In-Depth REVIEW: 2021 BMW R1250GS Adventure - 40 Years Edition

BMW has updated it's iconic R1250GS and the Adventure variant for 2021 and we take a very close in-depth review at all the changes and what this motorcycle is capable of after being in production for 40 years.
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[@LongWayHome]

Anything else you want to know about the big GS?

[@darylclifford]

Yes, were any of the goats interested in the GS? If so, then I dub the GS “GOAT” of all adventure bikes !!

[@BubbaSatori]

What are kidneys going for these days? Asking for a friend.

[@danielnunezgarcia3071]

How tall are you? Would I touch the floor “safely” with 1m 75cm ? Thanks for the vídeo ! Love the review !

[@NomadOnGS]

@@danielnunezgarcia3071 I’m a 169 cm and I touch the ground with one foot perfectly with my lower suspension GS.. but I think since you are taller than me you will be fine with the normal GS height

[@NomadOnGS]

How is the stock windshield protection? Is it enough?

[@ministrant4220]

I like the honesty and objectivity of your reviews. This one is very informative.

[@andrewedmond7738]

HA HA!! Finally! Dave makes an appearance in the show. About bloody time. Would definitely appreciate backlit switches. Great review as usual mate, stay safe.

[@LongWayHome]

“Goatman”

[@jeanjacques9980]

@@LongWayHome “Goatherder,” Electric screen!

[@PetrolJunkie]

Your issues could be with the phone holder itself. If that is a wireless charging phone holder try one that uses a cord to charge. Wireless charging is basically a strong RF field that excites a coil in the phone to charge it. A strong RF field can also disrupt communication between the phone and the bike. I have a 2021 non-anniversary and I use an old fashion cable to charge my phone and it doesn't lose connection. I had a wireless charger but noticed that it would lose connection so I switched just to eliminate that as a possible cause and sure enough I haven't had issues since.

[@Maggieismydog]

Really want to wait for the new model…maybe a 1300??? These are the best bikes ever made, amazing machines. LOVE YOUR VIDEOS! Kind of get the impression you are falling in love with it😁 I did and so did my wife when we rode them, in 24 years of riding (I’m now 43) nothing has come close the the experience I had on this machine!

[@janwynants]

The goats made it epic. Great review!

[@motovlogro]

My feeling riding the 2021 GS was that it is more refined than my 2017 rallye. However, still not enough to justify an upgrade in my books yet.

[@MindaugasPA]

If you have older 1200/1250, go to your dealer, ask to install latest update (40-60eur). Ask them to calibrate throttle handle position, throttle body air valve position and suspension. You can do calibration by your self if you have tool like GS911. Enjoy your new fuel maps, all that exhaust popping and more agile and responsive engine + fresh like suspension

[@jefft6731]

Well done on the review. Like the goats also, Just traded in my 2017 GSA for a 2021GSA Rallye. couldn't help myself. Trying to find enough time to get some miles on it. Do like it and it seems to sit a little bit taller.

[@robertreidmd]

Great review! The old man than brought his goats and chair and sat down behind you was hilarious.

[@gregatkinson5929]

I have the first Paralever model 1988 Bumble Bee with 49 K's . Owned it since 1998 , we all here how reliable BM's are but mine spun the crank big end bearings, BMW did not properly crimp the front mainbearing pin hole retention pin. The pin fell out shifting the main bearing ring a few mill out blocking off the oil supply. I did 1200 K' sand not riden since mid 98. I allways intended to get it going bought all the prarts for overhaul, most work is done, tricky work regrinding the crankshaft as they rivet on the balance weights, mangaged to repair it nicely . Now retired I will finish the job , I have always loved it even though it let me down. Now I see this new anniversary model I really like it, great review job you have done , sounds like a very nice bike , maybe they will sort the loose ends you mention to perfect this bike. I have friends with various older GS's and they love them. Early 800's are very valuable now saw an early one sell recently wiyh 24 Km's for $25K NZ. Earliers GS's can be bought quite cheap here in NZ. A new GS in NZ is about $40k. Great setting for the Review and love the Goat farmer brilliant. My 88 GS came with factory panniers, kickstart, hot grips, rev counter & clock, just need a heated seat for it. The new heated seat sounds great excellent for those colder rides.

[@geraldferguson4672]

My favorite presenter on KZbin! Great humor with good information and real world perspectives. Dave made me say this :)

[@cerberus2881]

Yeah, backlit switches was common in the last century! Work with us BMW! If you lived in Orlando FL, you'd realize the R1250 GS A is a must. The roads here cannot stand up to the millions of people that live here.

