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BMW R1250RS 6 Month Review | Honest Owner Experience + Comfort Mods for Shorter Riders

10MilMoto

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Thinking about buying a BMW R1250RS? In this video, I share my honest 6-month owner review of this incredible sport-touring motorcycle.

I cover everything from what I love about the bike to a few dislikes you should be aware of before buying. I also go through key specifications and real-world performance to help you decide if it’s the right bike for you.

As a smaller rider, comfort is a big factor for me—so I’ll also show you the modifications I’ve made to improve ergonomics, confidence, and overall riding comfort.

Whether you’re considering the R1250RS or enjoy motorcycle reviews, I hope this provides a useful, real-world perspective.

In this video:

6-month ownership experience
Likes & dislikes
Key specs explained
Comfort-focused modifications (great for shorter riders)
Real-world riding impressions

Disclaimer:
Some of the links in this description may be affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue creating content. Thank you for your support!

Links to the camera equipment used and some of the modifications to the R1250RS

DJI OSMO Action 5
https://amzn.to/4sJq5Uf

DJI OSMO Action 4
https://amzn.to/3QlrH9r

DJI OSMO 360
https://amzn.to/3Oh4Knh

Wunderlich handlebar conversion
https://www.nippynormans.com/r1200rs-...

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9 Comments

@Zaga1975 3 months ago

Very nice info! I have one specced from factory like yours and I absolutely love it! I also have the Akrapovic. What a sound… not too much, just the right sporty amount. After many CBRs, VFR1200F and other bikes, I have to say that this is the best all rounder bike for tarmac. You don’t need anything else

@stephenfry4685 3 months ago

Great video. Ive got the same bike and love it. Changed seat to wunderlich seat which sits at 790 ( perfect for my 30 inch inside leg) Also put tubular bar conversion on, couldn't agree more, bike handles so much better with the more upright bars. Had same issue with screen and swapped that out as well. 🏍🏍

@jeroenvandenberg7758 2 months ago

Thanks for your video. What struck me as “interesting” was your comment on the bike’s size and weight. As I’m pondering on whether or not trade my 2019 R1250RT in for a R1250RS as the RS is significantly lighter and smaller. I’ve owned a R1200RS, only adjustment I had done on that one was adding a Puig Touring Screen. Was thinking about having the seats padding changed to something more firm and possibly lowering the foot pegs when my wife insisted on me going from 2 bikes (the other was a 2010 R1200RT DOHC) to just one bike. That got me on my current R1250RT as that one is superior in bad weather protection and 2 Up riding. But I no longer have to take the bike to work as there is a car now. And the Mrs has got her own bike so 2 Up is reduced to the occasional concert visits… But I must admit, letting go of my agile couch-on-2-wheels, isn’t at all easy. Then again, I’m not getting any younger (AD 1969) and the RT isn’t getting any lighter (279 kg) either…

@alanpennykid133 2 months ago (edited)

Nice. I have the same bike, just a little earlier (2019, Austin Yellow), had it for 3 years now but it's primarily a summer/morning blast bike so it hasn't done many miles(just turned 15,000km). At 170cm (5'7") I'm on the shorter side also. I have the bar risers (up and back), would love to try the 790mm seat but can cope with the 820mm that's on it. Have a MRA Vario screen, it's perfect for me as I hate having to look through a screen to see the road. Now it's winter here, I've just moved the screen to the higher mounting holes. Acrapovic makes it sound nice. Panniers, Topbox, Shad tankbag make it usable for getting away as well.

I'm having the heavy, difficult to manouvre problems with my winter bike, a 93 K1100LT. It's got away from me a couple of times just moving it around the shed. At 68yo I'm not as strong as I once was. Time to think about lighter bikes as an option.

@endurojimmy3109 3 weeks ago

Great bike, great review. I have just swapped my R1200rs for a R1250rs and have swapped out my original bars for the Tubular bar set up which as you sat transforms them. I also had them on my 1200rs so it was a no brainer for me.
I was waiting for the information on the Quadlock and reposition bracket, but unless I missed it, it wasn't mentioned.
Didn't look like a moro mate bracket.
I presume that it's taken the place of the BMW sat nav mount?

@thegray_one_walkaround 5 months ago

Hey...thanks for sharing - really useful info, and I have to admit - the R1250RS is really a beast on the road if you really know what you're doing. I do also own one and I got plenty of fun with it when I have some spare time...Quick question about the lower pegs and the shifter lever extension - is it possible to send me links of them, so I could check and maybe I'll buy to try them out...
thanks in advance, ride safe and be healthy, cheers :)

@kelvinoh3627 3 months ago

Thanks for your video! There isn’t a lot out there regarding the handlebar conversion.
Glad you spoke about it at length and how much you liked it.
I’ve recently developed quite a bit of a golfer’s elbow. Pain came around after about 7 months of riding it, so it must’ve been silently accumulating.
I’ve tried risers but it seemed to have made the handling a little worse although it reduced the load from my wrists. However, like you, it’s not quite enough for me.
Quick question: did you have to purchase the clutch and brake reservoir extensions?
You mentioned towards the end of your video there were some slack left. Did you have to fit the extensions?
The Wunderlich bars are really dear in New Zealand but if it’s worth it, I’m going to give it a shot.
This bike does everything I need it to, and the final cherry would be fixing the ergonomics.
Thanks again for your video!

@Chris-mn7yy 5 months ago (edited)

Have you got a tracker? They can drain a battery very quickly, especially if the battery is struggling. I recently purchased a 2020 RS, I'm totally hooked! What a bike. Know it's heavy but I had a 2015 VFR before and that was worst. What is the bracket you have to attach the quadlock on?

@Cjbammers 2 months ago

Have no interest in riding a bike I have to constantly look through the wind screen. If it’s lowered the buffering is obnoxious. Other than that I love the bike.