BMW 1250 GS Ground Clearance

You should understand your BMW R 1250 GS's ground clearance before taking the bike off-roading. Here's what you need to know.
Written by Brenna Swanston
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
If you're in the market for a touring bike that can also go off-roading, the BMW R 1250 GS has you covered. It's even in the name: "G" stands for "Gelande," German for terrain, and "S" stands for "Straße," which means “street”.
The R 1250 GS lives up to its name, bringing comfort on the road and capability on the trails. Whether we're talking cars or bikes, ground clearance is a critical component of off-roading. This article will tell you all you need to know about the
BMW
1250 GS ground clearance.
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BMW 1250 GS ground clearance

BMW does not release ground clearance specs for the R 1250 GS, but other sources indicate that the bike had a ground clearance of 9.4 inches as of its 2021 model year. BMW does list seat height specs for the R 1250 GS. For the 2022 model year, this bike features a seat height of 33.5/34.3 inches.
You can also opt for a low suspension option when buying an R 1250 from BMW. This modification costs $250 and lowers the seat height to 31.5/32.3 inches.
MORE: BMW car-buying guide

What is ground clearance—and why does it matter?

Ground clearance, also called ride height, measures the distance between the ground and the underside of a motorcycle chassis. This means there are 9.4 inches between the ground and the underside of an R 1250 GS. If you pay $375 for the optional sport suspension package for your R 1250 GS, this will add 0.8 inches of ground clearance.
When it comes to motorcycle ride height, there are pros and cons to both high and low measurements. High ground clearance is necessary for dirt bikes and other off-road motorcycles because it ensures that rocks, debris, and other types of rough terrain will not damage the underside of the bike. Motorcycles with high ground clearance may also be more comfortable to ride off road because the suspension tends to feel less hard.
Low ground clearance, on the other hand, has its benefits as well, including improved aerodynamics. Lower ride height indicates a lower center of gravity, meaning it may be easier to balance on and handle the bike. Cruisers, touring motorcycles, and other bikes built for urban riding tend to have lower ground clearance.
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Is the BMW 1250 GS a good off-road bike?

Yes, the R 1250 GS's ride height indicates that it is a good off-roading bike. Motorcycle experts say that if you're keen on some beginner-level or intermediate off-roading, your bike should have at least 6 inches of ground clearance. With a 9.4-inch ride height, this BMW motorcycle can take you beyond those intermediate off-road rides.
That said, ground clearance is not the only determining factor when it comes to off-roading motorcycles. Bike weight plays a big role as well. If you're riding off-road and your motorcycle is heavy, this could create a big disadvantage, especially for less experienced riders.
Weighing in at 549 pounds, the BMW R 1250 GS is about average in terms of weight, and its ride height pushes it toward the front of the pack.
Suspension travel also helps determine whether a motorcycle is good for off-roading. Suspension travel, also called wheel travel, measures how much the suspension can compress (i.e., how much the wheel can move up and down). Off-roading bikes should ideally have longer wheel travel.
For the R 1250 GS, suspension travel is 7.5 inches for the front wheel and 7.9 inches for the rear wheel. This is relatively long compared to most bikes.
Finally, wheel size is an important consideration as well. Motorcycles designed for off-roading tend to have larger wheels—ideally with rims of 19-21 inches, compared to 16-17 inches for most road bikes. On an R 1250 GS, the front tire rims measure 19 inches and the rear tires are 17 inches.
If you're buying new, you can swap out the BMW R 1250 GS's standard wheels for off-roading wheels at no extra cost. These off-roading wheels feature a lug tread pattern.

Guard against accidents with the best 1250 GS insurance

Riding motorcycles comes with inherent risks, so it's important to make sure your bike—and your other vehicle's—is covered with a solid
insurance
policy. And if you're not sure where to start,
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