[@sdefiel3719]

Seriously ... and it's harder to be serious around Dave and _this_ guy than _normal_ KZbinrs ... but seriously, this is a great review with just the right amount of info for me presented in a pleasing stile ... with goats! I mean, what else could you want?!?! maaaah! S

[@LongWayHome]

Goat dude rules!

[@DrazenCika]

3:30 into the video and we are still on the lights. I can picture project managers on endless meetings figuring out how to show additional value where there was none. My 1150 GS will bring me where I need to go 😊

[@robato28]

Perfect review. You most definitely deserve more subscribers.

[@jcollins2826]

Excellent review. I bought this exact bike and you described it perfectly. By the way, I completely agree with you about the Nav VI. It’s out dated, slow and cumbersome. But, I don’t want to rely solely on a phone based system like the RT. If you forget to download maps and end up somewhere with no reception, you can get in trouble. I hope they develop a Nav VII and make it modern.

[@ozyfran72]

Ready for anything to be the GOAT of youtube 🐐. Great review!

[@markfoster6667]

Another great video AND a Scarlett Johansen trailer ad, what's not to love..no insult to Dave.

[@ioandragulescu6063]

10 years from now we'll have a GS with integrated AI for automatic terrain recognition, magnetic suspension and self balancing capabilities that will require 0 rider input. Program a 10 hours journey and you can go to sleep on it. And of course at some point it will say "I'm sorry Dave, I cannot do that"

[@davidfalgout7304]

Not so much....

[@marcusvorn8296]

Man! i´m a new rider at the age of 42 and i am looking for my first bike purchase. It will definitly be a GS/GSA. I have looked at hours and hours of bike reviews and you are the first one that seem legit :). Keep up the good work! greetings from Sweden.

[@mannyferrao1013]

Don't fall for the fake hype, it sux balls at everything, I had a gs and man was I out sinned by all my mates on their ktms and africa twins. Gs is just a tractor 🤮. I paid so much for so little excitement and it expensive to maintain for so little performance. It's the best when it comes to seat comfort but that's it. Choose anything else besides this heap of poopoo. These reviewsers are paid to say nice things about the gs but I bet you 80% of them don't own one.

[@kawabungah20]

Nice review and really entertaining too! Who needs music on a motorcycle? (Except for a chorus of Handel's Messiah whenever a wheelie happens.... Which never happens for this rider!)😊

[@markmurphy1995]

Upgrade I’d say! 😉 Thought it was just me that the connected app missed have the journey! 🙄😂 Great reviews, thanks ! Enjoying the longer video time . 👍🏻

[@davidsgrobler]

LOVE THIS BIKE

[@travelinben1966]

I really enjoyed my demo ride on a GS.Among the best bikes I’ve ever ridden.Now if I could just get past the looks of it,I’d buy one.

[@ryanmalone2681]

I bought one thinking I could consolidate my Tiger 900 Rally Pro and my BMW K1600. I ended up selling the Tiger, but felt I couldn’t replace the K1600 because it’s so much more comfortable, faster, and better in the corners. Hard to beat the K1600 for mile munching and being able to rip it in the twisties once you arrive.

[@jcrawford068]

I think the black/yellow color scheme matches the original paint scheme from back in the 80s.

[@MagnumMuscle1000]

Everyone says that the shaft drive is less maintenance, but it's really not. Modern chains need very little maintenance and last a long time. X-ring chains really do not need constant oiling and cleaning. They are lubricated for life and cleaning them only removes surface dirt that may prolong sprocket life somewhat. Shaft drives need oil changes, spline lubrication, are heavy, are expensive to repair when they fail, and do not allow gearing changes. BMW even announced a "lifetime chain" recently for another bike, but continue to tout the overrated shaft drive on the GS. It's time to ditch the shaft on the GS to cut some weight.

[@bobholley6202]

It’s a nice bike for sure. If money wasn’t an option I’d surely get one. Love the 40th anniversary bumblebee look. But for the money I’ll stick with my Tiger 1200. Great review brother!

[@ericwilson1383]

Great review as always! As a former 1100GS owner I fully agree with your trio.

[@veereshswamy8967]

Don't have enough money to buy it now but definitely buying it on 50th limited edition.great comparison 😀

[@philmorrow2446]

Another thorough, thoughtful and trusty review. Excellent job. I do enjoy my Friday evenings with Dave!! One eensy teensy little point. Have you any idea how much those "amazing" rear shocks cost??? Check it out, but have a defibrillator fully charged and on standby!! My main gripe with BMW.

