RUST magazine: RUST #44

BMW R1250GS RALLYE
before – could power slide a 1250GS
within minutes of being familiarised
with throttle-clutch control. Somewhere
between the innate balance the boxer
engine brings and the clever, careful
measuring of available power, the GS is
a surprisingly easy bike to ride. And it’s
this balance which helps make it such
an effective off-roader (ruts permitting).
Bombing around a quarry near Malaga
on this latest 1250 GS I was again struck
by just how user-friendly the GS is
off-road. It flatters your skills. Only it
probably pays not to get too cocky. We
were doing some panning shots for the
photography, looking to kick up some
dust for dramatic effect, and by heck
could that 1250 motor punch it out. It
fair roared and I doubt there’s a tyre
yet made that could survive more than
a dozen or so such passes – this beast
shreds. You could also launch yourself
into a world of extreme pain if you let
such behaviour go to your head. Some
250-kilos is way too much to have barrel
rolling beside you down a trail (ask
Clint). So while the GS is just the most
awesome experience when it comes
to skids (brake and power) it’s as well
to be mindful especially as the going
gets lumpy. And it’s just as well that
the GS’s ABS brakes and well-balanced
suspension package keep everything
mostly under control.
CRUISING
Like the most demonic poker player
ever, the 1250 GS just keeps laying down
aces. First ace: it’s got road race power.
Second: it’s got super-light handling (for
its size). Third: it’s great off-road. But it
has a fourth and final ace, too: it tours
sublimely. Somehow, that same seatedstanding
position that works so well
off-road (wide bars, lowish enduro pegs,
narrow mid section, flat highish seat),
also works for comfortable touring. And
if the rallye saddle on the HP model isn’t
w
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