The BMW R 1250 GS spans 2019–2023 with 14 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2019, 2020, 2022 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2021, 2023, 2022. It delivers up to 28 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The BMW R 1250 GS is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2019 to 2023 across multiple generations.
How to read a BMW R 1250 GS VIN — every digit explained
Every BMW R 1250 GS carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a BMW and the country it was built in (real BMW codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this R 1250 GS.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- Germany3MF · 3MW · 5UM · WAP · WB1 · WB3
- USA4US · 5UX · 5YM
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your R 1250 GS, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the BMW R 1250 GS have?
The BMW R 1250 GS has 14 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2019–2023. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2023 BMW R 1250 GS recalls 1
Power Train:manual Transmission:internal:shaft:input
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2023 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, and R1250RTP motorcycles. In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, possibly resulting in a blocked rear wheel.
Risk. A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2022 BMW R 1250 GS recalls 1
Power Train:manual Transmission:internal:shaft:input
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2023 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, and R1250RTP motorcycles. In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, possibly resulting in a blocked rear wheel.
Risk. A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2021 BMW R 1250 GS recalls 2
Power Train:manual Transmission:internal:shaft:input
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2023 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, and R1250RTP motorcycles. In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, possibly resulting in a blocked rear wheel.
Risk. A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Equipment:other:labels
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 R 1250 RT, R 1250 R, R 1250 RS, R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure motorcycles. The tire pressure labels may not remain affixed to the motorcycle frame. As a result, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims-Other Than Passenger Cars."
Risk. If the label detaches from the motorcycle, proper tire pressure information may not be readily available. This could result in the rider improperly filling the tires which may affect motorcycle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tire pressure label, free of charge. The recall began October 19, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2020 BMW R 1250 GS recalls 6
Power Train:manual Transmission:internal:shaft:input
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2023 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, and R1250RTP motorcycles. In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, possibly resulting in a blocked rear wheel.
Risk. A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Power Train:driveline
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 R1250GS and R1250RT motorcycles. The pivot pin that connects the final drive to the swing arm may be damaged, causing the connection between the final drive and swing arm to loosen.
Risk. A loose connection between the final drive and swing arm will reduce stability and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the pivot pin, free of charge. The motorcycles are not with owners at this time. The recall began April 28, 2020. Please contact BMW customer service number 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 RnineT Scrambler and RnineT, 2020 R1250R and R1250RS, 2019-2020 Rnine T Pure, R1250GS,R1250GS Adventure and R1250RT and 2018 RnineT Racer motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maintenance procedure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Risk. Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Motorcycle Accessory Brake Fluid Reservoir Covers, part numbers 8405-752, 8405-753, 8405-754 and 9829547 designed to fit certain 2019-2020 BMW R 1250 motorcycles, and part numbers 8404-098, 8405-100, 8405-102, and 1542056 designed to fit certain 2018-2020 BMW Rnine T motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maintenance procedure. As such, these caps fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Risk. Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 14, 2020. Parts will be available in mid-September 2020 for the recall repairs. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 F900R, F900XR, S1000RR, F750GS, F850GS, F850GS Adventure, R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, R1250RS, R1250R, RnineT, RnineT Pure and RnineT Scrambler and 2019-2020 S1000R motorcycles. The brake light may flash instead of remain steady during emergency braking. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk. A flashing brake light can cause confusion to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. BMW will notify owner, and dealers will reprogram the emergency stop signal function, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Risk. Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 12, 2020. As of January 19, 2021, a remedy was still not available. The recall began March 8, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2019 BMW R 1250 GS recalls 4
Power Train:manual Transmission:internal:shaft:input
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2023 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, and R1250RTP motorcycles. In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may become damaged or break, possibly resulting in a blocked rear wheel.
Risk. A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Motorcycle Accessory Brake Fluid Reservoir Covers, part numbers 8405-752, 8405-753, 8405-754 and 9829547 designed to fit certain 2019-2020 BMW R 1250 motorcycles, and part numbers 8404-098, 8405-100, 8405-102, and 1542056 designed to fit certain 2018-2020 BMW Rnine T motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maintenance procedure. As such, these caps fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Risk. Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 14, 2020. Parts will be available in mid-September 2020 for the recall repairs. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 RnineT Scrambler and RnineT, 2020 R1250R and R1250RS, 2019-2020 Rnine T Pure, R1250GS,R1250GS Adventure and R1250RT and 2018 RnineT Racer motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid and the process for filling the reservoir, possibly leading to an improper maintenance procedure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Risk. Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
What's wrong. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems."
Risk. Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 12, 2020. As of January 19, 2021, a remedy was still not available. The recall began March 8, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Best and worst years for the BMW R 1250 GS
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 5 tracked years, the worst years are 2019, 2020, 2022 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2021, 2023, 2022.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 R 1250 GS | Service Brakes | Avoid | |
| 2020 R 1250 GS | Service Brakes | Avoid | |
| 2021 R 1250 GS | — | Best | |
| 2022 R 1250 GS | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2023 R 1250 GS | Power Train | Best |
What are the most common BMW R 1250 GS problems?
The most-reported BMW R 1250 GS problems are Engine (4 reports), Hydraulic (2 reports) and Structure (1 reports) — out of 29 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
BMW R 1250 GS specifications & dimensions
The 2023 BMW R 1250 GS. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the BMW R 1250 GS window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
BMW R 1250 GS cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the R 1250 GS holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 91 cu ft of passenger volume and 12 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
BMW R 1250 GS tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the BMW R 1250 GS get?
The BMW R 1250 GS returns up to 28 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,750/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2023 BMW R 1250 GS (2L 4-cyl) gets 28 mpg combined and costs about $2,750/yr to fuel, emitting 315 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 6/10, smog 7/10) — about $2,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 R 1250 GS | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 315 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2022 R 1250 GS | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 314 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2021 R 1250 GS | 24 | 33 | $2,750 | 319 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2020 R 1250 GS | 23 | 33 | $2,850 | 330 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2019 R 1250 GS | 23 | 33 | $2,850 | 333 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the R 1250 GS stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this R 1250 GS's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the BMW R 1250 GS have? Power & range
The BMW R 1250 GS is offered with 1 powertrain — 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | FWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a BMW R 1250 GS cost to own?
A BMW R 1250 GS tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used R 1250 GS is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this R 1250 GS loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $13,750 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the R 1250 GS ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the BMW R 1250 GS safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the R 1250 GS yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a BMW R 1250 GS last?
A well-maintained BMW R 1250 GS typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your BMW R 1250 GS’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this R 1250 GS’s VIN free →All BMW R 1250 GS model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the BMW R 1250 GS — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 R 1250 GS | 1 recall | — | |
| 2022 R 1250 GS | 1 recall | — | |
| 2021 R 1250 GS | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2020 R 1250 GS | 6 recalls | — | |
| 2019 R 1250 GS | 4 recalls | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the R 1250 GS?
By owner-complaint volume, 2019, 2020, 2022 drew the most reports. 2021, 2023, 2022 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the R 1250 GS have?
14 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2019–2023. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all BMW recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the R 1250 GS get?
Up to 28 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a R 1250 GS last?
A well-maintained R 1250 GS typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the R 1250 GS reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the R 1250 GS is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the BMW R 1250 GS warranty?
New BMW models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a BMW dealer.
Where is the BMW R 1250 GS made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your R 1250 GS's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; BMW may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the R 1250 GS have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.