2019 Bmw R 1250 gs
The Verdict
The 2019 Bmw R 1250 gs has 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are brakes (12 complaints) and engine (3 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 97/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Bmw R 1250 gs, consider the 2021 model year which has 93% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2021 has 93% fewer complaints
View the 2021 Bmw R 1250 gs dashboard →
Klunk Score: Smooth Ride
This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 4
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2023 R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, and R1250RTP motorcycles. In certain engine operating and riding conditions, the gearbox input shaft may ...
Risk
A damaged gearbox input shaft or a blocked rear wheel can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported Apr 10, 2026
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Motorcycle Accessory Brake Fluid Reservoir Covers, part numbers 8405-752, 8405-753, 8405-754 and 9829547 designed to fit certain 2019-2020 BMW R...
Risk
Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 14, 2020. Parts will be available in mid-September 2020 for the recall re...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 RnineT Scrambler and RnineT, 2020 R1250R and R1250RS, 2019-2020 Rnine T Pure, R1250GS,R1250GS Adventure and R1250RT and 2018 RnineT Ra...
Risk
Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported Apr 10, 2026
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when p...
Risk
Overtime, a leaking front brake caliper can reduce the amount of brake fluid in the reservoir. Low volume could affect brake performance, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. BMW issued owners an interim notification on October 1...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
Rear brake system malfunctions. Malfunctioning rear brake increases braking distance which can lead to a collision. The BMW dealer and customer service have confirmed problem. The motorcycle has be serviced for this four times at the BMW repair shop. The problem appears about every 3000 miles.
Engine fails to start after shutoff and after engine temperature is hot. Inability to start engine on the road after cutting ignition can increase risk of being hit on the road. The dealer has not been able to reproduce. The vehicle has been inspected by BMW repair shop and had me replace the battery but the problem still persists. Subsequent service appointments have resulted in BMW technicians not being able to reproduce problem. The occurs randomly about 7 times per year. No warning signs.
Ever since purchased new in 2019 the rear brake goes away after riding. Dealer bleeds to fix and it goes away again after riding. By going away I mean rear brake pedal travel becomes very long with no positive stop when the brake finally works. Very soft feel thru the brake activation. Takes a stomp with my heel to lock the rear. Dealer has bled and even done a tsb procedure given by bmw to correct. Technical Service Bulletin SIB 34 01 21. Same result. No rear after riding a bit. Putting safety at risk is self explanatory. From hours of reading I've found this to be an ongoing problem with liquid cooled gs's up to the 20 or 21 model year when the abs pump was replaced with a unit not causing the issue of putting air in the system. Date listed below is arbitrary. I ride the motorcycle knowing I don't have a rear brake and bmw has yet to address the issue other than ignoring it with updated bleed procedures.
During the recent Safety Recall of this vehicle and subsequent repair, it was noted by the certified mechanic that oil was being wicked up along electrical lines in the stator. The mechanic issued an immediate "Do not ride, Do not operate" warning. 2019 BMW R1250GSA has 17,000 accident free miles. Many "false" engine management warnings.
Rear brake on motorcycle does not stop the motorcycle. After three BMW dealer visits and rear brakes having been bled, the rear brake pedal becomes soft and does not stop the motorcycle. The same problem occurred each time within 2-3 months of the repair. The only way to stop the motorcycle is to use the front brake. The BMW service department cannot explain the reason this keeps happening.
After three BMW dealer visits and rear brakes having been bled, the rear brake pedal becomes soft and does not stop the motorcycle. The same problem occurred each time within 2-3 months of the repair. The only way to stop the motorcycle is to use the front brake. The BMW service department cannot explain the reason this keeps happening.
4/2021 Prior to 4/2021, I had complained verbally with visits and calls to the dealership about an intermittent (CC ) Cruise Control issue. They could not find a problem w/the CC. I now consider this issue is related to the rear caliper ceasing. 5/30/2022 (RC) Rear caliper ceased without any indications. The (MC) motorcycle, presented w/a power loss otherwise unknowingly to me until later in the ride. Caliper appeared to cease causing heat scorched rear pads, caliper very hot. I smelled brake burn upon slowing down, noticing both power loss and my CC not working. 6/9/2022 Dealership found “no warranty concerns” and nothing wrong w/the MC they could find. I had disputed being charged $222.xx and then implied by both the service manager and BMW Customer Support that I was dragging my brake. This was all after 25 months of ownership and 9K miles of riding. I did offer them to keep the bike and ride it but they did not. August 6th 10K + miles Riding on the interstate, my CC suddenly quit. I stopped later to find that the recently replaced rear brake pads showed heat scorch once again. Still as I submit this all to you, the dealership along w/BMW CS, holds the position that nothing is wrong with the MC and I must have been riding my brake. 9/9/2022 After waiting 3 week more from an inquiry to the GM at the dealership, I received a response to repair my MC but not under warranty. I quote, “I just got the approval today from BMW. They are willing to as a one time customer goodwill cover $500 of the repair as this is not a coverable warranty due to the lack of fault found. The dealership has appeared to stand on their original diagnoses that there is no fault found. Below are similar issues resulting in what many would consider a serious safety concern. https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/overheated-rear-caliper.1524259/ https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/2019-r1250gs-rear-brake-caliper-heat.1526221/ Please see NHTSA Complaint Number:11397766
Lost all of the pressure when depressing rear brakes. The bike is 1 year and 5 months old. Rear brakes do not slow motorcycle when depressing the entire travel of the pedal. Service manager at BMW stated they have seen this problem on other similar model motorcycles. No warning lamps.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 BMW R 1250 GS ADVENTURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V476000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CALIPERS WERE LEAKING. EUROTEK OKLAHOMA CITY, 417 HUDIBURG CIR STE. C, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73108) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO SOLUTION YET DETERMINED AND THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT OFFERING A REPAIR CURRENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE MOTORCYCLE FAILS TO START. THIS OCCURS RANDOMLY. IT HAS OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES. I STOP AND TURN OFF THE BIKE. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO RESTART, IT WON'T TURN OVER. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED. BMW SAYS THAT CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE FORUMS FROM RIDERS AROUND THE WORLD WHO SHARE THIS SAME EXPERIENCE. THE ONLY WAY TO RESTART IS WITH JUMPER CABLES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A LIFE-SAFETY ISSUE. IT MIGHT NOT RESTART ON THE FREEWAY, OR IN A REMOTE LOCATION. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS 12,000 MILES. IT HAS NOT RESTARTED 3 TIMES NOW. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 7 WEEKS.
