Order your parts and riding gear using this link to support Big Rock Moto. Please bookmark it! While there is zero cost to you and nothing will be visible on your end, my channel receives a small commission from each sale which I invest back into content creation. www.rockymountainatvmc.com/?ref=1053&BigRockMoto&
I agree with you I have an older 1150 gs and every time I ride it which is almost every day I think how lucky I am to have this bike, unless i have to pick it up which fortunately isn't that often, incidentally I am over 70 and been riding for more than 50 years
I never liked the GS1200 till my brother lent me his. I spent a full day riding it in city and highway, after 7 hours i fell in love with it. Amazing bike and I wish I can get one soonest possible.
As someone looking to buy an R1200GS in the near future (if Corona Virus ever ends...) I'm thirsty for knowledge about the bike. Honest, plain english reviews from real owners who have lengthy experience with the bike are the best source of information in my opinion. Thanks for an informative video. (Subbed) Regards... Bob
Thanks Ian. Likely to pick one up this winter. Got my eyes on a 2012 GSA with the important bits upgraded. Hope it’s still available when I whip out my wallet.
I don’t know why I watched this video since I’m a dirt bike guy, but now unfortunately I want one of these ha ha. I just like watching your videos because you’re good at explaining things. I started watching your channel because we are in the same Facebook group here in Southern California and noticed your videos on the 690 KTM and haven’t stopped. Keep it up. Thank you.
Great vid and helped me in my decision to trade up and purchase the bike. Hopefully BMW will have some type of incentive for me to purchase. Thanks and keep those GS vids coming!
I have a R1250GS and would agree with all your points except one, the comfort. I also have a 2017 Goldwing and IT is more comfortable for long rides, it really just is! The seat (stock) is wide and has a higher back for better lower back support and the fairing is so much wider that it provides better wind protection. I love my GS too, and would add the smoothness of the 1250. I had a 2014 Super Tenere and it felt like a tractor compared to the GS.
Nice bikes, nearly bought a R100RS in the 80's, I still look at them and think it'd be nice to have one, but we pay a premium in Oz for these bikes plus my bicycles would get lonely. On a recent tour I was leapfrogging a guy on a 1250gs and he said the front guard easily clogs with mud plus the electronics can be sketchy, so an updated 1250gs might be good.
Great Video Ian. I Love my Gs. By the way, that’s really a Beautiful area you live in. You really have some Great places to ride. I wish it was like that where I live. Really learning a lot from your Videos. What Tires would you recommend for about 60% on Road, 40% off Road? 😁 👍
Many of my own thoughts mirror your own, though for different uses as I’m by no means an off toad rider; I - COVID-19 aside - a 120 mile daily commuter using my GSA and it would be hard to pick another bike which fulfils so many requirements all in one. As a previous Explorer owner, they were just too too heavy and especially awkward when filtering through traffic (which is legal here in the UK!); my Sprint GT was slim and capable though too “sports” orientated and heavy on my wrists and neck. So GSA it was and not looked back😁👌
Love this review. Can you perhaps make a video about whether the GS is a good machine compared to the GS Adventure for the average rider as far as riding goes: - on roads: touring and city - off road: gravel and sandy trails. The background of my question is that one would think that the GSA is the bike to get when it gets to adventure riding while perhaps the GS is just as good (and cheaper). I live in the Netherlands and would probably use the bike mostly for touring (lots of high way) and city riding and occasionally for a gravel or country road and maybe a dirt course one a year. And I am a beginner rider (46, 245 lbs, 6’4”)
You completely missed the telelever part which is a huge positive fact. After 100.000km on a GS you cannot accept a conservative front suspension any more...
Hi Ian, thank for the insights. By the way I am Fazil from Malaysia. I hope everyone is staying safe and hygiene during this period of COVID-19. Just curious on the lower crash bar and skid plate that you had installed on your GS. Are you able to share the product name and type of other on the OE products that you had installed.
Thanks Ian.........good insights! What year is your GS? My interest stems from my curiosity as to how the bike compares with my S10. So things like weight and centre of gravity are of paramount importance to me. Thus I am surprised that your bike weighs only 540lbs vs. the Super Ténéré’s published 575lbs. Is your GS liquid cooled? Thank you for any time you can give satisfying my pursuit of minutia.
Rob Krochenski, He has a 2017 1200GS exclusive. I have the same year and model and it is an awesome bike. Yes, they are water cooled. In 2018, the 1200GS got the TFT instrument panel. 2019, the 1250GS was introduced. I would have liked to get one with the TFT screen but wasn’t worth the $4-5k higher price at the time.
![R1200GS / R1250GS | Complete Buyer's Guide [2005-2020]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9arUyUFD5wk/mqdefault.jpg)
![R1200GS / R1250GS | Complete Buyer's Guide [2005-2020]](/img/tr.png)
Order your parts and riding gear using this link to support Big Rock Moto. Please bookmark it! While there is zero cost to you and nothing will be visible on your end, my channel receives a small commission from each sale which I invest back into content creation. www.rockymountainatvmc.com/?ref=1053&BigRockMoto&
I agree with you I have an older 1150 gs and every time I ride it which is almost every day I think how lucky I am to have this bike, unless i have to pick it up which fortunately isn't that often, incidentally I am over 70 and been riding for more than 50 years
More gs videos please! Thanks for the oldie but Goldie! I was just watching your older gs videos. Cheers!
