Reviews of the 2023 BMW R1250RS

[Grumpy Goat]

Not many reviews of the latest 2023 model year (yes, I know that it is essentially the same as the previous models) but I thought this would be a nice thread to put reviews of the current model by motojournalists and big moto-vloggers.

From MOTOBOB (Mar 21, 2023)

[Lee]

Just saw that on the R1200R forum.
Looks like the Sport display is now the default display on the TFT .
I thought the lower Sport bars were dropped from the R1250R but I see it's still available as a option in the UK and possibly other countries. It's no longer a option in the US but the part is probably available after delivery.
It was interesting to hear the Akrapovic next to the standard exhaust. To me the standard sounded better at idle and low RPM.

[Grumpy Goat]

...
It was interesting to hear the Akrapovic next to the standard exhaust. To me the standard sounded better at idle and low RPM.

I thought the same thing. My Remus is a little more obnoxious. 

[Grumpy Goat]

Here is another one. Must be "Columbus Day" over there ... 

He mentioned the Mandello as a comparable bike to the RS, and pending a head-to-head comparo he suspects the RS is more sporty. He enjoys how it "dances" in the twisties, "surprisingly quick", and mentions the powerful rear brake. But we know all that ... he said a lot more of course including agricultural gearbox, and "don't bother with the quickshifter" (up) - his only criticisms.

[Grumpy Goat]

Another one from ex-BMW Salesperson, UsernameKate.

[Grumpy Goat]

Another one.

[Lee]

Another one.

I didn't understand the round mirror comment.
The Wethead does not rock side to side like older boxers when you blip the throttle.
The guy could wait a mile or two before revving past 8,500 RPM
The seat is not adjustable like he said.
If you're going to review a bike get out of town and off the interstate.

[Grumpy Goat]

I didn't understand the round mirror comment.
The Wethead does not rock side to side like older boxers when you blip the throttle.
The guy could wait a mile or two before revving past 8,500 RPM
The seat is not adjustable like he said.
If you're going to review a bike get out of town and off the interstate.

Yes I agree regarding the mirror, side to side rocking and the seat … especially the seat. He makes it sound like it’s adjustable, and the uninformed would not know that you have to get 3 different seats to get the different heights.

[Lee]

NJ dealer plate in Colorado. The bike was probably one of the bikes making the rounds on the BMW demo truck.

[TriangleRider]

My R90S didn't rock half as much as that guy is trying to claim for the 1250.  He probably heard somewhere that all boxers do it, and is rocking the bike "just a bit" to show off his knowledge. 

It is interesting that he has a heated seat and is saying that it is uncomfortable.  I am seeing the same comment in other forums.  Is the heated seat the same height as the "standard" non-heated seat? Obviously the heated seat has different padding, but those additional seams can't help comfort much either.

[Grumpy Goat]

It is interesting that he has a heated seat and is saying that it is uncomfortable.  I am seeing the same comment in other forums.  Is the heated seat the same height as the "standard" non-heated seat?  Obviously the heated seat has different padding, but those additional seams can't help comfort much either.

Yeah, I tend to not put too much (any?) credence into any comment about anything being comfortable / uncomfortable. We are all anatomically different and "comfort" is subjective. Then there are the pants one wears that could also have an impact on comfort - no one ever talks about that when talking about seat comfort. 

Plus, there are lots of people who like to complain, and nothing is ever comfortable as they search for the holy grail of this or that and it usually shows up on the forums.   When it comes to seats, I am married to SWMBO who finds 90% of the seats on the planet to be uncomfortable. 

From what I have seen, heated seats tend to be a tad thicker padded and higher than non-heated standard seats, and if the padding is in the wrong place, then it could have an effect on comfort. But I would not think that a change in seat height is a necessary characteristic of a heated seat option. I could not find any comments on whether new optional heated seats for the 2023 model result in a change in height.

[Lee]

My R90S didn't rock half as much as that guy is trying to claim for the 1250.  He probably heard somewhere that all boxers do it, and is rocking the bike "just a bit" to show off his knowledge. 

It is interesting that he has a heated seat and is saying that it is uncomfortable.  I am seeing the same comment in other forums.  Is the heated seat the same height as the "standard" non-heated seat?  Obviously the heated seat has different padding, but those additional seams can't help comfort much either.

The heated seat appears to be the came shape and height as the standard seat on the older RSs.

[Magile]

https://www.webbikeworld.com/2023-bmw-r-1250-rs-review/

“As BMW’s top-shelf, boxer engine-powered sports tourer, the R 1250 RS impresses with a mix of great looks, comfy riding position and an avalanche of accessories, too”

[TriangleRider]

[TriangleRider]

[keweenawbee]

Here is another one. Must be "Columbus Day" over there ... 

He mentioned the Mandello as a comparable bike to the RS, and pending a head-to-head comparo he suspects the RS is more sporty. He enjoys how it "dances" in the twisties, "surprisingly quick", and mentions the powerful rear brake. But we know all that ... he said a lot more of course including agricultural gearbox, and "don't bother with the quickshifter" (up) - his only criticisms.

Yes this is my favorite review probably watched it 20 times.  Influenced my buying the 2023.  I ended up with the same color (light white), only coincidence, a dealer had it steeply discounted.  Really like his outfit I think it has an airbag I could be wrong.  Those Handroid gloves wow!  (I've been out of it for awhile, suddenly realized I had 25 year old bike)

[soch]

As for the Mandello V100 comparison, I did watch this video a few months ago and was able to test ride the standard V100 when looking to replace my S1000XR. The bike was very impressive, and is a beautiful looking bike, however, I did notice some quality control/assurance issues with paint/finish of the plastic panels/fairings. Doing a bit more research in the MG forums found many owners having issues with coolant leaks -- from what was discussed it appears to be from a badly position hose clamp at the factory. These were '23 bikes (first year of the new v100), so one would think these issues have been corrected for the MY '24 bikes.

I'm extremely happy with my '23 R1250RS purchased new in Jan '24. This is my 3rd RS I've owned, and IMHO do believe it's a much better bike all around compared to the V100. However, I do like the V100 and if the better half allows, I'll hopefully add one to the garage later this year.       

[keweenawbee]

Hi soch.  I don't think chopsy ever did that final comparison he spoke about. I looked for it.  Always liked the Moto Guzzi's, but coming from my '98 RT I had to have that new TFT, among other things.  What year RS's did you have, any airheads?  I discovered BMW bikes in war movies but first saw them at a St. Louis dealer in 78 when I traded my Volvo in on a 320i.  They all had R's in front of them, I thought they were beautiful.  Then the same year the first RS came out I bought what I could afford, a '93 R100GS.

I have only ridden my new RS once, last week, on a freakishly warm early evening down the winding roads along the Minnesota river.  It all came back to me very quickly.  My only complaint would be the Honda-like turn signal controls on one side LOL!  My 98 RT had those beat would love to have them back.