LAST RIDE ON THE REBUILT BMW 1200 GS, WILL IT MAKE IT THIS TIME?

[@simonthomas5367]

Burgers, beers, whiskey and road trips. Heaven.

[@luddite6239]

What a great finale to the rebuild. The circle of life! Great footage from the trails, too, really stable images despite the bumps.

[@rockyk3973]

So great that the bike will make it back to the original owner and that, both of you will have enjoyed it and both have a story to tell. Great series. Really looking forward to the next write-off resurrection!

[@everydaybiker]

Fantastic work. Tea and medals all round

[@RandomPunter-xo9tx]

Great story with a happy ending. I am fairly useless mechanically, especially anything electrical but the few simple things I do like oil changes and chain adjustments definitely make me feel more connected to any given bike.

[@Gus-cg9yp]

Lovely video , well done !! Wales is a great place to live and ride. I've bee living here for 16 years and riden every corner of it. After living 33 years in argentina and 7 in spain, I don't regreted at alll. Thanks for the video , Gus

[@paulburnham7724]

Great uplifting video again by Chris and the Bike World team. Extra treat being uploaded on my birthday, and a big thanks to Alan Rawlins dropping off my Birthday present Bike World hoodie in person last night. Get ordering yours folks!! These guys really deserve all success with such great content in their work. Keep up the good work. 👍

[@IvorMarshall]

Great video and great story..... concur about all the unnecessary "frippery" on new bikes. So good to see bikes that were destined for the scrap heap being reborn and bringing joy to people. Well done Chris.

[@jarofmarmalade]

What a great story. Full circle with some interesting bits in the middle

[@Cobblerskid]

Great video, incredible riding skills on show. I have a 2009 R1200GS and couldn't imagine being able to ride down those lanes at that pace, amazing!!

[@peternaur]

We absolutely need to see the reunion of owner and bike! Also, way to go on putting out a ton of videos since new year's. Really enjoy it! Best content on YT!

[@tvr419]

I wish we had trails like that in Belgium. Love your videos!

[@thecommentator6694]

Fantastic little series and what a great ending!

[@johnsteel4719]

Another fantastic uplifting vid Chris, keep them coming. Nothing more satisfying than fixing your own ride. I have a reasonably new MT10 still under warranty and developed a problem which I spent weeks trying to fix but in the end had to hand it over to Yamaha to replace some parts and take an afternoon to fix and test. Did I regret the time I put into the fix, no, I reached the limit of my ability but still feel more connected to the bike. I wish I could do the off road stuff but my joints would complain too much so I enjoy it vicariously through your vids…

[@oliverleifadams2003]

Great ending to a rebuild story. Love the remote switch-adds character.

[@markhills3922]

A very useful anti-theft device too.

[@terrybuccambuso7917]

I’ve got a 2008 with 13,000 miles and haven’t had a single problem with it. I just took apart the rear drive to check the splines and they were perfect, all greased up. Bought a used Remus exhaust for $200 and cleaned it all up… it looks great. I’ll probably keep it forever.

[@stevebayross7248]

Nevesy, the 44T hooligans & Chris Northover are the Top Class of motorbike journalist on Pootube....🎉

[@jonm7272]

Might be worth checking the side stand safety switch (just try a quick bypass and see if it helps). Was making mine cut out while riding along (and note that the wiring diagram in the Haynes manual has the 'up' and 'down' connections the wrong way round!

[@1990-t1j]

I had that problem on an R1100GS back in 1998 after about 28,000 miles.

[@jonm7272]

@@1990-t1j Mine was a few days ago on my first proper ride on my 'new-to-me' 2005 GS. So of course I assumed it was the fuel controller as it just cut out dead while riding up a hill (with my wife on the back). Would start again ok but then cut out as I got going, did this a few times (so again felt like the fuel) but then started cutting out the moment I put it into gear (which was a big clue of course). I kicked the stand up and down a few times and it stopped playing up and rode home fine. Just bypassed it now (after 40 years of riding I can manage to remember to lift my stand). Mileage similar to yours, 33,000 miles.

