That was a really detailed, interesting, and engaging video! It's never been quite the same bike since the buttery rotex-built 800 was replaced by the noisy 850/900 engine. Think I'd still choose a slightly older 1250 for the same money. As someome who works in the industry, I'm always hearing people (often female riders) struggling with seat heights, so would it be possible in future videos that you show a variety of people sitting on the bike, and even better show the variety of seat heights available? I think that would help a lot of potential buyers 😁
tips for improvements: 1. Add numbers to the screen, when talking about specs, 2. Add graphs/tables/charts when comparing specs, 3. Add conversion for specs between imperial/metric 4. Mention on which tyres the 0-60 time was measured 5. Make future dyno tests on same stand with same adjustments, if possible
Great stuff Simon, At last a return to specific information, lots of magazines/sites these days, have very little geeky stuff now, it's all a bit generic.
I had a F850 GSA for 4 years, in that time I only had a dead battery and a leaking oil filter 2 months before service and no matter how tight on it still leaked but sorted at service. Other than that I have no other problems. Pro nice position, great range and easy to use on the road/ Cons like mentioned the seat even when changed for the comfort seat still hurt my backside after 2.5 to 3 hours of continuous riding, I've tired 3 different seats from BMW and the wunderlich seat and they all have the same problem. I also changed the small screen to a Puig touring screen to make it better but still not perfect for a 6.1 rider. The last con was the non adjustable front forks which did dive a lot under braking and bad rebound. Item I think it should have had was headed seat option which I don't get why not as its till a premium bike. I was looking at the F900 GSA to part x to but as only 1 of the bad things had been fixed which was the adjustable forks and no real seat on offer I've gone to one of the last R1250 GSA knowing I can still use my panniers have better heated seat better screen and the lovely telelever front. I could not be happier, but still loved the F850 for them 4 years of fun.
I have an 850GSA and recently had a 900GSA loaner while having new tyres fitted. I found the extra power of the 900 just hit a sweet spot for me of having plenty of power for normal road riding and able to keep up with my mates on their 1200RTs. Overall the 900 didn't have any significant improvements over the 850 but altogether felt a more refined package with improved ride comfort. It would still be a worthwhile upgrade over the 850 and a good chunk of money less than the 1250/1300. I do sometimes miss the extra grunt of the 1200 GSA & 1200 RT I had previously, but not that often.
I had no idea how many people bought a GS, more than 60,000 units a year! All the other manufacturers must feel very disappointed! Enjoying the facts and figures, Si, keep doing what you're doing.
Thank you for the detailed test. 44.4 mpg UK is less than 16 km/l. We need a BMW F 600 GS doing 28 km/ before I would consider testing it. Maybe it is just me, but I love long camping trips. I have the same range on my small 14 l tank and save 80 l on a 3000 km holiday.
Great video si, i currently ride a gsa850 2023, just back from 5 weeks all around europe, bike was fantastic and i have low seat only being 5ft 5", i test ridden R1300 last week thought the gearbox was very klunky and didnt feel like a adv bike so didnt buy one,,, more a semi naked sports bike feeling, im trying to get test ride on new 900 for a upgrade but cant get my hands on one in glssgow, i do like them glad i watch your video. cheers
Can I suggest adding to Geek testing by going over the bike and looking at various items, how they're made, quality of parts etc? Sarah n tuned does this very well on her road tests and I think it would be an absolutely unique thing in bike testing as nobody at all does this. Cheers Nice video Simon
Great idea. A real bike test, not just a subjective assessment. Looking forward to you testing all the “400”s, a very popular segment of the market for us not so young bikers.
Very informative one thing that only mentioned occasionally is engine heat and also so any extras like usb plugs and any cubbie holes, under set space.
Have 850gsa for 5 years totally trouble free and has covered 40,000 Kms inc 2 tours of Spain /Portugal averaging 68 mpg ridden gently.agree about seat needs to be improved considering this is a long distance adv bike.would I buy another one? Yes.
