Adventure Motorcycles
2020BMW R 1250 GS
49 fields on record
The 2020 BMW R 1250 GS is a premium adventure tourer engineered for serious long-distance exploration. Its liquid-cooled boxer engine delivers smooth power via shaft drive, while the robust two-section frame and advanced fuel injection system ensure reliability across diverse terrains. This bike suits riders seeking comfort, technology and capability for extended touring and adventure riding.
- Capacity
- 1254.0 ccm
- Engine
- Boxer, four-stroke
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Wet weight
- 249.0 kg
- Seat height
- 850 mm
- Power
- 136.0 HP (99.3 kW) @ 7750 RPM
How it rides
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested- Best for
- Designed as a do-it-all adventure tourer that blends long-distance comfort, light-to-moderate off-road capability, and confident everyday road performance.
- Built for
- A composed, torquey boxer-twin character with shaft-drive smoothness that favors steady, controlled riding over frantic revving.
- Not ideal for
- Not ideal for riders seeking a lightweight, flickable city commuter or a dedicated track-focused sportbike.
Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.
Will it fit you?
Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to usRange and running costs
Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to usBased on the maker's published fuel consumption and tank size. Real-world figures depend on how and where you ride, and the last litres of a tank are reserve. Prices shown greyed are examples - type your own.
Engine
- Capacity
- 1254.0 ccm
- Power
- 136.0 HP (99.3 kW) @ 7750 RPM
- CO2 Emissions
- 127 CO2 g/km
- EPA Certificate No.
- LBMXC01.34K5-002
- EPA Est. Fuel Consumption
- 5.43 L/100km (43.3 US mpg)
- EPA CO Emissions
- 0.2 CO g/km
- Torque
- 143.0 Nm (14.6 kgf-m) @ 6500 RPM
- Engine type
- Boxer, four-stroke
- Fuel consumption
- 4.80 litres/100 km (20.8 km/l)
- Power/weight ratio
- 0.5462 HP/kg (wet)
- Bore x stroke
- 102.5 x 76.0 mm
- Compression
- 12.5:1
- Cooling system
- Liquid
- Fuel system
- Injection
- Starting
- Electric
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Valves per cylinder
- 4
- Lubrication system
- Dry sump
Transmission
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Transmission type
- Manual
- Final drive
- Shaft
- Clutch
- Oil lubricated clutch, hydraulically operated
Performance
- Top speed
- 200.0 km/h (124.3 mph)
Dimensions & weight
- Wheelbase
- 1525 mm
- Overall length
- 2207 mm
- Overall width
- 953 mm
- Overall height
- 1430 mm
- Seat height
- 850 mm
- Wet weight
- 249.0 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 20.00 litres
- Ground clearance
- 185 mm
- Oil capacity
- 4.00 litres
- Reserve fuel capacity
- 4.00 litres
- Dry weight
- Not on record - add it
Chassis & suspension
- Frame
- Two-section frame, front- and bolted on rear frame, load-bearing engine
- Front suspension
- BMW Motorrad Telelever
- Rear suspension
- Cast aluminium single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever
- Front wheel travel
- 190 mm
- Rear wheel travel
- 200 mm
- Rake (fork angle)
- 25.5°
- Trail
- 100 mm
Brakes & wheels
- Front brakes
- Double disc. ABS. Floating discs. Four-piston calipers.
- Front brakes diameter
- 305 mm
- Rear brakes
- Single disc. ABS. Floating disc. Two-piston calipers.
- ABS
- Yes
- Front tyre
- 120/70-R19
- Rear tyre
- 170/60-R17
Other
- Color options
- Black Storm Metallic, Cosmic Blue Metallic, Style HP, Style Exclusive
- Fuel Tank Material
- Plastic
Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
What changed, year to year
Differences highlighted| Specification | 2019 | 2020 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1254 cc | 1254 cc | 1254 cc | 1254 cc | 1254 cc |
| Seat height | 850 mm | 850 mm | 850 mm | 850 mm | 850 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 20 L | 20 L | 19.7 L | 19.7 L | 19.7 L |
Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.
