My Thoughts on BMW's 2024 R1250 GS Adventure Rally

[@steviepaynter7456]

Hi Adam, if you set your heated grips and seat to your default preference. You can turn them both off with a long press of the button. When you press to turn them on again it will remember your selection for both the seat and grips.

[@AdamChandler86]

Super Pro Tip. Thanks Stevie!

[@steviepaynter7456]

I did the same as you. Test rode the 1300 and then the 1250 GSA trophy straight after. Came away with the GSA seams more refined and way more comfortable for long rides. You seam to sit in the GSA as appossed to being perched on to of the 1300.

[@AdamChandler86]

Every photo I have from friends of me riding my GS and the Adventure model looks pretty small under me. I'm a big buy, was much heavier and lost a lot of weight but still 6'3" before putting on boots so I feel right at home on the GSA with lots of slow-speed police & dirt bike training as well so it sort of fits me like a glove. The 1300 might be a scary comparison when I first get on one. I do plan on riding one for a couple of days this Summer and I look forward to seeing if I feel any remorse for going 1250. Purely for the cost-savings, the 1250 is the better buy right now. You get a lot of bike for the money.

[@jhawk3910]

The ‘tightness’ is exactly what I was thinking coming from a 2018 GSA to the 2024. Almost seems like some suspension ’slop’ creeps in over time. I always lose rear brake pressure too, and too quickly after servicing the brakes.

[@AdamChandler86]

2017/2018 had horrible rear brake fade. I found I was bleeding the rear brakes every 6 months to keep the pedal feel strong. I’ve heard others with the same issues. It still braked strong so not technically “fade” but pedal slop would creep in. the 2024 is like driving a new BMW car versus a 20 year old mustang …maybe that’s an exaggeration but BMW definitely improved more than the motor between generations.

[@huzzar]

I just picked up my 1250, having decided against the 1300 too!! Great bike and enjoying it so much. Thanks for your review.

[@AdamChandler86]

Enjoy your 1250! many safe and happy miles.

[@narogamas]

Me too but after I saw the new GSA, what were they thinking?

[@worm8957]

Hold down the heat button and it’ll turn off what you selected. Hold it down again and it goes back to your previous setting. So if you just want the grips to come on at a 3, set it then turn it off by holding that button.

[@AdamChandler86]

Wow! Thanks. I have not read through the owners manual yet (which is usually first on my list) but thank you much for the pro-tip!

[@arai4176]

Adam, or anyone with the info, just installed a canbus with some s4's and break lights. Wanting to go for a ride tomorrow in 25 degree weather and broke out the heated gear from an old bike. Not used in a 2 years. Wired it up directly to the battery. The "Hot Wired" gear is kicking out (tripping the fuse i suppose). How are you guys adding heated gear with the canbus? Safe travels in your journey gentleman.

[@AdamChandler86]

There are a few products that would make this more reliable. PDM60 - FuzeBlock - Neutrino from Aurora. Buy once cry once on all 3 but they all mount under seat and you can customize each connector for the power draw.

[@Dude_Virus]

Are you planning to paint the luggage blue to match the beak ?

[@AdamChandler86]

Probably not. I like red a lot. My powder coating budget for 2024 is $0. Charlotte is pricier than New Hampshire when it comes to paint / powder coating so I may hold off. I had some quotes for like $2,000 for powder coating crash bars, racks and boxes. I know what the work looks like and I continue to be blown away by the price of living in a city so I may do the upper crash bars black but keep everything else the same for now. My friend in Buffalo NY found the Powder coat color that matches the bike's blue plastics perfectly so that might be saved for a future video. If you remember, Rosie Red, I didn't powder coat for 2 years after ownership as a sort of refresh and I love how it came out.

[@Dude_Virus]

@@AdamChandler86 Yeah I can understand, good powder coating jobs are way expensive. I had plans to get parts on my PanAm coated but very costly. Thankfully I live in India so it isn't expensive as $2000 but yeah it surely is closer to $1000. On the red gsa, the boxes matched but on this blue metallic would look absolutely stunning. Happy Riding. Love the bike, one of my favourites.

[@gregoryphipps2388]

If you buy the Garmin Tread for GPS mapping capability, it comes with both USB A and C connections on the right side of the GPS case - supplementing what the GSA already has.

[@AdamChandler86]

Nice. I already have the Zumo XT2 but that's good to know.

[@roncoleman8351]

Hi Adam, congrats on the new bike! If you haven’t done so already, check out the latest GS911 update (Nov 2023) for new TFT options (screen start up, sport screen, turn signal cancellation, heated grip settings, miles/km speedometer switching).