What a great way to start this series - I have an F900GSA coming in October and can’t wait 🥳 As for the series, it’s a great idea. And well thought out. Some practical touches like underseat storage and bungee points would be good, otherwise I think more of the same. And with Simon permanently at the helm, please!
Simon......if ya wanna go 'Full On Geek'......it's pronounced Ah-Krap-O-Vitch.......not Akra-po-vik. 😉 Can you please include a 0 - 20mph time in future Geek Tests.......for the benefit of those who live in Snails.......soz, I meant Wales. 😡Ta Dood.
Thanks so much for the Geek test. I have searched the entire internet on the F900 GSA and haven't seen a detailed review like yours!!! I just purchased this exact bike 1 month ago here in California. Its the triple black one and has all upgrades available from BMW, (except the muffler tip). I must say, I LOVE THIS BIKE! I put about 600 miles on it so far and I have ridden about 20 miles on tough off road. I come from an enduro duals sport back round, (KTM 500 EXCF and now ride a 2022 Husky FE350S). I purchased this bike for touring only but have experienced its off road capability so I plan on doing some simple ADV rides. My final thought is, this bike has the benefits of a heavyweight without the massive bus feel. GET ONE!!
Two weeks in and 500 miles later, I’m loving my Brand New BMW F900 GS Adventure, with a big thank you to Mike Bentham at Sycamore Motorrad, a great salesman and a great showroom and business to deal with, absolutely now pressure to purchase and so approachable thank you 👍🏻🥇🏆
Great review, thnx. Since I'm not from UK could you please give also details in L/100km, km, km/h, etc. Just for all those outside of UK, please!!! Can't wait for another Geek Test of eg: CRF1100AS (no DCT, since we love to ride by ourselves), Tiger 1200 R.Expl.,
There may be trouble ahead. The Voge 900DSX could create a few issues for BMW. The engine from the same factory(Loncin), I know it's Chinese, but the gap is narrowing. I'd love to know your views on that bike, Simon, maybe even a review?
Interesting format. Long-time fan of Simon's work. Will the series be all new bikes? Maybe we could see some older 2nd hand favourites, maybe even Mufga's SV!
Thank you for this detailed explanation. Would love to know the comparison review of F900GSA and Tiger 900 rally pro. Which bike do you prefer from these 2?
Forgot to add one thing. Please talk to a physic expert and an engineer. Together construct a machine that measures top heaviness of bikes. This will be proper GEEKY stuff and I don’t think any UA-camr does it 🎉
Like the format ❤ just add what your height is when talking about seat height and effectiveness of screens and it will be golden 😆. 900 gsa is very confused bike. They have dedicated 900gs for off road so the question is why they spoiled GSA for so many riders. It’s too tall and seat not comfortable for long rides. Screen doesn’t protect from the weather as it could. For the money I would go for the Tiger or MG Stelvio.
Really good program, something different that almost everyone is doing. If I may! add a female host would be nice to don't be always the same voice saying this because it's a lot of info and starts to be to long with always the same voice and tone, and adding other host you can add a pillion test and switching because nowadays you start to see male pillions🎉, other thing the sound in a garage it's sterile do it in some place with a little bit of background sound in a garage or in the magazine hq or on a bike cafe with a second mic you can modulate the sound to be just a background sound 🎉🎉🎉
I appreciate the review on this bike. There are not too many reviews on this bike and there probable will not be. In the light of geeking out on specific motorcycles, it would probably be better to leave the opinions out of the geek part of it. Opinions are very subjective. I own this bike and love it and find the comfort seat for me to be very comfortable for me for hours in the saddle. My butt must be different than yours. Hence the subjectiveness of opinions. Keep up the good work 👍😉
Love the stat-fest geek test Simon. My one suggestion is that you weigh the front and rear at the same time and then comment on the weight distribution. But great stuff, a real bucker of the trend towards fluff and nonsens.
