2016 BMW R 1200 GS Review Part 3 - The Road Test 

Great review, I've had one for 18 months and love it. Reference the difficulty seeing the speedo etc, I always use the Garmin in the 4 mode showing speed, ext temp, range and engine temp......real easy to see.

Great review and well detailed on its road capability 👌🏼

The 'modes' change when you engage the clutch. The idea is that you set the mode as you see conditions change up ahead, you are running down a paved road, for example, and you see a dirt road coming up, or on the navigator screen or you know the area. You press the mode button a few times to the mode you need. In the mean time you stay in the mode you were in, because you haven't changed your driving needs yet. As soon as you engage the clutch it changes into the new mode instantly. The modes really just vary the safety equipment, like ABS and throttle control so you have more chance of staying upright. Turning the modes to 'Enduro Pro', for example, pretty much shuts off all the safety defaults so you can ride like a Real Man, as we all did back it the '70s when we were kids. No techno safety net, just guts and knowhow and learning the hard way with many injuries that were all part of the deal of riding in the woods and rocks, no helmet or fancy boots, just a stripped down bike and shorts, and it was worth it!. Those were the days, before everything had to 'protect you from hurting yourself', because you have no clue how to ride a motorcycle. Anyway, I am 55 years old and still push the bike pretty hard and this bike gets the job done and then some. If you go off road, I suggest you understand that this beast is heavy, and it carves a rut in the soft ground that can bring you down if you're not in good shape and are too timid. Intuition tells you to slow down because you can feel the weight and your mind does the 'math'. But in most cases, assuming you have the proper tires, you're better off using the torque this thing has, lifting the front up a bit and riding through the rough. But again, you better be in pretty good shape and have confidence in holding the line or you may get a rude awakening. Then you have to pick this thing up, and when it's muddy and on a steep incline, you're going to have to earn it. This is a great bike, but it's a heavy bike, and that weight as it's advantages, on the highway, and it disadvantages, in soft ground and when you drop it. But It is a Man's Machine. Go hard, or go home. P.S. The shift assist both up and down is beautiful!

Fabulous series of videos, thanks very much for taking the time and effort to produce them, it's appreciated. Guess I need another GS in my life, lol. cheers tony

Just an awesome review. I don't see how anyone wouldn't ride this bike everyday

Great video. The only thing I would say is the gear assist is not meant to be used at low revs. Hence that chunky feeling. In any case I use the clutch out of 1st of course and after 2nd gear assist works great. The bike feels so light and nimble for its size.

great review - just got the same one for my self. coming out of a r 1200rs, it is a night and day in terms of the comfort, sound and especially no diving under braking! i would not buy any other bike going forward. cheers,

Great Video, I've got they 1200gsa lc and love it, I did the BMW safari over 7 days covering 2500 klm's 1700 off road and from a comfort and handling point of view I wouldn't have used any other bike. With regards to the lights, the spot lights are for day riding and it is illegal to have the high beam and spots coming in at the same time, if you rewire it to come on all at the same time it can fail the road worthy....

Great review, appreciate the issue with the speedo needle but you overlooked the fact that the sat nav can be set up to show the speedo in huge digital numbers if you want. The technical data screen can be adjusted so the items you want appear at the top left and you just scroll the wheel in to zoom, I use this on my GS with four items displayed. It means key info like speed and range are displayed right in your eye line without having to take your eyes off the road.

Picking mine up tomorrow.

I'm coming from an F800GT, looking for something easier on the kidneys on rough rural frost-bitten roads, as well as something that won't scare me on a lengthy dirt driveway. I think this might just fit the bill - thanks for your thorough review!

Great review, Great Bike i own one !! ....

I think they have now fixed the shifting issue from 2017 onwards. I have ordered mine and getting it over 2018 TFT as it was a saving of AU$5K.

Great review. I have been tossing up between the GS and the Triumph explorer. But this has sold me on the GS. Now I just need to pick a colour. The Triple Black is such a gorgeous looking bike but I'm worried about the black showing up scratches. Also can I ask where did you get the bracket with the controller on that sits between the bars? Anyway Thanks again. Keep up the good work.

I have a GS with the clutchless shift and you are spot on with your comments. BTW I have ridden all types of boxers for 20 years and the clunky shift from 1st to 2nd has always been there - you would think that they could smooth it out by now.

