Motorcycling in New Zealand and beyond formerly on a 2006 Harley Road King Classic. Now on a 2021 BMW R1250GS. I am Captain of an amazing passenger ship and love motorcycles so I wander the world and around my home country of New Zealand by road and sea. The purpose of this channel was really to share what I was doing to family scattered around the globe and to make videos I could watch to remind me of my life back home when spending the best part of the year away at sea. Oh, I do love cricket and am rather partial to Yorkshire Gold Tea. It's a devil of a job to find in New Zealand. Come along for a wander. If you have a particular question on cruising then why not check out my Excuse_me_Captain channel on RU-vid
Is there any issue about it bruh? Does the "hobbits" used your money to buy the bike or something they like & dream of??? No right? Why don't you just shut your mouth out though ....
How are you getting on with the low suspension model? Quite a few are saying that they are having alot of issues which all seem to be related to the lower suspension models, both the damping and rebound is all off, bike unstable on less than perfect B roads, cornering is unstable ect, quite a few videos being uploaded about it, its the only thing thats putting me off buying a GSA as I would also need the lower version
Hello, you might remember me I met you in Lochinver! I had watched your other video on the height of your lowered GS. I have finally made the decision to go for a GS and I am taking one for a test ride this weekend up to Ullapool. I’m hoping you can shed some light on the pillion side of things. What top box would you recommend for pillion comfort? At the moment on our tracer 9 gt the top box/back rest is sculpted in shape and my wife finds it comfy. My concern with the steel top boxes is the hinges etc will dig in to her back. We bought a backrest once before for a Givi box and we ended up just throwing it away as it pushed my wife too far forward and dug into her. Hope all is well and I might catch you next time you do the NC500!
Awesome....well other than the weight all those features just have to add! It is what gives me pause. My current motorcycle (Tracer 9gt) has all sorts of freatures but only weighs 485 llbs all gassed up! And it is a veritble PIG compared to its base platorm sibling (MT-09) which I believe is like 415 llbs....I am getting old and the static weight of each motorccle I own is really getting challenging just to push around the garage! not sure I can handle a full fetured 600+ llb GS....but dang what capable well designed bikes! They might as well put a larger starter motor capable of propelling the motorcycle in manueviring it while the engine is off....including reverse, Hey whats another 10 llbs at this point? I really think that could work! My thinking is you would simply power up the dash not starting the engine, then put it in first gear and select "taxi" feature? then a "beep beep" warning twisting the throttle then slowly electic power becomes available to manuever the motorcycle then you push some other double purposed button perhaps which causes starter motor to propel the motorcycle in REVERSE as throttle is applied....again proceeded by warning beep beep beep...that is my vision for easy to manuever heavy bikes....? seems totally doable! It would need some type of battery monitor to dissalow the function if someone decided to be stupid and drain the battery fooling around or otherwise abusing the intending capabilities ....I mean you would NOT want to have a massive battery to the point it was a semi hybrid!
You make a great point Dougie. I know some of the big tourers have a reverse fitted. The Goldwing has had it fitted now for many years. I think the big BMW tourers have it now. Not sure about the HD ultra glides yet. It was only a few years ago I could move a Harley Road king around with ease. This GS fulled boxed up now takes a bit of thinking to move around. My 63 year old legs struggle a bit when it’s fully loaded. That aside it is still a fantastic machine and comfortably handles any riding I do whether on road or off.
Hi there. Yes I had a standard GS first and changed to the low suspension model. There is no difference in the feel of the bikes. The suspension on the lowered version in my opinion is just as good in all modes.
it is helpful low seat F700GS I bought in dec.2015 and I'm 5ft 10 inches and like you legs 29.1inches long which I even found low seat of F700 very high only touching the ground of the tip but there is an option of R1250GS which is adjusting the height of the shock observors perfect
Great video, I am on my fourth GS and now have the 1250 exclusive. Some stats, I am 5’5” inside leg 29” and 75 years old. I’ve had it factory lowered, lowered seat, after market pegs which give me another inch downwards on my legs when riding. I sit flat footed on the ground. Just covered 1500 miles in a 6 day ride around France, Germany and Switzerland riding 9 hours a day total comfort. I have added a strap on gel seat as the seat was uncomfortable with so many hours in the saddle it’s made a difference. Due to my height the only way I can get on the bike is to swing my foot up on the saddle and hop towards sliding across the saddle.😊.
