So an impromptu 'review' of the updated 2018 GS Adventure with TFT and SOS. I missed this bike SO much and now... "I feel like me again" (find this book in the self help section at Waterstones.)
Great to hear your shared enthusiasm for the GS. After watching your exploits on the 2014 model I decided to buy one based almost entirely on your recommendations. Now 18 months on I couldn't be happier with the purchase. Rode to Reigate from Guildford on Monday in minus 3 with heavy snow, far from being scary it was actually great fun and I had a smile on my face throughout. Thanks for sharing your excitement with your new bike, keep up the excellent content and a Merry Christmas to you.
Everything you've said about this bike is basically why I'm in love with my k1600. BMW just know what the rider needs to make the ride a joy every time
The SOS button has two modes depending on how you press it. A long despairing press, will have a bespoke beard delivered by drone. A short press will begin playing a Nick Saunders video as he circumnavigates the globe on an R1..
She's a beauty!!! I love it!!! Congrats mate!!! I wanted to thank you for all you do for us followers with providing us with such fantastic videos! I can't get enough of them! I really appreciate all you've done for me! You've got me out riding much more than ever, regardless of the weather, and you've improved my outlook on being out on the road, even when dealing with a lot of fucksticks! If you ever come out to The Circuit of The Americas, I'd love to meet you in person! Cheers mate! Enjoy your new toy!
Having many friends from England, you Baron, sir, are the most proper and most eloquent of what the british have to offer. Your review made me more confident in my decision to buy me one. Cheers.
Completely agree with you on the mighty GSA, without a doubt the best bike I have ever ridden (and I've ridden quite a few now), there are no downsides other than that salty price - sadly way out of my league so I'll be sticking with my 2014 GS TE for ever more (which cost me £18K by the time I finished so I'm feeling a bit hard done by having heard you got your GSA for £16!!). What I would say is that it's very cheeky of BMW to make that gorgeous TFT screen an optional extra, no one will buy the analoque version and I agree with you again that having a gloss screen on the Nav 6 makes no sense at all, especially given the TFT is matt! Good luck getting the phone integration to work by the way, buggered if i could when i borrowed one....All the best and enjoy! - TMF
Don't worry TMF...I went to BMW and the top salesman who's wife works with my wife!...said "Simon you don't have BMW money"...which all my life I wanted a GSA before I give up biking!.....I was not hurt, he was saying it as it is!.....I am just poor lol
Well TMF...I should have said thanks to watching your vid on the DCT Africa Twin and how much you thought the DCT was witchcraft!..lol, when Honda had a great offer on in September I went and got a DCT and although I still would like to get a GSA before hang up my biker wings lol...that DCT gearbox for commuting to work all year round can't be beaten!...and the bikes not bad to!....both of you keep up the great vids you make as you bring a smile to us cold winter bikers!
I love that bike Baron, I've unfortunately had to stop riding for now due to a back injury but, seeing you on that bike keeps me going and hoping I can return to biking in the future
You can do it. If I can, anyone can. Sorry to hear about your Back. I just commented on here about what I went through with my Back. Good luck with whatever is ahead of you with your Back Injury. I hope you are able to get well soon.👍
I was thinking of chopping my GS in for something sportier like an MT10, but you’ve convinced me to keep it. Thanks for reminding me just how good an all-rounder it is, Baron.
Currently at uni and owned a couple of sports bikes before choosing a GS (I don't have a driving licence!) So the GS was the tool for the job, and between owning it for 2 years, countless trips home... it's honestly been a pleasure. I completely agree with you Baron, It's a tool, and yes it will last a long time! Mines an 03 1150gs and with the panniers on it does pretty much everything, i've put 35 thousand miles on it in a little over 2 years! I'm looking forward to qualifying and looking at a new GSA myself. Thanks for the positive outlook on this bike, I'm really happy you've found a passion for riding through it again. Stay safe mate! :)
It’s great to see you at home again on the GS Adventure. I love my sport bikes too, but there is something reassuring and just plain fun about the GS. You feel safe on it, in any weather, and it just has a substantial feel about it- from that very tractable, great sounding flat twin to the overall quality of the design and construction. I just picked up a new Triple Black (the 2017 version). By the way, the Navigator VI screen works fine in direct sunlight, and Optimate makes a simple adaptor for the electrical socket. Enjoy the new bike!!
They’re such a good bike. Got my first one back in May, have wanted one for a long long time. 9 year old GSA, just ticked over 16,000 miles. It’s mint and brought it back home to the Isle of Man where it was originally registered. Mega mega machine. Euro road trip is getting planned.
