BMW R1250GS Adventure TE: Long-term review – part 3

More miles means more insights, and Mikko Nieminen is still learning more about the big BMW R1250GS adventure bike…

The longer you spend with a bike, the more you learn about it, and so far the three months I have had the GSA for have been a proper education…

In case you missed it, take a look back at Part One and Part Two of the definitive long-term review of the R1250GS.

Plenty of positives

Some of the lessons have been very pleasant, such as the tachometer redline on the TFT screen being auto-adjustable: when you first set off it warns you if you get the revs beyond 5k but as you progress it settles to its usual 9k mark. It’s a nice touch, and makes you think about riding with more sympathy for the machine.

Speaking of the TFT screen, it is very nice indeed – clear, adjustable and easy to use. The controls for making any changes include the BMW trademark ‘control wheel’ on the left handgrip. Once you get used to it, it’s a great way to navigate through the huge amount of info available (from navigation to tyre pressures, and plenty in between).

The only issue with it is that it moves the switches slightly further from your hand so you need a bit more of a stretch to the indicators etc. At first it annoyed me, but after a couple of months I didn’t even notice it anymore.

The jury’s still out…

There is no such thing as a perfect bike, regardless of what your mates tell you about their latest wheels. The GSA comes pretty close though. There are just a couple of little niggles that currently cloud my otherwise sunny view of the BMW.

One of these is the size and weight of the bike, which I’m still getting used to. Another is the riding position, and I have found very long days in the saddle a little taxing. Of course, this is the case with most bikes, but you expect more from the GSA than many others. My issue is that for me the bars are just a fraction too far forward and the seat slightly on the hard side.

Now, I know that bar risers and a comfort seat might help instantly, but before I invest in those I will take the bike for a Euro-trip to see if a few days of mile-munching makes or breaks my comfort. More about that next month…

Ending on a high

There is no such thing as a perfect bike, regardless of what your mates tell you about their latest wheels. The GSA comes pretty close though. There are just a couple of little niggles that currently cloud my otherwise sunny view of the BMW.

One of these is the size and weight of the bike, which I’m still getting used to. Another is the riding position, and I have found very long days in the saddle a little taxing. Of course, this is the case with most bikes, but you expect more from the GSA than many others. My issue is that for me the bars are just a fraction too far forward and the seat slightly on the hard side.

Now, I know that bar risers and a comfort seat might help instantly, but before I invest in those I will take the bike for a Euro-trip to see if a few days of mile-munching makes or breaks my comfort. More about that next month…

BMW R1250GS Adventure GS: This month

• Rider: Mikko Nieminen
• Cost New: £17,585
• Spec: 134bhp/105.5Ib-ft
• Engine: 1254cc air/liquid-cooled flat twin, dohc, one balance shaft, ShiftCam
• Kerb weight: 268kg (fully fuelled)
• Tank: 30 litres
• Seat: 890mm/910mm
• Miles this month: 554
• Miles on Clock: 1813
• Average mpg: 45
• Current Tyres: Bridgestone Battlax Adventure
• Modifications: Brushed ally fuel tank £300, Intelligent Emergency Call £305, Teleservices (no cost), anti-theft alarm system £225.00, satnav (price varies from dealer to dealer), hard panniers and top box with backrest £1300
• Total cost of mods: £2130 (+satnav)