I have been lucky and test ridden and owned a few bikes this year.Never thought i would be a GS owner,however after a recent test ride i couldnt resist. No regrets,its an amazing machine!
Very fair review I thought Rich - I agree about the no-dive forks, that's one of the things that sold the bike to me (and something that is replicated on my Honda GoldWing of course), yes the QS is rubbish compared to every other bike I've ridden with one but other than that (as you know) I'm a GS fan - it's low centre of gravity making it very easy to live with for a wimpy fella like me - I love the AT too but for me it's too tall and top heavy compared to the best bike of them all...the mighty GS!!
TMF, yes all proper points indeed. No matter what we think on this day, the GS is the 40+:year standard, all others are compared to. That’s why I want one so bad I can almost taste it. Cheers Guys……👍🏼 😎 🇺🇸 🌎
My gs was purchased for 2 up touring iv always been a fan of adventure style bikes and the gs does it all well..and as the average person can only afford 1 bike the gs makes up for that.
If you shift properly the quick shifter isn’t too bad. You need to be accelerating when shifting up and can’t accelerate when shifting down. There are no doubt better ones there but the 1250’s QS isn’t as bad anymore Andy.
The GS was a 'grower' for me. It comes into it's own on a long tour to Europe. I've always test ridden others when I've fancied a change but ended up with another GS in the garage. A fantastic all round bike.
@@Andy182w its been a while i know mate, watch this space and you never know….got some great ideas its just having time. Thanks for the nudge mate, hope alls well.
Ive had my GS for two years now, transferred from an AT. I agree with all your points, but the one I will 100% back, is the lack of excitement and for me sometimes ruins my ownership experience. The reason being, I’m constantly looking to replace it but then realise how good it is, then a few weeks later start the process again. The GS undoubtedly, is the most complete bike, not the best, complete. Some bikes do others things a lot better, my best example is the Boxer vs KTM LC8 engines. Great review though Rich, you definitely need to do a long trip on one.
I sold my 2016 1200 GS Triple Black exactly because of a total lack of excitement. I just hated riding it, I think mainly because of the awful engine and exhaust sound, even with Akrapovic. I currently ride the latest air-cooled 1200 GS and I like it so much better. It sounds much better and in my opinion also looks a lot better (30 Year Anniversary version).
@@fasteddy3661 I am a previous owner of a 2016GS and am thinking of going for an air-cooled model too. Yes, the later bikes have a lot of improvements and the 1250 even more but the air-cooled engine just has more character
running a 2011 GSA w/ upgraded suspension. Next will probably be a 1290 SA from KTM. I never buy new so I ll have to see how milages add up to the reliability over the years.
I very rarely watch bike reviews as they are personal opinions that can be based on true feeling but can also be on other factors. With you Rich I learnt a long time ago as a follower from very early days you tell it like it is and thats how it should be. I will never forget the day Teapot had this Grand Canyon sized hole open in his soul as his better half informed him she did not like the pillion on his GS and preferred others they had tried. The thing is when you speak your mind and the noise is not the right one you are an alien. I have much distain for BMW from a bad transaction an accusation and actually being a former employee. Just watched a different lad on a GS whose brakes failed who recently posted a vid. His whole experience shows you how much the company valued his loyalty when they offered him a like for like part at full cost with a known failure history no recall for a fix. Thankfully he is alive and I quickly moved to a different employer after my experience. Keep telling it like it is Rich your a top bloke fella.
You have aptly and eloquently described my 97 R1100rs all be it it’s been much modified and improved,kudos and much respect for your assessment in what looks like horrendous conditions⛄️❄️☃️
Quick shifter is fine on them, but you need to be under load both up and down the box. If I was just ambling around on mine I wouldn't use the quick shifter.