Totally get your sentiments about the GSA. I’ve always had Blades, S1000’s etc. But few years back bought a R1200GS TE and did the whole Europe thing. Bloody amazing bike. I’m back on a Blade, and while I like it, I don’t love it. Every ride is stressful for various reasons and stupid speeds are too easily achievable without realising. Maybe it’s time for a GSA..
This should be sponsored to bahnstormer-alton. Man gets preferential treatment from BMW to promote the GS. As a Pikes Peak rider I completely agree with you about this type of bike and technology. Love the video.
Great video as always good to hear someone with a definite view, especially as I picked up my 2018 GSA on Tuesday & with the few miles I've done on it, completely agree with you. Also nice roads as I know, as that's my part of the world.
Agreed %100. My GS Adventure is my favorite bike. I ride it as much as I can in the winter, I've rode it in temps down to 16 degrees F (with heated gear). Thanks for the video!
"... I don't really give a shit if you're too small to ride it, because I think you have a plethora of other motorcycle options." YES!!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! For highlighting that!!! I ride a GS Adventure (2005 R1150GSA) and it is the first bike in my entire life that I feel perfectly suited for -- at 6'5"/285. So, I get a little ticked off when I see people whining and complaining that it is too big!! They have, as you quite rightly said, a PLETHORA of other motorcycle options!! Right on, brother!
Chris I am made up for you mate! When you find a bike you love because you can go to shops, tour do it all basically then it’s a keeper and in comfort too 👍 chuffed to bits for you 🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍😎😎😎😎😎👏👏👏🍻🍻
When i started riding 5 years ago, i was like " i'll get something like a GS when im old, im too young for that, there no fun " Now the last few months im thinking about getting something else and different from my VFR800, and so far the one that stands out to me, is something like a GS. A Honda VFR1200 X Crosstourer, took one out for a testride and found that its still a lot of fun around corners, but also great for touring or commuting. Maybe because seeing the GS like bikes on your channel or 44 teeth, it kinda changed the feeling about having something like that. But i was very happily surprised that i was kinda wrong all these years about how much fun something like that could be.
I am small with a 30 inch inside leg and I can handle it lads. Its just like handling a big women just make sure the fucker doesn't fall on you. Like Baron said you can absolutely fly on it.
I'm fortunate to have that very bike ... I love the bloody thing, had loads of race reps over the years, track bike etc .... GS just gets under your skin ... haters will always hate ( probably when they've never even ridden one !! ) enjoy ..... again 👍👌
Great video Baron. I rode a 2015 when I was looking for my new bike. Wasn't interested in an adventure bike at the time but the dealer made me test it along with the S1000RR and XR. The GS was my favorite. I'll probably have one some day. My wife talked me out of it and into my Tuono which I love but I can't just get on it an ride whenever like GS would enabled me to do so I get what you mean about no stress and handling all weather. The improvements you mention seem like worthy upgrades. Not a huge TFT fan but that one looks very well laid out. Looking forward to more videos with you on this bike.
M8 your review cracked me up. Just tell it like it is. I am in the market for a durable tourer and you have sold me on this baby. Cheers and keep the excellent, funny reviews coming!
I rented the same bike for a few days this summer. I rode through the alps on it. I had a passager and rode for 8 hours and feel great went I got off the ride. I AGREE it is a great bike!!!! I am looking at buying one right now.
As a sportsbike man it never occurred to me that taller riders might have reservations about riding them because of the possible discomfort on these bikes, especially as I suffered discomfort too. I lived with it, although the pain caused by a relatively short ride on a Suzuki GSXR 750 made me sell it as soon as possible. When I found out that BMW would lower the suspension on the R1200 GS I tried one and I have never looked back. I am now on my second which is a Triple Black Adventure, magnificent. I am 5" 7" tall.
Great video BvG and great to see you back on a GSA. I have a 2017 model and absolutely love it; taking it to Italy in June and Spain in August. Your comment regarding the glare on the Nav VI is interesting, I thought they had made the screen more anti-glare! Enjoy the bike😃👍
I do have experience with the 2016 1200 Adventure model and IMO: yes, it's one amazing bike indeed. Yes, it is incredibly easy to ride. Yes, they can be moved in hooligan-mode easily as well. But on the GS I always felt like I needed a tad more blind trust and confidence in the bike's suspension. Because that Telelever suspension in the front won't let me sense ANYTHING. I mean you never get a lot of feedback on those stilt-legged adventure bikes anyway of course. But still the Multistrada or the Tiger always gave me a tiny bit more feedback. On the GS I always had to tell myself:"Come on, you know this works, you just have to put faith in it." But to be honest this "self-convincing" never took more than 15 minutes. So I myself am actually glad I don't have to decide for any of these big adventure tourers because I'd have no idea which one to choose.
you say suspension is strange for you... Try speeding in roundabout then stop while leaned with telelever bike and ordinary bike. If you survive test with ordinary suspension, I am sure you won't look at it anymore. BMW's suspension gives additional safety and "breathing room" in any critical situation, compensates unprecise handling up to level and so on. I rode many bikes and this so called lack of feeling of front wheel doesn't bug me at all. Actually I now feel unsafe on any other suspension type. Whatever your choice - enjoy!
