Forty Years of Experience
I don’t remember getting along with BMW’s R1250GS this well on its press launch two years ago. Perhaps it’s because, left to my own devices — rather than forced to take what BMW’s press department gave me in 2019 — I broke out the old Torx wrench and changed the handlebar’s rake. BMW likes to set its handlebars up so they’re angled optimally for standing up off-road (burnishing their off-road bona fides is critical for marketing to the Gelände Strasse set, I guess). Since I very seldom ride litre-plus adventure bikes off-road — not of my own volition, at least — I angled the handlebars back, and presto: What had previously been a shoulder- and wrist-racking seating position became as comfy as a Gold Wing.
It may have also been the fact that my tester came with BMW’s optional heated seat. Being the middle of summer, I