That’s great to hear. Instead of swinging your foot over the saddle try standing up on the lower footrest peg with your left foot first first then mounting the bike. Sooooo mush easier. Ride safe 👍🏻
Ahoy Captain! Thank you for the video! I am exactly your height and when I tested one of these bikes, I've got slightly better results as I was wearing riding boots (touring boots) which add about 1 1/2 CM to your height.
Good afternoon Krachen. You did make me laugh! Enjoy your bike. It will make you smile. I am currently in the UK with the bike as there are lots of tours I want to do here before I go back to NZ.
Hi Sachin. Depends on your inside leg measurement and what you are prepared to accept regarding feet on the ground when stopped. Tip toe or whole flat foot. The only way is to sit on one. Maybe with the lowered seat as well. Worth a try.
I've seen a GS with a pet carrier on the back, so I guess carrying a wife is the natural progression. A novel idea..I wonder if it'll catch on or if it's just a gimmick?
The owner of the Buchleuch bikers hotel in Moffat has exactly that. A top box on his GS kitted out for his dog complete with safety harness in it. Dog goes everywhere with him.
Was great meeting you randomly in Lochinver! Hope your ride to Ullapool went well. Thank you for taking the time to explain the GS in detail to me and most of all letting me sit on it! 😃👍 safe ride home.
Hello Euan. It was wonderful to meet you and your wife. We are in Applecross today. Wet and windy. Test out the bike. You will love it. Hope to see you in the road one day. 🏍️
Wonderful video my friend. This really helped me. I almost purchased a GSA today but the sales people didn’t know enough. Question, do you also have the low seat on it?
I have wonder to ask and to know all owners,that bmw motorcycle GS 1250 can low seat suspension when stop automatically down seat?,and automatically up when ride continues?
Hi Kabayan. The ride height is controlled on the left hand control set. There is an auto setting but that adjusts automatically the height according to the weight of the rider and luggage. You cant change between the different ride heights, low auto and max automatically. You have to set those yourself with the left hand controls.
Hi Brian. I am not quite sure what you mean? Do you mean the lid of the topbox? If so it does close without the lock mechanism being engaged. However there is a rubber seal around it to make the box weathertight which only compresses fully when the clasp lock is engaged. Is this what you are asking? Let me know.
@@WoodendWanderer thanks for the reply. On my givi case the top will not close on the catch unless it is opened and then locked. Without it being locked i wondered if the catch on the bumot closes but not locked at the same time.
Hi Stuart, it was about the same price in New Zealand depending on the exchange rate. These bikes are not cheap. Thats why its essential to get the right model for your needs. That said, my harley Road King was way way more expensive in New Zealand than the same model in the US. There is no doubt that dealers ask what they expect they can get. Safe riding.
I have the same bike as the one in the video, R1250GS Rallye factory lowered suspension. Base price was $24,045. The bike ended up around $25,500 with tax, dealer fees and plates. I can't find enough superlatives to describe this bike! Tidewater region of Virginia, USA.
@@denny6281 thanks Denny. That’s a decent price. At the end of the day you gets what you pay for. I really enjoy my bike as well and I hope you put many thousand miles on its clock.
I'm in Australia, I'm 5'6" and I have a 2018 1200 GSA (with ESA) with the factory lowered suspension. In the ultimate quest to be able to sit flat footed (or as close as possible to FF) i have found that wunderlich sells the seat mounting rubbers with a 10mm off set mounting hole. Simply remove the standard seat mounting rubbers and replace them with these and 'voia' your seat drops by another 10mm. Like all wunderlich products, they work perfectly and aren't cheap. Including freight they were AUS$81 from the Sydney dealer. Best accessory I've every bought for a GS
Hi John, I have a confession. I tried those rubbers but from that famous parts supplier, ali express. They worked to a degree on the standard GS I had. Ultimately the lowered suspension model was the one I needed. I found for me with a slightly longer inside leg than you at 29 inches the lowered model with the standard seat on the low settings was perfect. You have a big bike there. 30 litre tank. Good for Oz. probably not needed in NZ or UK. safe riding. mark
Thanks for the video. As someone with a short inside leg (29in) at 5ft 9in, i;ve just ordered a Triple Black GSA with lowered suspension, and this helps me know what to expect. Cheers and safe riding.