[@MarcosPC6]

Any part on this bike is expensive, not only the rear shock......if you are worried about that, the bike is not for you (and me)

great review. since I am an owner of the 2018 r1200gsa considering to upgrade 2021 version after this video. thanks a lot.

[@aminpiran1126]

Amazing review! Hardly find content like this on the bikes.

[@roadglide]

Nice. Very nice. I think I will be absolutely smitten with the 22 for some reason. Now we get on with what this bikes needs to make it truly premium. Standard will be the new TFT screen. Then the Option 719 Highway Package: Back-lit handlebar switches for night riding, A real Horn, (think the version included on the RT this year) and an Electric Windscreen. Can’t wait.

[@LongWayHome]

Horn me up!

[@ShineBright__]

One of the best detailed review i ever seen on GS .... i wanna see the new Tiger 1200 frist then see what i am gonna choose the standard GS or Tiger !!

[@morningdew9450]

A nice bike. But my question is - where does goes pricewise? In Germany ca. 23000 Euro. Nearly 50000 DEM.

[@jeanjacques9980]

Wait for the 1300 and front Brembo front brakes!

[@PhilippensTube]

Great video! You were wondering why you didn't get the black and yellow saddle. That's because you have the passenger version. Standard, the GSA's come with only rider saddles recently. When you choose the option to have a pillion seat and footpegs, you get an all black saddle. Same for the Ralley version, that's got a multi color saddle too for the rider-only version. Look it up in the configurator. I don't understand it. The two color saddle looks nice.

[@cat1racer]

Romania looks like a nice place to live. I have been riding the GS for over 20 yrs, I didn't know they made anything else ;) I have a 2015 ADV that I still absolutely love. 2023 GS 1300 should be interesting.

[@ahsisti]

Greetings from Brazil to Romenia. About the rides that you lost in the BMW app: you can config the app to record the rides after certain minutes or kilometers. For example: mine is configured to record after 2 minutes and more than 15km. If your ride was shorter than that, the app will not record anything. Maybe that is what happened to you.

[@rideswithhoover9789]

You forgot the Yamaha xtz1200 has a shift drive and is an adventure bike . And as been around for a long time also. You should do a review on one .

[@marktaylor1777]

I owned one for 6 years.. loved it. Sadly out of production now.

[@eitanzadok750]

I like your videos! Honest, funny and easy to watch! Thank you!

[@simonliddell8183]

Cool review, most entertaining as well as informative. Many thanks. Just purchased a new gsa tb 😁

[@emak4558]

Wow, rode the 1200 and the 1250. You did not feel the difference was huge? Thought the engine response was a massive step up.

[@serbandrutza]

Very enjoyable video! Liked it very much!! I was curious to see the street race with the 1200 Gs, also for this bike, but loved it any way. 😉

[@steveaustin1820]

That reactive headlight is not cheap to replace...surprised you don't have protection...I have my 2nd GSA...a 2021 Rallye...I will post a KZbin of what we run for modes in Canada.

[@adnancemalovic9563]

Thank you for another great review! i got one since april and the only thing i dont like about it is the connectivity :( oh yeah and satnav is less than great

[@ayesigadeoabooki3749]

I have a dream to ride a BMW bike i really love it

[@Elysian_Angel_]

Gosh that bike looks good with E07 tyres

[@mikedignum1868]

No more Garmin satnavs because they will all get the integrated TFT eventually. PS, my Nav6 recently deleted all my music after three years of working fine. I think ill stick to my 2019 GS1250 Exclusive.

[@manardh7387]

Don't upgrade, I want to hear the left side rattle on engine after a couple more years. These sometimes sound like they might fly apart after a good breakin of the engine. Not a big deal for most riders, they wear ear plugs.

[@nicolaumb7494]

Long way home, easier to get motorcycle news than to see Dave doing a wheelie on a GS 🤔🤪🤣...try to do it pushing between 2nd and 3rd, it will be perfect. Love the goats 🖖🏻

[@raymondfrank9202]

I just bought the same bike. Love it.900 miles

[@richardwitherstone7396]

If you buy a BMW crash helmet, it has a torch built into it which is voice controlled? This is so you can see the extensive switch gear at night! but don't take your eyes off the road?

[@Big.Ron1]

Thank you for this. I want an RT which we cant seem to get here in Arizona. It is nice to see what the new bikes have this year. Thank you. Be safe.

[@agu26fly]

The 2019 1250GS engine is the same as this 2021 model. Should not have a difference? Only the lights different and riding mode more.

