BMW R1250 GSA Review from a sport bike riders perspective 

Stumbled on your channel, awesome review and subbed straight away. Spot on with your comments. I have had several GS’s over the years. Now a 1250GS 2019. It’s awesome, and as they have all been, the more you ride them the better they get. You can do so much with these bikes. In one 400 mile day I have done motorway with cruise on and music playing followed by A and B road twisties ending with about 15miles of gravel tracks. Smiled the entire day. Has been my only transport for most of the year from days out to commuting to doing the weekly food shop. Sure there could be better bikes at certain things but where this bike really scores is it’s just so easy to live with and that’s difficult to get across in a 1 hour test ride. Keep enjoying it I personally love every ride on the GS

Enjoyed your review. I’ve got the 850 GSA and it’s phenomenal. Best bike I’ve ever owned. Glad you’re enjoying your ride

great video quality and audio thank you for your insight im swapping from my hyabusa 2022 which is a fantastic bike but for me and the wife being a ex gsa owners i pulled the trigger yesterday and bought a gsa from john clarke scotland and cant wait to get it next monday.

I was scrolling thru utube and found your channel,I have a 2023 GSA coming in 2 weeks,ive always riden Harlys but could never go down a dirt or gravel road without messing it up,I really enjoyed that video for a number of reasons,your accent is great,the scenery in Scotland is beautiful and most of all your heart felt honesty came thru,thank you,and have a Cracken Christmas also,even tho not sure what it means😜

Great video and I recognised many of your feelings about moving to a GS having come from a Blackbird. I just enjoy it on more roads and the suspension just inspires confidence on slimy twisty roads like you were riding on. No bike is perfect but I think I enjoy this bike more than any other bike I have had. Keep on going mate, look forward to seeing more content.

Exactly the perspective I wanted on this bike. Thanks!

Great review Si keep them coming a good honest review really enjoyed it

You hit the nail on the head when you said there are so many of them out there. They are clearly very good bikes. Other manufacturers have only recently succeeded in producing bikes to rival the GS. It'll be interesting to see how much of a leap forward the new GS will be. Its good to hear a fellow Scot uploading to RU-vid. Looking forward to your next one .

I currently have an F800GS and have been waffling between an S1000RR and an R1250GS. I’m leaning more toward another GS and I think you’ve helped push me over the line. Thanks! BTW, great video quality, I would’ve never guessed you haven’t made many.

very nice style of presentation, you come across really well - informative, honest and balanced.

I too came from sports bikes and have a speed triple. I tried a GSA in 2018 and was addicted straight away and I’ve never gelled with a bike so much. I’ve now got the 1250 and love it. I’ve travelled further than Starbucks too 😉 Great video I shall subscribe

Keep up your videos mate, interesting content with good information. Also love your accent! Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺

Thanks for the vid. I've been on a Japanese litre bike for years but I'm moving to a GS myself, so it was interesting to hear your thoughts. Cheers from Australia

My first thought was that I love the accent. I really enjoyed your insight coming from many years on sport bikes. I’ve owned three GSs, and if you could only have one bike, the GS is it. TKC 80s are remarkably good in the twisties. Subbed!

Hey mate from Australia! Well done on the review, very insightful.

I bought a Triple Black GSA a little over a month ago. I love it! I’m short, so I got the low suspension version. Man, what a great bike! I enjoyed this video and your perspective. Thanks!

A fellow GSA rider, they just get better and better. Well done.

Many thanks, greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work. Cheers, Neil

That was a very good video mate, very natural and and edited very well, quite interesting to hear your perspective on moving from sports to adventure bikes 👍👍

Great review I have a 2019 R1250 GS and absolutely love it. The comfort and the handling on a GS are outstanding and your right about the engine its a peach 😀Subscribed all the best.

Nice descriptive and sincere outlook 💯.

Great Video mate! I ve been an owner of many sportbikes such as gsxr 1000k6,1000k8,1000k9, tiger 1050 sport and 1290 superduke....I sold the tiger after 9 months of use cause it wasn't as fast as i wanted but it was a big step forward in my mind about how much more comfortable are those type of bikes....So i bought the 1290 superduke.It was the golden line between comfort, torque and HP....After two years of ownership i did a "mistake".I went to BMW and did a test ride at the 1250GSA....It was the magic time i decided to sell the ktm and now looking for a 1290 gsa triple black .... ❤️Keep posting videos! Greetings from Greece!