[@1990-t1j]

@@jonm7272 I was in Greece on holiday from England on my GS when it happened. Had me fooled, then a passing Englishman stopped and bypassed it for me. You don't need them. Regards, Nick

[@jonm7272]

@@1990-t1j Unlucky! Pretty unnerving breaking down so far from home. I'm a little nervous with this GS as I intend to do some big rides to the continent with it (I've just swapped from an ST1100 which was as reliable as a stone 😊). I do really like it though (this one is an import and doesn't have the stupid servo brakes), it's much better than the ST for getting onto campsites, rough roads, etc. as well as being 100kg lighter so should be ideal. I've been reading everything I can about it, and it does seem like it's the same things that tend to go wrong every time so I'm hoping I can just prepare for them (e.g. by-pass cable for the fuel controller ready made, etc.) and fix anything that comes up as and when. I've been working on my own bikes for nearly 40 years now so hopefully there shouldn't be much I can't deal with (fingers crossed 😂). I really agree with what Chris said in the video about fixing the bike you love riding, rather than compromising on the bike for an easy life. Hope I don't end up eating my words!

[@1990-t1j]

@@jonm7272 I did over 90,000 miles on my 1100, taking it from 4,000 in 1996 to 95,000 by 2010 when I sold it. The only issues I had were wear and tear items which I think wear and tear before big Hondas. Apart from one biggie: the gearbox went at 50,000 miles, the bearings were making such a row that I reckoned I had the box replaced just before the internals fell apart. A known problem with '94, '95 and '96 1100s. Expensive. Great bike, though. I used to love the low c of g.

[@PaulvanBuren-1492]

Well I love this type GS bike. Running mine for more the 8 years now. I have one from the 2008 serie.

[@rsbharley4766]

Excellent video Chris, job well done.Cheers

[@marshallevans6204]

Incredible story! Many thanks.

[@shadowred1980]

Great story about the bike going back to it's owner before. On the GS front, I think that 450 has generated more interest than I've seen in many years. Looking forward, to when Chris gets his hands on it.

[@oliverleifadams2003]

It would be interesting to see the detail about Chris’ involvement in the 450 development. No doubt the good bits are down to him. 😎

[@nextmotoadv247]

Awesome stuff, Chris! I'm glad to see you demonstrating what the old girl is capable of, and on road tyres too. 😉👍 The addition of wider foot pegs (Pivot Pegz) made a huge improvement riding my old GS off-road. Cheers, Grant. 🍻👍

[@markhills3922]

I'm a huge fan of the (original) Pivot Pegz; Been using them on enduro bikes since 2003 on my (now) old 'berg 501 and I have them now on my rebuilt '06 R1200GS. Expensive but worth every dollar.

[@scottc3]

Great series of videos, and a good ending to the story Chris. 👍

[@gregwatts1159]

Really enjoyed this little series. More, please, Chris.

[@ogofog9120]

Helped get my mates GS going (electrical problem) before first ride of the year on Sunday, same model. He left me holding it off balance on an off camber hill. Nearly had a hernia just getting on the thing, without it toppling over , just to turn it round. You’re some man Chris… I’ll stick to the roads & my Street Triple

[@firestorm755]

Fantastic! 👍. Your are right about if you love your bike you'll forgive it. My own VTR has been a love hate relationship over the 25 years I've owned it. Last few years though with help from the owners group it's now better than it's ever been. I've always liked it but the last few years I've grown to love it. They reward you for looking after them too. Mine took me to the TT last year and it loved it.

[@urbanstrencan]

Chris now you should make proper restomod out of R1200 GS, like in car world everyone is restomoding Porsches , you should start BMW GS restomod scene 😜😁🤩🤩😉🤟🤟 Awesome video

[@61greybeard]

Great video Chris I love your attitude to bikes and life mate 😁👍👍

[@johnpawly1849]

Good job on the bike and getting it back to original owner. I just got back into motorcycles and just love it I’m a little cautious but time heals

[@claretbuck1882]

Awesome result 👏🏻

[@lozt6032]

The more I see GSs the more I fancy one, the only thing is I'm a small guy. I trail ride in Wales with South Wales TRF so to use one around here I'd have to pick my routes although a friend really hustles on his GS 1250 rally impressively. For now my TT600R Belgarda is my 'big bike' for going out with the twins in the group but it doesn't have the long legs of a twin... But if/when my Vstrom 650 (wished it had better suspension) wears out, a 1200 or 1250 GS will be on my radar to replace my all rounder... Really enjoyed your GS rebuild 👍

[@SquidwardhatesEVs]

Positive, the bike worked and you had fun Chris. Keep up the good work.