Safety Recalls
⚠ 6 recalls may applyPOWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:SHAFT:INPUTJan 2023 · 23V011000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2023 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, and R1250RTP motorcycles. In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, possibly resulting in a blocked rear wheel.
Risk: A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPERAug 2020 · 20V476000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Risk: Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 12, 2020. As of January 19, 2021, a remedy was still not available. The recall began March 8, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUIDMar 2020 · 20E013000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Motorcycle Accessory Brake Fluid Reservoir Covers, part numbers 8405-752, 8405-753, 8405-754 and 9829547 designed to fit certain 2019-2020 BMW R 1250 motorcycles, and part numbers 8404-098, 8405-100, 8405-102, and 1542056 designed to fit certain 2018-2020 BMW Rnine T motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maintenance procedure. As such, these caps fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Risk: Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 14, 2020. Parts will be available in mid-September 2020 for the recall repairs. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUIDMar 2020 · 20V166000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 RnineT Scrambler and RnineT, 2020 R1250R and R1250RS, 2019-2020 Rnine T Pure, R1250GS,R1250GS Adventure and R1250RT and 2018 RnineT Racer motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maintenance procedure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Risk: Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINEMar 2020 · 20V165000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 R1250GS and R1250RT motorcycles. The pivot pin that connects the final drive to the swing arm may be damaged, causing the connection between the final drive and swing arm to loosen.
Risk: A loose connection between the final drive and swing arm will reduce stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the pivot pin, free of charge. The motorcycles are not with owners at this time. The recall began April 28, 2020. Please contact BMW customer service number 1-800-525-7417.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTSMar 2020 · 20V146000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 F900R, F900XR, S1000RR, F750GS, F850GS, F850GS Adventure, R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, R1250RS, R1250R, RnineT, RnineT Pure and RnineT Scrambler and 2019-2020 S1000R motorcycles. The brake light may flash instead of remain steady during emergency braking. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: A flashing brake light can cause confusion to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owner, and dealers will reprogram the emergency stop signal function, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
These recalls cover some 2020 bikes of this model. Whether one applies to a specific bike, and whether the repair has already been done, depends on its VIN — check your VIN with NHTSA or ask a dealer.
Source: NHTSA. View all BMW recalls →
Rider Reviews
Common questions
What is the engine size of the BMW R 1250 GS?
The 2020 BMW R 1250 GS has a Capacity of 1254.0 ccm (76.52 cubic inches).
What engine power does the BMW R 1250 GS have?
The 2020 BMW R 1250 GS has a Power of 136.0 HP (99.3 kW) @ 7750 RPM.
How many gears does the BMW R 1250 GS have?
The 2020 BMW R 1250 GS has a Gearbox of 6-speed.
What is the torque of the BMW R 1250 GS?
The 2020 BMW R 1250 GS has a Torque of 143.0 Nm (14.6 kgf-m or 105.5 ft.lbs) @ 6500 RPM.
How much does the BMW R 1250 GS weigh?
The 2020 BMW R 1250 GS has a Wet weight of 249.0 kg (549.0 pounds).
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The 2020 BMW R 1250 GS is a powerful and versatile adventure touring motorcycle that offers top-of-the-line performance and cutting-edge technology. With a 1254cc boxer engine delivering 136 horsepower, this bike is built for long-distance rides and off-road adventures. The innovative ShiftCam technology provides smooth power delivery and excellent fuel efficiency, while the optional Dynamic ESA suspension system ensures a stable and comfortable ride in various terrains. The iconic GS design, combined with advanced features such as LED lighting and a 6.5-inch TFT display, makes the R 1250 GS a standout in its class.
Overall, the 2020 BMW R 1250 GS is a top-notch motorcycle that combines impressive power, advanced technology, and rugged design. Whether you're cruising on the highway or exploring off-road trails, this bike delivers an exceptional riding experience. With its powerful engine, advanced suspension system, and modern features, the R 1250 GS is a top choice for adventure riders looking for a high-performance touring motorcycle.
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