2023 BMW R1250GS - The Amazing & the Truly Awful 

I have owned both and they were/are the current generation. I’m not even considering going back to Triumph. You do have some legit points but your Triumph bias is impacting your perspective. I have yet to find anyone say the suspension on the BMW is bad. That is out of left field for myself and any other rider I know out here. Triumph is a good bike, but GS is still king when it comes to Adv.

Two points to mention. 1. The quick-shifter works well when you use it properly - I see other comments mentioning how to let it do its job, it's not for changing gears to slow the motor when cruising. 2. The suspension is fine. It differs from what you may be accustomed to due to the design, but it is not as you suggest.

Thanks for making this eye opening video! Where I ride, there are no roads. This really put things in perspective for me when it comes to my next purchase.

Terence, I have watched a thousand reviews of the 1250GS, I have owned the normal height and the lowered one. This is the first review that has correctly called it out on its failings. The suspension on a bad road and the quick shifter are woeful. Thanks for your honesty.

What lovely scenery, a brilliant looking route. David and I are planning on doing this in June, we will do it over 2 days so that we can visit lots of coffee establishments and “goo steady” (fen talk) safe riding and keep the vids coming.

I’m shocked at the review of the suspension. I find the suspension the best quality of my GS . It soaks up all the bumps and never gets out of shape (maybe because I’m a 10stone rider?) . Apart from that, it was a great review 👍

Comments on quickshifter - Downshift with throttle closed, Upshift throttle in acceleration state. Cruising at steady state - don't get your hopes up. So in short - more use in spirited ridinng than day to day. It's a shift assistant, not an autoshifter.

Good review just found your channel and subscribed. Look forward to the suspension videos.

I’ve only had my Triumph GT Pro a few days but you’re right about the suspension, it’s something you notice immediately very plush. I’ve never owned a GS but I have test ridden one, the instruments and switchgear I thought were actually better in my opinion. I love your approach / reviews something dead honest about your delivery, and of course never a truer word spoken when you see some YTubers missing out the bigger problems. It’s clear they’re just acting like paid shills, keeping an eye on the relationship with the dealer /manufacturer so they nurture a steady stream of rides enabling them to produce content and earn revenue. Fair enough…….but it does smack at being fake and some people buy into that.

This is why I love owner reviews. An excellent, honest, and at times funny review. I'm considering a move from an MT10 to something more upright and sensible. Certainly food for thought here.

I have the same inside leg 29" and have the standard height frame with a low seat. I then set the the suspension to a low setting and have no problems. As far as the quick shifter, I never use it in 1st -2nd - 3rd. It's fine to 4,5 &6. I have however had some instances when the downshifter does'nt want to play ball. No big deal. The Hill Hold took a bit of getting used to but all good now. The brakes on mine are exceptional I've always had RTs in the past but find the GS much more comfortable. Some of my previous steeds....Kawasaki 440ltd, Honda 250 superdream, Honda 750F2, K100, K1100lt, R1100rt, R1200rt and now R1250GS. This is by far the most comfortable of all.

I hadn't had a quick shifter before, but I find the one on my 2022 GSA works really well, especially off road when I'm standing and going between 1st and second on more moderate tracks at lower speeds. At higher speeds on the road, I think of actuating more like putting in 'a request to shift'...if feel like you don't get the shift until the bike speed/rpm are within some range, i.e. it won't shift until you are in a situation where you would normally shift with the clutch. That said, winding through the gears on a straightway (like a highway on ramp) works great as does coming to a long straight stop. Like others have said, you could have talked more about the suspension, but overall a good solid review, thanks!

One of the best reviews I’ve seen, thankyou for your hard work 🙏

Congrats on a very detailed and insightful review. Can’t say I agreed with some of your inputs but great respect for your intelligent video. I’ve had five GS’s and now have a wonderful RS and RnineT. Love Boxers!

Hi Terrance, can I ask where you got the TomTom mount that appears to fit the existing GS navigation mount? I have a Tom Tom and would love to fit it up the same so it feeds off thr bikes power using the existing Garmon bracket. Cheers Ron

There was also a software update recall for the quick shifter that I’ve heard helps it out tremendously.

Is it possible that the normal height version would perform better than the lower chassis version?

