Last Updated on: April 24, 2026

A farewell to my BMW boxer motorcycle took place mid-April. It happened fast, and almost instantly I felt somewhat of a sellers remorse.

Where the 1250 GS feels at home.

I suppose, to anyone who don’t ride motorcycles, it might sound strange. Buyers remorse yes, but sellers remorse? Well. for a motorcycle owner, the other way around can happen. If you’re a rider and like BMW boxer motorcycles, perhaps a nod is in place?

Anyhow….

It happened on a whim

Yes, again. “On-a-Whim” is my middle name. I’d been contemplating on it for some time. Nothing decisive, nothing final. But the thought of parting with the BMW 1250 GS while it still had some value had crossed my mind. Not because of shortcomings. Not because of anything missing. Or anything I’ve been unhappy about.

Spring is the sellers time of the year in Norway. And BMW boxer motorcycles sells faster than almost anything else here. I mean, much faster. Like hotcakes faster.

To anyone who’s owned one it’s obvious why. To anyone who hasn’t, well try and you’ll highly likely agree rather quickly. They are, for the most part, extremely reliable, long lived, with a solid engine that literally can do hundres of thousands of kilometers, or even miles. Without much more than service and swapping some parts now and then.

In the Swiss Alps with the 1250 GS.

And, I’d probably keep on repeating this till the end of days, they are bloody good motorcycles. The BMW Motorrad ethos “make life a ride” won’t do much to hurt the overall appeal either.

So the ad was out and two days later the bike was sold. As the new owner took off I regretted selling it. It felt like I had betrayed a dear friend. For a little while at least. But a motorcycle is for me a tool. And sometimes you got to look elsewhere, try new things.

BMW boxer, in the future?

Considering what I’ve just typed, it goes almost without saying. I’ve ridden 1300 GS, the latest iteration in the series of Bavarian brilliance. I was not sold. In fact, when I got back on mine, it was with a good sensation, kind of a relief strangely enough.

While the 1250GS has “personality” or character, the 1300 GS felt almost antiseptic (if that makes any sense) and characterless. I did not like the sound of the engine either, a whining sound had me think about a turbo. It also felt smaller, and it is smaller. Something that for a tall bloke like me, is not an advantage. I’m sure it would take some time getting used to.

The one I got wasn’t the long legged, higher spec Trophy model. That likely also made a difference. But it is of course a great bike, and it is unmistakeably a BMW boxer!

Smaller and design-wise the prettiest in the GS family?

There is one thing one cannot forget, unless you have a sizable wad, and that is the price of these things. Which in Norway simply is ridiculous. Even if I could afford it, even if I could go and buy one tomorrow, not sure I would. When you’ve ticked all the boxes for much needed extras, or extras that makes sense to add, it’s very expensive.

I would not buy such a motorcycle brand spanking new. Although, in fairness, considering depreciation, a BMW boxer motorcycle maintain its value better than almost any other brand. But buying a motorcycle is not about being sensible, least of all if you’re into the league in which these machines exists.

BMW Boxer, also next?

That is at time of writing this post, not decided. There are many other great bikes out there and plenty of choices. But people who’ve owned at least one or more BMW motorcycles, tend to go back to “their roots”. Some of my friends actually never go anywhere else. They live in a “BMW bubble”, blissfully unaware of other alternatives.

That, or in denial of good alternatives. Because they do exist, in plenty!

October 2025: across Norwegian mountains with the trusted old steed.

Me, I like to try new things, gain new experiences. But there are some motorcycles I don’t see any point in even trying. Or motorcycles I have tried, and almost instantly decided is not for me.

Value for money, dual purpose, powerful enough, torquey enough, there are requisites. it must be able to do big miles, and it must be able to ride excitedly on Alpine roads, on or offroad. If the journey goes south this season, then I need something to replace the GS, and soon.

I’ll let it linger there for now. If you check back then you’ll find out what I did, or decided to do. Cheers 🙂

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