The best bike reviewer out there. What you get with Richy is an honest, no flannel review, with a good balance of likes and dislikes and technically always sound, which is what you expect from such an experienced, knowledgeable and skilful rider. Thanks for all your efforts in producing this very good video. 👌👏🏍
For me low centre of gravity is everything in those conditions. I love the AT, but its weakness is its top heaviness - kudos riding up there in those conditions. Great vid 👍
If you set the hill hold to automatic in the settings the hill hold will apply itself if you stop on an incline without a hard pull on the brake. It can be very useful. I'm a GS/A fan boy now on a 1250 GSA Triple Black (with heated seat) I thought your comments were fair and I totally agree the world would be very beige if we all liked the same thing. Get it into Dynamic pro when the roads dry out and turn off wheelie control 😉
@@RichyVida hmm if you have DP you should also have EP...... and is a massive change to the bikes offroad riding charateristics compared to road :-) it jacks up the preload to the max height and softens up the suspension so you have the full available lenght of travel and softens the gass response and it lets you turn off the ABS on the rear if you want to play...... but then again in the Pro modes you can go into the modes and set every setting to whatever you want.... want the agressive throttle response of the Dynamic Pro while offroading.... shure have at it :-P
Had to watch this Sir Richard of Ridinghood as a chap wot bought my own Africa Twin after your ride up to Scotland January last year. Not ONLY because of that - in fact the reverse - you just CONFIRMED that I was buying the right bike. Superb review mate, and a big "Phew" moment at the end. Not because I would ever change my Big Lad for a GS, but just worries that we might lose you to the Dark Side. I only need to look back at my youth (60 two weeks ago - so the 70's really) and remember how pig ugly the "R's" were, to remind myself that BMW (and I drive one with 4 wheels) aren't bike manufacturers. Two thumps outwards (one on each side) CAN never be the RIGHT configuration on a bike engine, and as you observed (vibration), and also because the crank runs front to back on a side banger, the two cylinders have to be offset as they cannot run on the same crank pin - obv's., and hence the OCD moment. Rid past your road end (soz - I don't "Rode" mate - tha's knorrs why) the day before yesterday on a 400 mile round trip to Scunny. As for stability as you mentioned as a positive for the GS, seriously, in cruise at 77m's per H on the motorway on my BIg Lad, I also continuously felt that I wanted to take my hands off the bars and knit some Christmas jumpers........ Ride safe Brother 😉
My 1250gs felt soulless, and never stirred my soul, unlike the quirkiness and characterful 1200 air cooled R9t urban gs that I’ve had for over 2 years now(a record for me). Yes it has its faults, but makes me grin every time I ride it
Hi richy,I find quickshifter on my 1250 gsa works best with 4K revs and upwards,engine needs to be under load to work best,had mine nearly 3 years and love it
Brilliant review Rich, very honest indeed, I live not far from you and know the roads you rode on. Big 👍🏻 up for getting out there and getting stuck in. Ride safe pal and look forward to the next content. 👊🏻
Good test ride/review. The BMW is the “flag ship” of all “Swiss Army Knives”. She really can do everything very well, yet nothing perfect. My dream motorbike. 👍🏼 😎 🇺🇸 🌎
Your right Richy! We’re all different and like different bikes. I love my Tiger 1200 Desert. It’s heavy and hot, but its smooth and a joy in the twisties! Maybe I’m just a nonconformist!! Great review!
I totally agree with you regarding the centre stand getting in the way of your heel, it's the first thing i notice whenever i sit on a GS, also agree that the quickshifter is too agressive particularly when shifting up in the lower gears (seems to be smoother when shifting from 3rd and up), it's the two things that keep putting me off a GS, next bike will probably be a Multistrada, and i'll just have to prepare myself for a chat with the bank manager everytime a Desmo service comes around!
I wish I could ride through winter here in Ontario, Canada but we got our first 1cm of snow for the season and there's piles of salt all over the roads. Need an indoor heated wash bay to clean it off each time or you'll ice the driveway and road. I like the idea of the GS but for me it's just too heavy and expensive, which takes the joy out of it for me. They also sound like tractors to me (until higher revs).