Love your honesty❤ Actually my quick shift works nice for anything 3rd gear plus if you know how to use it. Suspension I have no idea what you talk about. I stick to my 22 1250GS 😂

I have 4 versions of gs 22-23: standard, lowered, sport suspension, and adventure. Lowered and sport suspensions are not suitable for bad roads. It works the way you are talking about. And it's really hard to ride on small old roads, especially with a pillion. Standard and adv are different.

Weird to hear about the damping. On my 2013 R1200GSA I can set the damping separately from soft to normal to hard, independent of the riding modes. Works perfectly, just like the quickshifter which I find amazing.

Thanks for this vid Terry. I was thinking of trading in my 2018 tiger XRT for the GS as I have very similar ergonomics to you. (6ft tall long body and short 29”legs) if I have the seat on low my knees suffer after long distance so I keep the high seat on for distance and use tip toes. Having heard you talk about the suspension and quick shift tho I’m def having 2nd thoughts. It may be a bit top heavy but the tiger is planted and smooth as silk through the gears quick shifting up and down and on any surface. Ta!

Great overview, thanks for sharing.

Love my Tiger 1200 Alpine SE Terry, delicious suspension and I can push the front end into oblivion with no worries, W.P at it's best, great honest video mate, well done!

thanks for your analysis. i share the same conclusions but just love the boxer motor❤

I’ve got the standard height gsa and I’ve not come across mine as having poor suspension I can ride it faster on poor roads in comfort than I can my 2009 speed triple. Is it because it’s a low chassis or have you got a problem with the suspension itself. Maybe worth mentioning it to your dealer. I do like the trophy colours

Your the first person that has been honest about the suspension on the GS. I appreciate that!!

I had the gen 3 t1200 and then for 5000 km the rally explorer and now i am owner of the gs 1250 triple black . Gs is by far hands down the best suspension i have ridden in any bike with pillion / luggage on and off . I dont know what have you done with your bike but the telelever and paralever works ultra smooth . The centre of gravity and the way the bike handles through corners is fantastic and non comparable also with rhe tiger . Gs can be driven sporty and has more friendly feeling to curve and lean through the corner vs the rally explorer which I was really afraid to lean or drive sporty . The wind protection could be better i have to say but it can be fixed with an aftermarket windshield like wunderlich . The fit and finish is a little bit terrible and you dont expect that from bmw . I have to say terry and keep in mind that the plastics are REALLY REALLY EASY to scratch so keep in mind that ! After all , the engine is really spot on. Very smooth non vibey when touring , smoother than the triumph but when tou are idle 1000 rpm you will feel some.vibes . I personally dont mins because you feel the bike alive in the other hand the bike works very VERY smooth on highways. The gs is the best bike ever made

Great review. 2019 was the first year of the 1250. I have one an have put 40,000 miles on it. It’s an amazing bike, never ridden a Triumph. The torque it has and when it wheelies make me giggle. Quick shifter works smoother in the higher gears and when you’re ripping it. I don’t know much about suspensions but I will say the bike is a little “stiff” and doesn’t absorb the bumps as I’d like. It’s better when loaded down.

Haha there be foaming at the mouth tonight 🤣🤣🤣Nice honest review.

Could the experienced suspension feel is due to ( or specific to ) lowered chassis model?

I’ve loved the suspension on my 2016 GSA model. You have to figure out what rider set up (1,1+luggage,2 rider), then your rider mode, then your suspension setting. I think you’ve missed using some adjustability options on your bike because all those options are in the new 1250 models.

I thought that was a great video, Terry. It's good to see the GS subjected to such scrutiny. My two cents, having had the full-height suspension 2018 and a reduced-height 2019 is that the full-height is much better on a bumpy road. Unfortunately that means the bike works best for the taller rider. Because of this and the difficulty I found with heaving it around while parking etc, I no-longer have one, preferring the R (which still has its own issues; too harsh in dynamic and too under-damped in Road). Overall, you're dead right in your observations and BMW need to sort out their suspension damping, quick-shift (on the R-series) and put the thing in a wind-tunnel to control wind noise. Apart from that, it's a brilliant bike and I'm looking forward to seeing what they have done with the forthcoming R1300.

