BMW R1250 GS Adventure Review By Owner

[@keithjose2581]

Great discussion about this bike. I have 23 GSA, and totally agree with you on all of this, and use it in the same manner as you. If I wanted an off-road beast, I would by a smaller dual sport. But I got this bike for sport touring with options for taking a fire or county dirt road comfortably to a hiking, fishing, or camping spot. I'm in northern California and couldn't ask for a better bike for what I want to do. A dedicated sport tourer like an RT doesn't give me the confidence for taking a dirt road somewhere during my journey like the GS does. The size and weight are pluses for me. The wide tank offers great wind protection, and the weight plants me on the road, and I don't get blown around by big trucks or winds like I did on other bikes I've owned. If I drop it, at least it won't go 90 degrees on the ground, due to the cylinder heads, making it easier to pick up. Overall, for me, the weight disappears when I am riding. Thanks again for the video. Look forward to more of yours.

[@brianeaston3748]

I just got the same bike three weeks ago, your totally right,mine won't be on the dirt either and I think it looks great too, Its so comfortable and has great torque, love it!

[@jeancpt]

You have 2 choices for GPS. You can use the connected ride phone craddle or the Chigee Carplay/android system.

[@DirtObseXXion]

Great bike! I bought one in February and it's been great. 800 mile days on the highway and confidently cruise forest roads on the same bike. It's bulky and expensive for technical off roading but I have to go 200 miles to get to decent off road areas and there's no bike I'd rather do that on. Nice review!

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

We both seem to agree, then! Thanks for watching!

[@Schwarzwaldfossie]

Great review. The last 2 years I was riding an GS 1200 LC, I love the bike. Last November I checked out the new GS1300 but i don't like it, so I bought an GS 1250 Adv. TripleBlack, only 6 months old, 2300km . It will be delivered in 2 weeks, I very excited😊. Grètings from Germany 🙋🏼‍♂️

[@user-ku4yk4ut4z]

you can put the bike in Dynamic Pro for throttle and ROAD for suspension that's how i ride 90% of the time put the bike in Auto Suspension and it will adjust for your body weight and gear.....try using ECO mode if you want to save fuel I have 2 BMW 1250GS and a 1250 GSA the tires you choose will effect the noise the standard tire it came with are unbearable i switched to Dunlop ROADsmart 4 and have been super happy ...yes the GPS is rubbish.,.....use your phone!!!

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

I'm going to try and play around in the settings, yes. Thanks for the tire suggestion! That GPS has to go... I might retrofit a Zumo XT or something.. who knows.

[@thereviloza]

Awesome review thank you, I have the standard Triple Black 1250 and love this bike.

[@GSAirTherapy]

Fellow GSA'er here. Regarding tires: I've tried quite a few, including the fabled Heidenau, and find myself returning to Shinko most of the time. Affordable, good run-time, and decent enough for long distance tarmac and backroad gravel. The Navigator VI....yeah, not thrilled with it, but I do like the onboard "diagnostic" screen and the magic wheel functions, which is why I haven't changed to the Zumo XT yet.

[@mrh0wler353]

Good owner review. Your bigger windscreen is nice. GS's seat/pegs/bar arrangement is very nice. Easy to stand up on while riding. RT has some nice features, like motorized windscreen; quite useful to adjust for low/high speeds or rain. I bought an 06 RT in 2023 and I find it vibrates. Extra foam on the grips helps. Not sure how to improve the pegs, maybe better boots would help.

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

Thanks for watching! I just lifted the winscreen to the top position, added the lip spoiler and left it there. No need for an electric windscreen for me. Ride safe!

[@bengtsandborgh102]

Service intervall is 10000 km or 12 months, whichever comes first. Bringing the fat wallet to the dealership Monday for the 20000 km service on mine! Tip: short press on the heated grips button gets you into the menu. Long press just switches the heat on (or off) at your previously chosen settings.

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

Didn't know that! Thanks!

[@austinmatthews347]

I have sept 22 te rallye and i agree with most of your assesment however i can say as i have always clutchless shifted on my bikes and that has helped me learn how to use quickshifyer in all gears on lower gears i adjust my throttle to smoith it out. Also i fitted a grmoto can and my mpg has gone up 10 mpg extra with ot on

[@davereinhart9933]

I have an identical. I like that you mentioned this is a big investment and a stretch for many of us. Too many reviews are by guys that go to a press launch and do not have to invest their own money. Nice, practical review.

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

I appreciate the comment. In owning this bike, I've found that it's not 'cool' enough to treat yourself to a nice thing and take care of it. To be 'cool', it's almost like you have to act like you don't care if you trash it and treat it like a motocross bike some sponsor gave you... Looking forward to crossing paths in a Starbucks parking lot! haha. Cheers, sir.