Funny you mention the front suspension on the GS, I ride with a group that has a lot of GS riders and every time we go out, one GS falls. I suspect its something to do with the front suspension. Its never at high speed, always slow speed cornering and sometimes when the road is wet. Could be the riders experience level but I have ridden a GS and I know what you mean.
100% agree! Ever since I had a go on the Suzuki V-Strom (yes it's not quite a GS) I've been in love with it perfect all round bike for me wether the weather is typically British or not
I rode one from San Francisco to Nova Scotia and back. Absolutely amazing machine that is equally at home on the motorway or a random dirt road in the Rockies.
Neat roads. I have a '12 model GSA. My first BMW bought used and really the only bike that I would just replace with another one I like it that much. I used to own Harley's and after riding the GSA for a couple years now I test rode a '17 Street Glide. It is what it is but get me back on my GSA! Now this new refined BMW has me really motivated for a new one.
Yay the baron is back you say!! Must be tough getting bikes free of charge and roaming around wherever you want, not having to work. Such a hard life you lead!! Can you spot the jealousy in my write up !!:)
genuinely uplifting video, wholly understand about regaining a part of your psyche/identity with your bike (sounds mental as it's a material thing). Never stop following it. If ever you boiz head up to Scotland in future I'll try get some of the network/dealers involved.
What this really says is overall comfort (elements protection, ride quality, ergonomics, use-ability ) really is a massive factor. It makes bikes a lot more fucking enjoyable. They don’t look as good, and you can lose that speed thrill that a sports bike gives you, but comfort is a huge contributor to just enjoying motorbikes. All those sexy bikes you’ve been riding and the one you miss is the old GS. They should change their advertising :”The BMW GS........not just for old cunts....for all cunts”. I ride an XR “for old cunts who think they are young”
Whenever I take a look at my GSA, it's like she whispers to my ear "Come on. Take me anywhere you like! The Sahara Desert, the Alps, the Autobahn or to that little twisty road from last weekend. I take care of you, lets ride!" Never loved a motorcycle that much, it's waaaay more capable than I am, so I never have to worry about a thing when I'm riding it.
Great review! And you’re right: you won’t understand until you ride one! After Ducati’s and all kinds of other bikes I finally landed where I belong: on a 2018 1200GS Rallye!!
Between this video and the 44 Teeth review of the Tiger that's 40mins of Baron goodness in one day... I'd pay to have that level of content each week. Really appreciate your efforts Chris and glad to see you enjoying motorcycling in the purest way of just being out and on a machine that makes you feel free (physically and mentally). Love everything you do!
Nice to see this video, tried but can't get into 44teeth sports and brand new bikes I can't afford, whereas these video's/your waffle and adventures I really enjoy. Keep em coming please. Regards Buck
I bought my first GS 3 weeks ago and it’s everything you said in your review. What really surprised me was how well it handles, absolutely amazing. I’m only 5’7” and with a low seat option it’s just fine.
I couldn’t agree more regarding the GS. It’s on my list for purchase. Great to see BvG back doing some videos. Looking forward to more 44T videos too. Keep up the good work and thanks, as always, for all your efforts 👍
Good video. I’ve no previous views of your videos, but my observation of your voice puts me in mind of the byproduct of a one night stand between David Walliams and Alan Partridge. AHA! Got to get a GS one day, had a R1150 RS, just beautiful machines, the boxer engine is addictive
Thank God....The Baron is BACK !!! And on a GSA no less. Baron, I can hear the "Alps calling" lol. Love this Bike, it's the speck I'm getting but in White/Blue Rallye colors.
Congratulations on the new workhorse. I'm not a fan but I can certainly respect how damn good bimmer's products are. The SOS button is cool. We have a similar button on my parents sail boat for about 15 years now and it super exiting to see this sort of stuff on bikes. I always worry about coming off in the middle of West Virginia and wondering how to get help. Now go enjoy your fugly double bloody opposable soft knob end sticky-outy motor.
You told me when we chatted about work over coffee at Newlands you would get another one, well done buddy. The two GS 1200s that were there on the day I seem to remember were Triple Blacks. Unlikely you remember mate but I was about to take lessons and pass my test. Well I did and I have been enjoying my Speed Triple R, though the GS will be on the cards before long I'm sure. Thanks for your advice on the day fella!