Really help this, cheers mate. I'm down in Cumbria with a 23 year old R1 I've had from new and think it's about time I get something a bit less extreme. I've watched loads of videos and keep coming back to the GS, heated seats would go down a treat.

Awesome review, came over really well and easy to watch.

Totally agree, I went from sports bikes to a GS and never looked back, did have a S1XR in between. Ridden mine on 5 continents 70 odd countries and all have been incredible bikes. Currently got 1250 TE so much better than the 1200s that torque just keeps giving whereas the 1200s ran out of steam. Good vid enjoyed, gonna subscribe.👍

Authentic style mate …… great to hear from start …… keep going . Subscribed .

I've watched all the 1250gs videos on here and this is the one to convince me to make the change. Our biking history, height,weight ect. is all similar! Will be difficult seeing my k6 1000 go but hay-ho. New subscriber.👌

Very good review , you put over all of the answers that I wanted to hear. I have a Fireblade at the mo.

I just ordered one after my s1000rr too. Picking it up next week. Got a mega deal on a new one looking forward to it

Totally agree, mate. I'm from Manchester, gone from GSX-R, to 2 x XR's Gen 1 and 2 and I'm picking up a GS 1250 on Friday at 35 years old. Can't believe it, abused my Dad and brother for years for having GS's and now I'm genuinely excited o collect mine this week hahaha. Sub'd.

Afternoon, Watching your review. I changes from a S1000xr to a GSA just over 2yrs ago. The Anakee tyres are terrible and as you noted the front is exceptionally vague. Road 6 tyres completely transform the handling. Enjoy.

Love the Vid. I have 2017 GSA sand I agree with all you have it’s a great all year around bike I commute to work on mine. Keep up the vids

Watched from start to finish. Great, natural vlogging skills that belie your 100+ subs. Loved it!! Liked and subbed 👍

Great vlog mate, any bike that gets you in the saddle more is a good thing. Your a natural at this!9

Great Video Si, I have a GS Rallye TE (until the 8th of December anyway) they handle and do things you wouldn't think they can do. I have been an adventure bike convert at 30 and just love them the torque in a twin with the comfort and feel and easy of use. They are all bloody brilliant and as you say you go out all year round with them and more usable power 👍 You have your Audio spot on and editing is as good as it needs to be 👍 I have been thinking of doing the odd vlog etc myself got all the gear and no idea 🤦‍♂️🤣 Tiger 1200 is a brilliant bike and I am a big triumph fan but ended up going for the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S for something different. Will be swapping my Triumph Daytona Moto 2 also which will be a sad day 😔 Keep up the good work like and Subscribed 👍

Not a bad effort in the slightest. Good continuity and good story telling. Everything takes practice and soon you will want to do more and better. Good job and keep safe.

Totally agree with your views. I’ve ridden sports bikes all my life and recently found I wasn’t riding my R1 much. At 6ft 2 I was cramped up and in Australia, the heat that came off the R1 engine was incredible. It was too hot to ride in summer. It even melted my boot! Traded it in for a 2022 GSA and I have loved every minute on it. It’s an amazing bike. The stigma of riding a GS must be world wide because no one seems to wave or acknowledged you here in oz either 🤣🤣

The GS and GSA are amazing machines. I too came from full on litre sports bikes and had written the GS off as not something that I would ride. I have now had GS’s since 2008/2009 and am on my third. They truly are a jack of all trades and the 1250 produces as much if not more power than most early 2000 sports bikes, but more importantly as you commented on with 105ft lb of torque, which is really what you want for road riding. The vagueness you describe from the front end is probably the adventure tyres, I personally find the telelever front end allows you to get away with braking to the point of turn that conventional forks would never allow you to do. Obviously try this out on a dry well surfaced and quiet road when it’s a good deal warmer.

I like the unpolished approach/video, excellent work, you will enjoy the GS best bike i have ever owned

Enjoyed that. Thanks for keeping it clean too.

Absolutely great review, you are such a natural 😀

Good review, Ive got a Tiger 900 and the BMW is in my sights as a next bike.

I'm about at the same stage you found yourself, I have a "21" Tuono Factory and will be changing it next year, probably for a GS... Great video BTW.

