I'd like to see more of these types of tests with modern, few years old and budget versions for all the different genres of bikes. Especially useful for those like me who would be lucky to scrape together a couple of grand for a bike and spending the same on a bike as our mortgage costs isn't an option!
Let's be honest..90% of drivers do not have that driving skills, so for them this motorcycle is too heavy, too expensive to buy and especially maintenance. The mere fact that if their motorcycle falls somewhere off the road, and there is no one to help lift it, they risk spinal cord injury, is reason enough, not to buy such a heavy adventure bike.
Ive owned a 1200gs, currently a 900 tiger... and I like to pride myself in my riding abilities on and off road... you sir make me realize I suck. Thank you. Great riding!
Moons ago my then girlfriend and I flew over to Vancouver BC in an attempt to find her estranged father who she had never really known. I booked a 1150GS as a hire bike to get us on our quest, when I arrived at the bike hire shop they had given it to someone else! We toured around Vancouver on a 1150R; a great bike two up with luggage which handled perfectly throughout the month we were there, even managed to find her Dad. I have never ridden a GS to this day, perhaps I'll give one a go. Have a good one Chris 👍🏻.
give that 1150 some love dude, I got one and I think it's awesome. Just maintain them well and it will make sure you can travel around the world with 0 problems
I found when I was researching whether or not to jump across to an adventure bike there’s a surprising lack of decent 1150GSA video out there, luckily I found your videos. And now I’ve now got a silver GSA. I’ll dust off my GoPro and will post something in the next few weeks.
Agree 100% with previous comment - best presenter, keeps it simple and relevant, - best test driver, clearly shows what can be done if you had the skill. Thanks you.
Just bought a standard 1250 GS. Stumbled across this review and loved it ..... great job. I have been riding since the age of 8 in a farmers field, but having just retired, I am afraid that my GS will be limited to UK and European roads, with my wife and luggage .... I do have a 250 dirt bike, but I don't ride it much as I have found over the years that I don't bounce as well as I did :( Thanks for a great review....
I want to learn and develop off-road riding skills but, in the meantime these videos are motivating and downright entertaining to watch. Thanks again, Chris and Bike World crew!
Chris your reviews are so good. It’s not about you , but the bike . Really appreciate your experience and honesty . Easily the best motorcycle reviewer in the UK 👏
Excellent Presentation!! You, Burnsie, and Zach Courts are my favorite presenters!! 😁 (oopsie, almost forgot Ryan) Happy New Year from a poor '18 KLR-650 rider in Oklahoma 🎉🎈✨
Wow bud, you can ride!!!! I have a 2004 GS Adventure and it's a heavy lump of bike but you make these machines look feather-light!! As usual, your videos are top notch! Thank you for the effort you always put into them. Greetings from South Africa and best wishes for 2022!
I was always surprised by how much reviewers played down the extra power of the 1250 engine when it came out. Like you said, the shift cam really does significantly change the character of the engine when it kicks in, and which you don't sense it coming in either as the transition is imperceptible. That gruntier top end is what was lacking from the 1200. Great article
too bad they put electronics inside the actual engine. While suzuki using basically the same system 30 years ago just mechanical. you just know its going to break 2 days after warranty.
Great revieuw👍. I have owned all ,still got the 1250GS and they really have character. They are a allround package. Enjoyed your video like I enjoy my GS thanks man!
What a great flowing video, with humour, throw in a little riding on different GS's showing what they can achieve with someone who can get them to dance.
We all know Chris can ride… but DAMN! This guy can ride lol makes it look so easy. Brilliant video in my opinion. Very good idea to show what different budgets will buy you. Nice to see you aren’t just trying to cater for the big boys with the big dollars. I did spec a 1250GS online last week and couldn’t believe how quickly it goes from £13.5k to close to £19k with a couple of boxes ticked. Crazy. Looks a lovely bike though!
Can't argue with anything said there; but when I circumnavigated Australia I also went for an 1150GS. Simple technoogy and much lower Carnet de Passage costs!
I’ve also got an 1150GSA with just under 100k miles. Love that bike. Currently on an ‘08 GS that I got a couple of years back at the time 7,500 miles on it, now at about 22k miles and recently swapped out to tractive GSA (non esa) suspension. Great bikes.