Well I’m watching this at 0200 I think I will wait until morning to check the cylinders. Thinking about it they must be offset slightly so the rods can connect to the crank beside each other on opposite phase. I just got a used 1200 GS for a bit less than a new Standard Africa Twin. I hadn’t ridden the AT or the GS just sat on them. I am glad you like your choice, your review is spot on. I’m still getting used to mine and don’t know what I’m missing. The shift bit clunky after a triumph. It’s got loads of fancy bells and whistles. For me it’s very comfortable, despite being a huge heavy bike, it’s very nice to ride. Love the suspension. And I found a late model used one which fit my budget. Looking forward to some adventures, now the snow and ice have mostly gone. You are mad.
We have used the sos button twice on a Friends bike it's brilliant ,in Scotland they new exactly where we were and stayed on the line till the emergency services arrived to help are injured friend
I only use the quick shifter from 3rd upwards,although someone pointed out to me if you have the revs up between 4.5- 5000 you shouldn't get the clunking. Thanks for the video!!!
I have a new 2021 gs te, delivered last week and i will be honest i fell in love with it after my Tracer 9gt, a real chalk and cheese moment. Screen, seat, etc. etc, far more reassuring
As many have pointed out, the quickshifter works best when going from second into third gear and onwards. I have found that you have to be quite, quite decisive with your boot for it to work smoothly, but it does. On downshifts, close the throttle completely, or quickly roll off and on the throttle just a bit as you go down a gear. Off-road and at low rpm’s, you can downshift from second into first, as long as you are not opening the throttle.
Hi Richy, congrats on your review, as the owner of a 2020 1250GS I agree on all points, including the chunkiness of the quickshifter; it works better in the higher gears, but 1st to 2nd gear expecially....is not very smooth at all. I do ride my GS in Muddy Off-road conditions (on Bridgestone AX41 knobby tires) and there is A LOT of difference between Road and Enduro Pro modes... While Off-Roading in In Road mode, the bike feels "castrated", it will cut power very soon when the rear starts losing traction, and it can make you lose lots of momentum while going up steep slippery hills, to the point where you actually don't make it all the way up. In deep sand....if you leave the Road Mode On....you will stop moving very quickly!! 😐 In Enduro Pro, the bike changes dramatically when Off-Roading, you get back lots of control on the bike, especially with regards with what happens with the rear tire, the suspension loosens up (especially the rear, and this helps maintaining traction) and the bike just feels a lot happier. Except for some weird sounds that you may hear from the suspension when riding aggressively on loose rocky uphills…but it’s normal on these bikes. As you mention, the bike is very well balanced and it really “loves” when the rider is standing up, even when riding though traffic in the city. Just look where you want to go, aim with your shoulders and it’s really magical - considering it’s weigh - how it can make everything very easy, especially Off-Road. However….with this bike, it’s really important to keep lots of momentum when going up-hill on steep hills Off-Roading….if you stop, it gets very difficult (if not impossible) to get moving again, as it has to fight with it’s own weight. As a rider with about 450 hours of experience riding Hard Enduro on 300cc two stroke enduro bikes, I can tell you that once you manage to “forget” about the size and weight of the bike, you can really have lots of fun in Off-Road. However, it can be challenging some times in tight single track due to the width of the engine… in some narrow sections things can get complicated and/or you cannot pick the ideal lines. One last thing….the rear tire does not lock-up when un-commanded, even in Off-Road, meaning that if you completely release the clutch in 1st gear on very slippery clay riding downhill, the rear tire will not lock-up, as the engine will give just a slight bit of power from keeping the rear tire from locking, while at the same time retaining maximum engine braking power. It works really well, very well calibrated. Sorry for the long post 😅
The mode selection makes a big difference to the handling especially if you’re going off road. Conversely in dynamic mode the on-road handling really sharpens up
I find in comfort mode on a sharp bend the wallowing means I can hardly make it round. In sport or dynamic its fine. Even normal is fine all of the time really.
Good review. I tried the GS & the AT adventure sport. Decided on the AT as I preferred the riding position. Only owned it for a year as back surgery put an end to owning heavier bikes. But in that year really enjoyed it. Either bike would be a great choice.
