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2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure Overview
BMW R 1250GS Adventure is an enduro / off-road motorcycle, displacing 1254 cc. Power comes from a Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke engine running Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) valve actuation, a compression ratio of 12.5:1. On the performance side, it delivers 136 hp @ 7750 rpm of peak power and 143 Nm @ 6250 rpm of torque. Top speed is factory-quoted at 200 km/h. On the road, the 2020 R 1250GS Adventure tips the scales at 268 kg, carries a 30-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 890 mm to 910 mm and spans a 1504 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 98.5 kg heavier than the average enduro / off-road motorcycle in our database. The full 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure compared with other bikes in the Enduro / Off-Road category
We checked the recorded figures for the 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure against up to 1434 bikes in the Enduro / Off-Road category in our database, counting each model once at the model year nearest to this one.
- Only 4 of the other 815 bikes in the Enduro / Off-Road category have a higher torque than the 143 Nm of the R 1250GS Adventure.
- With 1254 cc, the R 1250GS Adventure has the joint 13th largest engine displacement of 1434 bikes in the Enduro / Off-Road category, 158% above the category average of 486 cc.
- Wet weight of 268 kg is heavier than that of 746 of the other 773 bikes in the Enduro / Off-Road category.
- Narrowing the field to the 291 models within five model years of it, the torque of 143 Nm is higher than that of 281 of the other 290.
Versus the 2019 model
The figures we track are unchanged from the 2019 model: peak power, peak torque, wet weight, displacement, seat height and top speed all match.
2020 R 1250GS Adventure - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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⚡
Strong power output: With 136 hp @ 7750 rpm and 143 Nm @ 6250 rpm of torque on tap, the R 1250GS Adventure is no slouch for its class.
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🔧
Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
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🛑
Strong front braking: Stopping power up front is strong thanks to the disc setup, with plenty of room to upgrade further with braided lines.
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⛽
Large fuel range: A 30-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.
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⚙️
Low-maintenance final drive: Running a shaft final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.
Considerations
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📏
Tall seat height: At 890 mm to 910 mm, shorter riders will likely be on tiptoes at a standstill - worth sitting on one before you buy.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Heat management in traffic
Because the R 1250GS Adventure relies on airflow rather than a coolant jacket, expect noticeably more radiant heat at low speed and in traffic. It's inherent to air cooling, and ventilated gear largely offsets it.
Fuelling & injector care
The Electronic intake pipe injection on the R 1250GS Adventure needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.
Valve clearance checks
With Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) valve gear, the R 1250GS Adventure needs periodic clearance checks; caught early they're a cheap adjustment, left unchecked they accelerate valve seat wear.
Brake disc and pad wear
Braking up front comes from 2x 305mm floating discs, 4-piston radial brake calipers - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.
Suspension condition on used examples
The R 1250GS Adventure's suspension runs BMW Motorrad 37mm Telelever, central spring strut at the front. The rear uses Cast aluminium single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever, WAD spring strut, continuously adjustable spring preload by means of hand wheel, rebound-stage damping adjustable by hand wheel. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The R 1250GS Adventure uses shaft final drive: essentially maintenance-free day to day, with periodic gear-oil changes the only real service item.
Frame & chassis check
Built around a Two-section frame concept consisting of main frame with bolt-on rear frame, load-bearing engine, the R 1250GS Adventure's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.
Handling the weight at a standstill
268 kg puts the R 1250GS Adventure toward the heavier end of its class. It's most noticeable at walking pace; once underway the mass settles into the handling rather than fighting it.
R 1250GS Adventure - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure with its 1254 cc enduro / off-road, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, drivetrain wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. This model runs shaft final drive, so ask for proof the shaft-drive gear oil has been changed on schedule - it's easy to overlook since there's no chain to draw attention to it. Now 6 years old, this enduro / off-road is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy R 1250GS Adventure should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects the R 1250GS Adventure's 1254 cc two cylinder boxer, four-stroke like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). With a 12.5:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Fuel system care
Fuel injection on the R 1250GS Adventure needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.
Valve clearance service
Valve clearances are easy to overlook on a used R 1250GS Adventure since a bike out of spec doesn't always feel obviously wrong - but the wear it causes is real. Ask the seller for documentation before assuming it's been done.
2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure have?
The 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure uses a Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke engine with 1254 cc of displacement. It is liquid / air cooled.
What is the top speed of the 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure?
The 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure has a factory-quoted top speed of 200 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.
How much does the 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure weigh?
The 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure weighs 268 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure make?
The 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure produces 136 hp @ 7750 rpm of power and 143 Nm @ 6250 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure?
The 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure has a 30-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 500-600 km between stops.
Is the 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure suitable for shorter riders?
The 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure has a seat height of 890 mm to 910 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.
What brakes does the 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure have?
The 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure uses 2x 305mm floating discs, 4-piston radial brake calipers at the front and single 276mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure use?
The 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure runs 120/70 R19 front and 170/60 R17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure have?
The 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure is fitted with a Constant mesh 6-speed gearbox with helical gearing system transmission.
