BMW Motorrad’s updated adventure R 1250 G and heritage R NineT motorcycles are now on sale in Singapore. Prices start from S$50,800 OTR

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Photos: Derryn Wong

SINGAPORE – Updated 2021 versions for two of BMW Motorrad’s most popular nameplates – the BMW R 1250 GS adventure tourer and BMW R NineT heritage boxer – have arrived in Singapore. 

The GS range includes the standard R 1250 GS and off-road optimised R 1250 GS Adventure, prices start from S$67,800 OTR. 

The R NineT range encompasses the standard R NineT roadster, the R NineT  Urban G/S, and R NineT Scrambler, with prices starting from S$50,800 OTR. 

2021 R 1250 GS – what’s new

While BMW’s ‘GS’ label has diffused throughout its entire model range, this is the model that’s being referred to when ‘The GS’ is mention – BMW’s big-displacement, boxer-engined mainstay adventure touring motorcycle that’s set the trend for the whole adventure bike segment since its inception. 

The current motorcycle debuted in Singapore in April 2019 where it was literally unboxed at its launch here, and for 2021 it has been updated with minor changes. 

The standard R 1250 GS retails for S$67,800, while the even more off-road-y R 1250 GS Adventure goes for S$70,800. 

The most obvious 2021 model is the one with the GS 40th Anniversary livery, which celebrates the original BMW GS, the R80G/S from 1980. The 2020 models were announced by BMW in October 2020 and arrived in Singapore in 2021 so we’re terming them 2021 MY releases. 

The bumblebee black and yellow scheme follows the colour scheme from the 1990’s R100 G/S, with black paintwork contrasting the yellow handguards, seat, and windscreen, plus golden wheels. Also shown here are the Triple Black and Rallye paint options. 

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BMW’s 1,254cc liquid/air cooled horizontally-opposed twin is almost unchanged, retaining the ShiftCam variable intake valve control. It still makes 136hp and 143Nm of torque, but is now Euro V approved.

One of the other notable changes are to the headlights, which sees a new adaptive headlight unit capable of swiveling the low beam depending on the direction of travel, BMW claiming that ‘curves are almost fully illuminated this way’ as a result – handy for night rides. The front and rear turn indicators are also lit by default (dimmer than  when they’re actually indicating) for increased visibility. 

Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), the full-featured tunable traction control, and Integral ABS (changes according to ride mode) are standard on all bikes now, though this is less important for Singapore as the GS already came with DTC and Riding Modes Pro (seven modes) as standard. What is new is the ‘Eco’ riding mode, which should help you wring a few extra kilometres out of a tankful. 

2021 BMW R NineT range – what’s new

BMW’s first proper attempt at a heritage bike was a big success, first appearing in 2014 as the singular R NineT roadster. But the formula was good enough that the line proliferated into four different bikes, the barebones style Scrambler, the off-road Urban G/S, and the cafe racer Racer. 

The base/roadster model goes for S$50,800, the R NineT Scrambler for S$51,800, and the R NineT Urban G/S for S$49,800. 

The updated model range sees the Racer dropped from the lineup, while overseas markets have a new, entry-level R NineT Pure model, which isn’t sold here.

The 1,170cc air/oil-cooled Boxer engine (derived from the previous R 1200 GS) has some modifications for increased torque and to meet Euro V regulations. Power output drops from 110hp to 109hp as a result. More important for rideability, torque remains at the peak of 116Nm with BMW saying it is now delivered at a wider range. 

New cylinder heads improve cooling, along with new throttle valves and cylinder head covers. Inside the heads is an improved air-gas swirl, which helps with cleaner combustion and better torque spread. Akrapovic pipes come as standard on all three models.

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In safety, there’s two ride modes – Rain and Road – standard throughout the range, plus the addition of ABS Pro with cornering ABS, as well as a new preload-adjustable rear shock whose damping is dependent on spring travel. The Enduro and Urban G/S models also have an additional ‘Enduro’ mode for slippery stuff, while the roadster has a tarmac-focused Dynamic mode. 

*All prices quoted here are OTR (On-The-Road) inclusive of COE, Road Tax, but without insurance. 

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