The cylinders have to be offset for the piston connecting rods to bolt on to the crank-shaft. lol It is very noticeable and it what you would expect. I have a 2005 1200gs. I didn't think quick shifter was that bad. Good Video.
Love it - you spend practically the whole video talking up the GS and saying what a wonderful bike it is, and then end by saying you like the AT better!! Just goes to show that sometimes there's no logic behind how a bike makes you feel, hence there is no "best" bike out there. And to echo other comments about the QS, it took around 2k miles for mine to bed in properly but now it's really smooth as long as I'm accelerating and around 4k rpm and above. The QS and blipper are also really handy when going offroad. Got to admit though, you're a braver man than I am riding in those conditions. Safe riding!
Some strange comments about the GS being so much more expensive than the AT. The bike Mr Vida is riding comes in at £18000 (not inc the billet pack), where the equivalent AT is 17k. The AT doesn't have heated seats, adaptive headlight, TPMS, SOS function, keyless ride, telelever suspension, 3 year warranty and the performance of a GS. So I would say compared to the AT the GS is good value for money. Both bikes are good, and I'd be happy with either, but when everything is said and done the AT is actually poor value for money compared with the GS. I really hope Honda sort out the slow TFT system on the AT as well as streamlining the needless amount of buttons on the LH switchgear.
Nice review Richy👍🏻 Great to see someone out doing a real test in what is like to ride a bike year round in the UK, the Southern "Vloggers" will cringe and applaud at your exploits but curse you under their breath for having the balls to do a real World Winter vlog in the ice & snot. Good on you I say.
great review rich as usual ihave had my f6c since aug 98 me and the missus been lot of places in the uk and europe done ninety thousands miles no problem and i worked away my point we all have our favorite bikes but my valk as a soul keep them videos comeing
100% on the illuminated switch gear. Need it. Also a real horn, and many primarily ride this bike on the super-slab, why not offer an Option 719 highway package with an electric windscreen, as well as all the aforementioned elements that you noted. BMW has always positioned itself as a premium brand.
It's always amazed me how, considering one of the primary reasons everyone loves the GS is the weight balance, no other manufacturer has tried to copy them. The only other bike I know of with a box engine is the GoldWing.
Slippery there Richi! I got to gel with my GSA1200 over a long tour in Wales. Thought it was too much for everyday but having spent a long days in the saddle, there are few other bikes I'd take over the big BM. Plenty of space, heated clothing direct off the battery optimate lead, and sure footed two up, missus was comfortable which is half the battle, fitted out with with Bumot panniers, ready for anything. Thanks.
I rode the Africa twin and the R1250GSA. The Africa Twin left me cold and I felt more at home on the BMW. Two years later the more I ride the BMW the more I like it. It's all personal taste of course and no chain to clean.
Fair dinkum riding in those conditions, haven't done that in years, i have the 750gs,and i find the quick shifter only works well when you're riding harder, although i dont use the down shift at all now, as it just feels like your damaging the bike. Great review, and lovely scenery 👍👍
To be truthful. Watched a BMW meet where they went off road and 95% of the riders ditched. 90% of GS will never go on gravel let alone green lanes. I much prefer the RT.
I said exactly the same about the center stand on a Facebook group. All I got was 'you're not riding properly', 'ive been riding for years without a probelm' 😂
Come on teapot one ,get on hear & defend the Big GS😀😀. Another great video as usual,love both the bmw & Africa twin depends on which suits your needs. I personally chose the bmw gs adventure,but would be happy to have either in my garage.
I tried one of these earlier this year as I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I totally agree with you about the suspension - it is the stand out feature of the bike. The TFT is very nice (until it gets nicked) but I found the rest a bit uninspiring (and I hated the engine note). You’ll probably find the one you have is getting on for £20k with those options. I ended up with another V-Strom 1050XT and I’m very happy with it. I’m really looking forward to seeing the new Tiger 1200 at the NEC as I think that could be my next bike. Stay safe in that ice!
So when it comes to suspension or engine note, engine note triumphs? That's about the least important aspect of any bike whereas suspension is one of the most important bits on any bike.
