BMW GS Head To Head | New Vs Old In 4K Goodness!

Chris thought it was about time we showed the BMW GS some love, so we have three of them for a GS head to head. We've got the 1150 GS adventure, a R 1200 GS Adventure and finally a brand new R 1250 GS Rallye. Can you afford £17,000 for a new GS, check out some older slightly used options...

[@caynam]

Chris, you are hands down the best motorcycle's presenter / test driver on the internet. Keep up the great work man!

[@VAwait4itRF]

Very true

[@gogglespizzano6540]

Absolutely

[@Jason-cl8hk]

Totally agree.

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Cheers guys, we’ll pass on the love!

[@kempraten1]

Feel the same way. Loved the old/new comparison of the Speed Triple :-)

[@bernardcucuz3315]

I like Chris reviews because he can expalin things in simple way and he test the bikes with no mercy additude. All the best for 2022.

[@robbikebob]

I'd like to see more of these types of tests with modern, few years old and budget versions for all the different genres of bikes. Especially useful for those like me who would be lucky to scrape together a couple of grand for a bike and spending the same on a bike as our mortgage costs isn't an option!

[@NicolasIdrobo]

Chris is just amazing. He rides motorcycles like the gods, and is a fun and honest presenter. Keep it up!

[@martyn_g]

Picked up my new GSA Rallye last week. Best bike ever made.

[@bruceleong9534]

I can only dream of having the skills and confidence to ride a 260kg + GS like that. Best wishes for the new year Chris.

[@Geshmaal]

Hey that 1200 is only 256kg wet!

[@bruceleong9534]

@@Geshmaal 😂

[@metodyx7507]

Let's be honest..90% of drivers do not have that driving skills, so for them this motorcycle is too heavy, too expensive to buy and especially maintenance. The mere fact that if their motorcycle falls somewhere off the road, and there is no one to help lift it, they risk spinal cord injury, is reason enough, not to buy such a heavy adventure bike.

[@Gnerko123]

@@metodyx7507 it’s very good as a road bike as well and not that heavy when compared to (sport)tourers, plus the centre of gravity is relatively low.

[@Gnerko123]

Zo enough reason for many people to buy it

[@maxflight777]

Chris Northover …. Utterly brilliant. I’m delighted to see his career go from strength to strength.

[@GSMicrobe]

give that 1150 some love dude, I got one and I think it's awesome. Just maintain them well and it will make sure you can travel around the world with 0 problems

[@christianluff]

I found when I was researching whether or not to jump across to an adventure bike there’s a surprising lack of decent 1150GSA video out there, luckily I found your videos. And now I’ve now got a silver GSA. I’ll dust off my GoPro and will post something in the next few weeks.

[@digger8180]

Moons ago my then girlfriend and I flew over to Vancouver BC in an attempt to find her estranged father who she had never really known. I booked a 1150GS as a hire bike to get us on our quest, when I arrived at the bike hire shop they had given it to someone else! We toured around Vancouver on a 1150R; a great bike two up with luggage which handled perfectly throughout the month we were there, even managed to find her Dad. I have never ridden a GS to this day, perhaps I'll give one a go. Have a good one Chris 👍🏻.

[@davidhughes3051]

Loved that, great to see someone capable of riding big adventure bikes to their full potential. 👌

[@jibinraj6058]

One of the best Gs videos

[@JDelta87]

I want to learn and develop off-road riding skills but, in the meantime these videos are motivating and downright entertaining to watch. Thanks again, Chris and Bike World crew!

[@jsoloughlin]

Agree 100% with previous comment - best presenter, keeps it simple and relevant, - best test driver, clearly shows what can be done if you had the skill. Thanks you.

[@MrDukes1111]

Ive owned a 1200gs, currently a 900 tiger... and I like to pride myself in my riding abilities on and off road... you sir make me realize I suck. Thank you. Great riding!

[@BERZERKERSV4]

Oh stop… Chris is a great presenter.. as for the circus act riding “skills”.. they’re cute but not practical or safe….

[@bloodhoug82]

@@BERZERKERSV4 they are skills, so no need to put them in quotation marks, and no one ever said they were practical. But they sure are fun.

[@mbal4052]

@@BERZERKERSV4 salty because you haven’t got the skills 😂😂

[@Ralph7029]

Come on, give us a bit of a comparison between the two

[@markaudley-thewles5920]

Chris your reviews are so good. It’s not about you , but the bike . Really appreciate your experience and honesty . Easily the best motorcycle reviewer in the UK 👏

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Cheers, we'll pass on the love! 🤣

[@nevillecartwright7292]

Wow bud, you can ride!!!! I have a 2004 GS Adventure and it's a heavy lump of bike but you make these machines look feather-light!! As usual, your videos are top notch! Thank you for the effort you always put into them. Greetings from South Africa and best wishes for 2022!