Cracking vid big yin! I know exactly what ye mean about pre conceptions regarding GS riders. I know a couple of guys who own one, all, the gear no idea kinda guys, but I do know a lad who tours on it and loves it. Just traded in my 1050 tiger sport for a tracer 9GT and can't wait to collect it. Planning on Europe tour next year so think it will be better. Anyway keep the vids coming. Ye come across really well on video. Look forward to more reviews. Especially on the tigers 🤘🤘

I barely ride my Zx-14r after getting my GS. Sold it for a bike to use exclusively to use at the track so I still satisfy the need for lean and speed while being more comfortable and having more options on the road, especially for touring and fire roads.

Very good vlog for your first attempt. Your a natural, plus you have that down to earth bad boy dialect. Keep it real ;)

Good review, I am thinking of going adventure as well. Like you years of sportsbike and naked bikes, looking for easy riding and comfort, enjoyed the review, keep it up, enjoyed watching

Brother, the most accurate description of the bike and what its good for. I chopped in a K1600GT with 160 bhp and 129 lb-ft of torque for the exact bike you have and had the same concern you did over power delivery, 6 cylinders down to 2 etc. To enjoy the big K's performance you were risking points by 3rd gear but on a GS, you enjoy that torque, where and when you need it. In terms of shift cam, this is the only flat twin i've owned (since 1999) that can explot the rev range and 136 bhp is plenty for me. yeah theres a stigma, riders dont wave back, who cares?

Great review and video.👍

Hello Si, your story is pretty much typical of my background with sports bikes, my opinions of GS riders were very much stereotypical but as they say don't knock it until you've tried it, and so I did with a low mileage 1250GSA in Triple Black with factory lowered suspension, somewhat vertically challenged 5 foot 7 inches to be precise but i feel confident on the bike and that for me is a plus, like you have said great handling bike with good low down torque, the low centre of gravity from the Boxer engine tips the bike into corners like nothing I have ever ridden, by this time of year my sports bike would have been laid up for the winter but not the GS, looking forward to do some winter riding and next year hope to get up the west coast of Scotland for a few days, great honest well put together review of the bike, keep them coming.

Enjoyed the review, thinking of trading up from Suzuki V Strom to GS so very informative. I’m also from Glasgow so recognise the roads and the weather 😂

Great video from a familiar perspective, I will be in the market for a GSA soon also, will stick around for future vids. Subbed.

Great review...

Great review Si I’ll keep wee eye out for you am also Glasgow 👍

Enjoyed your video. Your delivery is very natural. Regarding your suspension error code. You definitely should not be getting an error code when adjusting. I would get your dealer to look at it before your warranty expires. BMW suspension units are expensive.

Great Vlog, couldn't agree more, great bikes. I've had loads of bikes including a Hayabusa and a KTM 1290 superduke. I still keep going back to the GSA which is my second one. So practical, comfortable, and plenty quick enough if you want it to be. Made me laugh re the deck chair, and the knuckle skinning lol

after years of sports bikes ..and a few speeding fines ,was looking for something different so ended up trading in my gixxer for triumph 900 gt pro . Its a great bike but would've went for the 1200, but was before the 1200 got released. in the process of changing for a ktm SD GT. The adventure bikes are awesome, definitely get another in the future. nice video.

These foreign reviewers are great. Just wish I could understand them. We ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Enjoyed this review from the sportsbike perspective. I have come from a K1300R and thought I would really miss that high end rush, low end torque is great but it's about the same as my K1300R - however, the GSA is growing on me and it's far, far more comfortable ride fast! Great vid and would love to hear what you think of the triumph as a comparison (heard it's a bit buzzy and quite top heavy).

Good video Si you've got another Sub. Ok my BMW story. Some years ago I was riding Jap 4s in particular a Honda Blackbird & decided to test ride an RT & GS. I could not wait to get either of them back to the showroom as they both felt like tractors. Some years & bikes later I decide to buy a Tiger 1050 and like the riding position. A few of us decide to go over to France and a couple of fella's had Beemers an RT & a couple on GS'es. They were really happy with them and let me know that. When we got back some weeks later I see a reasonably priced GS for sale in my local dealers and without even a test ride I decided to buy it. Now remember I hated them last time I rode one. As I rode off from the dealer I suddenly clicked with it and got it and loved it. Some years on from buying it I then traded it in for a CrossTourer DCT. Big mistake as it was far too heavy, Spotting a year older GS than my previous one in a dealers I traded the CT in for it. Happy again then. But last year I decide I need a newer bike and trade it in for a HD Pan America. Not a good move and my wife was not happy but for no other reason than it wasn't a GS I decide to sell it and get another GS. As I had now lost lots of money I could only afford to get another 1200 but I love it. So its interesting to hear you feel much the same about yours Si. Given being aged 71 I have told my wife when I brought the last few bikes that it would be my last one I now think it will be. But if I can get a later one at the right price surely she wouldn't mind that. Would she ! Stay safe Ted

Thankyou for you Video , i liked it, ive had 33 bikes both on road and off , have a Ktm 990 and a 2019 1250 gs atm , gotta love the forward movement and torque from the 1250 you can ride very quick one this bike without pushing to hard into corners , telelever front end takes some getting used to though, all the rider aides are nice too . Cheers rom Aus.