Nice one. I just spent a week putting my 1200 GSA through all the gnarliest tracks in Central Otago NZ and while it handled everything just great, I was spent at the end of each day out. That said, I blasted home nice and quick on the motorway!! Amazing bike.
Yeah, I confess, Charlie and Ewan got me into motorcycling (in my 50s) starting on the 650GS and stepping up to 2010 1200GS a couple of years ago… very little off-roading but it’s a joy to ride… just sad that my Intl traveling stopped in the 90s and now the risks (mostly health) make it silly. But I’m looking forward to a little motorcycle camping when the weather warms up here in the States….
They might be genuinely capable, but that hasn't stopped them from becoming the suburban SUVs of the motorcycle world. Which wouldn't bother me, aside from the fact they've gotten so big they swallowed the sport-touring class.
Lol right?? The sport touring class is almost useless in my opinion considering the ADV bike spectrum of focus is so wide now. It’s essentially a useless category of motorcycle
Great review , miss my GSA 1250 but happy to be riding a 890 rally…..may come back to a GS and keep the KTM …..but anxiously awaiting to hear your review of the new 1200 tiger!…
Excellent presentation, though I’m sorry you didn’t include the TRULY old, e.g. my ‘91 R100 GS/PD. After 22 years and 130kmi, I’ve passed my ‘00 1150 to a friend and never did like my ‘07 1200 adv., but for relatively light weight, do-all the R100 holds the top of my list. Give me airheads all day long. 👍
Extremely well presented and as a GS rider I agree with the very balanced and truthful assessment across the GS range. I note also that you are an exceptional bike rider. Top marks on all aspects of this video!
With all the trash and trolling motorcycle content out there it is sooo good to have videos like this that remind us motorcyclist why we love motorcycles so much (especially us BMW owners😉). Great job, great content and Chris you Rock bro. Thank you
These are reviews are best on UA-cam, Chris riding and presenting only equalled bu Michael neeves. Great bike, but always preferred the multistrada as never done off road. When I’ve done tours in Africa, Canada and New Zealand always hired a gs though for reliability and comfort two up
A couple years ago I got a beautiful Blue ‘05 GS with Öhlins and some farkles ha. What an amazing bike, 50k, I got it for $5k US, seemingly never went off-road ha. That redesign lost 60lbs over the prior 2004 1150GS!
Great review Chris , i have the BMW GS 1250 hp 2019 model and i m doing everything , from work to trips and travel enduro experience here in Greece up to the mountains every weekend ..I cant wait how the BMW 1300 GS will be.
I only just came across this channel and this video - have to say this is so much better than any of the others. Have sub'd, now I just have to save u a lot of money for a 1250GS - damn, I wish I was wealthier.
Wow, Brilliant. Just found this. Obviously a talented rider and better than me. I've been riding for 45yrs and discovered how good the GS is! Love it. Have a '17 GS and just priced to trade to the 1250GS. OMG!! trade was an extra $8Kpound. Not worth stepping up. So I'll keep the '17, plenty for me. Thanks
You are the ONLY reviewer who commented that the boxers allow room for the front suspension. Well done. At last somebody paying attention. Now if somebody would talk about the lowered suspension option (for reasons other than being short) and moment of inertia, then maybe we would be approaching a professional review.
There is the legend! Yeah…your bike is so nice! Man I’m starting way down the latter. This summer I will buy my first bike and I’m 31 years old😅. I would like to have a big nice adventure bike but they are expensive so I go with a 600 super sport like gsxr 600 from 2007. Have to start somewhere and saving up money I guess. Greetings from the Netherlands
Thank you Chris, it's really fun to watch your videos! It's quite a strange thing with Beemers ... riding a beautiful Kawa z 1000 A1 (with 4in4 muffles of cause) in the beginning of the 90ies it had a lot of break downs. But I wanted to arrive at the destinations so I bought my first BMW ... a used R100/7 and I found it quite ugly. But one has to ride them to start loving them! Same with my R1150GS which I ride for 4 years now. A bit too big and heavy, very strange Design - but I'm totally with you: As it starts to roll it gets you everywhere! Besides: The fun starts not only with the bike but with the guy in the sattle ... Greetings from Germany, Tom
The GS is not a super expensive bike. For what you are getting, its worth the money. I'm more of a sportsbike man myself. But I see myself getting something for touring in a few years.