[@drajender]

Very informative vid & nicely done. I ride a KTM super adventure that is “lively” & has the best lights on 2 wheels but feels 90% finished because of limited app functionality and navigation. More light & backlit switches, connectivity issues, GPS are unacceptable at this price point. Fix these and I might be willing to live with less power on the GS.

[@QuietStormX]

I don't think we get this model in the United States. I've not seen or read anything on this model. Nice Review!

[@sasoren1947]

Nice work on the video!

[@marcelisujecki4707]

One day I will buy one but for now my Bmw 850 gsa is the closest thing of the big bother 1250! So much fun to ride!👍

[@rsbharley4766]

Great review, thanks for sharing. Cheers

[@joaodanunciacaonunes7539]

Great review. I’m thinking on getting this bike. I’m coming from a CRF 250 Rally. Do you think it’s a big jump? Thanks

[@piotrmodnicki3406]

Dude I have the 2020/21 model just before this one It crackles from the exhaust , the engine is very lively and so on so on , there is no difference apart from the lights I’ve tested the new light and my personal opinion is that at night is annoying it constantly moves and makes this weird noises and some extra modes and even that can be achieved in the older bikes just edit one of the modes and set the throttle response to minimal this will give the eco mode ! As for the engine liveliness the same here people buy this bikes and don’t even use half of the features this machine has on board!!! You need be well informed before you say something on video!!! For those who have no idea how to make exhaust sound better just go to dynamic pro set the throttle to maximum while also setting traction control also to maximum so it will keep you safe. Wouuuala Please enjoy And you long way home Educate !!!

[@JBMotorrad]

Great review! I’m with you. Chain maintenance is for peasants. 🤪 I’d rather be riding or eating a good dinner. Not faffing around with chemicals.

[@my.motorrad]

Until the final drive fails

[@sdefiel3719]

@@my.motorrad Although I have enjoyed two bikes with a shaft drive ... Shaft drive repair, $400 - $2000, replace a chain, $50 -$160. power loss w/shaft as much as 25% power loss w/chain as little as 3% Nuff said. S

[@JBMotorrad]

You must not have serviced the drive properly. I’m on 37,000 miles trouble free on 2018 Tiger 1200. Change oil every 10,000 miles is all it takes.

[@sdefiel3719]

@@JBMotorrad Yes, yours hasn't broken yet. Mine never broke either, but I have one friend and several fireside stories of the times when they did. EXPENSIVE and UNREPAIRABLE on the road. S

[@JBMotorrad]

@@sdefiel3719 yes, everyone has friends and their story. I have friends and stories of crazy reliability. To each his own.

[@brandonrides8953]

I just got a 2021. I wish here in the US that we could turn off the low beam DRL to just have the LED X shape!

[@NeilRadley]

The Triumph Tiger 1200 is also shaft drive and very capable.

[@helvin8972]

Pros and cons are well explained. Thank you

[@halan236]

How old does my current GSA need to be before it is a no-brainer to upgrade to the 2021?

[@riggers7480]

No, black & yellow isn't put there because it's pretty: it's beacuse 40 years ago, the R80GS &R100GS grandaddy boxers were black & yellow...

[@RodCmte]

Comprei aqui no Brasil! Estou gostando bastante da moto, atende bem minhas expectativas. Apenas trocando o protetor de mão amarelo por um preto, acho que fica melhor... Não tão amarelo. Parabéns pelo video!!! 🇧🇷 Bought it in Brazil. Like it a lot, Fulfill my expectations. Just swapping the Yellow hand guard for a black one. I guess is better. Not too yellow. Congrats for the video!!! 🇺🇲

[@sb99koxx]

Excelente video-uri ! Absolut perfecte. Your english is top knotch ! Multumim !

[@turi-geza]

I would have one more item to add to that list of not so nice. It's the front tire noise. Travels straight to your head. No visor up riding without earplugs. : ( Love the goats! : )

[@klauspeters7434]

can’t BMW just make such a good bike looking pretty ?

[@tontonn9995]

Not sure why you're ignoring the change in the chassis for 2021?? The GSA rake went from 26.3 to 24.9 - that's a pretty major change.

