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BMW’S 40th anniversary GS model for 2021

BMW R1250GS TE Edition 40 Years GS

1 CELEBRATING GROUND-BREAKING HERITAGE

The 40th anniversary model of the GS celebrates the ruby anniversary of BMW’S 1980 R80G/S, although it is on sale in the GS’S 41st year and is based on the 1988 R100GS ‘bumblebee’ design... These details aside, you get yellow brush guards, Shadow cylinder head covers, gold bars and wheels,a yellow bench seat and yellow screen, the latter two of which have been swapped for the split rider/pillion heated seats (£230) and clear screen (free with Pillion Package) on this bike. The Edition 40 Years GS pack costs £1990 extra to add to a GS or GS Adventure (it’s also an option on the F850, F750 and G310 GS models at varying prices)

2 IT’S NOW GOT ‘ECO’ MODE

‘Eco’ joins ‘Road’ and ‘Rain’ as standard power modes for 2021 (others are added via the £460 Pro option, standard on the TE). Giving a softer throttle response and slight limitation on the engine’s torque, it is claimed to improve fuel economy and displays a real-time green ‘eco level bar’ on the TFT dash as you ride. In practice, it’s more of a distraction as you end up focusing on the bar flicking back and forth and the muted throttle response is annoying. It delivers slightly better economy but feels a gimmick for all but straight-line riding

3 THERE’S MORE TECH FOR YOUR MONEY

2021 sees both of BMW’S lean-anglesensitive safety assists — ABS Pro and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) — integrated as standard equipment on both the GS and GSA. Excellent systems, they are worth their weight in gold in greasy or wet-weather conditions and are features that arguably should have been standard a long time ago on a premium motorcycle

4 THE LIGHTS ARE BRILLIANT

Adding the £720 Light Package (standard on the TE) gives the GS BMW’S new full-led Adaptive Headlight system, which angles the dip beam into a bend while also keeping it level. Impressive to use if a little low on dip, it is a genuine help when it comes to night riding and is far less distracting to both the rider and oncoming traffic than rival systems that turn on extra lights when a certain angle is reached. Main beam is astounding

5 YOU CAN NOW HAVE HEATED SEATS

For the first time, you can now get a GS with BMW heated seats — for £230 extra. The five-level heated seats and grips (now also five-level) are controlled via the TFT dash and the toggle wheel once you push the ‘heated’ button on the right-hand switchgear to select them. On five, they are nuclear