[@MotoPumps]

Awesome! Perfect ending to an inspiring story. Makes me want to go out and grab an old GS myself. Nice work.

[@simonwiltshire]

What a great little story! Cheers!

[@cgmp5764]

You can call you pump control an antitheft device, (turn the switch round a bit). I was caught out on a back lane a few days ago when my battery discharged.... my fault had heated grips on, cut the ignition whilst about 30 cars decided to come down. Wouldn't start.... but my saviour was a lipo battery starter I now carry round with me. My main concern with puddles on roads is depth and is there a pot hole that will knock me off.

[@dabbpeter53]

If it is any help, I had the same intermittent fault .every time I turned the bars faults occurred split the loom and tug tested cables till I found one snapped 👍

[@PaulJackson-w6m]

Great content Chris.And can i say how much i approve of you thanking the marshalls on the trial.its something i always did when racing enduro.the event wouldnt happen without their support.

[@Erknlssn]

If that bike would've had cruise control and offroad ABS it would've been a keeper for me. Awesome bike in my opinion. 😊

[@handsomejonny6211]

I have a G650GS, I bet you would love it too. It's called a Sertao, just simple 650 single with some abs.

[@neilmackinnon3371]

What a brilliant end to the rebuild. On the pump. The previous owner of my 05 said his fuel pump failed on the way to the TT. While on the IoM he got a s/h pump delivered to the hotel and somehow got it fitted. He said they then 'had to code the pump to the bike' or some such thing, as the pump would not work until they did. I might have remembered the story wrong, but that's what I recall. Might be worth investigating.

[@JulianOLeary-nv5nc]

Nice one buddy!!👍👍👍

[@andykitchen2921]

Brilliant as aways Chris.

[@iancharlton5530]

What’s a great story the beemer returns home. If you are a hater of a gs take one out for a test ride you may surprise yourself.

[@LasseJOugaard]

Cool little story! The fuel pump problem might also be the pump itself. If the pump is worn and drawing too much current, the fuel pump module will shut it off due to over-amperage. The bike should save a DTC / error code in the ECU if that is the case.

[@markhills3922]

I believe the fuel pump also cuts out when the internal filter gets dirty; I have the tank off my (new to me) '06 GS at the moment (doing a rebuild/tidy up) so I plan on at least inspecting the pump filter and clean any dirt/sludge that might be at the bottom of the tank.

[@drdoolittle5724]

Well done, the climax arrived eventually after all that hard work, we suffered and enjoyed it all!.Too right about LOVE, my Honda's can do no-wrong but the Benelli TRK 500 upset me after 3 months so it hopefully has a happy new home!

[@Diesel883]

That's lovely chris, nice one.

[@englishelectric]

The Punchbowl. Will be riding there myself on Saturday.

[@paul-thomasjewell2163]

Great to see the bike up and running again! I had a similar experience to you - My brother wrecked his GSA1200 2008 and I rebuilt it including the clutch replacement. I then used it for a while to commute to work and loved it so much. However, once completed my brother decided to take it back a sell it on! I was gutted! I currently have an FJR1300 which I love - both for the power and reliability. What's your thoughts on these?

[@Mike-jm5wt]

My fuel pump is gravity powered so if that ever quits working we are in serious trouble.

[@jezza46]

The breakfast looks amazing...yummy!

[@nkwd007]

Great video. Any chance you can share the locations of those green lanes please?

[@terrydaniel8698]

I Got 2058 mobile and got 2021 I always take the older one when go out it’s the bast one there made

[@terryomara9403]

Great vid i live in surrey i would imagine your near dorking 👍😀

[@MotorcycleMumbling]

I had a 2008 R1200GS in silver for 8 years and 80,000km's from new. I only sold it because I was moving country and it was uneconomical to ship it. If it wasn't for that I'd probably still have it now. Brilliant bike. Oh, had the fuel pump replaced twice, fuel lines once, ignition immobiliser replaced after it failed mid way through a trip once and lord only knows how many front head light bulbs and of course a bunch of recalls.