[@AdamChandler86]

Thanks Ron! I actually ended up changing the screens on my 2018 GSA after that update came out. I'll have to explore what options there are for the 2024. I'm so happy the GS-911 I bought almost 10 years ago is still getting updates and works with all of the modern bikes. It's rare for companies to support their products for that long.

[@scotthuxtable5121]

I agree with your conclusion. I pick up my new 2024 R1250 GSA Rallye tomorrow. I quickly ordered one after watching BMWs release of the 1300 GSA a few days back. Would rather have the last of the old rather than the first of the new. Might switch to a 1300 GSA in a few years if they prove to be OK. Price out the door here in Australia for a fully optioned 1300 GSA (719 edition) is $44,000. Too expensive in my book. Thanks for the VLOG.

[@AdamChandler86]

I think that’s a good choice. I don’t think that the 1300 is a bad bike or will be a bike that’s not worth owning or a generation worth skipping but I look forward to getting one in 5 to 7 years as opposed to getting one early and paying a premium price for a brand new bike enjoy your 2024.

[@johnfallon6906]

I’ve driven my GSA 1250 2021, 30,000 miles and was like driving like Miss Daisy. It’s in mint condition how many miles do you think before I go for another one??????? and I do like the GS 1250, It’s by far the most versatile bike I have ever owned in my 61 years. All my buddies on the street bikes from all over. Want to go with me so I have to choose Forest Road at the street bikes will have no problem going in one side of the forest and out the other. I told him that you’re never too old to own a GS 1250.

[@alexstan5358]

30.000m(48.000km)? It is not even broken in! They easily go 300-400tkm. Maintenace,maintenance,maintenance... I was planinng to sell mine 2015 with 90.000miles but she is running like new,nothing was done execpt regular maintenance

[@johnfallon6906]

@@alexstan5358 Purchased mine from max also 5-2021 & purchased extended 3 year warranty

[@AdamChandler86]

Well, infamously, a maintained by the book GS can go 100K miles easily without needing anything even a clutch. I've met a few people with 150-180K miles but never a person with a GS with more than 180K and that GS looked very worn and by then they had done the clutch, a final drive, shocks and 'touch points' like seat, grips, controls, windscreen, etc. My 2018GS is over 30K miles and I was ready for an upgrade but seriously, not necessary and I could have owned it 10 more years.

[@alexstan5358]

@@AdamChandler86 180k miles is 300000km and of course is going to look worn… 👀

[@brianmorse8811]

I do not keep mine in dynamic. Too quick for the normal street. I'm not racing so...😅

[@toqirdar]

I do!! I found it by default after nearly 2 years! Just keep it there. I’m experimenting to see how much mileage I can get out of dynamic mode compared to Road mode

[@AdamChandler86]

Yeah, I can't remember if I said that out loud in the video or not but I did dynamic for 2-3 miles and was like "nah, this is too much" and put it back on Road.

[@bluerangestudio]

Yea me too. ! test rode the new 1300 GS for about a good hour in traffic and on winding roads. After coming off my beloved 09 GSA it just felt unsubstantial. Plenty of Mumbo and good tech but it felt like i was sitting on the bike rather than in it all cosy like on my 09 . I'm a tallish guy 6'2, so ergonomically the 1300 felt a bit couched and cramped to me . Didnt like the sound either, kind of rattly like a diesel motor at low reves and the gear box ! not great ..clunky ! and there was this annoying high pitched wining noise coming from the gear box too. WTF ! apparently that's normal. All this just put me off. Took it back and jumped straight on a 2024 1250 GSA. took the same ride route and just wow, bliss ! this is my bike, so good ! . I bought it immediately upon return. ! not a second thought. Triple Black, fully loaded and $4000 cheaper than the 1300 GS. Fantastic value. A mate asked me how is it different than my 09 GSA ? I told him , well you know , its really similar but so much more refined and ahh its hard to put it into words. He said oh yea i know.. ''so its a bit like you get dumped by your 45 year old girl friend and then start going out with her 15 years younger 30 year old sister'' ? . Yea.. i image that's exactly what its like :) good analogy Mike !

[@AdamChandler86]

I too owned a 2009 GSA and I agree fully on the 1300 and 1250 comparison.

[@milesdavis8665]

I'm torn between the gsa and the triumph tiger gt explorer. Can't go wrong with either in the long run I think...

