Holloway ratings
Four separate scores, not one blended number, so you can see what's actually driving it.
Full specs
Will your feet reach?
The BMW R 1250 GS has a 850mm seat. Enter your inside leg for a rough idea of how much foot you'll get down when stopped.
A rough guide only. A wide seat needs more leg than a narrow one, the suspension settles 20 to 40mm under you, and boots add a little. Many bikes offer a low seat or lowering link. Sit on one before you buy.
Tyres that fit the BMW R 1250 GS
It runs a 120/70-19 front and a 170/60-17 rear. 28 tyres in our Tyre Finder are made in at least one of those sizes, ranked by green lane score.
Sizes are for the standard UK model and can change between model years. Check the size on your own tyre sidewall, and ask your dealer before fitting a different size. Our size lists come from maker and retailer listings and can miss sizes, so a tyre shown for one end may still be made in your other size. Check the maker's size chart.
What we actually found
The R 1250 GS is the default big adventure bike in the UK, and used 2019 to 2023 examples are common. The ShiftCam boxer twin pulls from very low revs, the balance at walking pace is excellent and the cornering ABS and traction control are well judged on loose surfaces. For green laning it is best on dry gravel, chalk and stone tracks. In deep mud, ruts and tight wooded lanes the width, the road-biased 19 inch front wheel and the weight start to count against you, and the cylinder heads sit out wide where a slow fall can reach them.
Pros for green laning
- Smooth, torquey 1254cc boxer (136hp, 143Nm) that crawls along loose lanes without fuss and then has plenty in hand for the road miles between them.
- Cornering ABS and traction control that work on gravel, with riding modes that let you soften the aids for lanes.
- Long-legged comfort for the road links: wind protection, a good seat and a 20 litre tank mean a full day of lanes and linking roads without stops.
- Shaft drive means no chain to clean or adjust after wading through muddy lanes and deep puddles.
Cons and limitations
- Weight: 249 kg with fuel is hard to manage in clay ruts, on slippery climbs and when you drop it on a narrow lane.
- 19 inch front wheel and road-biased standard tyres limit grip and tyre choice in proper mud compared with a 21 inch front.
- Width across the cylinder heads and the tall seat make it awkward on narrow, overgrown byways and through tight gates.
- Expensive to fix: replacing worn or leaking ESA dampers is estimated at 1,500 to 2,500 euros, and the electronics are costly too.
Sources: https://www.motorcycle.com/specs/bmw/on-off-road/2023/r/1250-gs/detail.html, https://www.webbikeworld.com/2023-bmw-r-1250-gs/, https://www.1000ps.com/en-gb/article/3013682/bmw-r1250gs-occasiegids-en-test, https://www.ukgser.com/community/threads/new-1250-gs-tyres.290222/, https://www.ukgser.com/community/threads/1250gsa-any-issues-to-look-for.320570/.
Find where to actually ride it
Browse legal green lanes and byways across England and Wales, filtered by difficulty, on Holloway's map.
Open the map