[@mattwagg1626]

Nice video, great concept. Just wondering,how do you rate the little voge rally?

[@TheRealChetManley]

Love this content!

[@LushmanGB]

I always hated the BMWs until I bought a cheap R1200rt. I realised then why they are so popular even though I only had it for a short time. I will definitely buy a r1200gs

[@CharlieboySLONDON]

I did the same , just sold 2x of my bikes to buy a 1250 😂.. that 5 minute go of a friends has cost me deeply lol it gets delivered Thursday, I cant wait.

[@davidmarquez966]

how many miles has this GS got? I think I saw 90K? everytime a 10% of my mind starts thinking about replacing my R1200GSA (09), I see this kind of videos which are complete inspiration for keeping it and ride it until the end!

[@chrisnorthover7582]

This one has 31k miles but my 1150 is on 63k and my Dad's is on 90k. They love a bit of mileage!

[@bikenavbm1229]

@@chrisnorthover7582 mine done 155k including bits of sarn and strata pig farm etc, yes local to you M4, J48., clutch did 140K FD a bit less, I had an intermittent electrical in Spain on the trails near Anso , beneath the ignition key unit trying to remember, at a cable tie, a wiggle and go , wiggle and stop jobery, never got to the bottom of it, an engine full of Brechfa water killed it. Sad day a lot of scratches- a lot of memories some blood and sweat too , it had 3 bodge switchs too 1 for starter coz buggered gearbox/neutral switchy thing, 1 for the lights other buggered wiring, but an advantage for um low profile trails anyway, and a battery isolater, poxy parasitic drain but a bit of an advantage as a security measure as the key was removable.K25 tough, basic, cheap, reliable (with niggles) lightest, known issues generally, got a good one hold on to it, just pray every night to the God of Alternators if you know you know. Mine done a bit in the Surrey Hills sandy and sometimes sunken like Normandy a little surprising, great vid.

[@dougiep8464]

Yep still have my 2003 ktm adventure s. Owned plenty of modern bikes. But only kept the 950

[@MrSimonfoz]

You always forgive your favourite bike it’s issues lol . I’m always working on my Ducati but my Beemer is bomb proof .

[@allant9432]

I have the 850 gsa and its great offroad

[@ogasi1798]

secondary feature is an anti theft device

[@tobymcnicol922]

ahhh, a happy ending!

[@MarkATaylor]

A good engine, a good chassis, and everything else is periphery. Wise words in the era of PCP price inflation

[@DeSousm]

Random one but just out of interest, where were you in Surrey? I just bought a CRF300L to start my off road riding and live in Surrey. Is this around Devil's Punchbowl?

[@skts2610]

What tyres have you got on her? Seemed to cope pretty well with the muddy stuff🤔

[@edwardfrench9925]

Chris, great video and it’s inspired me to take a mini tour. I have a question….i plan to tour the south coast but on the way home do these very trails you did (devils punch bowl?) on my 1250GSA. I’m a relatively new rider, have not really been off road and watched many of your tutorial videos. It’ll be mainly road tyres (90/10) and is it panniers on or off (thinking on to let them take any crashes vs less bulk/leg breaking chances). Am I nuts? Any guidance much appreciated. Ed

[@edwardfrench9925]

Further to my last I went and did those trails today. Pretty muddy in parts, big puddles and obviously road tyres but really enjoyable. Went very slowly mostly and surprisingly didn’t get any disapproving looks or comments. Was amazed how well the bike did despite my total lack of talent, climbing about foot high steps, wading through foot deep water and just giving confidence. Binned it once into a holly bush (bike called Germany as I couldn’t cancel it fast enough) and I discovered adrenaline helps to lift the bike seemingly with ease 😂. Really inspirational video as I would not have had my little micro adventure today were it not for your video. Got some rubbish news this morning and five hours on the GS, all is well again😂

[@cliff1551]

Hey guys does it have a tilt sensor on that model coz they sometimes switch the fuel pump off to not let the bike burst into flames in a crash situation.