[@tontonn9995]

2021`

[@Iggy997]

Thorough, honest and practical review as always! Way to go neighbour :) (I'm from Serbia). Question: have you had a chance to try out the new KTM 1290 Super adventure? I just returned from a ride in Greece (Peloponnese, I highly recommend it) I was on a 2021 1250 GS (small not adventure) and my friend went with a new KTM 1290 S Adventure. We were switching the bikes from time to time, and I must say that 1290 made me thinking... It is a great bike, almost as comfortable as a GS but with more power and a bit of a "bad boy" attitude. As you said, on a 10-12 hours days I still preferred the GS. Earlier in the year we did a GS 1250 Vs. Multistrada V4 comparison, and I was not impressed at all, Multistrada is still a nervous bike, good for going 100% but not good at all for long days in the saddle, 1290 is a different story though. Keep up the good work, have fun and stay safe! Cheers!

[@markg1291]

A South African in Romania. I’ll bet there is an interesting story there!

[@UlyssesMax]

we like goats, we like animals :) it's good to have them background :)

[@Hogdriver88]

Connectivity between my Cardo Black, iphone, and new generation Gold Wing is also frequently problematic. That nav is very overpriced, but the good news is that it IS a Garmin - Honda dropped the ball with their built-in nav - I wish it was a Garmin. My option is to buy a Zumo XT. I would trade both of my bikes for a 40th Anniversary GSA.

[@juro6]

I moved from my 2017 R1200GSA to the 2019 R1250GS HP and noticed a very big difference. The reason why they haven't added the navigation to the TFT (the device itself already would allow this, they just need to add it to the software) is that they probably still have a lot of old Navigator V stock lying around - I just hope that they'll retroactively add it as a software upgrade (although I doubt it). You can switch off the ABS completely (both front and back) by pressing and holding the appropriate button on the left.

[@bav114]

Great review. When are more bikes going to get Apple CarPlay?

[@dalehawkes1698]

Great review no bull shit just good information thanks for making it

[@Rustavii]

Thank you. Great review.

[@gnmurray5955]

I was interested to see your comment on the headlight's brightness (or lack thereof). I travel a lot at night and down here in Tasmania we have a lot of quite large animals that hop their way around. Mostly wallabies, which are smaller than kangaroos but still a really bad thing to hit on a bike. I expected the headlight to be super bright but honestly I was disappointed. I have added a pair of Baja Designs Squadron Pro lights so high beam is ok but low beam is still marginal. Apart from that, the bike, a Rallye GS, is brilliant1

[@johannesmiller1849]

Could you share which tires are on your bike. They look like a good compromise between on/off-road. Thanks a lot!

[@kevhatch1252]

Looks nice but sounds like you need to plan an extra hour into your ride just to set the bike up before you go out! .. I like my 100,000 miler '07 1200GSA, put the key in, throw your leg over and ride ..

[@raypetrocelli595]

Really great video and hats off to BMW but I personally don't like the look of the motorcycle, with or without the panniers it looks Frankensteinish but that's just my opinion & don't wanna offend anyone, I liked the new Ducati Multistrada V4S much better. Thanks for a great video & everyone ride safe.

[@DragosRDS]

I am the proud owner of the exact bike from your video :) and love it of course !

[@CW4PWR]

Should you wait for the 2023? That will be BMWs 100th anniversary and I'm sure they have something special planned for the GSA. Maybe get rid of that Garmin GPS. Imagine how much more visibility you will have without thing in the way.

[@tontonn9995]

I expect the new RT TFT to come to the GS in 2023

[@CW4PWR]

@@tontonn9995 2022 or 2023?

[@overboost7667]

Time Warp discovered in Romania: 10 days hours now for real.

[@LongWayHome]

Heard that while I was watching on YT 🤣

[@WOLF167h]

What is the phone mount you have in the video? Love your work, thank you sir!

[@LongWayHome]

Thank you! QuadLock.

[@pistolpete6321]

Great review!

[@PedroTF]

Owning a 2015/16 GSA, like yours but with no ESA, to which I'm very attached to, I am curious as to wether you deem it worthy of changing or not.

[@mitchellstark2890]

I got sick of waiting for the NORDEN 901 and just ordered a 40th GSA

[@ijaxon6675]

Nice Bumblebee!

[@Thewoodmiester]

Another great video

[@zoligabor1861]

A black 'Goat' on steroids! 💪

[@kp8799]

I want new Nav. How about we use the RT split screen tech to drive a second TFT in place of the Garmin?

[@PabloSanchez-bi7sx]

A very good related from you...thank you...I´m the owner of a Gs 1200 ´16 and I will ride the route 40 in my country (Argentine) the next October/21. Regards...

[@user-or2yw8dd5w]

Good day . can somone answer me - did bmw r1250 gs adventure run without Dash Board ( tft monitore ) ?