Thank you for a new way to check out bike performance 👍 I think many of your followers comes from oversea. I think it had been Nice to see fuel consumtion in l/km, torque in Nm etc. Please put in a box with this data.. 😉 Cheers and keep up the good work from Bennetts 😊
Simon, I loved this form of testing. Really helpful for those of us who like checking every detail on bikes we want. One thing I’d like to see would be if there’s any storage under the seat and if you can cancel the inevitable service lights that come on. The first is nice for a disc lock and puncture kit, the second for those of us who service our own bikes. Oh, and if the wheels are tubeless.
Good format, great presenting. Very watchable. I wonder if some worthwhile comparison could be made using prices for consumables or spare parts. Genuine parts for my RC 390 are SO cheap compared to some of its competition …which is lucky because… KTM! 😂 Seriously though, it would be nice to know if you’re going to get slammed at the parts counter if you ever dropped the bike in the car park outside B&M because you’ve overloaded the outside pannier with Maoam and Swizzles Double Dips.
Really enjoyed the concept. It's a great idea. Simon is always a great presenter. If I were to offer constructive criticism? The editing felt a little stilted. It didn't really flow. Simon in free form chat with the other guys sounds more natural. I found the structure of the edit a touch jarring. Like he was inserting a gap for the edit and the editor didn't pick up on it quickly enough. Just my 2 pence.
Well done Simon ! I was missing data driven bike assessment and, good old, cross checking manufacturer’s figures. Thank you for finally bridging the gap ❤ Stopping distance is rarely measured, I’d propose perhaps 3-5 repetitions? Another good one that none of the magazines measure is ride comfort, but you’d need someone with automotive ride and handling experience. Shall I cast over an up-to-date resume? 😉
Thank you for the info, great to have witnessed the very first geektest. For future geeky tests: what is the storage space under the seat like (can you store a bike lock without the need for rucksack or tank bag), does it come with tools, enough for roadside repair and finally: which tires are fitted from factory and are they any good or a cheap OEM version of the aftermarket brand and model ?
Very interesting video, Si. Any chance of more in-depth handling characteristics in the future? Like how the front end feels in and out of the bends and while braking; how the back end feels under acceleration (maybe some setup tips). Not so much a geek test but a proper biking hack giving his knowledgeable opinion on a bike. Cheers.
It's a good point and one that's been the subject of hundreds of 'over-the-desk' conversations among road test teams I've been involved with for about 20 years. We managed to prise ourselves away from using lbs to quote weights in kg about 2005. Maybe this is the moment we make the fuel change too. Don't expect it to happen overnight because we're easily distracted. But when it happens, you can claim the credit. Thanks again. Steve R
These tests are a good insight. But. I wonder how many people will ride them without the metal boxes? Perhaps they should be on the test bike as it will affect a lot of factors. But. Enjoyed it. Just like the Motorcycle Mechanics or PB tests.. Ride safe 👍
If something breaks on a bmw you can get the spare part in a matter of milliseconds almost anywhere in the world. It is not the same for triumph even in european countries.
it actually feels like a good package. It has some niggles, that need to be sorted, but the overall stuff is good. It is a hefty girl - so no way to call it "small gs" at 250++kg.
I had a 850 gs loan bike when my xr went in for a service. I am selling my xr now, i realised i miss twins. Wollaston Motorrad are worth a mention, xr refreshed and renewed after big service and the interaction was faultless. Ed. Enjoyed that,ta.
Great test at last a detailed test with waffle and just the right length Ine addition needed, pillion comfort, some have to take the wife/husband out with us
@@simond5208 Thanks! As far as the name goes, we needed something immediately descriptive, relatively short (for UA-cam’s algorithms) and unique. Do you have any suggestions?
@@bennettsbikesocial 😀 I'm an old git who thinks that the removal of the word Geek would improve it but I do understand the need for something more catchy.
Over 4 years of ownership I’ve gotten an average of 51 mpg on my F900XR. Interesting to hear that the same engine gets close to 10 mpg less on the GS. I suppose some of the difference could be due to riding style.
You're right, riding style makes a huge difference. When we had the R1300GS on a road test we averaged high-40s mpg in the hands of our regular test team. But our long term test bike being ridden over more miles, including a lot of ordinary day-to-day riding from a rider with a different style is averaging at least 5 mpg more
It grates on me too. Is it the compression and noise gate, or the way it's read from a teleprompter? Something is strange. Others are enjoying it though so maybe we're just...picky!
