BMW R1250GS | What Is All The Fuss About?
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- Опубліковано 28 чер 2024
- Hi all.
I finally got my hands on a press bike from BMW, and more importantly, the coveted R1250GS. I genuinely wanted to spend some time on it to see what all the fuss was about with this machine. After 500 miles or so of getting familiar with it, I can share my thoughts.
Hope you enjoy.
Thanks to BMW UK for the loan.
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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!!
Not worth $10k more though…no way.
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.
@@theebayman213 2 up full loaded mixed riding no motorway 46/47 mpg I have no idea if that good or not lol
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.
Well thought out review. Kudos for taking it out in those conditions. I haven’t done that since I was invincible around 40 years ago 🤣🤣
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.
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⛄️❄️☃️
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. 👊🏻
thank you for a very honest review rich and yes your very brave
Good honest review Richy well done mate
I've always been a massive sports bike fan and after I rode one in the summer I now really want one..
Awesome bike
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 👍
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
That's actually the best summary of the GS I've ever heard -- the most complete bike, but not the best, and not the most exciting.
Agree on all points. Expensive and boring… but ticks a lot of boxes.
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.
hats off to ya for going out in that mate!
My backside was twitching just watching you on them roads! 😱
Great review Richy
Just got my first having come from Sports 12-15 years worth. Can't see me going back that way it's an absolute different world and I love it!
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!
Upmost credit to you riding in those conditions. I’ve just within the last year got the GS1200 and tbh will probably keep it for a number of years. Fully agree with the front suspension, it’s so confidence inspiring! Not ridden many bikes but tbh at the mo I can’t see me changing
Good review and credit to you riding in them conditions 👍
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
Beated by ice the might GS, grand review Rich hope your cold gets better lad.
Your bloody brave going out with weather you’ve got up there 😱🥶
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.
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!
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. 👌👏🏍
Thanks very much 👍
Always give credit whenever it’s deserved Richy 👍
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👍👍
Mirrors are delicious!
Congratulations on your first, and last bmw review. They'll love you
Haha we’ll see.
Ive had 4 of these and just about to buy my 5th, I’ve done thousands of miles on them, totally amazing machine.
Oi mr Beans. When are you doing more content? All the best pal.
@@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.
@@beans4491 looking forward to that then mate. Have a great Christmas.
So much money, same boring brand. At least throw in a KTM every other BMW. Dont act 65 years old yet, unless you are. 🤣
Excellent video,nice and calm
Very interesting and honest review
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. 👍🏼 😎 🇺🇸 🌎
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
Good review. You really really wanted that breakfast 👍
Great ride out 🥶. With regards to power for jacket. Two posts on opposite side to battery behind plastic cover to fit accessories. Totally agree with with suspension and the lack of backlit switchgear. I agree with the gears to a certain extent, much better when warmed up. As for cylinder blocks, I am not looking 😳😳 thanks for a good video as per usual. 👍🏻👍🏻
Just finished the video and got my answer thanks 😊
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!
loved this review bit crazy riding in the ice around matlock and darley dale but good fun :)
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).
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!
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 👍👍
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.
Good honest review, Tharse were clenching for ya at Grindleford cafe 😂🤣
Haha mine too!
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!!!
If my ATAS had anti dive forks it would complete a fantastic bike. Good honest review 👍
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.
Great vid Rich, having ridden a AT for few months but owner of a GS I can see your points but for the GS suits me personally and practically and not having to oil a chain tipped the balance to the GS 😃
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.
Great review, i actually went to Google after to see how that front nose dive is stopped wile front braking. Good engineering.
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.
Great review, mad going out in the snow, try the gsa bigger tank you can't see the offset cylinders so my ocd OK, keep safe 👍
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
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.
I own the 2021 triple black its just a dream of a machine…cant understand why people don’t like them? Just ride one and smile 😊
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 👍
Hi Richy. Was down visiting the Peak District in September. Was quite taken by the scenery. Went to that cafe……you weren’t there!🤠
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.
Brave shout riding with all that ice and snow about!
Fair review….only thing not sure about is your xp with the quickshifter. Mine is quite smooth ….but you need to be on the gas and pulling hard.
If you can, load the bike up with touring gear or a pillion etc. The GS star feature is that it’s still planted and still handles like a sports bike when loaded for touring👍
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 😉
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 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!
Excellent review Rich, in challenging conditions. The gearbox issue was my biggest problem with our K1600GTLE, highly expensive bike with an after thought to the smoothness of the gear changes. The SOS is an excellent idea. Was that Chatsworth you rode past? Love Derbyshire countryside. Thanks Rich.