I had one of those 2012 bikes and I really liked it. Found it a liiiitle underpowered for my 80% on road riding, the seat bloody uncomfortable (Airhawk ftw), the standard screen a bit pants (Adapted Givi Airflow ftw) and the geabox on mine was very clunky. If these points are sorted on the new bikes I'd love one. Unless the new Triumphs are even better.
Hi Chris an Team I just wanna say this video is epic would love to see more along these lines, N it's great to see cost of bikes being mentioned I've had a 1200GSA 2014 which a dealer lunched 3 engines on after they left the gaskets off doing a valve check. a f800 an a 1200GS TE Rallye 2018 love that rallye so much but I sold it to help my dad out. I've been on a 300 rally recently an now looking at the beemers again but not in the position I was for the rest of the year so it's great to see the twin cammer an the 1150 being compared as well :) thanks again for a brilliant video.
Chris, you are hands down the best motorcycle's presenter / test driver on the internet. Keep up the great work man!
Very true
Absolutely
Totally agree.
Cheers guys, we’ll pass on the love!
Feel the same way. Loved the old/new comparison of the Speed Triple :-)
I'd like to see more of these types of tests with modern, few years old and budget versions for all the different genres of bikes. Especially useful for those like me who would be lucky to scrape together a couple of grand for a bike and spending the same on a bike as our mortgage costs isn't an option!
I like Chris reviews because he can expalin things in simple way and he test the bikes with no mercy additude. All the best for 2022.
I can only dream of having the skills and confidence to ride a 260kg + GS like that. Best wishes for the new year Chris.
Hey that 1200 is only 256kg wet!
@@Geshmaal 😂
Let's be honest..90% of drivers do not have that driving skills, so for them this motorcycle is too heavy, too expensive to buy and especially maintenance. The mere fact that if their motorcycle falls somewhere off the road, and there is no one to help lift it, they risk spinal cord injury, is reason enough, not to buy such a heavy adventure bike.
@@metodyx7507 it’s very good as a road bike as well and not that heavy when compared to (sport)tourers, plus the centre of gravity is relatively low.
Zo enough reason for many people to buy it
Chris is just amazing. He rides motorcycles like the gods, and is a fun and honest presenter. Keep it up!
Ive owned a 1200gs, currently a 900 tiger... and I like to pride myself in my riding abilities on and off road... you sir make me realize I suck. Thank you. Great riding!
Oh stop… Chris is a great presenter.. as for the circus act riding “skills”.. they’re cute but not practical or safe….
@@BERZERKERSV4 they are skills, so no need to put them in quotation marks, and no one ever said they were practical. But they sure are fun.
@@BERZERKERSV4 salty because you haven’t got the skills 😂😂
Come on, give us a bit of a comparison between the two
Loved that, great to see someone capable of riding big adventure bikes to their full potential. 👌
Picked up my new GSA Rallye last week. Best bike ever made.
Moons ago my then girlfriend and I flew over to Vancouver BC in an attempt to find her estranged father who she had never really known.
I booked a 1150GS as a hire bike to get us on our quest, when I arrived at the bike hire shop they had given it to someone else!
We toured around Vancouver on a 1150R; a great bike two up with luggage which handled perfectly throughout the month we were there, even managed to find her Dad.
I have never ridden a GS to this day, perhaps I'll give one a go.
Have a good one Chris 👍🏻.
give that 1150 some love dude, I got one and I think it's awesome. Just maintain them well and it will make sure you can travel around the world with 0 problems
I found when I was researching whether or not to jump across to an adventure bike there’s a surprising lack of decent 1150GSA video out there, luckily I found your videos.
And now I’ve now got a silver GSA. I’ll dust off my GoPro and will post something in the next few weeks.
Chris Northover …. Utterly brilliant. I’m delighted to see his career go from strength to strength.
Agree 100% with previous comment - best presenter, keeps it simple and relevant, - best test driver, clearly shows what can be done if you had the skill. Thanks you.
One of the best Gs videos
That's got to be one of the most enjoyable GS vs GS comparison video I've seen 👌🏻
Cheers!
Just bought a standard 1250 GS. Stumbled across this review and loved it ..... great job. I have been riding since the age of 8 in a farmers field, but having just retired, I am afraid that my GS will be limited to UK and European roads, with my wife and luggage .... I do have a 250 dirt bike, but I don't ride it much as I have found over the years that I don't bounce as well as I did :(
Thanks for a great review....