@@meetmobility It never occurred to me . Information and another's point of view on the bikes is what I want , not a Martin bloody Quimby production. 😅
I’d recommend having a range of riders give their opinion. All too often “pro” tester views aren’t representative of real world bikers but I’d say this was quite balanced. I’d expect owners to get much better fuel economy - my 850GSA did about 55-57mpg but not much more - but I pretty much agree with everything else, it feels like two different types of bike squeezed into one, and it doesn’t quite work. Is it a road tourer? If so why does it need a 21” spoked front wheel? Is it an off-roader? If so why is it 250Kg? No-one is picking that up more than once off road! It’s one of the reasons I got rid of mine after a few months (including the horrible rattly engine and uninspiring power delivery, and to me it felt like a bike you very much sit on, and a long way away from the ground). Still, some people apparently like it, so best of luck to them.
My experience as both a 'pro' tester and editing/publishing magazines and BikeSocial (meaning I'm the one who has a say in which testers we use) is that the number one quality I look for in a pro tester is their ability to understand exactly what our readers/viewers want from a test. It's a fact, of course that these testers do more miles on more bikes and as a consequence of that are probably better-than-average and also perhaps quicker-than-average riders and that does have an impact on things like fuel consumption figures. But in all other respects I'd like to think that we consider the potential customer of a bike and reflect that in our testing. Simon is one of the very best at doing exactly that. Geek test was one of his ideas that we loved. I still think there's more to come from this format and we'll listen to all feedback and incorporate the stuff we think will improve it further. Thanks for your comment. Steve R
I agree. I did say “all too often” but also that this was a balanced review. I like Simon’s knowledge and style of presenting - reminds me a bit of Kevin Ash. I also like this format, keep it going!
That was a really detailed, interesting, and engaging video! It's never been quite the same bike since the buttery rotex-built 800 was replaced by the noisy 850/900 engine. Think I'd still choose a slightly older 1250 for the same money. As someome who works in the industry, I'm always hearing people (often female riders) struggling with seat heights, so would it be possible in future videos that you show a variety of people sitting on the bike, and even better show the variety of seat heights available? I think that would help a lot of potential buyers 😁
tips for improvements:
1. Add numbers to the screen, when talking about specs,
2. Add graphs/tables/charts when comparing specs,
3. Add conversion for specs between imperial/metric
4. Mention on which tyres the 0-60 time was measured
5. Make future dyno tests on same stand with same adjustments, if possible
@@kiryllis5823 Thanks for the input 👍🏻
Great stuff Simon, At last a return to specific information, lots of magazines/sites these days, have very little geeky stuff now, it's all a bit generic.
Distracted whilst watching so may have missed it, but add pillion test to your geekyness
I had a F850 GSA for 4 years, in that time I only had a dead battery and a leaking oil filter 2 months before service and no matter how tight on it still leaked but sorted at service. Other than that I have no other problems. Pro nice position, great range and easy to use on the road/ Cons like mentioned the seat even when changed for the comfort seat still hurt my backside after 2.5 to 3 hours of continuous riding, I've tired 3 different seats from BMW and the wunderlich seat and they all have the same problem.
I also changed the small screen to a Puig touring screen to make it better but still not perfect for a 6.1 rider. The last con was the non adjustable front forks which did dive a lot under braking and bad rebound. Item I think it should have had was headed seat option which I don't get why not as its till a premium bike.
I was looking at the F900 GSA to part x to but as only 1 of the bad things had been fixed which was the adjustable forks and no real seat on offer I've gone to one of the last R1250 GSA knowing I can still use my panniers have better heated seat better screen and the lovely telelever front. I could not be happier, but still loved the F850 for them 4 years of fun.
