Ridden superbikes my whole life and even raced a couple seasons. Went to a BMW dealership today to test out the s1000r and was gonna head to the aprilia and ktm dealerships after to hit up the tuono and superduke. I had been eyeing adventure bikes after my last race season because I, like you, love to go anywhere do anything. After jumping on the GSA I never made it to the other dealerships ;)
I rode one yesterday and loved it man. It doesn't hold a candle to the XR when it comes to acceleration or cornering, but when it comes to logging miles, it's a really good place to be.
I rode this bike on a trip through France, absolutely amazing experience, blew me away. I rode 750 miles in a few days on it, super comfortable, something I wasn't expecting considering I'm used to a much lower riding position and forward pegs. Currently have a Kawasaki Vulcan 900. I would buy one in a heart beat if I could afford one.
From a 2015 BMW GS on nobbies to Yamaha Super Tenere 1200 on nobbies. Just to let you guys know - I'm an Australian long distance explorer with a bias to dirt performance, as we have lots of dirt and desert here. I need highway comfort as well ie good faring protection, crusie control, heated grips etc etc. I ended up buying a Yam after riding one for 6 weeks in the Flinders Ranges (6000kms) - and these are the main reasons why I changed. Biggest surprise is that the Yamaha is noticeably better on dirt. Its geometry is a bit more dirt orientated and I'm more confidant riding it hard and letting the tail hang out then with the GS. The weight is defiantly lower in the Yamaha, and it feels lighter to ride at all speeds. The torque seems to better placed on the rev meter than the GS. The Yam just pulls from any gear at lower revs. Much prefer the suspension setting on the Yam. Get a bit tired of settings like "sport" "Road" "Dynamic" "Enduro". These settings don't tell what your doing with suspension. I want to know about the actual pre-load settings, and how hard or soft damping is set. Considering you might ride dirt on hard or soft settings - depending on how you want to ride a section of dirt, you need actual readings, not titles of what the settings might be. I'm actually more comfortable with reliability on the Yam as well. Summary - In Australia exploring far away roads, and pushing the bike hard, I think the Yam is better. Travelling the tar in comfort with bell and whistles I think the GS is better.
Pulsix I know that you might want that as your first bike, but I strongly advise against it. Unless you have previous experience of dirt biking, but otherwise, get a 250 or a 650
Your review was one I watched multiple times before going over to dealer and riding one. I pulled the trigger on a new gs triple black. Traded in my Harley awesome bike no complaints just too one dimensional. Thanks for taking the time to do the review great job. Sub
DukeOfDC Dude now all you have to do is ride the New Triumph Tiger explorer xca and compare it to the GSA and Multistrada enduro, I still think the Multistrada is the best bike of all because of the power but I may be wrong. I can't wait to get a ride for myself on it. Anyway, awesome stuff as always.
Ah yes, the one and only Duke of D.C. The man who convinced me to buy the Kriega R25 and instilled my unwaverable love for Aprilia and other Euro bikes into my heart. Even though I'm currently new and rocking a CBR600RR (best Japanese 600cc street bike, IMO. The overrated R6 has nothing on this machine. Defo test it if you haven't), I hope to one day join your ranks in the Euro bike marketplace!
I very much get it. This was my first dream bike! Long Way Around got me hooked to this bike. KTM really bungled things up when they didn't provide bikes to that crew.
DukeOfDC we can check others playlist out and geek out. Especially since our interest in bikes differ. Keep those videos coming. Your good at what you do.
I am 5.85 tall and on my GS LC I have some problems if the ground is not flat or when I turn back .. sometimes it`s a real struggle moving it backwards so I have to be really careful where I park :) Otherwise your review about the normal GS was one of the most inspiring and convinced me to get back on two wheels after a long 6-year break. Thank you !
Thank you, sir. I just subscribed. Maybe next time u can make a video about mid controls and seat setting for short people like me. or do u have it already? im sorry i meant suspension not mid controls. lol. i was thinking about another bike im gonna get.