@John CZ Hi John. Yes i Ordered the factory lowered model and lowered seat. The bike came with a standard seat fitted and I put the lowered seat on it. I changed back to the standard seat as I found with it on the low setting cams both front and back the standard seat was fine for me. So I have a lowered seat in a bag in my garage. The standard seat was more comfortable as well. Hope this helps.
We have to be sceptical every time someone quotes their leg length/inseam etc. It matters a lot to us with duck's disease, and getting accurate info from forums and even dealers and manufacturers is surprisingly difficult. To get my true leg length I set up a beam the highest I could straddle with flat feet. Result 29". I'm 5ft5" & short legged even for that height. I believe that many guys just measure the inseam of their jeans. There would be very few if any 5ft7" people with true 29" leg length. So many bikes recommended as ok for 29" legs actually are not. As for manufacturers...quoted seat heights are meaningless, what matters is how low the seat is when sitting on it. After years of R&D for every new model, manufacturers should spend an extra 30 minutes documenting the loaded seat height at say every 10kg between 60kg &120kg (or so). That would give us all a true indication. For shorties considering BMW GS: I sold mine too tall, but a friend bought lowered...I felt I could manage but the bike felt very top heavy for my 65kg. I changed to R1200RLC & then F700GS std height but low seat...the best compromise I've found. Shame that BMW made the F850GS another 30kg heavier! Ruled it out for me...almost as heavy as a 1200! What were they thinking!
Thanks for the very informative post. I cant argue with anything you say. I have suffered from shorter legs with nearly every motorcycle I had (other than the Harley Road king) and decided that at my age I had had enough of making do. The only way to get a bike that you feel comfortable on no matter what the leg length is try it. Especially with these BMWs. They are not cheap. My video only tried to show my particular difficulties and I wish I had tried the factory lowered version before I bought the standard GS and learned the hard and somewhat expensive way. There were no lowered spec bikes in New Zealand to try at the time I bought mine. BMW really need to get there act together in this respect rightly as you say. Thanks again.
Hi Alim. I cant say thats true for me. I find the riding position of the lowered GS just as comfortable as the standard model. I also find I have better peace of mind knowing that no mater where I come to a stop be it on gravel, dirt, camber and such like I can easily get my feet down especially when my wife is on the pillion seat.
@@WoodendWanderer hello there, wanted to ask you whether the lowered suspension bottoms out when you have a pillion with you. Between me and my wife we'll be about 160kg and the dealer said I'd better buy the normal suspension bike and fit a low seat on it instead. What's your opinion? Thanks in advance
Hi Stuart, funnily enough thats precisely what my wife and I weigh together. I have had no issues with bottoming out on tarmac and light gravel two up with luggage. With my wife on the back I tend to set the suspension in auto instead of Min when I am solo. Even two up and the setting at max it is too tall for me. The extra weight compresses the suspension enough in auto for me to comfortably ground my feet at stop. I had a standard GS with a low seat fitted. It was still to tall for me. Thats why I traded it in for the lowered version. If you can test ride both models then do so. These bikes are not cheap!
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Sorry but this doesnt really help. You said that you were tiptoeing the previous bike.. When you set this bike on high you are tiptoeing this one also.. Gives us no idea how much difference the lowered version makes. If you have a video or a photo in which you were sitting on the previous bike share it here as a post so we can see the difference.
Thanks for your reply. My apologies for not being clearer. This bike at its lowest setting is around 5 cms lower that the lowest setting on the standard GS and that makes a huge difference for me. On the bike in the video with the seat on the highest setting and the mode set to auto I am on tiptoe. So I have the seat at the lowest setting and normally in road mode when at a stand still and I can flat foot. I dont have a photo of me on the standard GS showing me on tip toe I'm afraid.
Hi Gary. Apologies for the late reply. He sold his bike to pay uni fees and has not added any content for a long time. I hope he backs into it again once he gets a bit more cash for another bike.
I’m 5’6” (168cm) and I’ve just swapped my GSA lowered for the GS, for the same reason. Looking forward to flat footing at last. What lower crash bars do you have? BMW/Wunderlich?
Hi Michael. For me flat footing makes so much difference especially with my wife on the back. The crash bars are Touratechs. Really easy to fit yourself, come with full instructions and all nuts and bolts required. They look good too. Safe riding!