These big tourer/adventure bikes are certainly amazing to ride. Thanks for a very enjoyable video!
I never liked the GS1200 till my brother lent me his. I spent a full day riding it in city and highway, after 7 hours i fell in love with it. Amazing bike and I wish I can get one soonest possible.
As someone looking to buy an R1200GS in the near future (if Corona Virus ever ends...) I'm thirsty for knowledge about the bike. Honest, plain english reviews from real owners who have lengthy experience with the bike are the best source of information in my opinion. Thanks for an informative video. (Subbed) Regards... Bob
Thanks Ian. Likely to pick one up this winter. Got my eyes on a 2012 GSA with the important bits upgraded. Hope it’s still available when I whip out my wallet.
Gs/gsa simply the best all rounder ever made
It always makes me giggle when I leave the dirt, and then rip down the pavement. Nice job on the channel, you're making some nice videos
I don’t know why I watched this video since I’m a dirt bike guy, but now unfortunately I want one of these ha ha. I just like watching your videos because you’re good at explaining things. I started watching your channel because we are in the same Facebook group here in Southern California and noticed your videos on the 690 KTM and haven’t stopped. Keep it up. Thank you.
Great vid and helped me in my decision to trade up and purchase the bike. Hopefully BMW will have some type of incentive for me to purchase. Thanks and keep those GS vids coming!
I have a R1250GS and would agree with all your points except one, the comfort. I also have a 2017 Goldwing and IT is more comfortable for long rides, it really just is! The seat (stock) is wide and has a higher back for better lower back support and the fairing is so much wider that it provides better wind protection. I love my GS too, and would add the smoothness of the 1250. I had a 2014 Super Tenere and it felt like a tractor compared to the GS.
2 Giant bikes! Lol
Nice bikes, nearly bought a R100RS in the 80's, I still look at them and think it'd be nice to have one, but we pay a premium in Oz for these bikes plus my bicycles would get lonely. On a recent tour I was leapfrogging a guy on a 1250gs and he said the front guard easily clogs with mud plus the electronics can be sketchy, so an updated 1250gs might be good.
Excellent video. Looks like an 2017 Exclusive model, same as mine
Great Video Ian. I Love my Gs. By the way, that’s really a Beautiful area you live in. You really have some Great places to ride. I wish it was like that where I live. Really learning a lot from your Videos. What Tires would you recommend for about 60% on Road, 40% off Road? 😁 👍
Nice video and agree with all. It’s just such a do-it-all bike I’m waiting on the larger TFT on the GSA 1250 😁
Awesome review, I love my GS 1250! Exclusive.
Best MC videos on UA-cam!!
Many of my own thoughts mirror your own, though for different uses as I’m by no means an off toad rider; I - COVID-19 aside - a 120 mile daily commuter using my GSA and it would be hard to pick another bike which fulfils so many requirements all in one. As a previous Explorer owner, they were just too too heavy and especially awkward when filtering through traffic (which is legal here in the UK!); my Sprint GT was slim and capable though too “sports” orientated and heavy on my wrists and neck. So GSA it was and not looked back😁👌
I agree!
Thanks for this nice review. Since a few weeks I own a 1200GSA LC from 2015. Can’t wait to ride ride more after this Corona crisis is over.
Love this review. Can you perhaps make a video about whether the GS is a good machine compared to the GS Adventure for the average rider as far as riding goes:
- on roads: touring and city
- off road: gravel and sandy trails.
The background of my question is that one would think that the GSA is the bike to get when it gets to adventure riding while perhaps the GS is just as good (and cheaper). I live in the Netherlands and would probably use the bike mostly for touring (lots of high way) and city riding and occasionally for a gravel or country road and maybe a dirt course one a year. And I am a beginner rider (46, 245 lbs, 6’4”)
Great video Ian!
You completely missed the telelever part which is a huge positive fact. After 100.000km on a GS you cannot accept a conservative front suspension any more...
A complete review..Thanks👍
Very nice review!
Love your content! Keep on!😁👍
Forgot to add the good looks of the GS as a huge benefit, particularly some of the 1250 colour schemes 🙂 ua-cam.com/video/BiFM9b_sLUE/v-deo.html
Hi Ian, thank for the insights. By the way I am Fazil from Malaysia. I hope everyone is staying safe and hygiene during this period of COVID-19. Just curious on the lower crash bar and skid plate that you had installed on your GS. Are you able to share the product name and type of other on the OE products that you had installed.
My LT & GT were both better than my GS on long trips. They are all great however.
Thanks Ian.........good insights!
What year is your GS?
My interest stems from my curiosity as to how the bike compares with my S10. So things like weight and centre of gravity are of paramount importance to me. Thus I am surprised that your bike weighs only 540lbs vs. the Super Ténéré’s published 575lbs.
Is your GS liquid cooled?
Thank you for any time you can give satisfying my pursuit of minutia.
Rob Krochenski, He has a 2017 1200GS exclusive. I have the same year and model and it is an awesome bike. Yes, they are water cooled. In 2018, the 1200GS got the TFT instrument panel. 2019, the 1250GS was introduced. I would have liked to get one with the TFT screen but wasn’t worth the $4-5k higher price at the time.
Joe M Thanks Joe!
So matter of fact. 👍👍
What tyres are you using in the video?
Thanks Ian! It works great off-road! ua-cam.com/video/zYp1zXyc0fA/v-deo.html&feature=emb_logo