being covered by BMW so even if that becomes an issues, they'll take care of it.  

 

The good thing I've learned is most of my accessories (bags, seat, Nav 5, etc) will transfer over from my 2015 R1200GS except for the engine guards.  

 

Any feedback would be appreciated.  

 

Dave...

Got a 2019 GSA with over 100K now an it is trouble free. Like all my BMW's i ride it like I stole it and it loves it. Go for it. Buy it, ride it and ignore opinions. You will find opinions everywhere about every single motorcycle that exist.