The great outdoors is calling your name. The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure is the perfect companion for discovering far-off exotic places and roads less traveled.

With the GS you will ride in luxurious comfort with the perfect combination of high-end materials, innovative technology, and impressive performance. BMW has a reputation for building high quality bikes that are reliable. So, pack everything you need into the spacious luggage system and start plotting the sites that you want to see on your next epic adventure. These ten facts about the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure prove that it is still the king of all adventure bikes.

Related: Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 S vs BMW R 1250 GS

10 The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure Has 40 Years Worth Of Development

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure motorcycle
BMW
Action image of a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure being ridden over rocks with mountains in the background. 

The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure has a 40-year history of impressive performance. Thanks to BMW’s long history of producing both vehicles and motorcycles, the R 1250 GS Adventure has only gotten better. BMW is known for investing heavily in research and development, resulting in continual improvements to its performance, features, and technology. For example, the 2023 model added Dynamic Electronic Suspension Adjustment with automatic load leveling and automatic damping mode. The LED headlights are curve adaptive to follow the road and always illuminate the space directly in front of the bike. Both the rider and passenger can enjoy a warmed seat adjusted to their chosen temperature.

9 On And Off-Road Performance

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure motorcycle
BMW
Stock image of a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure facing left on a white background. 

The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure is ready for riding both on and off-road. This puts zero limits on where your next adventure takes you. The large wheels and exceptional ground clearance help the bike perform well on uneven terrain. The multi-spoke wheels work with the rear cast aluminum single-sided swing arm and front central spring strut to cushion the bumps and dips. There is plenty of low-end torque for powering through challenging terrain like sand or mud. It also has a top speed of over 120 mph for impressive highway performance.

8 Easy-to-Read Display On The Big BMW

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure motorcycle
BMW
Stock image close up of the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure TFT display 

The last thing you should do while riding is take your eyes off the road or trail ahead of you. Thankfully, it has a large display. The TFT color display is crisp and clear. This makes it easy to quickly glance down, see the data you need, and look back up again. BMW made sure that all the bike’s information is accessible through the display which lets you see everything you need while riding. It also comes with smartphone connectivity as an added bonus.

Related: 10 Reasons Why The Ducati Multistrada V4 Is The Most High-Tech Adventure Bike

7 The GS Adventure Has A Generous Fuel Tank

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure motorcycle
BMW
Action image of a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure getting ridden on a dirt trail surrounded by trees

If you are on a cross-country adventure ride, the last thing you want to do is constantly stop to refuel. Thankfully, the BMW has a generous 7.9-gallon capacity. This lets you ride for miles before even thinking about needing a gas station. When it is time to refuel, you have plenty of options. While the 1250 GS runs on 95 octane fuel, it has adaptive fuel quality regulation for 91 through 98 octane fuel. This frees you up to fuel up with what is available without sacrificing performance. There is also a one-gallon reserve to give you time to find a gas station when the needle hits empty.

6 The Adventure Is A Heavy Bike

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure motorcycle
BMW
Stock image of a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure facing left on a white background. 

If you want to go on an adventure bike, it needs to be big enough to handle the high demand of riding for hours over rugged terrain. The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure weighs 591 pounds with a full tank. This makes it one of the heaviest bikes out there, let alone in its class. It is one of those bikes that should not be ridden by new riders, but on the plus side it can handle a payload of 478 pounds, which is plenty for you and all of your gear.

5 A Comfortable Long Range Tourer

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure motorcycle
BMW
Action image of a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure close up while being ridden on a dirt trail surrounded by trees. 

When you log long hours in the saddle, you need a seat that is as comfortable as possible. BMW is a motorcycle manufacturer that puts great importance on creating a comfortable ride. The standard seat height is 35 inches. However, there is an extensive range of seats available that can help you create a custom setup for your bike. Once you adjust the seat, you will likely want to adjust the handlebars. You can raise them by just over an inch. This is ideal for tall riders who want to create the perfect rider triangle.

4 Relatively Low Maintenance

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure motorcycle
BMW
Stock image of a black BMW R 1250 GS Adventure facing left on a white background. 

BMW engineers work hard to build reliable and durable motorcycles. The Adventure is a bike that can run forever without a ton of maintenance requirements. In addition, there are backups and safety nets built into the bike to ensure you never get stuck. For example, the twin-cylinder 1,254cc boxer engine is inside an engine cage. This protects the engine while riding over rough terrain. The engine is also air and liquid-cooled. Should you bash the radiator in, you can still limp the bike to the nearest shop.

Related: BMW is Working Hard to Improve Its Iconic GS Off-Roader

3 It Has Impressive Storage Capacity

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure motorcycle
BMW
Styled image of two BMW R 1250 GS Adventure with riders parked in front of mountains. 

Being out on the road for long periods of time means you need to have the essentials with you. It has a massive storage capacity. There are also multiple storage solution options, giving you the ability to customize the available storage on your bike to suit your needs. There is a standard aluminum case set that comes with a stainless steel case holder. Another option is the Atacama roll bags with lockable steel-core tensioning straps. Finally, if you’re looking for a high-end option that looks elegant, there is a black powder-coated stainless steel and anodized aluminum option.

2 It Has Smooth Power Delivery

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure motorcycles
BMW
Styled image of two BMW R 1250 GS Adventure motorcycles parked in the dirt in front of a mountain 

The performance isn’t hair-raising or adrenaline-pumping. You aren’t going to get a dirt bike experience on the 1250 GS Adventure either. Instead, it gives you a luxurious riding experience with a more refined power delivery. The engine isn’t your standard motorcycle engine. It is capable of producing 136 horsepower and 105 pound feet of torque. It’s paired with a wet clutch and constant mesh six-speed gearbox. The anti-hopping function and hydraulic activation help you never miss a gear.

1 The Adventure Has Multiple Ride Modes

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure motorcycle
BMW
Stock image of the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure facing right on a white background. 

Multiple ride modes come programmed into the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure. Choose from ECO, rain, and road. This optimizes the bike's performance and engine power delivery for the current riding conditions. There are also several ¸rider assist features that make riding easier, including DTC (Dynamic Traction Control), Integral ABS Pro (inclination-optimized ABS), HSC (Hill Start Control). If you upgrade, you can add optional ride modes. These modes give you even more performance customization options. They include Dynamic, Dynamic Pro, Enduro, and Enduro Pro. To make navigating the ride modes easier, ride mode pre-selection uses individualized numbers for each mode.