Bang on my man 🏍👍 just came across this video after trading my Triumph Scrambler 900 and my Kawasaki Ninja 1000sx in for the 24' R1250GSA. I'm hoping that's the right decision, if I'm being perfectly honest 🤞😆 Anyway, a great, honest review and nice to hear you compare sports to ADV through real life experience not on a hours test ride. 😎🏍👍

I thought about getting a sport bike… but this GSA is just so comfortable. It is like riding a couch that can go fast, and off road.

I HIGHLY recommend a Brentuning Stage 2 kit and a Fuel exhaust with the baffle out. It completely change the character and it pulls hard to redline and has a nice snap, crackle,band pop out of the exhaust. All my bikes have been 200hp sport bikes and this was a little too slow on-road and the stage 2 filled the gap, whilst also smoothing out some of the rough edges and making it smoother off-road.

Really good and enjoyable video 👍

Great review of your GS, Im now in looking to get one as I commute a few time week from the Peak District to Liverpool, Very interesting how you compared it to the Triumph Tiger as its also on my list, be good if you can get out and review on as your now working in a Triumph dealership. Ian

A fair and enjoyable review. It was a close decision for me between the new Tiger 1200 GT Pro and the GS, both bikes have plenty of performance for the road. I love the 'barrrp' sound of the Triumph, addictive and the quickshifter is sublime. But, IMHO the BMW's controls/TFT are better, the Tiger colour range is not to my taste (I have the '23 GS Trophy scheme), the adaptive LED headlight superb. The BMW Vario panniers are fairly narrow for filtering compared to the frame and boxes on the Triumph and the low speed balance of the GS is excellent. Re adjusting the GS/GSA suspension preload, you need to be stationary, in neutral, engine running and I think, the side stand retracted.

Great vid. Really enjoyed it. Subscribed 👍 PS you can alter the height of the bike by using the electronic suspension if you want to lower it. Shouldn’t get any error codes when adjusting suspension on the go either.

Always been riding sport bikes as well. Been riding different 1000cc since 2007. Bought a bmw ninet as a second bike last year. Took a ride one day anf stopped outside the bmw dealership and thought to myself. Why not try one of those adventure bikes, just for fun. Had nothing better to do. Within the first 5 min I was in love! Ended up trading my ninet to a -21 1250gs. Even sold my gsxr1000 a few weeks ago. The 1250 is the nicest bike I ever ridden. Its actually fast, its comfy as hell, soooo smooth, you can ride almost wherever you want. Pack it up and go on a motorcycle vacation. Feels like I found my "soulbike"

Same here in that I had a pre conceived notion that the GS would ride like a tank, but I was loaned one when I need my r9t serviced and immediately I was surprised how well the bike rode...wide power band, cuts through the wind like a hot knife through butter, way more comfortable. When I returned it I bought a new one and traded the r9t. Have has it on a few multi day trips, a whole new world!. 2 months ago I bought an S1000R but kept the GS so have both. S1000 is just when I want a change of pace to be a hooligan, but if I could only have one it would be GS for sure. Regarding telelever front end, on a long trip where there are curves and up/down grades (I am in California), you won't get tired out as much esp when going on long downhill sections of twisty roads. All there things combined make for a bike where you can make better distances without feeling wiped out at the end of the day. Cheers!

great video mate just subbed for you, ill be keeping my eye out for more videos

Good review,I had the gsa1200 then switched to an s1000xr which I like but it’s not a gs. So looking to get the 1250 nect year.. stay safe 👍

Congrats on the new bike, waiting for my 1250GS, delivery January. No need to set preload on high when taking a pillion. In auto it will compensate for extra weight for you. Bike manufacturers don't like you changing preload while moving as you are altering the bikes steering geometry. The Tiger 1200 will auto-set preload for you but in the same manner it only checks/adjusts it when stationary and the engine is running.