[@brianeaston3748]

I don't mind if I'm not cool,I'll look after my GSA because I like a clean bike and it's alot of hard earned money so I won't be trashin it on a dirt road and people say that's what it's built for but I've paid for it so it's my choice 👍 how many 4x4 vehicles see any off roading,not many,it's totally up too the individual,great review and agree with alot you had to say about the bike👍

[@aslankarnuf]

Thanks for your honesty. Pretty much all gs are road only use. That’s what they are made for

[@Meadie69]

I’m picking up my new GSA triple black on Wednesday, coming from a KTM 1290 SAS. The test ride blew me away, and yeah the BMW has got plenty of power. Can’t wait to start putting some miles on it. I’ll agree the quick shifter isn’t the best, but it’s all linked to a shaft drive so it’s never going to be as slick as something chain driven….great review. 🤙🏼

[@Shadw_Wolff]

ive been looking for a vid like this on the BMW GS Adventure, im looking at 1200 but this 1250 review without the specs and more on everyday use which has been alot more helpful, be thanks for the honest thoughts of the reality of having one

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

Glad I could be helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@MrEtnorb]

Glad you made the comment re what an adventure bike is. It’s an advertising term to appeal to dreamers and it applies to every bike from a Honda Grom to a Goldwing

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

Correct.

[@ronny-drz]

What a great review, thanks for posting it, and nice Expos cap! I am considering this machine as my "final" bike. What a beauty. Cheers from Ontario, Ronny

[@Simon-fm8yc]

Good review and sums up my experience. Does everything very capably. Great long distance machine.

[@kierstead88]

I just got my first gs1250 adventure last week. i love it so far over my ktm. i had

[@hartley383]

Great real world honest review. I have the same bike and like you had to go out on a limb to get it. I’ve no intention of taking it off-road and view it as big upright touring bike. I’ve only got 600 miles on it so far but looking forward to a few big tours in the summer.

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

Thanks for watching and have a fantastic season! I would recommend attending BMW's offroad Level 1 course as I've done. It's great for building confidence in situations where I would never purposefully find myself. Cheers!

[@gerhardmoeller774]

Superb video..... I'm gonna order one from Alamo BMW this Tuesday.

[@fourcanaries4712]

Great review of a magnificent bike. I have a '23 1250 GS MU (model upgrade) (my 4th GS) and I'm enamoured! The word you are looking for with regards to the BMW Navigator (which I have used) is Chigee! The answer to world (riding) peace! 😉

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

Garmin recently replaced my Nav6 with a new cap-touch model which hopefully will resolve the ghosting issues from the earlier version.

[@austinmatthews347]

To smooth quickshifter in low gears just practice modulating your throttle to help smooth the upshifts down shifts are easy as pie

[@brianeaston3748]

Try easing off the throttle a little on the way up the gears and close the throttle off gently on downshift,works great for me👍 I use the dash satnav connected through the BMW connected app on my phone,works well for me,great review and agree with all your comments about the bike

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

Thanks for the tips!

[@khaledalnuaimi10]

Excellent review. Thank you so much Could you show the set-up of camera and microphone you use?

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

Thanks for the comment! I'll try and record that for you soon! Cheers.

[@mrdedlund8354]

Nice bike👍 I am like the same size as you and I’m just (September) bought a Ktm 1290 SAS 2018 as a daily driver. The reason I bought a big adv bike is because a like to take my wife for a ride sometimes and I think the most bike now days are to small for a pillion. I love the Ktm in every way except that it is to stiff. I have a really bad broken back and after an hour it starts to hurt real bad. I have test ride the bmw gs a couple of times but only for like 30 minutes. What do you think about the GSA as a daily driver? To big and clumsy? Thanks from Sweden 🇸🇪

[@jcrawford068]

Great review, totally agree on the quick shifter. I only do 4, 5, 6 up. I do love down shifting with the quick shifter. I have a 2019 and the difference with the shift cam engine vs the 1200 is really huge. Love that engine. I traded in my GPS three times and then gave up. I use my phone. I still am working on how to easily get it on the center stand. Overall, love this bike. It's unreal.

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

Garmin just sent me a new cap-touch GPS which they say solves the problem. Maybe try that. I hesitate to use my phone for many reasons. If I have to, I'll adapt a Zumo XT or something and use that. Thanks for watching!

[@jcrawford068]

Did they update the Nav VI? Is that the BMW Nav 7?

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

It's still Nav6

[@jcrawford068]

@@CharlesEtienneAuger that's weird, they haven't released a new one, but they think whatever they did to fix it, solved the problem. I'm skeptical after going through 4 of them.. . . . .

