2023 R1250RS ... will it come in Triple Black?!

[Grumpy Goat]

Yes the Sport screen is one of the displays on the TFT and we have that on our 2022 bikes.

Yes, in typical marketing fashion not all the info in that video premiere was accurate or complete. Some was actually misleading.

I also heard in another video that LED indicators were new, and it seemed like they were referring to the US market, but I am not sure. 

I suppose none of us can be sure until we see actual reviews of bikes in their respective markets.

[Lee]

Yes the Sport screen is one of the displays on the TFT and we have that on our 2022 bikes.

Yes, in typical marketing fashion not all the info in that video premiere was accurate or complete. Some was actually misleading.

I also heard in another video that LED indicators were new, and it seemed like they were referring to the US market, but I am not sure. 

I suppose none of us can be sure until we see actual reviews of bikes in their respective markets.

Europe had the old style slim LED turn signal.
We had those same LED turn signal on our R1200RS. The old style were just turn signal and did not double as running lights.
The new style is a big improvement because they're also running lights.

Here's a picture of the old style LED turn signals. The new style are larger and meet the USA requirements.
   

[Grumpy Goat]

Not sure what you're seeing with different windscreens. All the pictures I've seen so far show the same screen, some tinted and some clear but all the same shape.

Most of the photos have the standard screen we know but some of them have this square top screen that looks like it may be smaller ... see the screen in the photo in my post above with the 2 updates ... that is not the V-topped standard screen that we have and that most other photos

I like the looks of tubular bars better than the cast bar mount we have now.
The tubular bars are wider and higher. I would like wider but may not like higher. We've had S and RS bars since 1991.

I like the look of the tubular bars which I think are a great option for those who need them, and goodness knows they'd be better for mounting farkles. Good to see that BMW recognized that some were doing the R-bar swap on their RSes. I have had no issues with my clip-ons and I think that they suit the bike better and so I'd forego the tubular bars option.

Speaking of options, I do like the option to have the single seat / no grab-handles and rear footpegs ... tidies up the rear end very nicely for those who use their RS as more sport bike and less for 2-up touring. A nice aftermarket tail tidy would finish off such a sport variant quite nicely.

The 2023 RS is up on the BMW USA site if anyone wants to play around with the Build Your Own page.

Thanks ... I was going to check that anyway. That page does say:

   

So, I am much closer to being a believer.  To those not in the US ... apparently, we here have been stuck in some dumb reality where LED indicators are not allowed on US models where for years European models have them, and this is not just BMW ... all makes. Tracer owners have been modding their bikes to swap in LEDs from various sources for some time now. So, it must be due to some arcane regulation that forced the incandescent indicators. That said I believe that the regulation may be relaxed now as I see more and more new models coming with the LED indicators.

What I don't see on that BMW US website is any mention of that square-top windscreen ... it may well be the angle of the photograph and the white background leading to loss of detail in the top edge and the contour bumps in the windscreen.

I do see that Triple Black would cost an extra $625 and when I configure a Triple Black Premium it comes up to $19,915. Be interesting to see what the Mandello would come in at ... 

   

[Lee]

So, I am much closer to being a believer.  To those not in the US ... apparently, we here have been stuck in some dumb reality where LED indicators are not allowed on US models where for years European models have them, and this is not just BMW ... all makes.

What I don't see on that BMW US website is any mention of that square-top windscreen ... it may well be the angle of the photograph and the white background leading to loss of detail in the top edge and the contour bumps in the windscreen.

The problem with the previous BMW LED turn signals was the reflective area being too small. The new ones are larger.

The picture of the shield may be the angle and background like you mention.
It would be nice if they did offer a short version.

Here's a picture of the white 2022 R1250RS from a BMW press release I saved.
   

[Lee]

Would be interesting to see how the pannier racks are attached given the new rear and design.

Overall a very mild update.

I noticed in pictures of the RS with the solo seat and rear peg delete it appears the same rear sub frame is used.
I can see the forward mounting point for the pannier mounts.

I can't see if there's a hole in the plastic for the rear mounting point like our bikes have.

[runnerhiker]

Be on the lookout for "GPS ready", if they do away with GPS, then the Connected App and a smart phone is used for navigation and that does not work as well as a Nav VI.

[Grumpy Goat]

Be on the lookout for "GPS ready", if they do away with GPS, then the Connected App and a smart phone is used for navigation and that does not work as well as a Nav VI.

I would guess that is the future, especially with the tendency of the Nav VI screens to give up the ghost.  

That said it is a darned shame that they cannot yet solve these issues with the Connected App and the TFT. I am basing this on what others have said online, of course, as I have no direct knowledge, but I have no reason to doubt it.

[runnerhiker]

Be on the lookout for "GPS ready", if they do away with GPS, then the Connected App and a smart phone is used for navigation and that does not work as well as a Nav VI.

I would guess that is the future, especially with the tendency of the Nav VI screens to give up the ghost.  

That said it is a darned shame that they cannot yet solve these issues with the Connected App and the TFT. I am basing this on what others have said online, of course, as I have no direct knowledge, but I have no reason to doubt it.

I bought a 2022 K1600 GT a month ago, it has the large TFT and no provisions for a GPS.  Navigation is dependent on the TFT being connected to a smart phone.

The TFT is not a touch screen, any GPS is a touch screen, plus, the wonder wheel can be used to "tell" the BMW Nav what to do.  With the large TFT, you don't have ANY of this, none.  Any action you want to take on navigation must be done through the smart phone screen.  Think carefully about this, let it sink in.  ALL navigation interaction must take place through the touch screen of a smart phone.

