BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2019, all the magic of ShiftCam variable valve timing for her too [ROAD TEST VIDEO]

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2019 After tried the new “standard” BMW R1250 GS just under 2 months ago, we get on the saddle of the 2019 Adventure version. For those who prefer, after trying the bike that has been the best-selling on the Italian market for years, we test the sister that is on the bottom step of the podium.

The R 1250 GS Adventure is characterized by the well-known oversized tank of 30 liters (10 more than the standard one), which in addition to offering a range of around 500 – 550 km, embraces the driver, with profiles specifically designed to protect the legs from the air and water, if it rains as in the first part of our road test.
In addition to the most awaited new feature, the 1250 engine with variable valve timing, the Adventure gets a makeover, with aesthetic changes concentrated above all in the area of ​​the new aluminum front side panels, combined with the new engine guard. We then find other retouched details, such as the door of the small (but very useful) compartment in the upper part of the tank. The trim levels and equipment then change, which is richer and now includes, among other things, full LED headlights and digital instruments as standard, previously part of the optional connectivity package. Even assistance when starting uphill (Hill Start Control) has become standard, while another detail to change is the front brake calipers. Already at the presentation of the standard models, the most attentive will have noticed that they are no longer branded Brembo, but BMW. In reality they are still from the Italian group, but from the American brand Hayes and were chosen because they offer less fatigue in the most intense use, with braking repeated in sequence and at full load. Also on the brake front, the presence of the Dynamic Brake Assist, which in the event of "panic" braking, automatically closes the throttle, even if the driver inadvertently keeps it partially open with his hand busy squeezing the lever.

Three trim levels are available, with the standard alongside the Exclusive and the HP replacing the Rally. The latter is the sportiest with the Motorsport livery and gold wheels, but also offers, for example, the low windshield and the one-piece Rally seat, which integrates the passenger portion. This is a solution aimed at off road, because it is optimal for standing riding, but at the same time limits the space for the passenger. Among the various saddles available and the different settings, the height from the ground can vary from 820 up to 910 mm. The well-known ESA suspensions, with automatic preload, offer ample travel, 210 mm at the front, 220 at the rear.

However, what everyone wants to know and try is the new heart, the 1250 equipped with variable timing. In the past the liquid-cooled 1200 had been differentiated on the R 1200 GS and the subsequent RT and GS Adventure versions. Officially the different calibration of the electronics and the changes to the mass of the crankshaft had been made to accommodate a different use of the three models, in reality it was a clear sign of wanting to limit the excessive harshness of the 1200 with liquid cooling, compared to the previous engine. Well, with the new 1250 this problem does not arise, because if at the high end it shows off all the nastiness of the very first 1200 that it replaced, its best quality is instead an extraordinary regularity and fluidity of operation. No jerks, no steps and the torque is always ready when necessary, just open the throttle. The engine is therefore identical on the three bikes we tested: R 1250 GS, Adventure version and R 1250 RT of which we will soon publish our road test. The latter has the only difference of a longer final ratio, thanks to a specific bevel gear pair on the wheel side of the cardan.

The ShiftCam variable valve timing is the ace in the hole for tackling the transition to Euro5, which will take place within the next two years. Thanks to this technical innovation, in fact, rather than having a threat in terms of potential worsening of performance and delivery, BMW manages to give its boxer a better character both at highs and lows. We explained how it works in detail in the test of the standard R 1250 GS (here you can also see our video). In practice, the inlet camshaft of each cylinder "shifts" laterally, bringing two pairs of cams into play. One has a more advanced profile, which comes into play beyond 5.000 rpm or when the throttle knob is significantly opened, thanks to which the power rises to 136 horsepower at 7.750 rpm, 11 more than 1200 and the torque even 143 Nm at 6.250, gaining 18. On the low side, however, 2 different cams are used for the two individual valves, a device which allows the creation of vortices in the combustion chamber which optimize the explosion and efficiency, but above all which make the powertrain delivery and response. In order to adopt such a refined solution, more precise distribution chains, of the Morse type, but not only, were adopted.
When driving, the benefits are truly remarkable, the new engine is a nice step forward compared to the past, both for the exciting high-end performance, but above all for the fluidity and response throughout the entire power range, which allows, if desired, to drastically reduce the use of gearbox. All with the old and typical noise, that distribution ticking that many will remember, which almost completely disappears, thanks to the new distribution chains. Not only that, among the new features of the engine there is also a more precise oil pump which, among other things, also leads to an improvement in the functioning of the clutch, which receives a smaller quantity of lubricant than in the past. This detail gives a more optimal release from a standstill and facilitates the insertion of first gear from neutral.

What then continues to make us say that BMW today has an important advantage over the competition that uses other variable timing systems, is that this, thanks to the joint action with the throttle body, which compensates for the entry into play of one or the another pair of cams, is absolutely imperceptible and makes the passage fluid and without annoying "steps". Furthermore, the action is not only linked to the speed, because even at low speed, you just need to open the throttle wide open to switch to the cams with a more aggressive profile and have a vigorous response in terms of engine thrust.

And then the GS Adventure proves surprising when riding, giant if you look at it from a standstill or move it to maneuver its 268 kg in running order, it looks like a bicycle as soon as it moves, thanks to its being perfectly balanced. The thing is even more striking on the Adventure, because that large tank, for those who don't know it, could definitely mislead when evaluating its handling. Compared to the standard one, again thanks to the greater width in the tank area, the protection is greater, because the legs are protected from air and possible bad weather. We were also able to see this in our test, wet in its first portion, where we really appreciated the grip offered in these conditions by the original equipment tyres, the Bridgestone A41, alternatives to the Michelin Anakkee III that were paired with the R 1250 GS from our preview test a couple of months ago.

As for consumption, the new 1250 also offers a reduction in the order of 5%, essentially an extra kilometer per litre, moving from 18-19 to 19-20, with equivalent use. The differences widen when the speed drops, when the ShiftCam therefore mainly uses the pair of cams with a less aggressive profile, but also accommodating the qualities of this 1250 and using the gearbox less.
On sale immediately, the new BMW R1250GS Adventure has a price list starting from 19.650 euros. You need 500 and 550 euros more to switch to the Exclusive and the HP, but above all you go up to the 25 thousand euro area by equipping the Adventure with the essential optional packages, thanks to which it becomes the perfect travel companion that everyone appreciates. Among these are the rigid bags, now also available with a matte black finish, or the soft ones, another recently introduced innovation.

Clothing used:
Mtech Geographic jacket,
Mtech Storm Pants,
Mtech Wind Hero 2 gloves,
Stylmartin Impact RS Boots,
Suomy MX Tourer helmet