I ride a 2012 GSA and looked at the RT, but just love this bike too much. I can go anywhere and do anything I feel like, when riding. 300 to 500 miles of riding is easy on this bike. Good review.
I hope you get the GSA. I'm also somewhat younger (at least to be considering a GS) and I'm 100% sure a GSA will be my next bike. If you get it I can live vicariously through you in the mean time.
This may not be your next one but, you will get it someday... There is no other bike that gives me the feeling of loving to ride. I call it the SUV of the bikes.
My question is how do all the GSA 1200 oil & water cooled stack up as they get older 10 yrs plus ? Has anyone done any reviews on older models when they hit 10yrs plus?
well, I wouldn't call this the segment starter. There was the Cagiva Elephant that started the segment (won the Dakar) and the original Africa Twin. It is considered the leader, although I'm not sure how mich of this is actually well oiled company PR. Great vid!
That was exactly what I told my friend who was much shorter than me to do when he was skeptical about the height of the GS. he threw a leg over my GSLC and the rest is history...
I dont have money to buy this.. but one day maybe i can afford this 2016 gsa, amazing one.. had a chnace to do a test ride, awesome boxer twin… from Canada btw..
I'm excited for u getting your new motorcycle duke I hope u enjoy it like you enjoyed your tuono great channel by the way I think your content is awesome👍👍
Good video as I'm on the lookout for one of these. It's a bit odd though having the screen adjuster on the right hand side of the bike when everybody knows (except BMW it seems) that the rider will use his left hand to adjust.
Great video, thank you. I am looking at this bike as my next one and I always buy used so the 2016 is among the models I am shopping for. Seat height is an issue for me as I am about 5'8". I am looking at the low suspension model.
Nice channel. Just subscribed. I own the 2016 XR which I love, but truth be told if I win the lottery I would probably buy an R1200GSA, S1000RR and S1000R... so many good bikes!
Because of the height it isn't the easiest bike to scoot along on, but there was no heat from the engine that was overwhelming, it was extremely comfortable, and the throttle response was perfect in road mode for the slow speed stuff.
When I test drove the GSA I fell in love with it.......except the price! I opted for a Super Tenere ES instead. The Tenere is a great bike, but does not even come close to the refinement of the BMW. Reliability of the Yamaha is a major reason why I stick with the brand. I know I will end up with a GSA eventually, but not now?
I know that price is brutal :/ one day though. Yamaha's are fantastic bikes, and I totally agree that their reliability and running costs make them great long term bikes.
Really great bike. I'm 18 and 5'9 as well and I love the gsa it's so comfortable to ride. We normally ride 300-500 km weekly and 1000km for long distances. It has great balance and less hot than other bikes I've ridden. I'm not a naked and superbike fan since I have problems with my back and So many ugly roads in my country plus I'm more of an off-road, long distance, adventurous nut. My dad owns a 2016 1200gsa and I have a super Tenere both are great bikes. We might get an 1190 or another GSA for me since the adventure class is the only class I like. I'm from the Philippines and traffic here is hell and the GSA is the only bike I enjoy riding in the hellish traffic here and its size does not bother me at all when filtering haha.
It's awesome especially when you get a chance to ride such a beast but apparently the cost of the bike here when converted to USD is around 32,000 dollars without any accessories on it. We have lots of fun messing around with the bikes especially when filtering traffic. Its hard as hell compared to what I see in the US and UK and the roads have tons of pot holes, bumps and uneven surfaces but is really fun when we use the GSA haha.
@DukeofDc, seems this video has the most views of them all! I'm curious...what have you heard in terms of reliability of this bike? Also, compared to them KTM 1290, Multistrada and Super Tenere (assuming you've ridden them) would you take the GS over the rest?