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
Great to see you on a GS Rich! Fully agree with you though, it’s our differences that make the world a more interesting place... Reminds of the song by Groove Armada “If everybody looked the same”!
OMG. never saw that with the engine. Grrrr, lol. Great vid mate. !!
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.
Great review.Beautiful machine the gs is. I find myself now at 51 thinking of getting rid of my super ten for the lighter t7.The weight issue gets to me now ,go up a green lane or fire track and I think I'm riding a fire truck, but saying that I spend most of my time on the tarmac!!!
Great review as always and do love the look of the AT …
on my first GS and have to say I agree with the QS at low revs I tend to not use it first couple
Of gears and saw someone say use it above 3000 revs do that and find it smooth as and a lovely pop from the Akra 😜
AT or GS? I’m a BM person… but totally agree with you about the QS, some are less intrusive than others on different R engines. The one I have just now is as you say jumpy…the last was much smoother.
Great video, and in the snow and ice too!
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 🙄.
Agree.,Or a sweet RT.
I got my first Boxer in 1976 and in all the years since my OCD has coped just fine with, checks notes, offset cylinder heads.
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
Incredible
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 👍
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.
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.
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.
Thanks Richy, just went and sat on the GS in the garage and yes the engine is off set 😫
Hi rich I’ve got the last of the 2018 gsa te rallye full spec and ye quick shifter not great but I found when you do it low speed it’s clunky but when you really get going and be positive with the leaver it’s much smoother I think also when you get it set up on enduro pro youl find it better off-road as you say not many take theses bike off-road just too heavy I love mine for touring , pity weather not on your side for a good test but hopefully you will get a better day for it , cheers mate love the vids 👌
Steven
hopefully weather permitting look forward to you off roading the bike for a fair review, but enjoyed the review Richy 👍😉
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.
...from 2nd to 6th.)
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 😉
500 miles before this vid. DP the whole time.
@@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
Enjoyable review; TY🙂. In part, I'll disagree regarding the lack of excitement. When riding the twisties hard, the telelever front gives me the confidence to brake later in the corners, and gas out earlier. For me, riding faster/harder in the corners, with more confidence is more exciting. (I'm comparing to other long travel suspension, including my current S10.)
You done well there
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 😅
Thanks for that detailed comment. Yeah, I had the AX41’s on my AT. Super tyres. Great bike, nevertheless 👍👍
Hi Richy, picked up a 2021 R1250GSA and love it! The quick shift really is clunky! I know what you mean about the settings, when I got my bike it was on ECO , and I thought what a gutless piece of junk this is !..... until I found Dynamic Pro! Dang! What a difference. Great review as well. Cheers
Agree 100% with your list of pros and cons Richy. Got the 1250 GS for this season. Amazing bike! The quickshifter can actually easily be calibrated, but still much clunkier than anything else out there. However, I must break your heart telling you that I converted from Honda to BMW last year and I will be very surprised if I ever turn back. 😊
You'll change back all right.......right after the warranty runs out.
@@Jungleland33 You might have a point, but my wife claims I change bikes so often that they never runs out of warranty……🤣
@@tommyholen6887 you're a lucky man, you have an understanding wife and a big wallet 😆. I have 2 bikes whose combined age is 35 years......I might spring a new one on my SO some day.
Fair review Richy , GSA owner here.
I have 3 things I love the telelever suspension, shaft drive TFT
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.
it's nowhere near as bad as it used to be on the old R80, it was seriously noticeable then
Hey Richie, When you mentioned the centre stand tapping your heel that reminded me immediately of my g650x country. A way different bike & from a different decade, i know. But bmw also and it has exactly the same annoying issue 🤣
My left heel hitting the centre stand & right heel rubbing the exhaust guard is why I didn't get a GS & got an RT instead, but I found a similar problem on the V4 Multistrada & the KTM 1290 Super adventure, both heels catching the pillion pegs, very annoying.
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.
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
just back from toro cowboy tour riding over a 2000 meter mountain with snow just love the gs would sell the vfr if i had the extra dosh
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
nice review Richy, did the same a few months ago, set myself up for replacing my 02 VFR next year for i think either S1000XR or the F900XR (are you going to test them?) so i also took out the 1250GS, to `what the fuss was about` found it very nice, but found the XR`s more sporty and more to my liking...hoping you get the chance to try them.
keen tying to go on the top at mo. brave man
The cylinder heads are offset to accommodate the alternate con rod connections on the crank. Just keep your eyes on the road! Hehe
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
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.