So you bought the lowered suspension version of the GS and are now complaining about the ride? Did you not bother to search the internet for comments about how the GS/GSA rode with lowered suspension? I'm on my 4th GSA, a 1250, all with standard height suspension and whilst the ride on any of them is not as plush as say, a K1600GT, its really not bad. And you missed one of the other major advantages of the BMW suspension and that is lack of dive under braking. As for the brakes themselves, being progressive is surely an advantage not a disadvantage? The brakes certainly work if you pull the lever hard enough. I will agree with you on the quickshifter. Its shit but then thats why God gave us the clutch and a hand to operate it with! As for your other complaints, you are missing out on one of the major functions of the whizz wheel by not having the BMW satnav because the whizz wheel can also control that. I find it particularly useful for zooming in and out on the screen when following a route. Apart from that the whizz wheel/button control is way simpler than on some other bikes and is all the better for that. I also have a Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports and the controls still fry my brain after 18 months of ownership. And one last comment. The most truly amazing thing about the 1250 engine is the smooth low down torque which means it will pull at virtually any revs in any gear

Enduro mode will do what you need on this roads and that works amazing well

Terry Great review Sir. Onto the seat height thing, my business partner accidentally had break fluid on his hand when he touched the seat on my new Tiger GT Explorer. Shame on him! He had to buy me a new seat and I picked the Low seat for him to order unbeknownst to him. 😂 The seat is 20mm lower and is fantastic. Just an FYI. I'm totally happy with my 2023 Triumph GT Explorer. 😍 Ride SAFE and BE safe Terry! Cheers.

Owned latest Triumph Tiger 1200 pro for 2months but it was so rubbish was glad to get rid ….. now a proud owner of a proper bike BMW 1250GS Tophy👍…….. and the dealer was happy to shag the Missus on a Sunday morning so I could go out on breakfast run. Result😊

Great Review. I Ride a 2006 R1200GS and absolutely Love it. You have to set the Damping and Rebound Manually but it works Perfect and is easy to do. I don’t have any Modes and that’s fine with me. I just jump on the Bike and Ride. The Owners Manual has suggestions for the Suspension Settings depending on what kind of Riding you’re doing and the Load you’re Carrying, and they seem to be right on Point. The Engine is a Dream, and I do all my Maintenance myself. I have No Complaints whatsoever. Thanks for the Video, I subscribed. Big Howdy from Texas.👍👍

Great vid Terry. Was thinking about selling my 2020 Tiger 1200 Desert and getting a GS but as you said I love the suspension and ride on my Tiger. You may have kept me from making a mistake. Think I’ll wait to see what the 1300 GS will be like. Thanks!

A good and interesting review that I would agree with to 95%. Being on the shorter side (torso) than Terence, I don't have any issues with the screen, but regarding the suspension I think he's spot on. I came from a Triumph 1200 (2017) which had fantastic suspension (W.P.) and I couldn't believe how poor the GS suspension is by comparison. On the GS I have the suspension either on "Dyna" which I use most of the time and is quite firm or "Rain" for country lanes which is very compliant if not slightly wallowy. I never use "Road" because it's neither one thing or another. But the suspension comments made by Terence made me realise how I have eventually become used to the BMW suspension.

I have a R1200RT and it’s an amazing bike. I have ridden the BMW is all kinds of weather and never had an issue. My RT does have hard, medium and soft suspension settings

I have a 22 Rallye lowered edition. The handling is why I bought the machine, lower center of gravity. Justin road mode it is springy but absolutely floats down the road like a Cadillac. If that bothers you then go to another mode. Yes electronic sucks because you don't know how to adjust it but most people don't know how to adjust their suspension anyway. Concerning the quickshifter going up is just a hoot. Pin it and bang the gears up yes going down it does not want to and the dealership said that. If that little bit makes you get a 1300 more power to you

Thank you, very helpful

Do you have the lowered suspension model? That’s supposed to be bad.

I have just seen this vid & the quick shifter is absolutely fine on my albeit the 2019/20 GS Adventure. Your vid is for the 21 onwards so did they change the quick shifter?

I have always owned GS’s and I switched to the new Tiger 1200 Rally Pro as I was getting bored with the GS. Sorry I couldn’t wait to go back to a GS. You comment a lot about the wonder wheel what about that silly toggle switch on the new Triumph? Trying to use it on the fly you have to take your eyes off the road to look at the switch to make sure your not hitting the blinker switch. Secondly don’t try using the Toggle switch while on a bumpy road that almost is impossible. The 21” front wheel on the Tiger 1200 gives you a little bit of insecurity feeling while going around bends especially when there is bumps. Yes your review was honest but found it hard to believe it all when you were wearing a Triumph Jumper 😂😂😂

First watch of your vids, I'll be watching some more. I found it a very objective and one of the better (honest) reviews out there and I can't disagree with too much of what you said. I'm 65, 1.7m, 813mm inside leg and 85kg and haven't really found the suspension to be an issue on my 2018 R1200 GS TE Exclusive apart from some some really crap roads in Belgium last year when my spine was dialled into the road!! Particularly agree with your comments on plotting routes and addresses into the TFT via BWM Connect on my iPhone 12. I use the Connect Cradle which is an excellent bit of kit and found a workaround was to cut & paste the address/location from Google Maps into the BMW app, works 9/10. Cheers!