[@nickb3968]

Your reviews are so well done, both comprehensive and nuanced. Kudos from the States!

[@SMITESHSURESH]

That's got to be one of the most enjoyable GS vs GS comparison video I've seen 👌🏻

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Cheers!

[@IRLtrolls]

Wow the production on this video is incredible and the rider is very impressive. This guy could have a million subscribers on his own.

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Cheers, don't tell Chris that, we need him! 😂

[@spencerbruno53]

A correction on 2:43: This engine not only does it make room for the Telelever suspension, but this type of engine also provides better torque at low and high RPMs, improves the bike's efficiency by allowing a more direct connection of the driveshaft to the rear wheel (unlike the Super Ténéré 1200, for example), lowers the motorcycle's center of gravity, facilitates maintenance, offers better protection in case of falls, enhances engine dual cooling (one of the very few 1200s I've ridden that doesn't overheat your legs), and features a unique acoustic profile. I'm a big fan of boxers.

[@stevecsongvay3455]

Fantastic summary and great comparison. Being a total off road novice it gives me a little more confidence to give the GS a go. Many thanks!!

[@paulvanhout9695]

Amazed at how you make a behemoth GS look svelte off road. I have to show much more respect when tackling the rough stuff!

[@newtype101]

Perfect video to end up 2021. The legendary BMW GS! Looking forward to the 2022 Chris and Bike World team. Thank you 🍻

[@mauzzie1977]

My word, i wish i could ride like you! You make that bike look so light! Respect!

[@fightswithspirits915]

Geesh, dude. You ride the hell out of that bike. My GS likes to be picked up after I put it down. It shows I care.

[@aimenalwan]

“phone your mum, tell her to pick you up” 😂 Happy new year and thanks for another brilliant video, Chris and the team 🍻👊✊

[@jagabogo]

my gosh what I liked most in this review was the sick and stunning drive recordings😍

[@vishalprajapati8840]

Like everyone else can’t wait a big modern adventure bikes shootout by you Chris with your amazing skills and perspective

[@ianlawrie919]

As you kindly pointed out, not all can afford the new one even if we wanted it but what makes me cry is knowing I’ll never ride like you 🙀👍

[@rbaileyrb]

Never seen you before buddy, but you are a serious presenter and the actual review seriously meant something. Great stuff

[@joeblow5037]

Excellent Presentation!! You, Burnsie, and Zach Courts are my favorite presenters!! 😁 (oopsie, almost forgot Ryan) Happy New Year from a poor '18 KLR-650 rider in Oklahoma 🎉🎈✨

[@th7321]

You forgot John Hogan who was with BikeWorld before Chris as well 😉

[@SelfPropelledDevo]

I’ve also got an 1150GSA with just under 100k miles. Love that bike. Currently on an ‘08 GS that I got a couple of years back at the time 7,500 miles on it, now at about 22k miles and recently swapped out to tractive GSA (non esa) suspension. Great bikes.

[@ogdennash2439]

Just bought a standard 1250 GS. Stumbled across this review and loved it ..... great job. I have been riding since the age of 8 in a farmers field, but having just retired, I am afraid that my GS will be limited to UK and European roads, with my wife and luggage .... I do have a 250 dirt bike, but I don't ride it much as I have found over the years that I don't bounce as well as I did :( Thanks for a great review....

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Cheers, let us know how you get on with it…

[@NickyLong89]

We all know Chris can ride… but DAMN! This guy can ride lol makes it look so easy. Brilliant video in my opinion. Very good idea to show what different budgets will buy you. Nice to see you aren’t just trying to cater for the big boys with the big dollars. I did spec a 1250GS online last week and couldn’t believe how quickly it goes from £13.5k to close to £19k with a couple of boxes ticked. Crazy. Looks a lovely bike though!

[@johnmack887]

Cannot add anyone to the already superb reviews below. Great content with really engaging (and useful) commentary 10/10

[@jasonhardy3660]

I was always surprised by how much reviewers played down the extra power of the 1250 engine when it came out. Like you said, the shift cam really does significantly change the character of the engine when it kicks in, and which you don't sense it coming in either as the transition is imperceptible. That gruntier top end is what was lacking from the 1200. Great article

[@hagestad]

too bad they put electronics inside the actual engine. While suzuki using basically the same system 30 years ago just mechanical. you just know its going to break 2 days after warranty.

[@AJ-yw5zy]

What a great flowing video, with humour, throw in a little riding on different GS's showing what they can achieve with someone who can get them to dance.