Hi Duke, I would imagine it,s an option in the states too but I have got the 2016 with a lowered chassis, i'm about the same size as you and I can get both feet flat, makes a huge difference when coming to a stop. Had a normal height GS last year and was always having to think about road cambers etc. This bike is awesome, everything about it, best bike iv'e owned, suppose it fucking should be too cos it's by far the most expensive one iv'e owned Spent most of my life on sportsbikes and loved them but this bike has given me a new lease of life. Me and a mate are riding from UK to Croatia in 4 weeks time, the scenic way over the alps, island hopping the Croatian coast to Dubrovnik, then back via Venice, the Dolomites and a couple of days in Switzerland doing as many passes as we can, wouldn't be doing that on my fireblade You should make this your next bike!!
Yeah getting my feet flat on the ground has been something of a dream lol. I do like how commanding the high seat is, but I do have to be careful when I come to a stop. Glad you're enjoying the bike! I need to fly out and do these swiss passes with you guys haha.
I'm 5'6" with 28"/29" inseam. Riding Harley's all my life. Love the GS but I have to use tippy toes to hols it up. Of course that's only at stops so I guess...just don't stop much right? lol
I'm the same height and inseam - 5'9" with 30" inseam - and i've been considering this or the RT 1200. I have a 2hr (one-way) interstate commute and i was wanting something comfortable (but not 1600 GT type comfortable/boring) with a little bit of fun for the twisties (i typically prefer SPORTtourer over sportTOURER). Would you recommend this or the RT 1200 or maybe the Ducati Multistrada 1200s?
I am a bit in the same situation as you are and doing my commute on an R1200RT since 2011, on the new liquid cooled R1200RT as of 2014. I ride in all sorts of weather conditions, except for snowfall, and find the R1200RT to be an ideal bike to commute. The mileage is good, wind protection is superb whilst still being able to look over the stock windscreen. The bike shares a lot of optional accessories with the K1600GT, but total cost is less. If you're looking for an even more sportier sporttourer than the R1200RT, then you should consider the K1600GT (not the K1600GTL). The GT is like the R1200RT, but with a six in line engine and a xenon headlight. The K1600GTL, which DukeofDC test rode before is a sort of tuned down version of the K1600GT: looks almost the same, more bling-bling, less responsive on the throttle and a more Goldwing-ish style riding position (sofa-like) than being on a bike-bike. ;) But for commuting, the BMW R1200GS(A), R1200RT or even the K1600GT are all good in their own right. The only difference is comfort, fuel consumption and what you want to do with it in your spare time.
Great video - really enjoyed it - nice presentation of an awesome bike. I'm thinking of replacing a 1994 R100GS - this would be a huge leap in technology. One question - the audio in your video is so clear - what are you using as a microphone? Would love to know - wind noise is a pain....
Great Vid I brought my bike from Batley Cycle thanks to Bobs BMW..LOL.. 2016 GSA will be my next bike after im done with my 2013(12)GSA Triple Black.. Im not sold on the 18,19 model but love them all.. And Love that RED>! WOW.. Your Aprilla Sounds amazing
Nice review. I'll be shocked if you go this route after the Tuono...Vs the XR or the RR, etc. I still love my 07 GSA, but this is worlds different than your Tuono. Looking forward to seeing what you get next...thanks.
I have to make a comment about the intro. Something similar actually happened to me. Some dude stopped me and was pointing at my bike like something was wrong. I turned off the GSA and my SENA music and said "HUH?" and he pointed again and said to me "Why you put that?" ... Put what I asked.. He pointed at the BMW logo on the side and said again "Why you put that?"... I said "its a BMW" to him and he waved his hand dismissively while blowing through his lips and teeth at me and walked off like i was lying to his face... Strange that people across the world do not know that BMW made motorcycle way before they made cars... LOL so sad
Thanks for the video, I enjoyed it pretty much. i had same impressions than you and at first felt too scared to ride it but I took the bull by the horns and tested it. Oh gosh... hard to come back to the Rt1200 from 2010 after that. I actually tested the same here in Switzerland. I tried the GS2016 but didn't like it because it was a bit too thin - I'm used now to have something big and wide in front of my eyes now. The decision is made, I have an appointment tomorrow and will buy it... can't wait !! By the way, did you try the k1600 2016? It's worth it, very impressive, really. Thanks!