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

@@jcrawford068 Check forums because part of the issue was that the original Nav6 was a res-touch model (old touch screen technology) which was prone to ghosting. They replaced mine with a cap-touch version (current touch screen technology) and I'm hopeful it fixes the issue

[@RC.Time-Crawlers]

First 2 minutes 29 seconds.You get an immediate thumbs up😃👍

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

That's very kind! Thanks for watching!

[@RC.Time-Crawlers]

@CharlesEtienneAuger You're welcome. Have a great day

[@SumChatter]

Hey Charles, that was a wonderful indepth ownership review and thank you so much for that. I have two questions - (a) how hot is the radiator exhaust fan blast on the leg and the body and (b) is it good for my body weight and height? I live in India and most places the temp is in the range of 35 Celcius with summer time temp going 42-45 C. Most of our cities are very crowded and dusty. I stopped enjoing my Triumph Tiger 800 because of the hot air blast when the radiator fan switches on (very often). Highway rides are ok in the cooler months of Nov/Dec to Jan. I weigh 72 kgs (lean body type at 5' 8") and in our traffic, maneuvering a Tiger 800 is not easy. The BMW 1250 is a dream buy, a stretch, perhaps fulfilling a childhood dream at 56! The local dealer has offered a 6500 CAD equivalent discount (for demo bike) on 45,500 CAD (new price) that has done 11000 on the odo and has a 2 year warranty. Just wondering!

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

Hi there! Thanks for watching and for the comment. (a) I have not felt a radiator fan blast at all. Ever. In Canada, in the summer, we have temps that exceed 30 Celsius but rarely over 35. Most of the time it's in the high 20's and muggy-humid. (b) Any rider of any size can ride this bike. The challenge you might have is in the traffic you describe. The 1250 is not light. I wouldn't like it in daily near-standstill traffic. I wouldn't qualify that bike as a good city commuter. Ask the dealer for a demo ride of that used bike and find out for yourself because if it's a dream buy, I'd tell you to buy it anyway! Have a great day.

[@hrmacdonald4471]

Awesome owner review...you covered a lot of content.

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

Thanks, much appreciated!

[@Marc-zf3xv]

Throwback Expos hat...well done.

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

Haha it's a must! Cheers.

[@bobz1962]

Nice video...btw-I like your Expos hat!

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

Thanks!

[@SW-MOTO]

Try Pirelli Scorpion SRT. Great tire for on and off road. Greetings from 🇨🇭

[@marcfalardeau6058]

My question: You already had the large stock windscreen on your bike, why did you switch it to a Puig? I am 6 feet tall and ride a GS 1250 2022, pretty sure I will switch to a Puig for less wind noise in my helmet…what do you think? I always use my clutch from 1st to 3rd gear and quickshifter for other gears which works just fine. I will change to Metzeler tourance next 2 , awesome quiet tires for the road. Merci, à la prochaine! Marc Trois-Rivieres 😉🏍

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

Salut Marc! The tall stock windscreen wasn't tall or wide enough. Even with the Puig, I wanted the lip sploiler on top. I have videos on this. For highway use, go with my setup and you won't regret it. The type of helmet you use also has an effect. I have an XD-4 which isn't the most quiet, but still...

[@silveriojohan]

The newGS 1300 is out 🤣🤣🤣but I prefer this Torque king, currently rocking the 2023 Honda Africa Twin Adv from Toronto.

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

Impeccable timing, eh!? I guess this will help someone looking for a used 1250 haha... Loved the Honda but wanted more wind protection. Much respect for the ATwin. Cheers.

[@dr.mtastic]

By 2000 rpm you have most of your hp on tap all the way to redline 💪

[@luismaldonado5453]

Pls let me know where I can get the 3m plastic paint cover. Thanks!

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

I had my dealership put it on for me. You might also try shops where they install such things for cars, like car window tinting shops. Good luck!

[@Traci218]

You shouldn’t buy toys when you have to get loans, take it from an old guy who been in tough times

[@thomassmith6348]

What year is your bike?

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

It's a 2022. Cheers!

[@MiamiJato]

Flash the ECU and I promise you, it becomes a different bike, much faster then stock....

[@SalopianBivvyman]

So road riding only?

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

For now, just about. Completed my BMW offroad level 1 course last spring on my own bike and didn't drop it. That felt good and I'm more confident now. Thanks for watching!

[@Telewest792]

Good review i do like the 1250 gs my current bikes are 2 Harley Cvo’s but I’m thinking of switching over to a BMW so thanks for the overview of your experience. Your roads are pretty much as crappy as the ones down here in Australia but the answer to that is good suspension and it sounds like your bike is pretty well set up . Happy days

[@hayios0]

Is this AI? Do you live in a painting?

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

Canada in the autumn is wonderful! Glad you enjoyed the visual. Thanks for watching!

[@austinmatthews347]

Get nav 5 its way better

[@CharlesEtienneAuger]

I'll ask Garmin if they can send me one to try, perhaps...