The new R 1250 GS and R 1250 RT – Bigtrail and Touring, respectively, equipped with the renowned Boxer engine with two opposing cylinders, which is practically a registered trademark of BMW Motorrad and has been improved since the appearance of the first motorcycle in the family. GS, in 1980. In fact, this engine concept – two opposing cylinders (boxer) had existed since 1923 with the first BMW motorcycle – R 32 – and it ended up becoming the genetic basis for many of the German brand's motorcycles that emerged later. But the engine gained popularity even with the emergence of the R 80 GS and has since received virtually all the latest in engine technology.

​

In this new engine that equips the new R 1250 GS and R 1250 RT, BMW has incorporated the technology called Shift Cam, a system that has an opening variable in the admission phase of the two valve commands – the cylinders are opposed and the controls are separate - a kind of VVTi that already exists in many car engines. According to a statement from BMW, this new engine with exactly 1254 cm³ of cubic capacity incorporates this novelty and this resulted in  more smoothness, better response at low revs and there was a noticeable decrease in fuel consumption and gas emissions by the exhaust system.

In addition to the cubic capacity, power and torque also increased, reaching 136 hp of power and 14.5 kgf.m of torque, which in the previous engine (of 1170 cm³) was 125 hp of power and 12.8 kgf.m of torque . The company also informs an improvement in the fuel injection system with adjustments in the two nozzles and also the adoption of a new ignition sensor that increases the accuracy of the mapping and, consequently, contributes to an improvement in consumption and emissions. There were also changes in the exhaust.

​

Of course, electronics are (increasingly) present in all areas of the bike. There are traction control, the ramp starting assistant, the two driving modes, the ASC (Automatic Stability Control) which works in conjunction with several other systems, and the new DBC (dynamic braking assistant) the DTC ( dynamic traction control), both as factory optional equipment. These equipments vary their programming on each of the two bikes. On the R 1250 GS, for example, the driving modes present on the bike are Dynamic Pro, Enduro and Enduro Pro. The ABS Pro system helps a lot in emergency braking in corners and in a leaning position, acting together with traction control and the electronic accelerator.

​

See some highlights of the new BMW R 1250 GS and R 1250 RT:

• Engine with BMW ShiftCam technology, which varies the valve timing and valve stroke in the intake phase;

• Smoother operation, lower consumption and emissions;

• Greater power and torque: 136 hp at 7750 rpm and 14.8 kgf.m to 6250 rpm.;

• Asynchronous inlet valve opening with optimized vortex and better combustion;

• New fuel injection sensor, more sensitive and accurate;

• New exhaust system;

• New front spoiler on the R 1250 RT;

• Two driving modes (ASC) and Ramp Exit Assist as standard.