Ah see that thinness at the center point is great for shorter riders like me that are trying to get there feel down with all the might that they can muster lol
Good point! Interesting... Especially for an adventure machine that anything could happen too. I imagine there is a physical ignition somewhere and a physical key as part of the wireless fob
Nice review. The GS or GSA have been bikes I've been considering buying. But as I am currently owning the R1200RT, I feel I will be missing some comfort. Did you ever test-ride the R1200RT or R1200RS?
lol - No. No. Really like the videos, and how thoughts are articulated. That is genuine! Low key burn? Probably. But, on the short-shifting, only. I can definitely understand on the demos. But, you were doing it on the Tuono with the factory pipe. Although, I'm sure that that was loud enough. I wasn’t sure if it was an indication of ‘rider’ comfort level. Not an attack, just a thought that ran in my head, as I watched the vids. As a viewer, wanted to hear more of the Tuono Thunder! Trust me, I’m no real racer! Or even close to. I’d like to have the ADV myself.
Hahaha no worries man. But yeah, I just don't ride very hard. Not yet at least - still have a lot to learn, and need to get more comfortable, and trust my bike.
I've known people that have had them and swapped not long after to the triumph tiger. not sure why, but then they not my style of bike anyway. maybe you could take a look?
I rode the 2015 Black Edition R1200GS and absolutely hated the gearbox! Changing gears felt like crap, also did not like the wobbly windscreen at higher speeds. Other than that the bike is good.
Seems like you're getting closer and closer to the conclusion that it doesn't have to be an either/or proposition and you'll need at least two bikes. :)
if you haven't pulled the trigger on one of these yet, I'd urge you to try the Triumph Explorer 1200. You get all the same toys as the Beemer but with a much smoother motor and gearbox, the same level of comfort and low seat height, and you'll save a couple of grand into the bargain. I love my 2015 Explorer and have done some long days on it, and from 2016 you get the semi active suspension and all the electrical aides
No triggers have been pulled yet! A ton of people want me to take out the Explorer. If the gearbox is indeed smoother than it's probably incredible because that was one of the biggest cons on the GSA, clunky as a mother working through the gears with the quickshifter.
+DukeOfDC I loved the big GS when i tested it (right up until it rocked off its stand and cracked the left rocker cover) it almost ticked all the boxes, but at this premium price point, it should be near perfect but I found the gear box to be very agricultural and I felt some vibes at higher revs. The GS is probably the better bike off road, but seeing as they spend 99.9% of their lives on the highway the big Triumph ticked all the boxes for me.
I actually prefer the manual screen adjust. Typically, with BMW being BMW, they would have given it some kind of overly complicated plastic gear mechanism driven by a lowest-bidder motor that will cost you 2,000 to fix when it inevitably shits the bed.
Extremely odd that it does not have electric windshield and extremely dangerous it being a wheel to have it in the right side rather than the left side. BMW ergonomics first flaw in all your care for this since I have known you. Other than that I superior Adventure machine.
LOL there are speed freaks and then there are Torque Junkies, to each his and her own. For some its about the journey and not the destination in a speedy way. GS is for those who want to enjoy the journey, speedy machines are for those who live their lives as corporate slaves and have to be back to work in a rush! just my 2 cents after riding motorcycles in all kinds of weird parts of the world for 42 years now. Still do a 700 miles a day no problem, have a R18 First Edition and a 1200GSA. And have had 125cc Hondas and Kawis and Suzuki Vstroms etc etc. A good diplomatic review, perhaps in order to appease all, but the last bit was out of scope lol as I have seen the corporate folks kind of massage a message and confuse normal people. If I were honest I would not have sex with a neighobors wife and after bring my girlfriend and portray she's better then the neighbors wife. A deep message. Lol, see you millennials on the road.
wow amazing!! I test rode 2 ducatis here!!! I also met the same sian guy (sorry I forgot his name). did he tell you where the speed cameras are? :) edit: kept watching the video his name is Sam