BMW R 1250 GS 2023 vs. Kawasaki Z900 2026

BMW R 1250 GS 2023

Kawasaki Z900 2026

Technical Specifications BMW R 1250 GS 2023 compared to Kawasaki Z900 2026

BMW R 1250 GS 2023

Kawasaki Z900 2026

BMW R 1250 GS 2023

Kawasaki Z900 2026

Engine and Drive Train

Engine type	Engine type	Boxer	Engine type	In line
Bore	Bore	102.5 mm	Bore	73.4 mm
Stroke	Stroke	76 mm	Stroke	56 mm
Engine power	Engine power	136 HP	Engine power	124 HP
Rpm at Max. Power	Rpm at Max. Power	7,750 rpm	Rpm at Max. Power	9,500 rpm
Torque	Torque	143 Nm	Torque	97.4 Nm
Rpm at Torque	Rpm at Torque	6,250 rpm	Rpm at Torque	7,700 rpm
Compression Ratio	Compression Ratio	12.5	Compression Ratio	11.8
Fuel system	Fuel system	Injection	Fuel system	Injection
Throttle Bore	Throttle Bore	52 mm	Throttle Bore	36 mm
Clutch Type	Clutch Type	Antihopping	Clutch Type	Multiplate in oil-bath
Transmission	Transmission	Prop shaft	Transmission	Chain
Transmission Type	Transmission Type	Gearshift	Transmission Type	Gearshift
Number of gears	Number of gears	6	Number of gears	6
Cylinders	Cylinders	2	Cylinders	4
Strokes	Strokes	4-Stroke	Strokes	4-Stroke
Valves per cylinder	Valves per cylinder	4	Valves per cylinder	4
Valves	Valves	DOHC	Valves	DOHC
Cooling	Cooling	liquid-air	Cooling	liquid
Displacement	Displacement	1,254 ccm	Displacement	948 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspension	Front suspension	Telelever	Front suspension	Upside-Down telescopic fork
Diameter	Diameter	37 mm	Diameter	41 mm
Travel	Travel	190 mm	Travel	120 mm
Adjustment	Adjustment	Preload	Adjustment	Preload, Rebound

Suspension Rear

Suspension	Suspension	Single swing arm	Suspension	Swing arm
Shock absorber	Shock absorber	Monoshock	Shock absorber	Monoshock
Travel	Travel	200 mm	Travel	140 mm
Adjustment	Adjustment	Preload, Rebound	Adjustment	Preload, Rebound
Material	Material	Aluminium	Material	Aluminium

Chassis

Frame	Frame	Steel	Frame	Steel
Frame type	Frame type	Load-bearing engine	Frame type	Double cradle
Trail	Trail	109 mm	Trail	110 mm

Brakes Front

Type	Type	Double disk	Type	Double disk
Diameter	Diameter	305 mm	Diameter	300 mm
Piston	Piston	Four pistons	Piston	Four pistons
Actuation	Actuation	Hydraulic	Actuation	Hydraulic
Technology	Technology	radial	Technology	Petal

Brakes Rear

Type	Type	Disc	Type	Disc
Diameter	Diameter	276 mm	Diameter	250 mm
Piston	Piston	Double piston	Piston	Single piston

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS, Anti-slipping control, Hill start assist, Riding modes, Cornering ABS, Ride by Wire, Traction control	Advanced Rider Assistance Systems	ABS, Riding modes, Cornering ABS, Ride by Wire, Shift assistant with blipper, Cruise control, Traction control

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre width	Front tyre width	120 mm	Front tyre width	120 mm
Front tyre height	Front tyre height	70 %	Front tyre height	70 %
Front tyre diameter	Front tyre diameter	19 inch	Front tyre diameter	17 inch
Rear tyre width	Rear tyre width	170 mm	Rear tyre width	180 mm
Rear tyre height	Rear tyre height	60 %	Rear tyre height	55 %
Rear tyre diameter	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch	Rear tyre diameter	17 inch
Length	Length	2,207 mm	Length	2,065 mm
Width	Width	952.5 mm	Width	830 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase	1,525 mm	Wheelbase	1,450 mm
Seat Height	Seat Height	850 mm	Seat Height	830 mm
Kerb Weight (with ABS)	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	249 kg	Kerb Weight (with ABS)	213 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	Fuel Tank Capacity	20 l	Fuel Tank Capacity	17 l
License compliancy	License compliancy	A	License compliancy	A
Range	Range	421 km	Range	354 km
Combined CO2 emissions	Combined CO2 emissions	110 g/km	Combined CO2 emissions	117 g/km
Combined fuel consumption	Combined fuel consumption	4.75 l/100km	Combined fuel consumption	4.8 l/100km

Equipment

Equipment	Equipment	Cornering lights, LED-Headlights, Windscreen adjustable	Equipment	LED daytime running lights, LED-Headlights, TFT display

Pros and Cons in comparison

BMW R 1250 GS 2023

The BMW R 1250 GS also presents itself as a very complete bike in 2022. Confident and well-balanced, it impresses on intensive rides. The bike scores points with its superb engine, great ergonomics and practical riding aids including great app integration. However, in a direct comparison with other top-of-the-range touring enduros, it shows its first weaknesses in terms of features and components. In direct comparison, however, the 136 hp from the boxer engine is convincing in every situation.

Extremely high-torque boxer engine

comfortable seating position, suitable for long distances

great app integration

sophisticated operating concept

great ergonomics

many customisation options

great handling with strong confidence in the front

easy to ride

Shifting at low revs is choppy

seat too slack

brakes and suspension no longer at the level of the strong competition

Kawasaki Z900 2026

The new Z900 masters the balancing act between modernisation and proven virtues remarkably well. The 6-axle IMU, the precise quickshifter and the new electronics package make it technically absolutely up-to-date, while the characterful four-cylinder engine loses none of its fascination despite Euro 5+. The harmonious setup of all components is particularly impressive: whether suspension, engine or ergonomics - the overall package is just right.

Harmonious engine with impressive acceleration in the mid-range

very well functioning quickshifter with precise responsiveness

mature riding performance with a good compromise between stability and nimble handling

sensitive 6-axle IMU with harmonious control

superbly tuned seating position

excellent engine reponsiveness

confident cornering behaviour with transparent feedback from the front

harmonious electronics that do not restrict riding pleasure

smooth transmission with perfectly tuned ratios

first-class stop-and-go behaviour in city traffic

intuitive bike for beginners and experienced riders

slim waist despite four-cylinder layout

Great 5 inch display but the possibilities are not perfectly utilised with the Rideology app

licence plate holder seems a little carelessly integrated into the design

fuel consumption in practice significantly higher than factory specification (6.0-6.5l instead of 4.8l)

suspension of the basic version a little stiff on poor asphalt

promised app functions not yet available at the time of testing

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price BMW R 1250 GS vs Kawasaki Z900

Price BMW R 1250 GS

Model year

Average market price

Current average market prices

Price Kawasaki Z900

Model year

Average market price

Current average market prices