😂 Coming from the gen 3 Tiger with its super smooth quick shifter to the somewhat agricultural GS version I agree. Although I’ve found that under load i.e hammering up the revs, it works better and eventually you get used to it.

good info thanks terry......never considered a tiger but will take a look

Great review...really enjoyed it. I have a 2019 GSA Rallye and agree with all the feedback (especially the difficulty of changing screen height and the wizzy-wheel) but don't have the same experience with the suspension. I absolutely love mine and genuinely have never found it other than great. I wonder if BMW did anything different for the later models?!

Hi Terry may I ask what bag you have on the passenger seat

Yeah that quick shifter has caught me out a few times, there does seem to be a sweet spot in revs where it shifts cleanly (on my 2016 at least) but that said, i use the clutch 98% of the time...old dog new tricks and all that.

I know exactly what you are talking about concerning the dampening, and have recently demoed a GS low suspension and a standard height GSA. The standard height GSA dampening seemed quit good in either setting, but the low suspension GS dampening was either sponge soft or brick stiff. I currently own a 2016 Explorer 1200 XRT, the dampening settings are vast and you can easily adjust on the fly. I agree the engine layout and chassis has carried the GS for years, I was shocked how damn good the low speed handling of the GS is, but the dampening of the low suspension version needs a rework. Not sure but since it is electronic makes me wonder if an update to the electronics could solve the issue. I ride my Explorer with suspension in rider mode with suspension in off road mode to get the height down and everything else in road mode and get by. My concern with the Explorer is it’s top heavy and tip in in the corners is to fast for my liking. I’m thinking about lowering the bike to see if that helps.

I just did a test ride on a gs1250te felt great. 1st time on a GS. Didn't have time to really test the suspension and I was on good roads. I was really impressed with the quick shifter though. I thought it was silky smooth.. great review. Top stuff. 👍

That's the best and most comprehensive, honest, objective analysis of a bike on RU-vid, I'm leaning toward the new tiger 1200, ray in Co Cork

Probably the best review out there. Have some differences, such as the fact I think the the whizzwheel works well, and you do indeed get use to it, as you do a joystick that sits too close to the indicators (triumph!). Also, I find the brakes excellent - much prefer the feel of these brembos over the hayes. Screen, well you either like a short screen and are happy with the trade off, or you aren't and don't. I think these aspects are neutral and depend on rider preferences. Quickshifter, has to be used at the right revs - it's a big boxer that you are changing gear on, not a triple! On suspension, for some reason, they seem to have set up the non-dynamic softer on this compared to the GS1200, and I really don't know why. It isn't good, though I haven't found dynamic much of an issue. But the lack of settings is a real drawback no question. Praise be that you haven't moaned about the Honda drl indicators or the 'unsafe' rear indicators, the latter being the latest modding fad being pushed by the aftermarket guys and without able being to provide a scenario in which they are unsafe.

THANK GOD it’s not just me. I have ridden GSs of one king or another since 1984 (I still have my g/s). I love boxer GSs…I have my 2012 GSA which I love. I thought it’s about time I upgrade and spoil myself with a 1250 as a retirement present. Having had one for half a day I couldn’t believe how crap the suspension was. I felt like I was on a bloody trampoline in road mode so decided dynamic was the only option but boy, it that stiff over the potholes…..as for the quick shifter BMW should be ashamed of themselves charging good money for a virtually useless bit of kit. ……BMW have sold tonnes of these things and thought….surely it can’t just be me who think a great bike has been ruined by the damping. My 11 year old (non ESA) Wilbers suspensioned GSA is much better damped giving far greater control and hugely more comfortable. The current electronic set up is a joke….I was genuinely saddened that that amazing engine and chassis was sol let down and that for the first time in 39 years my main bike will not be a GS.