Cheers, let us know how you get on with it…
I want to learn and develop off-road riding skills but, in the meantime these videos are motivating and downright entertaining to watch. Thanks again, Chris and Bike World crew!
Geesh, dude. You ride the hell out of that bike. My GS likes to be picked up after I put it down. It shows I care.
Chris your reviews are so good. It’s not about you , but the bike . Really appreciate your experience and honesty . Easily the best motorcycle reviewer in the UK 👏
Cheers, we'll pass on the love! 🤣
Wow the production on this video is incredible and the rider is very impressive. This guy could have a million subscribers on his own.
Cheers, don't tell Chris that, we need him! 😂
“phone your mum, tell her to pick you up” 😂 Happy new year and thanks for another brilliant video, Chris and the team 🍻👊✊
I went from a GS Adventure to a Triumph Tiger and immediately went back to BMW. Hands down the best all around MC made
Fantastic summary and great comparison. Being a total off road novice it gives me a little more confidence to give the GS a go. Many thanks!!
Amazed at how you make a behemoth GS look svelte off road. I have to show much more respect when tackling the rough stuff!
Excellent Presentation!!
You, Burnsie, and Zach Courts are my favorite presenters!! 😁 (oopsie, almost forgot Ryan)
Happy New Year from a poor '18 KLR-650 rider in Oklahoma 🎉🎈✨
You forgot John Hogan who was with BikeWorld before Chris as well 😉
Wow bud, you can ride!!!! I have a 2004 GS Adventure and it's a heavy lump of bike but you make these machines look feather-light!! As usual, your videos are top notch! Thank you for the effort you always put into them. Greetings from South Africa and best wishes for 2022!
I was always surprised by how much reviewers played down the extra power of the 1250 engine when it came out. Like you said, the shift cam really does significantly change the character of the engine when it kicks in, and which you don't sense it coming in either as the transition is imperceptible. That gruntier top end is what was lacking from the 1200. Great article
too bad they put electronics inside the actual engine. While suzuki using basically the same system 30 years ago just mechanical. you just know its going to break 2 days after warranty.
Enjoyed your commentary at the NEC. This is a good video. Great to see comparison with previous models
Cheers!
Great revieuw👍.
I have owned all ,still got the 1250GS and they really have character. They are a allround package.
Enjoyed your video like I enjoy my GS thanks man!
Your reviews are so well done, both comprehensive and nuanced. Kudos from the States!
What a great flowing video, with humour, throw in a little riding on different GS's showing what they can achieve with someone who can get them to dance.
My word, i wish i could ride like you! You make that bike look so light! Respect!
I thoroughly enjoyed this comparison. Brilliant editing. Thanks.
Thanks Neil!
We all know Chris can ride… but DAMN! This guy can ride lol makes it look so easy. Brilliant video in my opinion. Very good idea to show what different budgets will buy you. Nice to see you aren’t just trying to cater for the big boys with the big dollars. I did spec a 1250GS online last week and couldn’t believe how quickly it goes from £13.5k to close to £19k with a couple of boxes ticked. Crazy. Looks a lovely bike though!
Like everyone else can’t wait a big modern adventure bikes shootout by you Chris with your amazing skills and perspective
Can't argue with anything said there; but when I circumnavigated Australia I also went for an 1150GS. Simple technoogy and much lower Carnet de Passage costs!
Perfect video to end up 2021. The legendary BMW GS! Looking forward to the 2022 Chris and Bike World team. Thank you 🍻
I’ve also got an 1150GSA with just under 100k miles. Love that bike. Currently on an ‘08 GS that I got a couple of years back at the time 7,500 miles on it, now at about 22k miles and recently swapped out to tractive GSA (non esa) suspension. Great bikes.
Great vlog, as a GS owner I was very interested in this. You’ve got another subscriber 🏴
Nice one. I just spent a week putting my 1200 GSA through all the gnarliest tracks in Central Otago NZ and while it handled everything just great, I was spent at the end of each day out. That said, I blasted home nice and quick on the motorway!! Amazing bike.