[@johnsutherland8239]

Hya , what made you choose the at41 tyres , had you had previous experience, I had some on my gs1200 lc and still can’t decide if I liked them or not , did everything I wanted but was never sure how much grip I had , they do look great though

[@davidhall370]

Could you tell us where the entrance for this trail is ?

[@CharlieboySLONDON]

Yes please , following

[@chrisnorthover7582]

@@CharlieboySLONDON I wish I knew! Was blindly following my buddy the whole time! But I know one of the trails was over the top of the Hindhead tunnel so that should make a good starting point on an OS map

[@kuba181181]

nice story to it as well. we need to save bikes from the scrap yard!

[@harrysalsbury2161]

which green lanes were these?

[@louiskirby4266]

Onya chriso

[@garrybolton591]

What a great story the bike being reunited with its former owner, I've just purchased a 2006 1200 GS a complete impulse buy looking forward to riding it, I'm coming from a Kawasaki Versys 300 So it's going to be a bit of a shock to the system. Hope I don't regret it 🤞. Great videos thank you

[@nyrussell]

Need to find out if the ABS Bypass was done. if not... You will be amazed at how easy and cheap that is :D. I went from an sr400 to the same bike. And there are 2 versions of it.

[@blueheelerfriend8450]

The power difference will be shocking and you'll come to love the engine almost immediately😊 and don't worry about the transmission they always feel clunky and tractor like but they're fine😊

[@jvanschie942]

With most things when you rebuild anything you have to run it to get the quirks out so you can trust it at distance .The only reason people hate something is because they cant fix it .There not machinics period. You will get the kinks out .

[@blueheelerfriend8450]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@RichFlynn1]

Hi Chris aren't you on tele now?

[@CharlieboySLONDON]

Does anyone know where these trails are ? Please let me know 👍 ps Ive just bought a GS and want to get it dirty 😂

[@denizhanozkara]

tenere has a chasis cracking issue. frame is too thin.

[@hetane]

I think Nathan is a bit right on the subject... great bike, but we would need your skills to ride it so effortlessly

[@bikenavbm1229]

I am moderately skilled with the same bike, nothing difficult in those trails, its more a matter of will yes you will fall and it will cost but the bikes are inherently very tough. Nathan has a point BUT if you have done the small bike thing and gained some skill whats next? more speed, racing, new areas, or a different challenge? "Bit right" yes thats about it, if you find some trails to your level of competence and can get up them clean (feet up) on the line you want on a big bike far more satisfying than on 690 or a crf 250 I have a crf too , if you have an inkling to try DO NOT be put OFF by the neysayers.

[@josech]

The worst thing about owning a reliable bike that you don’t love, is that will be there forever! Of course we don’t want our bikes to break, but bikes should be chosen and ridden with the gut and the heart, not with the brain. And people need to stop telling each other which one you should ride, that is one’s decision, period.

[@903lew]

Different people ride for different reasons. When there’s no snow on the ground it’s my main mode of transport, when my mother was young she rode hers everywhere every day and around the world most bikes are used for work and/or simple transport. For me, indeed for most people who actually ride, reliability comes first and second.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I think you riding a couple hundred pound heavier bike with much less capable tires for off road still puts your buddy at a distinct disadvantage.

[@jimhedley7459]

Just great the bike is going back to the origional owner, what a great ending , the owner must be totally made up 🏍🏍👍👍

[@WestCoastVisitor]

Video engagement comment.

[@gonzosk8966]

Sterling

[@jank-official]

First.... hehe

[@alloutlife88]

How do englishmen eat that much for breakfast??? Do you fellas eat once a week? god damn thats an american-sized breakfast.

[@madbiker1000]

Sometimes ! 😋

[@sbsb4995]

Yamaha tenere is rubbish. Too heavy. Don't eat yamaha's marketing pills

[@leonkalligas]

Have to say it's quite disheartening hearing you go on about the "age" of the bike while having an R1100GS in the garage and about to embark on a massive trip... 😬

[@jamesastbury15]

Taking out cows jobs 😂