the GS is a good bike, I had one. The KTM is just so much more exciting to ride. The harder you push it the better it likes it. For me and I put my money where my mouth is the KTM is the winner
Couldn't agree more! My take on most bikes in general is that all bikes are great, it only boils down to what does one intend to with it and that's where the nuances make a difference.
Looked at the KTM and the quality seemed subpar to bmw imho. Perhaps the lower price reflects that. Also, only a 2 year warranty says a lot about the companies confidence. Dont own any of the bikes but have been looking at used 2019-2020 GS/GSA and new KTM 1290 SAS. For thousands less I can buy a used bmw, with cases and a few other goodies, and with warranty left on the bike compared to a new KTM 1290 SAS that does not come with bags, crash bars...
@@ridemfast7625 You gotta go with what makes you smile, GS is a good bike no question, I don't think has the excitement factor like the KTM. KTM will appeal the the confident aggressive rider
What a comprehensive comparison, great work breaking down their individual strengths and benefits You really can't go wrong with any of these Adventure Bikes, it all depends upon your riding style and needs. Ride what you love, love what you ride! Thanks for taking the time to compile, produce and share!!!
I test rode the Triumph but couldn't fall in love with it, plus the nearest dealer is 90 minutes away. Will be testing the GSA next, then look at the Ducati
I personally wouldn’t take any of those bikes unless it was free. I’d take a Honda Africa Twin or even a Suzuki V-Strom 1050, or any of the large adventure touring bikes over any European or US made bike. There is no comparison when it comes to reliability. Two survives done about 7 years apart confirm that. As someone planning a trip trough Central and South America, reliability, access to parts and maintenance is a must. Good luck finding parts and someone who can work those hi-tech bikes in some remote town in a third world country. I saw a video of a guy who needed parts for his BMW 1250GS and was stuck in a South American country for nearly a month waiting for the parts to arrive from another country. Oh yeah, don’t even get me started in the costs of replacing those parts. One of the reasons I love my Ténéré 700. Bare bones electronics, with a suspension that few bike can beat (even with electronic suspensions). Yeah it is not a large displacement and roomy big bike, but that is OK with me. The reliability of a Yamaha combined with basic electronics more than makes up. After all, the number one reasons, according to surveys, that bikes go in for repairs is for electrical/electronics issues. And the price is just as good. You said that those bikes had some things in common with cars, you forgot to mention the prices, they diffidently cost as much as a car. Which defeats one of the huge advantages motorcycles used to have over cars. Just a few years back, before manufactures went buts over electronic crap, I young person or a not so well of financially person could ride a brand new bike for far less than cars. That is pretty much gone unless you settle for a small bike. May be I am old school after 32 years riding, but give me a bike without electronic suspension and throttle control over any of those other bikes any time. I honestly thing that people who buy big heavy BMW’s do it more for the hipe than anything else. BMW has done an amazing job at portraying their bikes as a must have for world travel. The 1250 is a monster of a bike at just under 600 lbs with no gear on. Anyone who has ever risen off road knows that the heavier the bike the faster it will get stuck in mud ir sand. If you are alone, good luck getting it unstuck by yourself. Even if you remove all the gear. All BMW GS bikes are heavy compared to other bikes in their class.
Thanks for sharing your riding insights. I'm personally in favor of practicality over fancy gadgets, but I do understand why some people love to own exotic machinery. Over the past 40 years I've come to realize, we all want different things for different reasons and that applies to motorcycles as well. Cheers!
I have the T7 and I love it. It’s definitely a bike that can check all riding boxes. Now if I was having to do a lot of miles at highway speeds and my off roading was going to be limited to some bumpy gravel roads, I’d def consider one of these larger bikes….but like u it would probably be the Africa Twin. The reliability and parts availability of Japanese bikes just can’t be beat and if u are truly on an “adventure” this is vastly more important than all the electronics which can almost all be replaced by an experienced wrist
I still think the top 3 are the gs atas and the sas/r just depends on the usage and riding and taste and ofc pocket depth Proud gs owner here and i dont regret a single penny spent on it
Agreed. It’ll be hard to shake the King of the hill that’s been ruling for 30+ yrs. But I like the fact that there is competition & options which is always good for us riders.