Yeah, I confess, Charlie and Ewan got me into motorcycling (in my 50s) starting on the 650GS and stepping up to 2010 1200GS a couple of years ago… very little off-roading but it’s a joy to ride… just sad that my Intl traveling stopped in the 90s and now the risks (mostly health) make it silly. But I’m looking forward to a little motorcycle camping when the weather warms up here in the States….
The risks (mostly health ?) WHAT THE HECK ?
How am I only just discovering this channel now... Subscribed!!
Best reviews on yt as always… great job dude!
You make so good videos I'm actually thinking in buying one of these boats. Congrats!!!
They might be genuinely capable, but that hasn't stopped them from becoming the suburban SUVs of the motorcycle world. Which wouldn't bother me, aside from the fact they've gotten so big they swallowed the sport-touring class.
The RT and RS are still being produced.
Lol right?? The sport touring class is almost useless in my opinion considering the ADV bike spectrum of focus is so wide now. It’s essentially a useless category of motorcycle
@@khakimzhanmiras Yeah, but does the S1000XR really need off road pretensions?
@@Joric78 what off-road pretensions?
@@khakimzhanmiras The "beak", handguards and long travel suspension.
Great review , miss my GSA 1250 but happy to be riding a 890 rally…..may come back to a GS and keep the KTM …..but anxiously awaiting to hear your review of the new 1200 tiger!…
Your videos never disappoint, Happy New Year
Excellent presentation, though I’m sorry you didn’t include the TRULY old, e.g. my ‘91 R100 GS/PD. After 22 years and 130kmi, I’ve passed my ‘00 1150 to a friend and never did like my ‘07 1200 adv., but for relatively light weight, do-all the R100 holds the top of my list. Give me airheads all day long. 👍
Cannot add anyone to the already superb reviews below. Great content with really engaging (and useful) commentary 10/10
my gosh what I liked most in this review was the sick and stunning drive recordings😍
As you kindly pointed out, not all can afford the new one even if we wanted it but what makes me cry is knowing I’ll never ride like you 🙀👍
Excellent content. And incredible riding!
Pretty cool presentation, very refreshing , thank you
Never seen you before buddy, but you are a serious presenter and the actual review seriously meant something. Great stuff
Thanks for testing Chris.
Try to get you hands on the BMW R1200 HP2 enduro 😁 and compare that against the new 1250GS offroad. (Best wishes for 2022)
Another quality review, keep them coming in 2022, thanks 👍🏍
Great idea. Another cracking video Chris. Thanks for all your videos in 2021. Happy new year mate from Ireland 👍🏻
Extremely well presented and as a GS rider I agree with the very balanced and truthful assessment across the GS range. I note also that you are an exceptional bike rider. Top marks on all aspects of this video!
Thanks William!
Awesome video Chris, well done!! 👍👍
With all the trash and trolling motorcycle content out there it is sooo good to have videos like this that remind us motorcyclist why we love motorcycles so much (especially us BMW owners😉). Great job, great content and Chris you Rock bro. Thank you
Thanks, we do try to create something a bit more aspirational, lots of very average stuff out there.
These are reviews are best on UA-cam, Chris riding and presenting only equalled bu Michael neeves. Great bike, but always preferred the multistrada as never done off road. When I’ve done tours in Africa, Canada and New Zealand always hired a gs though for reliability and comfort two up
This is brilliant. New bikes with a couple of older bikes for a comparison. Subbed!
What a great review and smooth riding skills, well done.......
Cheers Tony!
Top review as always! Have a great 2022 guys
Thanks, you too!
A couple years ago I got a beautiful Blue ‘05 GS with Öhlins and some farkles ha. What an amazing bike, 50k, I got it for $5k US, seemingly never went off-road ha. That redesign lost 60lbs over the prior 2004 1150GS!
Great review Chris , i have the BMW GS 1250 hp 2019 model and i m doing everything , from work to trips and travel enduro experience here in Greece up to the mountains every weekend ..I cant wait how the BMW 1300 GS will be.
Sounds amazing 👍
I love your videos and all the positive energy coming from you :) ! Keep going :)
I only just came across this channel and this video - have to say this is so much better than any of the others. Have sub'd, now I just have to save u a lot of money for a 1250GS - damn, I wish I was wealthier.
Thanks for finding us! We have a review of the 1300 coming in a couple of days.
What a fun review to watch. Love your style of presenting.