Good video mate. 👏🏼

This is exactly me, Its like I made this video myself lol. I also got my GS1250 2 years ago and love it, and like you I see it as a long termer.

I’ve owned a Honda, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, Royal Enfield, several large bore Triumphs, finally bought a 1250GS triple black instead of a 1200 Tiger. I will never get rid of the GS. Absolutely perfect. I’m an older rider at 57 years old. Wish I bought a BMW earlier in life. Can’t stop riding it !

Would love to see a review of the tiger rally explorer, Great review Simon

Great 1st video Si . As a 2012 twin cam gs owner i am looking forward to the Tiger 1200 review to compare to the 1250 shift cam .

Just (bought and) rode my first GS today. I came from Ducati's and find that I'm really struggling with the vagueness of the front suspension. I'll get used to it in time I have no doubt but it feels very weird after decades on traditional forks. As a prior sports/naked enthusiast it's quite a change. I live in the Mexican wilderness now however so need the off road abilities and BMW is the only real motorcycle dealer within hundreds of miles so Team GS it is! Hopefully I learn to love it like so many others seem to.

Spot on that Video mate, I have exactly the same bike and had an XR before that. Also went from Anakee to Road 5 Trails and about to but a set of Road 6's next week for a run around Scotland the week after 👍👍

Good video, enjoyed that, well done. I swapped my old gen 3 Tiger 1200 XRT a year ago for the GS and its a better bike for sure, particularly where the weight is. Be good if you get access to the new Tiger as it looks an interesting proposition and its clearly aimed at us 50 something GS riders😂

Perfectly summed up.

They are so easy to put miles on, I took the plunge last june and managed to put 16K miles on it in just over a year. i tried the Tiger GT and Rally explorer and liked them however for a few reasons i still prefer the GS. Good choice on the Pilot road 6's. I am on my second set on the GS and even put them on my Thruxton RS.

Class vid Si💪 remember speaking with you a while back and you told us that story about getting your gs 🤣

Subscriber number 100 ! You’re a natural - mair videos please from an Englishman

Love my '22 GSA. The 1250 drivetrain is so smooth and powerful, I can see giving up the Road Glide for a 1250 RT. Hope you post some tours around Scotland. Merry xmas from the US...

I switched from Honda VFR 1200 dct to a 2007 GSA 1200. Absolutely love it. Have you noticed at bike meets and events such as Motorcycle show at NEC the average age of a biker seem to be mid 50s. Youngsters dont seem to have an appetite for m/cing. It's a little worrying but I guess there'll always be people who find the passion later in life. It means ADV bikes have a solid future.

Interesting review! I actually went to buy a GS and came home with a XR as i fell in love with it, the fun and power of a sports bike, yet great for touring as having the upright position! This being said I cant get the GS out my head. Only had my XR for nearly a year, but seriously thinking maybe after owning another year trading in for a GS?!

I test rode the Tiger 1200 GT pro and decided I was going to get one, loved it. Then I had a test ride on the GS adventure….and I pick up my new triple black GSA tomorrow. You can’t go wrong with either but the GS just suited me better. I would have lost my license on the Triumph in no time 😂

Intresting prospective v Tiger , i moved from 1260s Multistrada to the GS its a great bike easy to ride and very forgiving but the Ducati is better more Intresting to ride put there is a price to pay for it ! But the GS it is for now probably happier when i have road pilot 6's on glad to hear you rate them

Great review. I'm looking at the GSA vs the Kawi 1000sx. Not considered the Tiger.

You got my subscribe 👍 I just added a GSA Trophy 🏆 edition to my bike collection. She is definitely another type of machine which I am still getting use too. I own Harley’s and wanted to get myself an adventure bike and when I was ready I was about to buy the New Pan-America HD. But since it’s there new adventure bike, I thought of tryin another brand this time round to get out of my comfort zone. So far I have been riding the GSA but still trying to get comfortable on her, the stock seat is uncomfortable but I am guessing that still needs to break in? So will wait before I have a look at maybe changing it. The only other thing I noticed which I don’t know if it’s a GS thing, but there seems to be like a buzz feedback felt from the bike when I let off the throttle, sometimes which i assume is the feedback from either the engine or drive shaft, I have never owned a drive shaft bike before. But so far I’m still learning things about her each ride, but the main reason I wanted an adventure bike is so I can go off exploring other routes and really enjoy the trails.