@@RiderXp exactly , and i think the gs is more versatile , the asas is the best on road with a very good engine , the africa is the best offroader out of em and the gs has a very pleasant feeling with the boxer when on road and some light offroading
You forgot the most important category - the nickel and dime category. KTM would be leading the pack with all of their "optional" items both physical and digital that should come standard with the bike (within reason.) BMW is a close second on that front, and I don't know too much about the other three. But if they don't nickel and dime yet I assume they soon will.
Couldn’t get on with the GS and thought the engine was a bit agricultural. KTM, not interested. Heard of a lot of issues with them. For me, the Tiger 1200 is the winner for me. But then I’m bias, as I have one.
What a tremendous amount of information. Thank you for your efforts.
I’m glad you found it useful. Thanks for the appreciation.
the GS is a good bike, I had one. The KTM is just so much more exciting to ride. The harder you push it the better it likes it. For me and I put my money where my mouth is the KTM is the winner
Couldn't agree more! My take on most bikes in general is that all bikes are great, it only boils down to what does one intend to with it and that's where the nuances make a difference.
Looked at the KTM and the quality seemed subpar to bmw imho. Perhaps the lower price reflects that. Also, only a 2 year warranty says a lot about the companies confidence. Dont own any of the bikes but have been looking at used 2019-2020 GS/GSA and new KTM 1290 SAS. For thousands less I can buy a used bmw, with cases and a few other goodies, and with warranty left on the bike compared to a new KTM 1290 SAS that does not come with bags, crash bars...
@@ridemfast7625 You gotta go with what makes you smile, GS is a good bike no question, I don't think has the excitement factor like the KTM. KTM will appeal the the confident aggressive rider
@@rorge007 "KTM will appeal the the confident aggressive rider" Yeah, only the confident aggressive riders ride ktm. smh
@@ridemfast7625 how about lea9not onky to read the text, but *understand* what you just read as well?
What a comprehensive comparison, great work breaking down their individual strengths and benefits You really can't go wrong with any of these Adventure Bikes, it all depends upon your riding style and needs. Ride what you love, love what you ride! Thanks for taking the time to compile, produce and share!!!
Thank you very much. Your appreciation makes all the effort worth it.
99% of GS/GSA owners don’t do off road riding but it’s mainly for touring
I would still stick to Africa Twin...honda fan boy!
Great comparison though!
Yeah me too tbh! Thanks!
I test rode the Triumph but couldn't fall in love with it, plus the nearest dealer is 90 minutes away. Will be testing the GSA next, then look at the Ducati
That's a good way to do it. I know test rides are not always easy to get but whenever possible, one should always test ride before buying one.
Good review. For me, BMW or KTM.....else a classic Africa Twin
Thanks! Next video will cover the AT & a few more of its contemporaries. Stay tuned...
I personally wouldn’t take any of those bikes unless it was free. I’d take a Honda Africa Twin or even a Suzuki V-Strom 1050, or any of the large adventure touring bikes over any European or US made bike. There is no comparison when it comes to reliability. Two survives done about 7 years apart confirm that.
As someone planning a trip trough Central and South America, reliability, access to parts and maintenance is a must. Good luck finding parts and someone who can work those hi-tech bikes in some remote town in a third world country. I saw a video of a guy who needed parts for his BMW 1250GS and was stuck in a South American country for nearly a month waiting for the parts to arrive from another country. Oh yeah, don’t even get me started in the costs of replacing those parts.
One of the reasons I love my Ténéré 700. Bare bones electronics, with a suspension that few bike can beat (even with electronic suspensions). Yeah it is not a large displacement and roomy big bike, but that is OK with me. The reliability of a Yamaha combined with basic electronics more than makes up. After all, the number one reasons, according to surveys, that bikes go in for repairs is for electrical/electronics issues. And the price is just as good.