@@captainwin6333 I thought that the better suspension wasn’t worth £8,000 more! My V-Strom has fully adjustable suspension but it has to be done manually, unlike the GS which you do at the flick of a switch. As I said, I’m very happy with my V-Strom including the suspension. For me, motorcycles are an emotional purchase and the BMW was just a bit too clinical. If I want to spend £20k on a motorcycle (and yes I can afford to if I want to) I’d probably get a Multistrada V4 and have a bit of Italian flair & even more performance.
I agree… these probably are a bonkers bike but at 5,4 I tried to sit on one and it’s just too heavy and large for me… I much prefer riding when I don’t need to worry about where I have to stop and think about foot placement
Another great review Rich. I ran GS’s for 10 years and loved them. Q/shifter is better at higher revs. Would be interesting to do the solo Scotland trip on it and review then. Lovely 719 mirrors on it. Very brave in that weather, respect mate! Thank you👍👍
As you know mate, I ride the K1600GT, so I'm not into the adventure riding. That said, I have ridden my friends 1200GS and I felt like I was riding a sewing machine. Some say 'oh you should ride the 1250, but I did ride the R1250RT and the same. Like a sewing machine. I think it's just the boxer engine that I don't like. If I were to get an adventure bike, and I doubt I ever would, it'd probably be another manufacturer, unless it's a smaller model like the F850GS. I'm a BMW guy all the way. Good review though. Our local BMW Motorrad shop here won't let anyone take a bike but for a couple hours.
Legend.....I put it in road mode and it doesn't work well off road PMSL. I didn't think you'd prefer it to the AT because you ride offroad so much, but for everyone else there's masterbike🤣. The QS isn't the best, but with a big twin with all that monster torque and shaft drive that's not surprising, but you do get used to it and learn when it's best not to use it/when it works well (full chat 3rd to 6th). I noticed the offset in 2016 on my 1st 1200 GS when fitting thevengine bars, thought WTF, didn't bother me then much, doesn't bother me now. Vive la difference Richy 👍
I’m a BMW owner of many years from a ‘79 R100RT in 1984 to my current 2014 GSA. The older twins had offset footrests which was odd but quickly forgotten. My GSA is a very low miler but has had new frame and subframe due to rust and, more recently, I’m told I need a new exhaust system because the flap valve is partially seized. It’s an example of dreadful design that has not only carried on from the earlier generations but been incorporated in the header/cat section meaning a whopping £1,800 to replace and not covered by the extended warranty. Whilst I like the bike I’m getting more and more disillusioned by both the poor quality and poor dealer response to issues. My bike is sub 7,000 miles. The trouble is that a replacement is hard to find because, as a bike, it is such a superb all rounder. In lockdown it was my shopping vehicle, each visit to Tesco being my “adventure”. Monster range (for less tedious fuel stops), superb economy, plus carrying capability, low CoG etc etc are hard if not impossible to match or come close. And yes, the QS is dreadful and not exactly Q. And the speedo on the pre TFT is far too small to read hence I use the satnav.
Always been a bit of a GS hater (Yes I know) but after a Canadian tour on one I got hooked. Not a sports bike or super naked but when you want to push on, tour and ride all year around it’s capable
Damn you ! I've looked at many schematic diagrams of the engine and knew what it looked like. I'm an Engineer (but never really thought about it) Proper curved ball that ! Offset cylinders :-( I think the word you probably missed is 'capable' It lacks character but it does most things great or well, some things poor but it's not the best selling UK bike for a reason. Great review TMF and Teapotone would beg to differ with you. Thanks for sharing
At 11:45 that's what I like to call the "GS-effect" ;-) You can't really describe it, but every rider says the same things when the've ridden a GS for the first time. It's as stable as a train while, at the same time, being almost as agile as a way smaller motocross-bike. Well, at least when it's moving, different story though when you have to move it on your own in the garage :-D :-D Brilliant bike.
