BREAKING: BMW’s Flagship ADV Bikes Get Subtle Updates In India

BMW Motorrad has launched the 2021 R 1250 GS and the R 1250 GS Adventure in India, bearing a few changes. Both bikes were already BS6 compliant, so this is more of an update rather than an overhaul.

What’s The Price? Who Are Its Rivals? 

The 2021 R 1250 GS retails at Rs 20.45 lakh and the R 1250 GS Adventure at Rs 22.40 lakh (both ex-showroom, introductory prices). However, these prices will be revised to the official prices which are given below:

For 2021, the R 1250 twins get ‘40 Years GS’ editions, which commemorate the 40 successful years of BMW’s GS lineup. These are priced at Rs 21.30 lakh and Rs 23.00 lakh for the R 1250 GS and GS Adventure, respectively.

In India, the R 1250 GS’ primary rival is the Harley-Davidson Pan America which undercuts it by a massive chunk. It will also take on the soon-to-arrive Ducati Multistrada V4.

How Many Variants Are There? 

Like before, the R 1250 GS is available here in two variants: the R 1250 GS Pro and R 1250 GS Adventure Pro. The Adventure variant is ideal for exploring uncharted territories, with substantial crash protection, a bigger luggage mount, a taller windscreen, and more suspension travel (210mm front, 220mm rear), compared to the R 1250 GS (190mm front, 200mm rear).

Moreover, the GS Adventure has a higher seat height, at 890mm, and a bigger 30-litre fuel tank. The R 1250 GS gets a 850mm tall seat and a 20-litre fuel tank. Thanks to the added equipment, the former tips the scale at 268kg, 19kg more than the latter. 

What’s New?

There wasn’t much to complain about the R 1250 GS twins to begin with, which is why not much has been changed for 2021. What you do get is a new Integral ABS Pro mode, Eco riding mode, Hill Start Control Pro, and Dynamic Engine Brake Control -- all claimed to be more sophisticated than the previous set of riding aids. As for optional bits, one can now opt for BMW’s adaptive lights that are capable of lighting up corners.

The bikes also come in new optional colours:  Style Triple Black and Style Rallye. The former blends blackstorm metallic/black/agate grey colours and gets several blacked-out components while the latter uses light white/racing blue metallic/racing red colours for that extra bit of sportiness. 

Not to forget, we’ve finally gotten the celebratory ‘40 Years GS’ liveries for both models. They come in a yellow/black paint scheme and graphics along with a yellow tinted visor, yellow seat, engine guard, and golden spoke wheels.

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What’s Unchanged?

Everything apart from the aforementioned bits has remained untouched. The R 1250s still bear the same tall, muscular design with the standout asymmetrical headlamp. 

Both bikes are powered by the same BS6-compliant 1254cc boxer engine, putting out 136PS and 143Nm. The engine features BMW’s potent ShiftCam technology (variable valve actuation) for smoother yet punchy power delivery throughout the revs, making it more tractable, as claimed by the bikemaker. 

Being flagship tourers, they also feature extensive electronics, including three riding modes, traction control, ABS, and hill hold assist -- all accessible via a TFT instrument cluster. LED illumination also comes standard on both models. 

The two also continue to get BMW’s telelever and paralever suspension setup, with 19-inch front and 17-inch wheels shod with dual-purpose rubber.

ZigSays

Considering the introductory prices are almost on par with the older prices, we think the R 1250 GS twins will continue to be the go-to adventure bikes for fanatics with deep pockets. But since its only rival undercuts it by a huge margin and the prices will go up in the future, it will face tough competition.