I have an 850GSA and recently had a 900GSA loaner while having new tyres fitted. I found the extra power of the 900 just hit a sweet spot for me of having plenty of power for normal road riding and able to keep up with my mates on their 1200RTs. Overall the 900 didn't have any significant improvements over the 850 but altogether felt a more refined package with improved ride comfort. It would still be a worthwhile upgrade over the 850 and a good chunk of money less than the 1250/1300. I do sometimes miss the extra grunt of the 1200 GSA & 1200 RT I had previously, but not that often.
I have the same story and same feelings. Even if I'm enjoying my 1250gsa, 850gsa is and always will be in my heart.
Love this new concept, with the best presenter doing it. More of the same please Simon.
I had no idea how many people bought a GS, more than 60,000 units a year! All the other manufacturers must feel very disappointed! Enjoying the facts and figures, Si, keep doing what you're doing.
Thank you for the detailed test. 44.4 mpg UK is less than 16 km/l. We need a BMW F 600 GS doing 28 km/ before I would consider testing it. Maybe it is just me, but I love long camping trips. I have the same range on my small 14 l tank and save 80 l on a 3000 km holiday.
Great video si, i currently ride a gsa850 2023, just back from 5 weeks all around europe, bike was fantastic and i have low seat only being 5ft 5", i test ridden R1300 last week thought the gearbox was very klunky and didnt feel like a adv bike so didnt buy one,,, more a semi naked sports bike feeling, im trying to get test ride on new 900 for a upgrade but cant get my hands on one in glssgow, i do like them glad i watch your video. cheers
The Loncin 895cc engine it uses sounds like a bag of nails.
Can I suggest adding to Geek testing by going over the bike and looking at various items, how they're made, quality of parts etc?
Sarah n tuned does this very well on her road tests and I think it would be an absolutely unique thing in bike testing as nobody at all does this.
Cheers
Nice video Simon
Great idea. A real bike test, not just a subjective assessment. Looking forward to you testing all the “400”s, a very popular segment of the market for us not so young bikers.
Very informative one thing that only mentioned occasionally is engine heat and also so any extras like usb plugs and any cubbie holes, under set space.
That’s what I call a comprehensive review.
Please Please Please geek test the Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE!!
Really enjoyed this format , looking forward to seeing the next Geek Test 🤓
Great comprehensive video, looking forward to the next instalment
Off road focused bikes should really be tested on an off-road course. One that is repeatable across bikes tested to compare like for like.
Nice review Simon, I like the Geek Test content. 🙏👍
It’s not a V-Strom 800.
Therefore Simon does not approve.
Yes, I listen to FEC.
Speedo accuracy. It's a real bugbear of mine!
Loved this! Please do one on a Honda CB1000R and Indian Scout 101!
Have 850gsa for 5 years totally trouble free and has covered 40,000 Kms inc 2 tours of Spain /Portugal averaging 68 mpg ridden gently.agree about seat needs to be improved considering this is a long distance adv bike.would I buy another one? Yes.
Great vid thanks. Nice and thorough
This is very strange but I also couldnt stop watching... 🤔
I think i know what made it odd for me, seemed like John Ms words but you speaking them?!
What a great way to start this series - I have an F900GSA coming in October and can’t wait 🥳
As for the series, it’s a great idea. And well thought out. Some practical touches like underseat storage and bungee points would be good, otherwise I think more of the same. And with Simon permanently at the helm, please!
@@karlmariner5170 brill, thanks for the input
Simon......if ya wanna go 'Full On Geek'......it's pronounced Ah-Krap-O-Vitch.......not Akra-po-vik. 😉
Can you please include a 0 - 20mph time in future Geek Tests.......for the benefit of those who live in Snails.......soz, I meant Wales. 😡Ta Dood.
Thanks so much for the Geek test. I have searched the entire internet on the F900 GSA and haven't seen a detailed review like yours!!!
I just purchased this exact bike 1 month ago here in California. Its the triple black one and has all upgrades available from BMW, (except the muffler tip). I must say, I LOVE THIS BIKE! I put about 600 miles on it so far and I have ridden about 20 miles on tough off road. I come from an enduro duals sport back round, (KTM 500 EXCF and now ride a 2022 Husky FE350S). I purchased this bike for touring only but have experienced its off road capability so I plan on doing some simple ADV rides. My final thought is, this bike has the benefits of a heavyweight without the massive bus feel. GET ONE!!