[@lpete531]

Excellent review as always 👍🏽 and with your pro riding background it's an assessment your viewers can trust! Happy holidays 🎊

[@murrayclarke2171]

Nice one. I just spent a week putting my 1200 GSA through all the gnarliest tracks in Central Otago NZ and while it handled everything just great, I was spent at the end of each day out. That said, I blasted home nice and quick on the motorway!! Amazing bike.

[@cosef4491]

With all the trash and trolling motorcycle content out there it is sooo good to have videos like this that remind us motorcyclist why we love motorcycles so much (especially us BMW owners😉). Great job, great content and Chris you Rock bro. Thank you

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Thanks, we do try to create something a bit more aspirational, lots of very average stuff out there.

[@Porsche996driver]

A couple years ago I got a beautiful Blue ‘05 GS with Öhlins and some farkles ha. What an amazing bike, 50k, I got it for $5k US, seemingly never went off-road ha. That redesign lost 60lbs over the prior 2004 1150GS!

[@timdew3150]

Another quality review, keep them coming in 2022, thanks 👍🏍

[@theonlyredspecial]

Great idea. Another cracking video Chris. Thanks for all your videos in 2021. Happy new year mate from Ireland 👍🏻

[@neilt.i.w737]

I thoroughly enjoyed this comparison. Brilliant editing. Thanks.

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Thanks Neil!

[@MOTB81]

Best reviews on yt as always… great job dude!

[@mfpix]

Enjoyed your commentary at the NEC. This is a good video. Great to see comparison with previous models

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Cheers!

[@hazarddavid6987]

Honestly the best bike presenter you are👍...subbed straightaway...😇...Happy New Year Chris and everyone. P/s i have exactly the same R1250 GS Rallye

[@santauxia]

Your videos never disappoint, Happy New Year

[@istanbulianb]

Can't argue with anything said there; but when I circumnavigated Australia I also went for an 1150GS. Simple technoogy and much lower Carnet de Passage costs!

[@vitogiacalone8044]

Best review in ages!

[@on2wheels275]

I went from a GS Adventure to a Triumph Tiger and immediately went back to BMW. Hands down the best all around MC made

[@richardmerritt5600]

Very entertaining. Great stuff, thanks Chris

[@mikewoodall1599]

Great revieuw👍. I have owned all ,still got the 1250GS and they really have character. They are a allround package. Enjoyed your video like I enjoy my GS thanks man!

[@khakimzhanmiras]

The 2010-2013 GSA bikes are the boss.

[@DucatiMTS1200]

Extremely well presented and as a GS rider I agree with the very balanced and truthful assessment across the GS range. I note also that you are an exceptional bike rider. Top marks on all aspects of this video!

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Thanks William!

[@rudolfchvatal4556]

I love your videos and all the positive energy coming from you :) ! Keep going :)

[@bhok1971]

Christ , this dude can ride

[@TheMegatron30]

Love the way you trash these bikes out, absolutely the best presenter so far on KZbin. Keep them coming. Love from India.

[@dylanrichards9984]

Great vlog, as a GS owner I was very interested in this. You’ve got another subscriber 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@Joric78]

They might be genuinely capable, but that hasn't stopped them from becoming the suburban SUVs of the motorcycle world. Which wouldn't bother me, aside from the fact they've gotten so big they swallowed the sport-touring class.

[@khakimzhanmiras]

The RT and RS are still being produced.

[@Slov_]

Lol right?? The sport touring class is almost useless in my opinion considering the ADV bike spectrum of focus is so wide now. It’s essentially a useless category of motorcycle

[@Joric78]

@@khakimzhanmiras Yeah, but does the S1000XR really need off road pretensions?

[@khakimzhanmiras]

@@Joric78 what off-road pretensions?

[@Joric78]

@@khakimzhanmiras The "beak", handguards and long travel suspension.

[@johnhinds6540]

Awesome… I bought a ‘21 and never looked back.

[@Bellaero]

How am I only just discovering this channel now... Subscribed!!

[@gregleingang9409]

Excellent content. And incredible riding!

[@jannsander]

Awesome and honest review. Continue like this Chris!!

[@andrewbennett8510]

Brilliant review. Thanks for these

[@jozefmalik3944]

Pretty cool presentation, very refreshing , thank you

[@paulthompson8613]

Yeah old bikes sort of own you rather than the other way round :-)

[@vfarias]

Top review as always! Have a great 2022 guys

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Thanks, you too!

[@GreaseAndGravel]

Best GS video I've seen! You are a legend presenter man!

[@mattkalin3139]

Very Entertaining Video!! Thanks for doing this one!

[@BlackThor15]

Awesome video Chris, well done!! 👍👍

[@Mattism78]

What a fun review to watch. Love your style of presenting.

[@rhodesia1578]

Well mate you certainly deserve the new model as you can handle those beasts very well . You ride with loads of confidence ! 👍👏👏

[@kdz666]

I see Chris - I press like before I even start watching. I just know.

