It is one of the BMW GS family of dual sport motorcycles.

In September 2018, Kevin Cameron wrote that a "shift cam" VVT system was destined for a 2019 model year R1250GS, and other media reported the technology was to be adopted on all the R series boxer motors.

[1][2] In September 2018, BMW confirmed the 2019 R1250GS and sibling R1250RT would have VVT.

[3] Wet weight is up from the predecessor to 249 kg (549 lb).

[1][5] Power and torque claimed by BMW are higher than the predecessor model at 134 hp (100 kW) at 7,750 rpm and 105.5 lb⋅ft (143.0 N⋅m) at 6,250 rpm, with 4% better fuel economy.