@@ryanzone3675 nice one, hope you continue to enjoy!
Thanks for the clear and concise info on range till empty. Critical info for the Australian market.
Nice this one! Amazing audio quality, and very geeky! Keep it up! BTW The 900 GSA looks better in the flesh!
Two weeks in and 500 miles later, I’m loving my Brand New BMW F900 GS Adventure, with a big thank you to Mike Bentham at Sycamore Motorrad, a great salesman and a great showroom and business to deal with, absolutely now pressure to purchase and so approachable thank you 👍🏻🥇🏆
Great review, thnx. Since I'm not from UK could you please give also details in L/100km, km, km/h, etc. Just for all those outside of UK, please!!!
Can't wait for another Geek Test of eg: CRF1100AS (no DCT, since we love to ride by ourselves), Tiger 1200 R.Expl.,
There may be trouble ahead. The Voge 900DSX could create a few issues for BMW. The engine from the same factory(Loncin), I know it's Chinese, but the gap is narrowing. I'd love to know your views on that bike, Simon, maybe even a review?
Interesting format. Long-time fan of Simon's work. Will the series be all new bikes? Maybe we could see some older 2nd hand favourites, maybe even Mufga's SV!
Thank you for this detailed explanation. Would love to know the comparison review of F900GSA and Tiger 900 rally pro. Which bike do you prefer from these 2?
Any chance that you'll look into "Maeving"? Perhaps a comparison of that and Seat's scooter.
Forgot to add one thing. Please talk to a physic expert and an engineer. Together construct a machine that measures top heaviness of bikes. This will be proper GEEKY stuff and I don’t think any UA-camr does it 🎉
Like the format ❤ just add what your height is when talking about seat height and effectiveness of screens and it will be golden 😆.
900 gsa is very confused bike. They have dedicated 900gs for off road so the question is why they spoiled GSA for so many riders. It’s too tall and seat not comfortable for long rides. Screen doesn’t protect from the weather as it could. For the money I would go for the Tiger or MG Stelvio.
Nice video - would suggest mentioning the engines of each of the competitors for comparison.
Really good program, something different that almost everyone is doing.
If I may! add a female host would be nice to don't be always the same voice saying this because it's a lot of info and starts to be to long with always the same voice and tone, and adding other host you can add a pillion test and switching because nowadays you start to see male pillions🎉, other thing the sound in a garage it's sterile do it in some place with a little bit of background sound in a garage or in the magazine hq or on a bike cafe with a second mic you can modulate the sound to be just a background sound 🎉🎉🎉
I appreciate the review on this bike. There are not too many reviews on this bike and there probable will not be. In the light of geeking out on specific motorcycles, it would probably be better to leave the opinions out of the geek part of it. Opinions are very subjective. I own this bike and love it and find the comfort seat for me to be very comfortable for me for hours in the saddle. My butt must be different than yours. Hence the subjectiveness of opinions. Keep up the good work 👍😉
Higher compression, have to run premium fuel, no thanks
Can you please use the metric system in your videos? Thank you.
Can't fault you, it is indeed very geeky ;-)
Love the stat-fest geek test Simon. My one suggestion is that you weigh the front and rear at the same time and then comment on the weight distribution. But great stuff, a real bucker of the trend towards fluff and nonsens.
I have one. It’s brilliant.
Thank you for a new way to check out bike performance 👍 I think many of your followers comes from oversea. I think it had been Nice to see fuel consumtion in l/km, torque in Nm etc. Please put in a box with this data.. 😉
Cheers and keep up the good work from Bennetts 😊
Test fellas loose shoe laces made me nervous
Simon, I loved this form of testing. Really helpful for those of us who like checking every detail on bikes we want. One thing I’d like to see would be if there’s any storage under the seat and if you can cancel the inevitable service lights that come on. The first is nice for a disc lock and puncture kit, the second for those of us who service our own bikes. Oh, and if the wheels are tubeless.
@@903lew Some great points there, thanks!
