BMW R 1250 GS Edition Spirit of GS 2022 — Specifications

When BMW decides to limit a series to exactly 1250 units, corresponding to the number of cubic centimeters housed in its boxer engine, one oscillates between a clever wink and a perfectly calibrated marketing move. The R 1250 GS Edition Spirit of GS, 2022 model year, plays this card with a boldness that will not surprise anyone familiar with the brand with the propeller. In a road touring market where the GS has reigned for decades, this French derivative pushes the premium threshold to a price of 27,990 euros, which will make a few teeth grind. But does the content justify the bill?

Let's start with the base. BMW Motorrad France took an R 1250 GS Triple Black and plunged it a little deeper into the inkwell. Enduro engine guard, spoked wheels, windshield, crash bars: practically everything goes black. This understated treatment is highlighted by touches of anodized orange on the handlebars, handguards, and seat stitching, complemented by discreet blue accents on the seats. The result is a machine that stands out without falling into excessive decoration. A laser-engraved badge on the handlebar recalls the numbered character of the machine, and a "Welcome Box" containing a dedicated keychain, stickers, and paperwork storage accompanies delivery. The gesture is refined, designed to flatter the buyer from the moment the keys are handed over.

In terms of equipment, the French subsidiary has not skimped. The Pro finish groups together four packs that are usually billed as separate options. The Comfort pack brings keyless start, heated grips and seats, and a chrome exhaust. The Connected pack adds an anti-theft alarm and additional LED lighting. The Dynamic pack integrates electronic suspension ESA, Pro riding modes, bidirectional shifter, and engine brake control. The Touring pack, finally, completes the picture with cruise control, GPS preparation, and luggage supports. All of this is delivered as standard. For a touring rider who would have ticked these boxes on the configurator, the bill would have climbed well beyond the displayed price. The calculation is therefore not absurd, even if the sum remains salty compared to a Ducati Multistrada V4 or a KTM 1290 Super Adventure that play in the same price range with different arguments.

The mechanical foundation, however, is nothing cosmetic. The 1254 cm3 flat-twin engine, equipped with ShiftCam variable valve timing, delivers 136 horsepower at 7750 rpm and, above all, 142 Nm of torque at 6250 rpm. This engine is a benchmark for smoothness and availability in the segment. It pulls the 252 kg fully fueled with a disconcerting ease, whether on the highway approaching 220 km/h top speed or on a winding departmental road in sixth gear, shaft drive obliges, without jerks or chain maintenance. The steel tubular frame, the 37 mm Telelever fork with 190 mm of travel, and the Paralever monoshock offering 200 mm at the rear compose a set that digests both broken asphalt and light trails. The braking system, entrusted to two 305 mm front discs with radial four-piston calipers, is enduring and powerful. The high seat at 850 mm will however limit access for the smallest builds, a recurring defect on the GS that BMW partially corrects with the Adventure version or the low seat option.

This Spirit of GS is aimed at a very specific audience: the convinced GS rider, the one who already rides a GS or who is considering taking the plunge with an exclusive and well-equipped version. For the motorcyclist who is simply looking for a good all-around trail bike, the standard GS or the Triple Black will do the job without the cost associated with the limited series. Nevertheless, at its core, the recipe works. The BMW flat-twin is an engine apart in the motorcycle landscape, the Telelever chassis offers comfort and stability that few competitors match on long journeys, and the onboard electronics place this machine at the level of the best GTs on the market. Limited series or not, the GS 1250 retains its powerful arguments. The Spirit of GS trim adds a layer of exclusivity and complete equipment that, for fans of the brand, will be worth every euro invested.