REAR BRAKE DO NOT ENGAGE WHEN PRESSING THE REAR BRAKE PEDAL
CHECKING RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE. FOUND INCIDENT REPORTS REGARDING LEAKING FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. I CHECKED MINE. THERE IS AN OILY FILM ALL OVER ON THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT CALIPER. THERE IS AN OILY FILM ON THE INSIDE OF THE LEFT SIDE FRONT CALIPER. IT APPEARS THAT THE CASTING FOR THE CALIPERS IS POUROUS AND ALLOWS THE BRAKE FLUID TO SLOWLY SEEP OUT. THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER (WHICH I USE LESS) FELT DRY, BUT HAS STICKY BRAKE DUST ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE OUTER PART OF THE CALIPER. IF THIS LEAKAGE/SEEPAGE IS SERIOUS ENOUGH, BRAKE FLUID COULD MAKE ITS WAY TO THE PADS AND DISCS, LEADING TO DANGEROUS LOSS OF BRAKING FUNCTION. THERE IS ALSO THE PROBLEM OF SLOW LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. I HAVE JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN 1500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, PURCHASED NEW LAST AUGUST, 2019. I HAVE NOT USED THE BRAKES HARD. ABS HAS NOT BEEN ACTIVATED, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, YET. *TR
- DRIVING BRAND NEW 2019 BMW R 1250 GS MOTORCYCLE ON WELL-MAINTAINED, RURAL, TWO-LANE ROADS IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA - UPON BRAKING WHILE APPROACHING A SLOW-SPEED RIGHT-HAND TURN, THE BRAKES LOST ALL PRESSURE (APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN 2ND GEAR) - THE FRONT TIRE THEN LOCKED/ RELEASED ERRATICALLY THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE TURN - THE MOTORCYCLE 'PLOWED'/ SLID AHEAD INTO ONCOMING LANE OF TRAVEL - I FOUGHT THROUGH THE SLIDE, KEEPING THE BIKE UPRIGHT - I IMMEDIATELY PROCEEDED TO SAFE LOCATION TO CHECK BIKE AND CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE - ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE REFUSED TO TOW TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF A COMPUTER GLITCH THAT SHOWED ANOTHER DEALER BEING CLOSER, THOUGH THAT DEALER HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY CLOSED (OUT OF BUSINESS) FOR 6 MONTHS - THE FRONT BRAKES LOST FLUID/ PRESSURE - ATTACHED PHOTOS SHOW 'DARK-COLORED SLIME' ON BIKE - THIS IS BRAKE FLUID FROM THE FRONT BRAKES - THIS IS A HIGHLY PUBLICIZED, "KNOWN ISSUE" FOR 2019 MODEL YEAR BIKES FOR BMW/ OWNERS/ DEALERS FOR THE PAST YEAR, BUT BMW REFUSES TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE - I EXPECT BMW TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE CALIPERS WITH THE SAFER BREMBO SYSTEM FROM PRIOR MODEL YEARS
FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS LEAKING. BMW ARE NOT ABLE TO SUPPLY PARTS. DEALER UNABLE TO FINALIZE SALE AND DELIVERY OF MOTORCYCLE. DEALER UNABLE TO ADVISE WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. MOTORCYCLE IS UNSAFE IN THIS CONDITION.
JUST GOT A NEW 2019 R1250 GS DEMO WITH 140 MILES ON IT, DROVE AN ADDITIONAL 200 MILES AND AFTER THE BIKE WAS PARKED FOR A FEW DAYS, I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING OFF THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER / FORK AND WETNESS FROM THE SEAM ON THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER. I CALLED THE DEALER AND ALERTED THEM TO THE PROBLEM , SERVICE MAN SAYS THEY HAVE OTHER BMW R1250GS WITH THE SAME LEAKING CALIPERS. THESE NEW HAYES 2 PIECE CALIPERS ARE NOT AS GOOD COMPARED TO THE ORIGINAL BREMBO MONOBLOCK CALIPERS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. I AM PARKING THE BIKE TILL I CAN GET NEW BREMBO CALIPERS INSTALLED ON MY DIME