Nice to see you found your way back Baron. This vid makes me wanna put on my gear and go out and ride, but it's impossible this time of year. :( It's cold with snow, sleet and rain. Even with winter tyres on the car it's sometimes a slippery, but also fun experience here in Sweden.
Man that’s an awesome bike . I was amazed you sold your 14... but amazed to see you grab a 18 ... congrats n keep on fiiiiiillming .. (baron von voice)
...and leave it for the tall ladies as well :) I agree: shorter riders have a lot more options. It's pretty much the only bike I can ride comfortably on (I'm just shy of 6'2" with a 36" inseam). I commute daily on my 1200GS (a 2017 non-Adventure one): heavy rain, heavy winds, snow, ... I don't care it's so much fun regardless of the weather conditions (I don't do ice though, that's where I draw the line) :) It filters just fine and you can basically do whatever you want with it...
Hi, That’s a Beautiful BMW. You said you missed Riding it. Up until a few Months ago I was missing Riding Period, even with a Bike in the Garage. I had a Harley Dyna Wide Glide and couldn’t Ride it. I have 4 Fusions in my Neck, and 2 in my lower Back. The Harley Ergonomics made my Back Hurt bad. The Heat was really bad. I traded it for a R1200GS and now I can finally Ride again. It is the only Bike I can Ride and be comfortable. I Love the GS. I never knew they were sooo Nice. It feels really good to be Riding again. I grew up Riding Enduro and Motorcross, then switched to riding a Z1 900 in the early 80s. From there to Harleys . Anyway I’m so happy to be able to Ride again. I was really down because of 3 Years of Surgery’s. It seemed like I was having one every 4Months for the 3 Years and then Recovery took forever. I had everything from Failed Fusions, to Hardware coming loose. Once they finally got it right and I finally recovered, I still couldn’t do much at all. I had the Harley and couldn’t ride it. Anyway, the Gs is just unbelievable to me. I’m riding again finally. It’s the only thing I can really do without hurting. That says a lot about the GS. I love the Videos and enjoy Riding along with you. 👍😁❤️ by the way mine is a 2006, with 38,000 Miles on her. Perfect condition. It may not have all the Electronics, but She’s comfortable and goes anywhere I want to go.I’m a Disabled Veteran, so you can guess I don’t have much money to buy newer….
Did the same with the RT, had one of the first of the LCs then just got the latest one. Thoughts much the same as you, gearbox and suspension are streets ahead of the last model. Don't worry about the Nav 6 it's great in the sun👍🏻
Baron, as a short rider sports bikes and well most bikes are difficult for us to ride. I am 5ft5inches and every bike i have ever owned (except my 125) has had to be lowered for me to be able to reach the floor. Please don't believe the myth that there are more bikes for short riders. Even if the seat height is low the seats are often too wide to hold the bike up comfortably. I was lucky enough to be blessed with strong toes so provided i dont carry a pillion i can manage most bikes but it is by no means comfortable.
I'm the same height and inseam but I haven't had to lower any of my sport bikes and my tallest is a Daytona 675r at 32.6". Are you trying to get both feet flat? He's saying that generally we are more comfortable on sport bikes because we aren't folded up like tall riders. The GS can be with the low suspension plus low seat at 31.6" which would be lower than anything else I've ridden.
Alleycat I cannot touch the floor at all on a Daytona unless I am partially off the seat on one side, which is fine unless you regularly ride with a passenger which I do. Getting the passenger on and off is very sketchy
yogiebr131 I see, I don’t ever ride two up. I could only tip toe on one foot but took out some preload and that helped. The previous owner was tall and heavy. Now I can tip toe both feet. I also wear boots that give me an inch or so. Ride safe
Yeah the gsa is a great bike. BMW are thinking up more and more clever ways to wriggle more money out of you, but you have to try and put that behind you and put as many trick goodies on as you can, because you know they will all work bloody well. Have fun dude👍🏻🏍
I remember the video when you said you had sold the GS and rationalized for 20 minutes why it was the right thing to do even though you loved it. I knew right then it wasn't going to last.
The GS 1200 😍 , I hear people say how it's an old man's bike but it's my dream bike and I'm only 20. One day I will upgrade form my tiny cg125 and own a gs1200 adventure.
CookieGuy97 people say Harleys are old man bikes too. Who cares. A Harley is a cruiser and touring bike like this one. You can hold items in both bikes if your Harley has bags you can carry alot or items you can put bags on the Adventure too.
Based on this video I've decided. I'm putting the 7kg spring and underdamped shock back in my SV650 and taking out the 10kg super adjustable shock. I have to admit, I did enjoy it more when it was more like this GS than a sportbike.
