BMW R1200GS Adventure: 8 Things to Consider Before Buying WATCH NOW!!

Every bike has its flaws. While the BMW R1200GS Adventure is an amazing bike, there are a few things that are not great. In this video I discuss 8 things I hate about the R1200GS. Hate is a strong word. Let's call it 'dislikes'.
How to support the channel:
www.buymeacoffee.com/ADVbiket...
Email me at [e-mail]
Music: Bad Habits by Jules Gaia via Epidemic Sound
#R1200GSA #bmwr1200gsa #r1250gsa

[@richardho5955]

I use Castrol 75W140 gear oil and it made a huge difference to shifting, I also use it in the rear hub. Make sure the rear shaft is regularly lubricated with molybdenum grease too. My GS is an ‘07 with 81k kms and still goes like a new one!

[@GreaseAndGravel]

Thanks, man! I will remember that. I've removed my shaft and both sides are perfect and were lubed. I cleaned up everything and lubed it again with moly grease. Was an easier job than I expected, apart from seating the front boot in the tight space.

[@andrewdixon6510]

I've got the same bike.. agree with most points. Also agree that there's more to like than dislike. Compared to newer models, these old bikes are great value for money. I managed to get a key cut and programmed by a locksmith without the need to go to a dealer, it can be done. Really enjoying the content.

[@GreaseAndGravel]

Hi Andrew, thanks for the feedback and for watching. Oh wow, do you have any idea how they programmed the key? That would be a great help.

[@nobodyinparticular709]

Biggest failure on my 2009 gsa is the nut that connects the handle bars to the saddle

[@GreaseAndGravel]

🤣mine suffers from the same problem

[@jaapbruijn1300]

Cluncy transmissions are on some bikes and mine for instance doesn‘t have that. Changing gears with a little bit of betweengas helps a lot. It takes a bit of pratice but I can change gears without hearing it at all. 14 years of experience!

[@stefanwijbenga7557]

I have the same bike, and i love it!! I am a lock Smit and i specialising in code key for cars and bikes. I did my key and it's easy to do. It's a id46 chip with roling code. With the right tools you can copy them. I have also a tool to program it in the ews. Greetings from holland!!

[@GreaseAndGravel]

Hi Stefan, thank you for sharing! I will look around here in SA. I am sure someone should be able to do it. I thought it was just BMW. Cheers from South Africa

[@genieb]

Hoi Stefan, bedankt voor de tip/thanks for the tip, I''m going to find a locksmith here and see if they can do key coding as well. I have done key coding myself on my L322 Range Rover (when we were living in Nigeria) but I had to get the full dealer level computer to be able to do that (and lots of other things). I know how easy it was on that car, and since BMW owned JLR at the time, I'm hoping that it is as simple :).

[@stefanwijbenga7557]

If you have a bmw bike, it's easy(withthe Wright tools)! Bmw car....i can do it also but its a different story 😂if you are living in Holland i can make one for you!

[@genieb]

@@stefanwijbenga7557 ik ben al jaren weg uit Nederland!! I did borrow my good friends bike (see story below) but his 2018 GSA this time, while I was visiting my parents and sister in May. Still love my 05 even though the 2018 is much more refined. I will contact a local locksmith here and see if they can cut and code a second key, and maybe even get my cases to work on the same keys :)

[@Speedytrip]

I was seriously considering an older GS, but a few things convinced me to go with a Japanese bike (Super Tenere). 1. Frequency of valve adjustments, they are easy, but too frequent for an adventure bike (if you ride a lot, you'll be adjusting the valves at least twice a year, 40000km on the Yamaha and most report they are still in spec at that mileage). 2. At around 100000km, plenty have had their clutches replaced (you have to split the bike in to and it's thousands $$$) 3. Fuel gauges stop working, just like the ABS, fuel gauge is a couple hundreds to fix, but ABS can be thousands. 4. Drive shaft failures are not uncommon on the higher mileage ones. 5. I went to try a 2006 with barely 50000km on it, the boots on the drive shaft were dried up, all the plastics on the bike were dried up, I've never seen a bike with so little mileage age so poorly. 6. 4 buttons for the indicators is insane, and hard to get used to if you ride multiple bikes. As a tall rider, this bike was really on the top of my list, but at the price they are selling used, if you have one of the things above fail, it ends up being a very expensive bike not worth any more. I'd probably buy one new, and sell it when it's out of warranty :)

[@motolab.EuropeanMotorcycles]

Chain and sprockets aren’t cheap either, drive shaft is every 80k, chain far, far more often, in the end i doubt which one is cheaper. A clutch plate is rather cheap, maybe 100 quid.. ONLY abs1 is a problem, from 2007 on no more issues and after 2007 if just if, cheap to repair… i prefer bmw indicator system, me myself can not get used to the “japanese” system, so it is a personal issue/taste i am going to the right, so my right thump pushes, left, my left thump, easy as eating chips.. frequent valve adjustment? No… there is an bmw advice on a certain mileage, but mine keeps being ok…. Don’t believe everything on the internet… if I sneeze 2 times and google that, i am dead tomorrow 😅

[@genieb]

Oh and for all the people saying that these bikes are not for serious off roading, you're wrong IMHO. I have a very good friend who took a brand new R1200GSA (2008) model around South America (6 month trip) and then a few years later around Africa (he visited us in Nigeria), he still has the bike, still uses it with 180k on the clock. He is not very tall and not heavy. I have seen many other smaller riders on these bikes doing amazing things (Jocelin Snow for example, have a look at her KZbin channel). Yes a lighter bike is easier (sometimes) but not all of them are as solid as a R1200GS, plus that the boxer is great when one does fall over, makes it easier to get it back up (no pun intended, I promise). I would definitely take my 1200GS on a big bike trip through NZ, Oz, Africa etc. Then again, I did own a Range Rover (well a few) in Africa, so I may be a bit nuts :).