Spot on! When I told the dealer that suspension on the 1250GSA is rubbish, they looked at me like I never been on a bike... The Willbers on my 1200GSA aircooled were brilliant compared to this, and they were not ESA, simple old-school knob-adjusted.. I miss them! I also fully agree with the backlit option for the switches and buttons, I've rode at night and it's absolutely impossible to differentiate between all those buttons given the sheer amount of them.

Not sure what you mean about the tiger key less alarm. I've had no issues with its operating methodology.. gen4 bike though so maybe different from gen3?

Nice, accurate and honest review, well done!! Ive had 6 GS's/GSA's sine 2006 and have never gone off road, thats why I'e just taken delivery of a 2023 1250 RS SE in my opinion a far better road bike. lower, quicker ( i don't know why but it is) has all the same tech and because it has 17in wheels a better selection of tyres.

Well done thank you.

SUSPENSIONS: Do you have Dynamic ESA suspension? Does the Factory Lowered Suspension degraded your damping experience? QUICK SHIFTER: BMW Quick Shifter has been designed for high rev acceleration and reductions. They should adapt the system for normal riding in the next update (1300GS)

First watch of your stuff mate, very good review. Screens are personal.. I thought the tiger 12 screen was bad! My GS has made way for the KTM SAS! Now that’s a bike that suits me. I like the new tiger 12 and found it a great bike, not a GS beater but I did prefer the tiger, only be cause I needed a change. Owning a speed triple , I went for the KTM! Love it! 👍🏻

Thank you for this! I'm a 750 GS owner and into upgrading to 1250 next month. I think I should try Triumph then (never tried it).

I noted in your comments about the suspension that you only mention road, rain, and Dynamic Pro modes. Why did you not include the Enduro modes? Would those modes not do better on rough surfaces?

I’m guessing the root of the “suspension hatred” is the lowered chassis version you’re riding. Or personal bias.

If you have alarm set to auto simply pushing the keyless button disables alarm as ignition comes on

Just want to ride..not interested in tech unless it flies. Currently 1980 R100 RT..superb Great vid..many thanks

Also you may try to bring this bike to bmw and ask them to flash latest software and do suspension calibration. This helps sometimes

I test rode a 2020 GS and just didn’t like the bike. I thought the engine sounded a bit agricultural and I thought, as you do, the brakes weren’t brilliant. Also like yourself I found the latest Tigers a little tall, so I ended up getting a 2020 Gen3 Tiger 1200 Alpine with with only 2067 miles on it. I also had the lower seat the lower seat fitted, just to give me a little more confidence handling the weight at standstill. I think Triumph missed a trick not adding a low chassis version to the latest model range. Hope you come to terms with your new bike’s nuances and grow to love it.

Where did you get the tom-tom extention for sat nav pls

I heard a lot of riders upgrade to Touratech suspension after awhile properly explain why?

Love the no punches pulled review. Wish others would do the same. That said, I am on my 2nd GS (2022 GSA) - previous was 2015 GS. I did test ride the 2022 Tiger 1200 on the same day as test riding the GSA. Coming from another GS (with an even shittier Quick Shifter and gearbox) I was swayed by the GSA with refined improvements over engine, gearbox, Quick Shifter and suspension (even my pillions say how wonderful the new bike suspension is - even on not so good roads) over what I was used to. But also, my niggles with the Tiger were: hard to hear engine exhaust note, snatchy throttle (on a gauge of 0 - 10 it felt like it picked up at 3 - dealer said all new Tigers like that), foot peg position too far back, less comfortable riding position, and the creme de la creme was the really poor dealership experience!! To the experience - had to wait for 10 mins into test ride window to get helped. Eventually, got on the road and something did not feel right with gear changes. Stopped for fuel and noticed the gear change level was bent in towards the bike and rubbing on the frame/engine. Took the bike back. Wasted another 20 mins while they 'sorted it out', and then found out I needed to bring the bike back 15 mins earlier so they could check it over before the next test rider. No apologies or anything. I did get offered a tiny bottle of water. At BMW ... complete opposite. Have it an extra hour they said, free coffee/tea/hot chocolate and biscuits. Of course, I used the same dealer for my previous purchase and services and all have been very good with loan bikes. I guess it comes down to personal experience and preference as we all have our own tastes.

good review .. Screen agreed. Suspension - I have had no issues.. it changes from my previous GS 1200 .. i was told its now automatic .. have bmw been in touch with you re the suspension ???

I heard they don’t put heating seats anymore in 2023 ? Do you know something about it ? Do they leave electronics at least ?

