X FACTOR

Me (being Damo) and a heap of other journos spent a week on the NSW South Coast riding a range of BMWs for the 2019 media launch. We covered about 1500 kilometres, drank many beers and ate some great meals. I left for the launch about 12 hours after returning from the KTM 690 Enduro R launch in Portugal (covered in this issue). While the effects of international travel were well and truly evident in that I was even more dopey that usual, nothing perks a man up like a great trail and a quality bike with some good company — and BMW Australia served-up exactly that in massive doses.

The bikes have seen a change that has altered the ride experience in a massive way, with the introduction of the 1250 engine and ShiftCam technology. Without too much of a preamble because I can rabbit on at times, we’re going to have a look specifically at the R 1250 GS Rallye X, which is the bike that gave me the feels the most. Given