Sorry to sound ignorant but your Scottish accent is difficult to understand but it's much better than a proper Scouser so that's something good video it should get better the more vlogs you do If you had a few mates and go on a adventure then edit it in to part 1,2,3 etc people get gripped and want to see the next part keep doin what you do👍

Been wavering over and over on what my next bike is going to be...your review has my mind made up; I'm going with a new GSA!

No doubt adventure bikes are great I bought a Triumph Explorer 1200 but keep my zzr1400 for crazy summer days lol. I’m never off my Triumph tbf.

There's just something about the road presence of the adventure .

Bang on, I'm on my 4th now ( same as yours ) just been delivered on Sat. Had a 17, 13 and 12 plate, 3 adventures and one normal. I'm addicted. Had R1's, RSV, SP2, Blade.. track bike the lot. Once a GS gets you.. you've had it 🤣. I've always toured in Europe, even on sportsbikes, once I got onto GS's the trips opened up and just got better and better, I'm 42 now and got my first one at 32! They're the Alpha & Omega of bikes.. they're deceitfully quick in the right hands, don't underestimate them 🤣 you'll piss your mates off eventually ... and show them a clean set of heels on many a road, forget the stigma, get abroad and enjoy GS ownership, check out my vids from abroad 😀 🙌👌

Great video, and I nearly bought one (a GSA) but got an RT instead. I loved the GSA, especially on the shit that passes for roads nowadays. However, I bought the RT for two reasons: weather protection and radar cruise. Why? Because I “conned” the missus into the cheaper to do thrice weekly 200 mile round trip commute to London on, than my car. Of course, certain details do get left out, like, for example, tyres and servicing. So for me, all weather, long trips down the M1 or A1, depending on time of day have been amazing on the RT. The only thing is filtering in London traffic, I believe is tougher on the RT because the great leverage on the bars of a GSA. Now, just to add something to your review about the engine. I came from no-bike, having sold my K1200S in 2013, after 80k miles from new, to waiting 9 years for my RT. I’ve spent most of the 2k miles I’ve put on since 09/11/2022 (this includes 2 weeks when I didn’t need to go down to London) in Eco mode. However, one night, on the way home, I knew I’d need fuel. So I banged the RT into Dynamic. “F^ck me, what an enormous pile of torque!” I went from a legal speed to a stupid speed in the space of a few seconds, all in 6th! My RT has the Akropovic on. It’s like hitting the Emotion button in an AMG 63S, the sound is phenomenal. I thought I’d miss the GSA 9.5in rear travel on our wonderful UK roads, but the near 5in rear travel on the RT is great. The one area where the GSA is far superior to the RT is fuel. If I’d went with the GSA, I’d be able to do two round trips to London. As it is, I fill up every 3 journeys and it is a pain. I got 73mpg the other day sticking to the speed limit and reading the road ahead, which shocked me! I’d never buy anything other than a BMW, I’m afraid. I’ve tried (and owned) other bikes. The others lack the feel of quality that BMs have. Yes, there are issues, like the non-back-lit switches, and that really is a pain riding in the dark when you’re new to the bike, the other one being the temperamental maps connection. However, the only bike I’dve bought instead of the RT would have been the GSA. It was the bike that got a shit scared wife (no 2) onto the pillion and really loving it during a test ride. She’s not been on the RT but that’ll change when we get our summery 9 degC next week. Thanks for the great video, btw, wife no1 was from EK and I spent a lot of time in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stirling, as well as being brought up in Little Scotland (if you know where that is) so speak the lingo…ga an yersel’!!

"When I was a young man, as all good tales begin..." I really loved motorcycles BUT this is the important thing: I literally didn't even bother to recognise the existence of 'upright' ADV bikes. I was totally and blindly obssessed with all the usual litre-plus racer style bikes and so were all my mates. We viewed ADV bikes as being strictly for 'old men'. However, as I got older and 'creakier', I slowly gravitated to ADV bikes and all their tremendous versatility and practicality. Sadly I can't ride any more but It would be really interesting to hear from bikers in their 20s and early 30s what their thoughts are towards ADV bikes. Is there still a stark and even unbridgeable divide between the two forms of biking or is that rigid attitude a thing of the past?

Thank you for your perspective. I have been looking at the GS for the next bike. I currently have a FJR1300 and a 5th gen VFR. How is the GS with a Pillion? I don't have much room to move around on the FJR. I feel like I am locked in and can't really adjust much and it's very top heavy.