I have an R1250RS. I'm going to disagree a bit about the quick shifter, but you have to get a feel for it. First, yes, it breaks in a bit. Next, the owner's manual does give some specific and spot on instructions. You have to be on the throttle to upshift and you have to have the throttle closed to downshift. So, if I'm at a steady throttle but want to upshift, I just goose the throttle a bit and it's reasonably smooth. As for the suspension, at least on the RS, the damping is not tied to the rider mode. You can set the mode to road or rain and have the damping set to dynamic. I don't know if the GS is similar or not.

Could the low chassis have a detrimental effect on the suspension?

Best bike review Ive seen in years.

I watched the suspension portion of this video and it absolutely cracks me up. You could do stand up comedy.

Watched your video yesterday and thought about your suspension issue I think that you must have a problem bike because the two gs bikes I’ve had and got have been perfect

I was in the market for a substitution for my 2017 Tiger Explorer 2017 and I did a quite long test rider on a 2023 R1250 GSA. I completely agree with you about the quick shifter and the suspension. The quick shifter was not a surprise (it just don't work properly), but I was surprised with the suspension. Every video I see states that the suspension is magnificent. But compared with the Tiger, it is really strange. I felt disconnected from the road and the dumping was either too soft or too hard. On a brick road, it was quite off, doesn't matter what I set. With the Tiger Explorer, I can set the proper damping for a given surface, on the fly and quite easily. I am just glad that I found someone else that thinks the same. I thought I was the only crazy one out there. 😂😂😂😂

Traded my Ktm 890 adventure in for a r1250gs , previously lve always had naked/sports bikes, all l can say is l ride the gs harder and faster than any other bike I’ve own. I was worried about the so called lack of feel from the tele-lever front suspension but l find it gives great feedback, certainly agree with the quick shifter comments great up shifting but down shifts are hit and miss.

Just curious. Did you criticise the Triumph for the Cross Plan Crank which introduced vibration into the otherwise excellent triple engine just to appease the 10% (max) of people who go off road?

3 years ago I have sold my F850GS for many reasons you mentioned here too. I am shocked 2023 R1250GS is still suffering from so many poor engineering solutions. I absolutely hated level of menus and buttons interface, the crapy navigation and forcing me to buy Gamin from BMW. Connectivity? Poorest ever and not stable (forgetting devices constantly). I was recently considering getting back to GS (from my Husky 701 Enduro, with amazing WP XPLOR suspension by the way) but your video made me want to wait for R1300GS and _your_ review of the suspension, connectivity and user interface (button functions) after a test drive. Thanks for making this video, very informative. Respect.

Nice review; many thanks. I ride since 1982, then a Honda 750F. No talks about pre loads, suspensions, electronics etc, only decisions were 4in1 or stay with the beautiful 2 Aluminium exhausts. For the past years I am renting mostly and all over the world. Suspension I never had to fault on the GS nor the GSA. I am 190cm and 100kg. Even with three panniers no issue. Did Hechlingen off road class twice, no issue. Did dirt roads in the Cape, South West parts of Australia and various states in the USA. Alps, no issue, even fully loaded, but always alone. Never use the quick shift, I guess after so many years riding to use the clutch is second nature. Models were 2016/18/22. Have to try the Tiger and Ducati but feel so comfy on the GS. Safe riding to all.

My R1250GS has Wilburs installed. They work with the ESA setup. On Dynamic it works very well. Not harsh like you are describing. On Road in Road mode, it is floaty but with the suspension in Road mode and Dynamic Pro riding mode chosen it is quite good. I see you had the bike in Road mode and Road suspension...yes way underdamped, but I never ride in Road mode and have found much of these issues go away when choosing Dynamic pro as suspension settings are quite different in all the riding modes. One big advantage of changing to Wilburs is it also has the standard clicker adjustments for damping as well to fine tune the electronic choices. Also, it was built for my weight and is much higher quality suspension and not really that expensive. My 2 cents.

Watching this video, I am so glad that I had the opportunity to ride my BMWR90S and BMWR80GS bikes for 20 and 15 years respectively. I did all my own servicing and repairs on both bikes. Them were t'days?

I have the 2021 R1250GSA that is fully loaded including the navigator. I concur with the most of the negatives you mentioned. The windscreen is unsafe to adjust at highway speeds if you even can do. I’m 5’10 and even the adventures slightly taller screen is to short and I get buffeting. The control wheel is not optimum and I have to rethink it every time I start a new riding year. With all of its faults it is still the bike I would have if I could only have one bike(I have 7).