You forgot the stonking engine 136bhp and over 100Ibs of torque (not the weather to test that out though! )cornering ABS and adaptive self levelling suspension oh and the heated grips 🙄kudos for riding in that weather ,done it many times and damn scary when gritters don't do the back roads !! I only use QS on fast up changes then it's fine .
It’s a very nice video. Thanks for that. I had an AT and I get what you’re feeling about the differences on those two bikes. I changed though for the GSA, not to the GS. But I tried the GS also and in fact it is more comparable to the AT. There is no point in coming here to agree or disagree. The AT is cheaper and if you don’t go on nit picking, it is an admirable adventure bike. I’m not going to describe what many things I could prefer the AT. But after having one for five years and now in only two with the GSA (but almost with a very close mileage on it compared with the AT when I sold it), I could talk extensively about why the BMW is several times in a wide variety of aspects a truly serious case of up grading to me. I won’t do it, because a good sum of reasons are probably controversial or ultimately, subjective (?)…I imagine they could be taken with that nature. So, I don’t put objections to your opinion and obviously, at the same time I want to respect it. I can understand the people that are fans of a transmission by shaft drive, the lack of chain maintenance is evidently an asset of comfort for many riders or bike owners. The Japanese manufacturers have their specific way of doing and engineering solutions that are rather good. The engines, for instance in Yamaha their cross plane units are everyone a case of study. The Yamaha lubricant, the characteristic smell that comes from the engine when hot, you turn off the engine after some large miles of work and it smells like no other. That’s evidently subjective, but I value things like that, to give here just a detail in terms of example. On this big trail bikes, what I appreciate more is the torque their engines produce. And for me the fun factor concerning this type of bikes is centered on the torque and the down low revs, going fast at low speeds, if you see what I mean. That’s what I value here. If I go out on a S 1000 RR or even on a S 1000 XR, the fun factor starts , after the 6000 revs and up. The concept of fan factor differs from type of bike , from type of riding environment and there are lots of different situations where riding a bike can be a blast of pleasure, but everything is relative, the absolutes take place on us, not on the material dimension, not on the solely object or machine we ride, but in our state of body and mind. The energy and joy with which we explore those moments. The BMW GS with some minor iterations on the last five years still is the master of torque amongst the Big trail bikes segment and in 2024, it will, I believe, recover again the distance ahead for the competition that have been following it on, at least the last twenty years in history of this Industry. Mainly the new bike of this model (and others) that is projected to be launched in 2024 will level the GS with the enhancements achieved by Ducati Multistrada, engine power wise, electronics wise and probably other aspects, where the competition brands are trying to Excel BMW Motorrad engineering arguments. Although doing this without neglecting what they already are, technologically, the leading brand on the Market , so I figure that there will be a GS motorization of 1300 cc bike as a sequel of the cam shaft technology of the 1250 cc engine, and probably something to “overtake” the pikes peak iteration of the Ducati Multistrada, with a 1400 cc engine, and more road focused orientation. And at the same time they will enhance in engine power, electronics, can’t be precise about the suspensions, but the brakes will be mastered on the new Pack M version for 2024 BMW S1000 XR. These solutions are to compete also with the KTM products that are on some aspects superior to the rest, IMHO. This brand has although committed a false advantage move when based a lot of their electronic solutions of china origin, they are cheaper an fully of electronic gizmos, but for what came to my knowledge they’re faulty and unreliable or not reliable enough . So, that’s not really competition for BMW yet. Things made in China are a tempting business proposition, but at the same time, reliability issues can Kill a brand reputation on a blink, no matter what or how many years they were in the market with a positive image. That’s always a tricky situation, to play with those questions and a big risk to take. Can easily be a loosing bet. Man, sorry for the long comment and I Have to say, you’re a man of courage by going out on your motorcycle with that weather and the ice conditions of the road. Hats off for you! Be well and make more videos , I like people with determination as you seem to be, or at least your speech looks like. I subscribed the channel, of course. Thanks again. ✌️✌️
My bum was pinching, watching you in the ice covered car park, I love my ATAS to, a bit like you I like going against the grain, but do agree with Mr Flyer, she can feel top heavy when manually moving her around.