[@swcrossii]

Brilliant content - and gracious, you are a master rider. Best in class. 💯

[@dustydelmar]

Awesome review mate, love your work! I've just ordered a new 2022 R1250 GS Rallye and can't wait to ride it around Australia 👍

[@chrisharden1483]

Brilliantly presented and informative piece ..... really looking forward to picking my "near identical " GS up at the end of May, which I ordered before watching this article,..I'm now even happier about my choice, although its going to be sometime before I'll be confident enough to ride it like that 😏...Keep up the good work folks 👏

[@RangerRyke]

Loved seeing the used bikes!

[@1969Punjabi]

What an amazing review! Thanks for sharing.

[@HMSDaring1]

Wish you'd filmed more of your riding. These bikes are class

[@Teatimeted]

This is brilliant. New bikes with a couple of older bikes for a comparison. Subbed!

[@jadesmith6823]

The thing any man should consider when waying up money verses kicking arse on total fun, enjoyment and a pinnacle of all terrain ❤️🇩🇪

[@duncanorr5926]

You know before you even click on this video that you're e going to see a gs being launched 40ft in the air and somehow land lol 😆

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

There were some jumps we couldn't use in the vid, it would of scared GS owners too much! 😂

[@duncanorr5926]

@@BikeWorldTVshow haha 😄

[@911aircooled5]

Wow, Brilliant. Just found this. Obviously a talented rider and better than me. I've been riding for 45yrs and discovered how good the GS is! Love it. Have a '17 GS and just priced to trade to the 1250GS. OMG!! trade was an extra $8Kpound. Not worth stepping up. So I'll keep the '17, plenty for me. Thanks

[@TheGeoDaddy]

Yeah, I confess, Charlie and Ewan got me into motorcycling (in my 50s) starting on the 650GS and stepping up to 2010 1200GS a couple of years ago… very little off-roading but it’s a joy to ride… just sad that my Intl traveling stopped in the 90s and now the risks (mostly health) make it silly. But I’m looking forward to a little motorcycle camping when the weather warms up here in the States….

[@maxflight777]

The risks (mostly health ?) WHAT THE HECK ?

[@mrdedlund8354]

Really great stuff. Best on the KZbin 👍🇸🇪

[@fictiveaudio]

Excellent video, thank you!

[@emak4558]

You are the ONLY reviewer who commented that the boxers allow room for the front suspension. Well done. At last somebody paying attention. Now if somebody would talk about the lowered suspension option (for reasons other than being short) and moment of inertia, then maybe we would be approaching a professional review.

[@mardelplatalimousines3423]

Awesome review, happy new year 🤟

[@FedeManBCN]

You make so good videos I'm actually thinking in buying one of these boats. Congrats!!!

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

LOL!

[@StevenVanLoven]

Great and honest review , thanks .

[@BMWHP2]

Thanks for testing Chris. Try to get you hands on the BMW R1200 HP2 enduro 😁 and compare that against the new 1250GS offroad. (Best wishes for 2022)

[@mareksamel5334]

If somebody is 100% suited for the job he is doing, Chris is leading the pack, no question about it ! 🙂

[@YangCalgary]

Great concept of a review!

[@greenstair]

I only just came across this channel and this video - have to say this is so much better than any of the others. Have sub'd, now I just have to save u a lot of money for a 1250GS - damn, I wish I was wealthier.

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Thanks for finding us! We have a review of the 1300 coming in a couple of days.

[@tomraab]

Thank you Chris, it's really fun to watch your videos! It's quite a strange thing with Beemers ... riding a beautiful Kawa z 1000 A1 (with 4in4 muffles of cause) in the beginning of the 90ies it had a lot of break downs. But I wanted to arrive at the destinations so I bought my first BMW ... a used R100/7 and I found it quite ugly. But one has to ride them to start loving them! Same with my R1150GS which I ride for 4 years now. A bit too big and heavy, very strange Design - but I'm totally with you: As it starts to roll it gets you everywhere! Besides: The fun starts not only with the bike but with the guy in the sattle ... Greetings from Germany, Tom

[@deanmayke6959]

Great review , miss my GSA 1250 but happy to be riding a 890 rally…..may come back to a GS and keep the KTM …..but anxiously awaiting to hear your review of the new 1200 tiger!…

[@MathieuTechMoto]

Superb review !

[@gordyl9247]

Brilliant refreshing real life review. I like 'em all. 👍

[@ghowells5433]

These are reviews are best on KZbin, Chris riding and presenting only equalled bu Michael neeves. Great bike, but always preferred the multistrada as never done off road. When I’ve done tours in Africa, Canada and New Zealand always hired a gs though for reliability and comfort two up