BMW R 1250GS Adventure Spec Evolution
The BMW R 1250GS Adventure was produced across 5 model years (2019-2023). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
| Wet Weight |
268 kg / 591 lbs |
268 kg / 591 lbs |
268 kg / 591 lbs |
268.1 kg / 591.0 lbs |
268.1 kg / 591.0 lbs |
| Engine Detail |
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, with two overhead, spur gear driven camshafts , a counterbalance shaft and variable intake camshaft control system BMW ShiftCam, 4 valves per cylinder, Intake 40mm, outlet 34 mm |
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, with two overhead, spur gear driven camshafts , a counterbalance shaft and variable intake camshaft control system BMW ShiftCam, 4 valves per cylinder, Intake 40mm, outlet 34 mm |
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, with two overhead spur gear driven camshafts , a counterbalance shaft and variable intake camshaft control system BMW ShiftCam, 4 valves per cylinder, intake 40mm, outlet 34 mm |
Balance shaft and variable engine timing system |
Balance shaft and variable engine timing system |
| Top Speed |
200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph |
200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph |
200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph |
193.1 km/h / 120.0 mph |
193.1 km/h / 120.0 mph |
| Seat Height |
890 mm to 910 mm / 35 in to 35.8 in 820 mm to 910 mm / 32 in to 35.8 in - possible |
890 mm to 910 mm / 35 in to 35.8 in 820 mm to 910 mm / 32 in to 35.8 in - possible |
890 mm to 910 mm / 35 in to 35.8 in 820 mm to 910 mm / 32 in to 35.8 in - possible |
890 mm / 35.0 in. |
890 mm / 35.0 in. |
| Fuel Capacity |
30 Litres / 7.9 US gal |
30 Litres / 7.9 US gal |
30 Litres / 7.9 US gal |
29.90 litres / 7.90 US gallons |
29.90 litres / 7.90 US gallons |
| CO2 |
109.0 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission) |
110.2 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission) |
110.2 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission) |
110.2 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission) |
110.2 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission) |
| Comments |
Windscreen. |
- |
Dynamic Traction Control |
3 Ride Modes (ECO, Rain and Road). Traction Control. |
3 Ride Modes (ECO, Rain and Road). Traction Control. Hill Start Control. |
| Mods from previous model |
- |
Heavyweight long range global touring instrumentation implementation baseline |
Release of 40 Years GS special edition with adaptive headlight routing assemblies |
- |
- |
Key Specifications
Engine
Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke
Power
136 hp / 100 kW @ 7750 rpm
Torque
143 Nm / 105.4 lb-ft @ 6250 rpm
Top Speed
200.0 km/h / 124.3 mph
Fuel Capacity
30 Litres / 7.9 US gal
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Full 2020 BMW R 1250GS Adventure Specifications
Year
2020
Make
BMW
Model
R 1250GS Adventure
Colours
Ice Grey, Style HP, Style Exclusive
Make Model
BMW R 1250GS Adventure
Seat Heigth -Alternate (in.)
35.8 inches
Seat Heigth -Alternate (mm)
910 mm
Seat Height
890 mm to 910 mm / 35 in to 35.8 in 820 mm to 910 mm / 32 in to 35.8 in - possible
Wheelbase
1504 mm / 59.2 in
Height
1460 mm / 57.5 in.
Length
952 mm / 37.5 in (including mirrors)
Width
952 mm / 37.5 in (including mirrors)
Fuel Capacity
30 Litres / 7.9 US gal
Wet Weight
268 kg / 591 lbs
Stroke
76.0 mm
CO2
110.2 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)
Engine Type
Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke
Fuel Control
Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)
Displacement
1254 cc / 76.5 cu-in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, with two overhead, spur gear driven camshafts , a counterbalance shaft and variable intake camshaft control system BMW ShiftCam, 4 valves per cylinder, Intake 40mm, outlet 34 mm
Fuel System
Injection. Electronic intake pipe injection
Bore x Stroke
102.5 x 76 mm
Compression Ratio
12.5:1
Cooling System
Liquid / Air cooled
Emissions
Closed-loop three-way catalytic converter, exhaust standard , Euro 4
Engine Lubrication
Dry sump
Engine Management
BMS-O
Fuel Consumption
4.75 litres/100 km (21.1 km/l or 49.52 mpg)
Fuel Induction
Electronic intake pipe injection, 52mm Ø throttle valve
Fuel Reserve
4.00 litres / 1.06 US gallons
Fuel Type
Premium unleaded, 95 (RON)
Starter
Electric 900W
Valve System
4
Battery Capacity
12V/12Ah
Chain Size
None (Shaft Drive)
Clutch
Wet clutch with anti-hopping function, hydraulically activated
Final Drive
Shaft
Gear Ratios
1st 2.438 2nd 1.714 3rd 1.296 4th 1.059 5th 0.943 6th 0.848
Gearbox
6-speed
Primary Drive
Constant mesh
Primary Drive Ratios
1.650
Secondary Drive Ratio
2.910
Transmission / Drive
Constant mesh 6-speed gearbox with helical gearing system
Frame Type
Two-section frame concept consisting of main frame with bolt-on rear frame, load-bearing engine
Suspension - Front
BMW Motorrad 37mm Telelever, central spring strut
Suspension - Rear
Cast aluminium single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever, WAD spring strut, continuously adjustable spring preload by means of hand wheel, rebound-stage damping adjustable by hand wheel (Option: Dynamic ESA)
Rake
25.5°
Steering Angle
65.1°
Trail
95.4 mm / 3.8 in
Wheel Travel - Front
210 mm / in
Wheel Travel - Rear
220 mm / 8.7 in
Brakes - Front
2x 305mm floating discs, 4-piston radial brake calipers
Brakes - Rear
Single 276mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper
ABS
BMW Motorrad Integral ABS as standard (part integral), disengageable (option: ABS Pro)
Rims
Aluminium-Gussräder
Tyres - Front
120/70 R19
Tyres - Rear
170/60 R17
Wheels
Cross spoke
Wheels - Front
3.00 x 19 in
Wheels - Rear
4.50 x 17 in
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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