VOGE DS900X is better looking ................££££!!!!!!!??????
ua-cam.com/video/VLMppDZCeyM/v-deo.htmlsi=hN0AC4PDgLYU-kEu
EXCELLENT GEEKasode.
Great test, ugly bike
Cracking review
It’s become a weird world where a 900 is a middle weight…
When it's stablemate is a 1300, then a 900 becomes a "middle"weight... you're right, it's weird!
Good format, great presenting. Very watchable. I wonder if some worthwhile comparison could be made using prices for consumables or spare parts. Genuine parts for my RC 390 are SO cheap compared to some of its competition …which is lucky because… KTM! 😂 Seriously though, it would be nice to know if you’re going to get slammed at the parts counter if you ever dropped the bike in the car park outside B&M because you’ve overloaded the outside pannier with Maoam and Swizzles Double Dips.
Really enjoyed the concept. It's a great idea. Simon is always a great presenter. If I were to offer constructive criticism? The editing felt a little stilted. It didn't really flow. Simon in free form chat with the other guys sounds more natural. I found the structure of the edit a touch jarring. Like he was inserting a gap for the edit and the editor didn't pick up on it quickly enough. Just my 2 pence.
Looking forward to comparing it to Voge DS900X
Well done Simon !
I was missing data driven bike assessment and, good old, cross checking manufacturer’s figures.
Thank you for finally bridging the gap ❤
Stopping distance is rarely measured, I’d propose perhaps 3-5 repetitions?
Another good one that none of the magazines measure is ride comfort, but you’d need someone with automotive ride and handling experience. Shall I cast over an up-to-date resume? 😉
Thank you for the info, great to have witnessed the very first geektest. For future geeky tests: what is the storage space under the seat like (can you store a bike lock without the need for rucksack or tank bag), does it come with tools, enough for roadside repair and finally: which tires are fitted from factory and are they any good or a cheap OEM version of the aftermarket brand and model ?
@@BrainProductions72 Yes! The underseat storage/tools is a great idea.
Nice one Simon.
Very interesting video, Si. Any chance of more in-depth handling characteristics in the future? Like how the front end feels in and out of the bends and while braking; how the back end feels under acceleration (maybe some setup tips). Not so much a geek test but a proper biking hack giving his knowledgeable opinion on a bike. Cheers.
We buy our fuel in litres now so miles per litre is more useful number than mpg.
It's a good point and one that's been the subject of hundreds of 'over-the-desk' conversations among road test teams I've been involved with for about 20 years. We managed to prise ourselves away from using lbs to quote weights in kg about 2005. Maybe this is the moment we make the fuel change too. Don't expect it to happen overnight because we're easily distracted. But when it happens, you can claim the credit. Thanks again. Steve R
Not entirely sure if that weighing method gave accurate results
Thumbs up for this one. Really engaging and fun to watch. Hope you will make more in same format.
These tests are a good insight.
But. I wonder how many people will ride them without the metal boxes? Perhaps they should be on the test bike as it will affect a lot of factors.
But. Enjoyed it. Just like the Motorcycle Mechanics or PB tests..
Ride safe 👍
Excellent.
Really can't see why you'd have the 1300 GS...That's if you want a BMW of course..for that money I'd certainly get the Triumph.
If something breaks on a bmw you can get the spare part in a matter of milliseconds almost anywhere in the world. It is not the same for triumph even in european countries.
@@The3osforos , I've had Triumphs for over 20years, nothings broken.
it actually feels like a good package. It has some niggles, that need to be sorted, but the overall stuff is good. It is a hefty girl - so no way to call it "small gs" at 250++kg.
Extremely in depth review as usual, great stuff.
That tiger looks awesome.
I had a 850 gs loan bike when my xr went in for a service. I am selling my xr now, i realised i miss twins. Wollaston Motorrad are worth a mention, xr refreshed and renewed after big service and the interaction was faultless. Ed. Enjoyed that,ta.
The Starbucks cameo, well done.
Yup, we need more of these. Review the top 5 bikes in each category, please!