You said that those bikes had some things in common with cars, you forgot to mention the prices, they diffidently cost as much as a car. Which defeats one of the huge advantages motorcycles used to have over cars. Just a few years back, before manufactures went buts over electronic crap, I young person or a not so well of financially person could ride a brand new bike for far less than cars. That is pretty much gone unless you settle for a small bike.
May be I am old school after 32 years riding, but give me a bike without electronic suspension and throttle control over any of those other bikes any time.
I honestly thing that people who buy big heavy BMW’s do it more for the hipe than anything else. BMW has done an amazing job at portraying their bikes as a must have for world travel. The 1250 is a monster of a bike at just under 600 lbs with no gear on. Anyone who has ever risen off road knows that the heavier the bike the faster it will get stuck in mud ir sand. If you are alone, good luck getting it unstuck by yourself. Even if you remove all the gear. All BMW GS bikes are heavy compared to other bikes in their class.
Thanks for sharing your riding insights. I'm personally in favor of practicality over fancy gadgets, but I do understand why some people love to own exotic machinery. Over the past 40 years I've come to realize, we all want different things for different reasons and that applies to motorcycles as well. Cheers!
I have the T7 and I love it. It’s definitely a bike that can check all riding boxes. Now if I was having to do a lot of miles at highway speeds and my off roading was going to be limited to some bumpy gravel roads, I’d def consider one of these larger bikes….but like u it would probably be the Africa Twin. The reliability and parts availability of Japanese bikes just can’t be beat and if u are truly on an “adventure” this is vastly more important than all the electronics which can almost all be replaced by an experienced wrist
KTM🧡
Got to be the Triumph for me 👍
I still think the top 3 are the gs atas and the sas/r just depends on the usage and riding and taste and ofc pocket depth
Proud gs owner here and i dont regret a single penny spent on it
Agreed. It’ll be hard to shake the King of the hill that’s been ruling for 30+ yrs. But I like the fact that there is competition & options which is always good for us riders.
@@RiderXp exactly , and i think the gs is more versatile , the asas is the best on road with a very good engine , the africa is the best offroader out of em and the gs has a very pleasant feeling with the boxer when on road and some light offroading
I’ve also enjoyed the AT quite a lot. It’s a slightly different league though so I’m planning to cover it in another video.
Come what may. Beamer is still the king. 👑BMW 👑
Ktm is the best
You forgot the most important category - the nickel and dime category. KTM would be leading the pack with all of their "optional" items both physical and digital that should come standard with the bike (within reason.) BMW is a close second on that front, and I don't know too much about the other three. But if they don't nickel and dime yet I assume they soon will.
Thank you for the feedback. I will consider pointing that out in future videos
Couldn’t get on with the GS and thought the engine was a bit agricultural. KTM, not interested. Heard of a lot of issues with them. For me, the Tiger 1200 is the winner for me. But then I’m bias, as I have one.
BMW GS's does not have backlit switchgears iirc?
Ktm ftw!
I would agree actually. Monster of a bike!
Excelent Video. Nice work
Thank you!
Incredible comparison! So dense with info.
Glad you liked it! Thank you for the kind words.
When are you gonna do a review on the 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901 ?
Soon. I’m trying to ride a lot of bikes this March, will keep the Norden on my radar. Thanks for reminding me.
Tiger ✅✅✅✅
Nice comparison
Thank you!
Boleh tuh di coba touring.....
Where is Αfrika Twin?
Working on that video right now, will be up by next week.
Africa Twin has less power when u compare of these bikes.
But where is the Honda company, or do you hate it?
best review
Thank you
The Super Tenere is better than all them. And way more reliable.
The bmw dash is 6.5 inch
BMW has a steering damper as standard ☝️
I might've missed that collating all the specs and data. Thank you for pointing that out!