Interesting review, and I agree with pretty much all of your points (I switched from a 2019 R1250GS to a 2022 Tiger GT Explorer). There are pros and cons of both bikes, and I'm surprised you didn't mention the rear lights on the GS, which are (in my opinion) dangerous where they don't show enough differentiation between braking and turn signals. Overall, I have a few regrets about having made the switch - until I remember the GS suspension!!! You are right. It offers a choice between wallowing and shaking your fillings out, and on a poor road surface neither of them work properly. In this respect the Tiger is a clear winner.

This video is a good example, why one should form an own opinion. The screen adjustment is overly complex? You cannot adjust at the screen at 120 kph? This is a plain lie. Its totally possible and not a problem. Did you ever ride a KTM or Africa Twin for example? There you have complex mechanisms with screws and what not. I don´t have any issues with the screen. No noise, no wind tubulence.

Coudnt agree more on the suspension! Traded in my 2021 GS for a 2022 Tiger Rally pro.

great review Terry. I am from NSW Australia were we pride ourselves on having the worst roads in AU. I bought my 2nd hand 2020 GS after owning a '14 Ducati 1200 Pikes Peak Multistrada. The suspension was way better on the Ducati but otherwise the GS is I believe a better bike so much so that i went and spent $5K on new Tractive TT Experience suspension. WOW. After a few 1000km of bedding in the bike has now great suspension that compliments the great chassis and weight distribution. If you own a GS and plan on keeping it for a while bite the somewhat $bitter$ bullet and buy the Tractive. It is the same suspension that is rebranded by Touratech (+$1K) but it is really good stuff. Yeah QS is crap though

I wish they offered those service packs in the US. My first 600 mile service alone was $500!

I find the suspension on my 2021 GSA to be amazing and not as you describe at all. I wonder if the difference is whether you have the low seat option or standard....

Terrence, just discovered your channel, but totally agree with your assessmentof the suspension- one can go faster on a much "lesser" HP bike, but with well sprung and set-up "yee-olde-world" oil dampers. Not surprise about BMW lack-of-quality and performance. long time BMW bike owner. You've gained a new subscriber!

I agree with you about the suspension 100% On road mode it is too bouncy and on dynamic it is harsh. If the road is good and a sudden bump comes along, it shatters my teeth. I don't think it is caused by the rider weight as I weigh 11 stones compared to your 18.5

Nice review, thank you. I have a 2015 1200GS I've had since new with over 40,000 miles, quickshifter works great and I love it and use it all the time, any gear, up and down. Just saying!

I agree with the damping, Dynamic is way too jerky for bad roads, Road is way too soft and flowy. When I'm riding with a passenger, I usually set it to Road just to not upset them, and ride much slower than I normally would. As for the quickshifter, the way I'm using it is 1-2-3 I clutch, above 3 I use the QS. I also almost always use the QS going down even to 1st, it does a good job with that. What I found is when I took it to a track, the quickshifter is a blessing, and works wonderfully in every gear. I think since it works on the principle of cutting the ignition, in higher revs there is a finer amount of control, as there are more ignition cycles in any given period of time. No wonder it's a "race inspired" technology, and fittingly, it works best in that context.

What suspension mode and riding mode did you have it set for when you experienced poor suspension? My experience is 180 degrees from yours. On road and deep off road

The quick shifter? Can you use it with power on? Or back off then shift? Looking at the footage he had power on. This could bd the issue. As far as the suspension is concerned my GS is absolutely incredible and no issues at all.

I have a 22 R1250GS. I agree with most of your opinions. I will add these comments though: The quick shifter is useful when putting the power down and at higher revs for upshifting. Then it works as expected. Downshifting there are a lot of safeguards to protect from locking up the rear. Can't have throttle on, maybe a lean angle restriction. I use the clutch when upshifting at relaxed RPMs and I use the clutch when down shifting when turns are in the mix. It is usually too aggressive to use when shifting from 1st to 2nd. I don't have any problem with the brakes. They have more than enough power for me. There are safety overrides that do affect things, but in a straight line and hard on the brakes they will use every bit of tire to stop me pretty quick. I've never tried a tiger though. I agree with your impression of the whizzy wheel, its rubbish. I agree on the suspension too. It's either too hard or too soft. It needs a few middle damping modes. Thanks for the video!