Tarmac Attack: BMW R1250GS Supermoto

Swiss Supermoto Champion Builds a Tarmac-Focused GS1250…  

In late 2018, the much-awaited R1250GS began to arrive at BMW dealerships. A replacement for the outgoing R1200GS, this new evolution of the venerable GS series boasted a serious displacement increase (1170cc to 1254cc) along with the addition of BMW’s “Shift Cam” variable valve timing. The boxer-twin made a stout 134 bhp and 106 ft-lbs of torque, with more power all across the rev range. Reviewers were well impressed:

“You’ll notice the newer machine’s extra lowdown grunt and added urgency up top… You can’t deny just how talented it is — a comfortable tourer, off-roader and scratcher, all rolled into one Tonka Toy-like package.” –MCN

As many of you know, GS stands for Gelände / Straße — German for “Terrain / Street” — and riders have found the big 1250GS surprisingly adept on the latter surface, especially for such a tall and seemingly unwieldy machine.

“If you are a fast rider, it will reward with rock-solid handling, massive power, and impeccable road holding.” –Adventure Bike Rider on the R1250GS

But what if the GS was…even better on pavement? Our friend Dani Weidmann of Switzerland’s VTR Customs — the customs department of BMW dealership VTR Motorrad — is a multiple Swiss national supermoto champion, so he was itching to weaponize the GS for fast riding on tarmac.

“We raced in the Swiss Supermoto Championship for some 10 years — so it was time to build a “Supermoto”-style GS.”

Small yet wide 17-inch wheels are de rigueur on any supermoto build, so that’s where Dani and his team started. But these aren’t just any wire-spoke wheels — they’re a set from Kineo, known as the most cutting edge and premium spoke wheels available.

Not only are Kineo wheels tubeless, but parts can be replaced without disassembling the wheels or even removing the tire…and in this case, the rims are also custom-colored.

The bike is now running an adjustable Suter Racing BTL (Back Torque Limiter) slipper clutch, and the whole bike has been decked out in billet and carbon fiber parts. An Akrapovic titanium downpipe leads to an SC Project silencer, and Dani says the bike is 8 kilos (~17.5 lbs) lighter than the original.

The custom suede seat from Yves Knobel Upholstery is designed to give the rider more mobility in the saddle, and Freuler AG laid down the special gray paint that matches the Kineo wheels.

You may wonder at the idea of a +500-lb adventure bike attacking the local twisties and track, backing into corners with that slipper clutch and singing down the straights with 140+ bhp uncorked, but Dani assures us the setup works incredibly well…and as a multi-time supermoto champion, he knows!

“Much more agile than standard 19” wheels, but not ‘nervous’ — it rides perfect at all speeds. The owner has also taken it several times to the race track (chasing Supersport Bikes…😉)”

Below is a full interview and build sheet for those who want to delve deeper. Credit goes to Patrick Usseglio for the gorgeous shots, and stay tuned for another corner-carving GS coming soon from VTR Customs.

BMW GS Supermoto: Builder Interview

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.

VTR Customs is our customizing department of the regular BMW Motorrad dealership, VTR Motorrad AG.

We’ve been in the customizing business for about 11 years and have build many BMW custom icons like: Spitfire, Veneno Blanco, Polizia Uno, Iron Annie, and more.

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

R1250 GS.

• Why was this bike built?

We raced in the Swiss Supermoto Championship for some 10 years — so it was time to build a “Supermoto”-style GS.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

• BMW Billet Parts Option 719
• 17” Kineo wheelset with custom color
• Carbon front fender custom-trimmed
• Akrapovic titanium downpipe
• SC Project Muffler
• Suter Racing Clutch
• Ilmberger Carbon parts
• Custom made seat from Yves Knobel Upholstery
• Custom paint job from Freuler AG reflecting the special grey from the wheelset.
• Etc, etc… 😉

• Does the bike have a nickname?

“Supermoto #87”

• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?

Around 140 HP / Weight around 8 Kg lighter than standard.

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

Much more agile than standard 19” wheels, but not “nervous” — it rides perfect at all speeds. The owner has also taken it several times to the race track (chasing Supersport Bikes…😉)

Follow the Builder

Daniel Weidmann, Owner and General Manager of VTR Motorrad & VTR Customs
Web: www.vtr-customs.com / www.vtr-motorrad.ch
Instagram: @vtrcustoms
Facebook: VTR Motorrad
Photographer: Patrick Usseglio (@patrick.usseglio_photography)

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