Great review Richy, loved the comment about the cylinders...need to quickly go and check that on my GS!! Have a look at some GS Trophy videos and you will quickly understand how amazing the GS is off road. Also you can't really get excited until you understand that the GS wants to be ridden hard and you have to have some courage to through it around a bit and that's where the smiles starts to get bigger and bigger!
I can assure you that GS defies its size in difficult dirt that we have here in SA.You must of course get the settings right to maximise the ride.Another big plus is it takes 10 min to clean air filter(a big plus in dusty conditions),5 min to change wheels,easy access to valve checks,change plugs etc.Thanks for your review.
I have the 2021 gsa and the center stand is a pain when it catches your boots...did you no the indicators are self cancelling...1 short push gives u 5 flashes ..2 short pushes 15 flashed..if held for a second they switch off after 30mph ...getting the modes set correctly for off road is a must ..the head lights or so go left and right when cornering..and I to think you are mad riding in them conditons hats off to you sir.
I am a massive fan of the GS, I am on my third a R1250GS. You make valid points and all I would suggest is when the weather improves take it out and use the best bit of the telelever. You can bury the brakes right into the turn and then just release and nail the throttle out using all that 100+lb ft of torque to drive you out the bend. You are right that when GS or RT riders get on bikes with conventional forks they have to modify the way they ride, as you just can’t get away with that behaviour on conventional forks. Enjoy!
Of course the cylinders are offset! I had an 1150 GS and now own an R9T. I saw it straight away and how could it be otherwise unless you had the extra complexity of a master rod on one piston and a slave rod on the other, like a radial engine.
Great review Rich. I've owned a GS in the past (as I think every biker should at one point), found it does the day to day mundane stuff better than any bike I've ever ridden but when you want excitement you end up longing for something else. The R1250RS is probably the better option if you want a BMW Boxer and you don't go off the beaten track. You won't have to be 1 of the 10 GS's in the carpark everytime you stop either 🙄.
Interesting review, I agree with your points as I had 3 GS in a row ending with the GSA 1250 but I found as much as it’s a brilliant bike it just didn’t have that excitement so instead opted to go the KTM 1290 SAS and have been giggling with excitement ever since 👍
I have a ‘21 GSA and agree that the shift assist leaves something to be desired. It does however work reasonably well from 4th through 6th. It also performs fairly crisp, properly blipped downshifts from 6th, right down to 1st though the throttle must be closed.
I always tend to buy bike based on character, its how i ended up buying KTM 1290s, ducati's and some other fun machines, I can;t see myself every finding the GS a bike that excites me, lifes short, have fun on everything, strikes me as the biking equivalent of a volvo, very good at what it does, just devoid of character.
I recommend you to buy the platic Protector for the main stand. This 35 euro oem Part will help you masivly to keep your bike clean in rain and dirty streets. No joke.
I have a 1250GSA and I agree about the quickshifter being clunky. It took about 2,000 miles to loosen up and it's seamless now. Hopefully bump into you at the NEC on Sunday!
Hi Richy, I totally agree about the quickshifter. It's one of the main points that put me off and sent me to the S1000XR instead. The quickshifter on that is superb and usable in all gears. I have since talked to some people at BMW who say the quickshifter on the GS & a number of other models is not supposed to be used below 3rd gear. I'm not sure how true that is, but I still found it clunky even in the higher gears. It feels like you haven't got one fitted and it's just "dropping" into gear.
Brilliant review Richy of what IMHO is an amazing bike. I agree with some of your niggles, the centre stand is a pain that you learn to ride around and the clunky quick shifter, which I stopped using in the first 3 years. But it’s a brilliantly capable bike both on and off road. I rode one to the Algarve mostly off road, check out my Portugal series on my channel, and they can hustle along at a decent pace and race Morgan sports cars in the Picos like I did 🤦♂️. But the biggest plus, that is also a criticism, is that it’s so good it can be a little “boring” That’s why I sold mine and got a Gen 4 S1000RR. But I will have another GS at some point.