When you are riding the bike, there is no way to communicate with navigation.  You have to stop, take the phone wherever you have stored it, take it in your hands, and touch the screen to give it ANY instructions.  Restaurant, gas station, intersection, stop the route, skip a way point.  It doesn't matter, anything, you have to stop and take the phone in your hands.

BMW cannot fix this by just changing the programming code, it is embedded in the design.  You gotta get to your phone.

I worked around this by installing a Garmin Sumo XT on my GT.  I'll post a picture later.

[Grumpy Goat]

Ahhh .. even more fundamental issue. Yes, the big screen is nice but not having the ability to interact with the GPS directly while using the GPS is a non-starter. I don't blame you for getting the Zumo XT ... I would have done exactly the same thing. Thing is now you have this large TFT but probably don't need all of it. I would not want a dash with built in navigation unless the dash was touchscreen.

[runnerhiker]

The large TFT splits into a 1/3 & 2/3 split.  The small 1/3 on the right can have several views, right now it shows Trip 2.  I like this arrangement of Normal View, Trip 2, and the GPS.  With the GPS at an easy reach for me to touch the screen, and the screen is beautiful and sharp.

I do not have audio in my helmet, I don't want it, that's just me.  But the people that do, say that BMW did a good job of integrating audio for everything into the large TFT and the wonder wheel - radio, music in your phone, phone calls, BMW navigation verbal directions, etc, etc.  So the large TFT/phone/Connected App it's not all negative.

   

[Lee]

The TFT is not a touch screen, any GPS is a touch screen, plus, the wonder wheel can be used to "tell" the BMW Nav what to do.  With the large TFT, you don't have ANY of this, none.  Any action you want to take on navigation must be done through the smart phone screen.  Think carefully about this, let it sink in.  ALL navigation interaction must take place through the touch screen of a smart phone.

When you are riding the bike, there is no way to communicate with navigation.  You have to stop, take the phone wherever you have stored it, take it in your hands, and touch the screen to give it ANY instructions.  Restaurant, gas station, intersection, stop the route, skip a way point.  It doesn't matter, anything, you have to stop and take the phone in your hands.

I didn't realize you can't do anything with the Navigation while riding. That would be a pain.

[Lee]

. I would not want a dash with built in navigation unless the dash was touchscreen.

I would also want the maps in the TFT, not the phone. I don't always have my phone on when riding.
I prefer that setup in my car instead of using Android Auto.
I saw a newer Indian with that setup and I believe the new Tracer is that way in the video Wayne posted.

[Lee]

I do not have audio in my helmet, I don't want it, that's just me. 

I usually have Navigation sound turned off on the bike and in the car.

[Grumpy Goat]

I do not have audio in my helmet, I don't want it, that's just me. 

I usually have Navigation sound turned off on the bike and in the car.

Unlike both of you I want sound in my helmet most of the time - music (mostly), navigation (when in use), phone call (rare and if needed), yet to try audio books, etc. - and is the first mod I do to any helmet.  I can't imagine riding 10 hours/day and not have music or radio. I also need to be in phone contact as well, although I reject all calls except from my wife. What I don't need (with few exceptions) is intercom with other riders, although it could be useful to tell them that one needs gas or to use the bathroom. Good thing is the connection can be switched off.

To each their own preference, though.

If a bike is supposed to have a radio, I'd likely delay buying it if it didn't come with it, not that I would play the radio going down the road (I dislike that) but I'd likely use it when stopped, say, for lunch while on a journey, or at a campsite. It's nice to have for that but a radio on a bike is low priority and makes for good resale value more than anything else.

As for the big TFT - I do like it, just that it would have been better if it were touch capable, but where the maps are coming from the phone I guess that is not possible.

Ron - I take it there was no option to mount the Zumo XT above the TFT to reduce looking down ...?

[Lee]

The old style were just turn signal and did not double as running lights.
The new style is a big improvement because they're also running lights.

I hope I'm wrong but it looks like the new turn signals only function as turn signals on the 2023 RS and R.

On the UK site the GS has the options for Cruise lights in the front and Multifunction in the rear.
Cruising Light
The Cruising Light of the two dimmed front turn indicators attracts attention and thus also increases safety. Together with the light icon in the headlight, it forms a lighting design that draws the attention of other road users.

Multifunctional Indicator Lights
The LEDs of the multifunctional indicator lamps can emit yellow flashing light and red brake or rear light simultaneously. They increase visibility and thus safety for the rider and also allow eye-catching lighting effects.

When I got to the US site the GS does not have the Multifunction option in the back.

When I look at the RS and R on the UK and US sites the RS and R do not show options for Cruise lights and Multifunction lights.
Unless the sites are not fully up to date the RS may only have the LED lights without the cruise and multifunction options.

[trudd]

You might have already seen these on the other site but here's a few pictures I got at the UK Motorcycle Live show yesterday. Apparently this is a pre-production model.

   
   
   
   
   

[Grumpy Goat]

No I didn't see them on the other site. Thanks for sharing.

Beautiful colourway. It looks like the windscreen is similar to the ones on the previous model but with slightly redesigned contour lines. Might make for a different acoustic profile. The other thing I notice is the trim pieces (red/white/blue) at the side of the rear ... looks like it is sort of a tack on affair - raised and with a free edge on the rear. Concerned it might snag something and could get damaged. Strange.