[@GreaseAndGravel]

I totally agree and have seen riders to crazy stuff on the GSs (including Jocelyn). It is all about the rider's skills (which I am working on...LOL). I agree, you may be a bit nuts for owning a few Range Rovers. Then again, I swapped my 1988 Suzuki DR750Big for a 1974 Jaguar XJ6 ;)

[@slowsteve3497]

I have 2018. And it shifts fine.

[@genieb]

I have a 2005 GS and agree with most of it, fuel strip (I keep my eye on the trip meter), gears not soo much if I concentrate I can get it smooth, ABS is still working fine (I'm coming up to 80k kms.) I have also upgraded crashbars (including extra covers on the valve cover), Same issue with key programming (I only have 1) and dealer is in Auckland (5 hrs from New Plymouth) New Zealand. I'm not yet going much on the rugged NZ tracks but when I do, I will have to upgrade the bash plate as well. I may have to go for store bought though. Suspension, not soo much yet, but also not riding it really hard, the flip side is that it is very comfortable on our not so great roads. Good review !!!

[@GreaseAndGravel]

Thanks for the comments and for watching! I see some of the other comments have info on how to get a spare key without going to the dealer. I will try that out. Yeah, on the road the suspension and bash plate is more than good enough. It is really super comfy. I am no expert, but want to learn some technical riding skills to enter the next (2026) GS Trophy challenge. Thanks again for watching and enjoy your GS!

[@genieb]

Thanks@@GreaseAndGravel enjoy the GS Trophy and if you ever in New Zealand, lets catch up for a ride, coffee and pie :).

[@rsflegacy]

First thank you from me abourt this things.First time i use dr big 800cc after that i use africa twin 750cc.Untill now i did not have any big bike.I also now looking on GSA 1200 YEAR 2011 OR 2012 may be last models that models.If i buy that bike have any big problem for that?I also looking for ktm 1290 adventure just for info only.I consider to buy GSA 1200.Please give any info for that.Thank you & Regards from me MR RAZAK FROM MALAYSIA.

[@GreaseAndGravel]

Hi, thanks for the comment. I've always wanted a XRV750 Africa Twin. The GSA is just awesome for touring. I am sure the KTM is more powerful, but I've heard enough that I prefer the reliability of the BMW. Good luck with the search! I'd look for the cleanest one I can find and then scan it for fault codes before buying.

[@koop5365]

Had a conversation only yesterday about people moaning about the gear change on the GS's. Why the hell are people using the quickshifter at low speeds and low gears? Use the clutch from 1st to 2nd and also to 3rd. It's not a problem. You're not drag racing, are you? And, everyone will agree using the quickshifter in the upper gears is just fine.

[@GreaseAndGravel]

totally! clutch for slow riding. This thing can be very smooth if you get used to it

[@user-lq2ne6th4b]

My gs r1200. Adventure. Problem is ABS servo valve sometime lose break and fuel strip failure. Help me how to do so

[@GreaseAndGravel]

I removed my ABS servo pump and now have normal non-ABS brakes directly to calipers. Haven’t fixed my broken fuel strip yet. I keep track of fuel via trip computer

[@nanana8876]

I broke my suspension at less that 40k kmts, cost me around 3000 to replace it

[@desmondwrigley1100]

And the final drive that fails we are expensive

[@mihovilknez2797]

pozdrav iz hrvatske ja imam isto gs 1200 zanima me dali se gs911 mora nadograđivati softver

[@GreaseAndGravel]

Pozdrav iz SA! Mislim da su ažuriranja softvera besplatna ako kupite GS-911.

[@mihovilknez2797]

thanks@@GreaseAndGravel

[@fatphunker]

In the UK the number one thing is corrosion

[@GreaseAndGravel]

Oh yes, I forgot about that! Even here in SA, my frame has some rust on it.

[@MrDertien]

Just sanded and repainted parts of the frame yesterday. Sanding paper and Rustoleum 750 black will take care of that pronto.

[@steppenwolf5956]

it is a tractor indeed 😁

[@alielabdimarras7965]

Haha, I travel on a 701 Supermoto, once you ridden mine you'll sell that piece of heavy metal ASAP. At that weight its a highway only bike. And there the Pan European beats it easy.

[@GreaseAndGravel]

I am sure the 701 Supermoto is a lot of fun, but this thing is very versatile. I can do 600 miles per day and then do some technical offroad and have fun in sand and rocky mountain roads no problem.

[@MrDertien]

You won't be doing long treks (300 KM plus) on your bike in a hurry. The GS, although a hog when it's at a standstill is fingerplay once it's rolling. The Supermoto will undoubtedly shine out on other parcours where long distances are not really the issue.