Great test at last a detailed test with waffle and just the right length
Ine addition needed, pillion comfort, some have to take the wife/husband out with us
Great video Simon 👌👍👍 more like this please 🙏
Like to see a tiger 900 and a multistrada v2s in future😊
This is fantastic, I hope you have plans (and time) to do more bikes!
Great video very informative 👏
I'd take the 900 tiger ,
Great to see a 2024 Motto Guzzi v85tt Tourer tested.
Love the format of this vid! Very much so!
Love this format of reviewing dude 👌
Great real world review, really enjoyed it!
How about pillion ride?
Excellent review in every way apart from the name!
@@simond5208 Thanks! As far as the name goes, we needed something immediately descriptive, relatively short (for UA-cam’s algorithms) and unique. Do you have any suggestions?
@@bennettsbikesocial 😀 I'm an old git who thinks that the removal of the word Geek would improve it but I do understand the need for something more catchy.
He said Geek Test .... cool.
Over 4 years of ownership I’ve gotten an average of 51 mpg on my F900XR. Interesting to hear that the same engine gets close to 10 mpg less on the GS. I suppose some of the difference could be due to riding style.
You're right, riding style makes a huge difference. When we had the R1300GS on a road test we averaged high-40s mpg in the hands of our regular test team. But our long term test bike being ridden over more miles, including a lot of ordinary day-to-day riding from a rider with a different style is averaging at least 5 mpg more
the audio is horrible
It grates on me too. Is it the compression and noise gate, or the way it's read from a teleprompter? Something is strange. Others are enjoying it though so maybe we're just...picky!
@@meetmobility It never occurred to me . Information and another's point of view on the bikes is what I want , not a Martin bloody Quimby production. 😅
Im dropping loads
I have a 750 GS as well as a 1300GS and the 750 (853cc)is the better bike
Interesting! What makes you say this? I’m genuinely interested in your experiences!
Love this test
The bumpiest road is just about any in Sutton In Ashfield
Or Belgium, where I lost my number plate! 🫨
Give that man a Locket or at the very least a Hall’s Soother!
@@evoermine Now there’s a sponsorship opportunity!
I’d recommend having a range of riders give their opinion. All too often “pro” tester views aren’t representative of real world bikers but I’d say this was quite balanced. I’d expect owners to get much better fuel economy - my 850GSA did about 55-57mpg but not much more - but I pretty much agree with everything else, it feels like two different types of bike squeezed into one, and it doesn’t quite work. Is it a road tourer? If so why does it need a 21” spoked front wheel? Is it an off-roader? If so why is it 250Kg? No-one is picking that up more than once off road! It’s one of the reasons I got rid of mine after a few months (including the horrible rattly engine and uninspiring power delivery, and to me it felt like a bike you very much sit on, and a long way away from the ground). Still, some people apparently like it, so best of luck to them.
My experience as both a 'pro' tester and editing/publishing magazines and BikeSocial (meaning I'm the one who has a say in which testers we use) is that the number one quality I look for in a pro tester is their ability to understand exactly what our readers/viewers want from a test. It's a fact, of course that these testers do more miles on more bikes and as a consequence of that are probably better-than-average and also perhaps quicker-than-average riders and that does have an impact on things like fuel consumption figures. But in all other respects I'd like to think that we consider the potential customer of a bike and reflect that in our testing.
Simon is one of the very best at doing exactly that. Geek test was one of his ideas that we loved. I still think there's more to come from this format and we'll listen to all feedback and incorporate the stuff we think will improve it further.
Thanks for your comment. Steve R
I agree. I did say “all too often” but also that this was a balanced review. I like Simon’s knowledge and style of presenting - reminds me a bit of Kevin Ash. I also like this format, keep it going!
That’s one ugly bike
@@gpzfan5272 thanks for that insight, I’m sure BMW will note it and do better next time.
@@bennettsbikesocial they already did better with the standard F900GS. Must have let the apprentices design this one.
Comparing one bike to the other, smart one. Sales volumes say everything we need to know about the validity of your opinion @@gpzfan5272
If im not wrong its a chinese made engine!!???