2020 BMW R 1250 RS
R I D E R E V I E W
P90
For a bike with such a massive motor
(dimensionally), it's amazing how well the
RS handles. That motor sticks out like a
boat anchor but the fact it's so low in the
chassis makes for lovely, light handling,
such that it belies the size of machine.
As does the bodywork, ours wrapped in
that stunning metallic yellow paint scheme.
You've got a big bike underneath you, but
the way BMW has angled and cut the body-
work front to back not only helps deflect
the oncoming wind, it visually reduces its
size—even if in reality that's an illusion.
At the end of my two weeks with the
RS, I was sitting in my garage admiring
the view when a peculiar question came
over me. Given the choice, would I take
this RS or the BMW S 1000 XR? Both are
essentially for the same rider, both offer
sporting rides that can double as tourers,
and both have been recently revamped.
In the end, I'd have to go the XR (with
a shorter screen, of course), simply as it
offers a little more legroom than the RS,
and I just love that four-cylinder motor.
However, I still absolutely love that RS.
The new boxer motor is superb, as is
the fit and finish, the gold color and the
options available. It's likely the bike I'd go
for over the XR when I'm in my 40s, and if
this is you, we may have found your next
sport bike, I mean, sport tourer. CN
I'm going riding. Don't call.