Another great review Stig- thanks for sharing. Really enjoy these being pitched at a good level. One of the better personal biking channels. For the more spirited ride can you share what tyres & pressures for solo road riding are you using? Sitting in the UK with a lot of wet weather, cool conditions and poor back roads (great hunting ground) I'm a big fan of the PR4's. I think BMW's usually like standard 36/42, but I'm interested what you can use in warmer conditions for making progress. I think the roads looked pretty good that you were riding on. Cheers and keep the videos coming :-) As a side bar, I've had my GS from new nearly 3 years and the early 2013 LC versions were a little rough. The latest ones seem to have rounded of those edges - gearbox, steering dampener, etc. Yesterday I had the bike remapped and wow, what a difference. Early days, but first impressions are good. Far smoother and longer length in the gears (was a bit rough before). I haven't tried the 2016 model and if you have that out of the crate you have one sweet bike. The remap is contentious on the forums, but if you're interested I can share the dyno chart. For me it felt a very worthwhile investment for my bike.

Great review I have had a triple black for four months and I LOVE IT

sorry, see you are from Au too, great write up thanks

Agree about the fingers but he was riding across Port Douglas and Cairns where its very muggy and sweaty to have full covered gloves on. Balancing act between safety and comfort

great review picked one up today thanks

Hi mate, in relation to your headlight/spotlight controls comments. Think of the additional lights as fog lights and not spotlights and then it all makes sense!

if your bike has computer pro you can see your speed on digital display, you just have to turn it on in your settings under custom. your owners manual will have instructions .great video by the way!

Great review mate have looked at a few and found yours to be spot on and to the point. Just bought a 2nd hand 2016 triple black. Wondering if it's worth the $1300 the local dealer is selling the navigator 6 for as would mainly just be using it for the digital speedo display

i agree with the dash set up as i own a GS-LC also as the analog style speedometer is hard to read. i put the MPH in the top right, the TPM in the bottom right and scroll in the GPS when needed. so that is how deal with it.... :-)

Great video! On the verge of ordering the GSA! What camera did you use for this video as I want to purchase one but no idea of action cameras so which one would you recommend?

ciao , mi dici che tipo di piastra è quella che hai sul manubrio dove c'è attaccato il telecomando della go pro? grazie Federico

i think..the blurred wind shield screen is a flaw of jade

Hey mate Good video! What is that attached to your tank?

Great review. You have the adventure wheels on your bike. Was there any fitting issue or do fit the TE model without issue? Makes the bike look fantastic.

I just bought 2014 GS and also like it. It's still winter where I'm at so didn't get a chance yet to really enjoy it. Question - what's the intercom you are using?

Hi. Do you think your can get a hold of the R1250gs and do a similar 3 part review ? Love your work !

Great riding roads you have there in Oz,I enjoyed your three part video and educational commentary.I am Alien to this brand so please excuse my ignorance when I ask if GS means Gelande Strasse or on road off road I take it buying extra add ons help but ultimately if a desert or rough off roading is required is this still very capable?My dilemma arises when I discovered BMW also market the Adventure model as more appropriate yet the GS badge appears on many others so I am unsure of their marketing ,sorry if I am missing something I have no experience of the marque.

Great Video! Where were you riding? Australia?

fantastic review. you drive on the wrong side of the road thou so be careful.

Mate what's the difference between the gs and gs triple black? Besides the obvious- black!

lucky bastard!!!!!

Would you bug 1200 gs triple black fully loaded or finance 12 - 15 k more for a new 1250

Hi ! Where did you put the camera ?

where did you get the bracket that holds your GoPro remote?? Thanks Eddie

where is sam Thailand

you've probably already noticed but i'll mention it anyway if you activate the data screen on the Nav 5 and use the scroll wheel it will display speed as big as the screen ...that should save a few points on the licence ..I Have a 2016 triple black GS Hate the keyless ignition !! the most stupid idea ever on a motorbike why when i have 4 other locks on the bike that require use of the key (panniers and sat nav release) if i happen to have the key fall out of my pocket on a run i wont know until i turn it off and try to restart i cant open a pannier (bmw vario) with key in the lock ....its the thing most annoying me at the mo may have it ripped out for the regular key instead of a bloody great big car remote that just gets in the way ...Sometimes the phrase "if it aint broken dont fix it" should be listened to

why take the lane on the left ? or traffic law provisions?

Care to do a 2016 KTM 1100-1200 adv review?

The sight of exposed fingers while riding cringes me

Now my choice the BMW R1200 GS or the new Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200 XCa - choices choices choices

Are these bikes automatic transmission?

Truht to tell I loathe the noise from the liquid-coollng system

so the ddc can be turned on/off ?

Didn't you use to have a KTM 11190 Adventure?

had a k1200 gt, 2009, All BMW gear boxes are clunky, there's no such thing as downshift,throttle blip, smooth shift, they make every rider seem like a learner, on ups, forget the clutch

Tou entendendo nada

get yer sel some gloves mate, its the first thing u touch down

اريد واحده كم وتصل لعراق

What?.. "feels quite lage?"what are you smoking, every reviewer for the past hundred years has remarked how "light" it feels, how the weight disappears once you get going. If you are that tone deaf right off the get go, how much stock can we put on every other nonsense you put out.?