Very entertaining. Great stuff, thanks Chris
Best review in ages!
Awesome… I bought a ‘21 and never looked back.
Wow, Brilliant. Just found this. Obviously a talented rider and better than me. I've been riding for 45yrs and discovered how good the GS is! Love it.
Have a '17 GS and just priced to trade to the 1250GS. OMG!! trade was an extra $8Kpound. Not worth stepping up. So I'll keep the '17, plenty for me.
Thanks
Very Entertaining Video!! Thanks for doing this one!
You are the ONLY reviewer who commented that the boxers allow room for the front suspension. Well done. At last somebody paying attention. Now if somebody would talk about the lowered suspension option (for reasons other than being short) and moment of inertia, then maybe we would be approaching a professional review.
I see Chris - I press like before I even start watching. I just know.
Brilliant content - and gracious, you are a master rider. Best in class. 💯
Really great stuff. Best on the UA-cam 👍🇸🇪
Yeah old bikes sort of own you rather than the other way round :-)
Wish you'd filmed more of your riding. These bikes are class
Well mate you certainly deserve the new model as you can handle those beasts very well . You ride with loads of confidence ! 👍👏👏
Great review mate! ❤️ My R 1250 GS Adventure HP 💯💯💯
There is the legend! Yeah…your bike is so nice! Man I’m starting way down the latter. This summer I will buy my first bike and I’m 31 years old😅. I would like to have a big nice adventure bike but they are expensive so I go with a 600 super sport like gsxr 600 from 2007. Have to start somewhere and saving up money I guess. Greetings from the Netherlands
Thank you Chris, it's really fun to watch your videos! It's quite a strange thing with Beemers ... riding a beautiful Kawa z 1000 A1 (with 4in4 muffles of cause) in the beginning of the 90ies it had a lot of break downs. But I wanted to arrive at the destinations so I bought my first BMW ... a used R100/7 and I found it quite ugly. But one has to ride them to start loving them! Same with my R1150GS which I ride for 4 years now. A bit too big and heavy, very strange Design - but I'm totally with you: As it starts to roll it gets you everywhere! Besides: The fun starts not only with the bike but with the guy in the sattle ... Greetings from Germany, Tom
Love the way you trash these bikes out, absolutely the best presenter so far on UA-cam. Keep them coming. Love from India.
Excellent review as always 👍🏽 and with your pro riding background it's an assessment your viewers can trust! Happy holidays 🎊
The GS is not a super expensive bike. For what you are getting, its worth the money. I'm more of a sportsbike man myself. But I see myself getting something for touring in a few years.
The 2010-2013 GSA bikes are the boss.
Best GS video I've seen! You are a legend presenter man!
If somebody is 100% suited for the job he is doing, Chris is leading the pack, no question about it ! 🙂
Honestly the best bike presenter you are👍...subbed straightaway...😇...Happy New Year Chris and everyone.
P/s i have exactly the same R1250 GS Rallye
I had one of those 2012 bikes and I really liked it. Found it a liiiitle underpowered for my 80% on road riding, the seat bloody uncomfortable (Airhawk ftw), the standard screen a bit pants (Adapted Givi Airflow ftw) and the geabox on mine was very clunky. If these points are sorted on the new bikes I'd love one. Unless the new Triumphs are even better.
Awesome and honest review. Continue like this Chris!!
Brilliant review. Thanks for these
Great concept of a review!
Looking forward to you guys testing the v4 pikes peak
Awesome review, happy new year 🤟
Hi Chris an Team I just wanna say this video is epic would love to see more along these lines, N it's great to see cost of bikes being mentioned I've had a 1200GSA 2014 which a dealer lunched 3 engines on after they left the gaskets off doing a valve check. a f800 an a 1200GS TE Rallye 2018 love that rallye so much but I sold it to help my dad out. I've been on a 300 rally recently an now looking at the beemers again but not in the position I was for the rest of the year so it's great to see the twin cammer an the 1150 being compared as well :) thanks again for a brilliant video.
Fun review to watch. Was probably even more fun to do.
I recently bought the 2022 GSA as my first.....im complete!
Awesome review mate, love your work! I've just ordered a new 2022 R1250 GS Rallye and can't wait to ride it around Australia 👍
Brilliant refreshing real life review. I like 'em all. 👍