[@austinmatthews347]

Bmw holds it value way better also the bmw is much better low end and its better balanced the drive shaft is less sloppy

[@AdamChandler86]

A lot of my friends jump between BMW and Triumph. Seems like a common thing to cross-shop. I can't really try to steer you either way. Triumphs are great bikes. I'd love to own one of their triples.

[@milesdavis8665]

@AdamChandler86 I'm sure one day you will. Even if it's just for a season 😆 🤣. No matter which bike I buy. I'm sure I'll love it regardless

[@danarussell4246]

I must really baby my ‘15 GSA because I’m always at 49-50 mpg. I also reset it every ride. You’re killing me, I wonder if the wife would mind if I traded in her Ascent for another bike.

[@AdamChandler86]

Wow, I checked my stats, I'm at 38 MPGs on my 2018 GS over all miles since I track every fill up and you guys don't need 2 cars but you do need more than 2 bikes :P

[@danarussell4246]

@@AdamChandler86 In addition to the 4Runner and Ascent I also have a mid top Ford Transit I haul the bikes in. So great to just ride up a ramp, strap it down and go. The BMW rides solo in the Transit. I can get the KTM and XR, it’s a little tight but works. Since I GOT retired I got tired driving the Ford to the gym which is 2.9 miles from the house. That’s how I justified needing the 4Runner, you know in case it snowed and it was still open.

[@austinmatthews347]

From 21 on they made the steering angle tighter creating a mpre agile bike it a tighter andle than the gs

[@AdamChandler86]

Nice, I didn't k now that. So a 2019/2020 1250 would have felt more closely to my 2018 then? Interesting. The turn in and response is tighter which really surprised me. Thanks!

[@austinmatthews347]

@@AdamChandler86 i am on my first gsa i have had many sports bikes and sports tourers and i can say its way more nimble than it should be the 21 on gsa has a steeper head angle than the gs

[@pistolpete6321]

Awesome motorcycle, great comparison video.

[@AdamChandler86]

and he's back!!!! :P Thanks Mr. Pistol Pete. More videos to come. They're basically auto-publishing every night at midnight eastern for the next 30 days. We back!

[@austinmatthews347]

My 22 plate gsa has sos and doesnt need a phone connected it has a built in sim card its free for life of the bike its had a few issues latest issue is its talking to phone masts in uk in german not english its going back in to be fixed

[@AdamChandler86]

Your comment had me spend an hour deep diving into documentation on eCall and you're right, it's all built into the bike. Sorry for the error. I am inclined though to now call BMW's legal department and cancel. I have a habit of phoning up car companies and cancelling their services that are free because in USA (we don't have GDPR or similar regulations), this telematics data offers free traffic and roadside but in-turn, your data is sold to insurance companies. There are stories in USA of someone taking their BMW car to a track day then having their insurance rates skyrocket because of the passive telematics capturing. I don't want my bike with an active SIM card even if there's a safety element to it.

[@austinmatthews347]

@@AdamChandler86 i get what you are saying pal my sos has played up so much its had a whole new switch fitted last year and now its got the orange triangle on constantly its going to dealer this saturday and apparently i am one of quite. a few having issues bmw have said they think its because my bime is trying to speak german to our masts in uk or bless her shes got alot in common with many of these immigrants cant speak the language

[@dgomes265]

New bike euphoria 😊

[@AdamChandler86]

Totally. Very excited!

[@JoeS97756]

1300 comes with a taller 6th gear.

[@AdamChandler86]

Thanks for confirming. I did not know that.

[@andrewhartzell4792]

I miss reading your thoughts on ADV Rider.

[@AdamChandler86]

Thanks Andrew. That means a lot. I'm probably more busy than ever to take the appropriate time to both read, learn and share there. Great community though and I miss all of you guys.

[@andrewhartzell4792]

@AdamChandler86 I'm glad that you are here. I learn a ton from you. I'd love to ride with you someday.

[@AdamChandler86]

i don’t usually go back and check comments after a few days but I agree. I wanna ride with everyone! I’m in Charlotte at the moment, back in NH/VT this summer and hopefully moving back north next year. While I’m young, i want to carve out more west coast trips but all in time. Be safe out there!

[@rayfriedman6107]

You're comparing apples and oranges (as the expression goes). You think you're seeing a difference now, wait 'till you break it in and really lean on it. Meanwhile, WHAT is the story on those RED hard cases???

[@AdamChandler86]

I disagree on apples and oranges. The 1250 to 1300 jump is all new but having torn down the 1250 to motor and frame, I’m only seeing about 10% difference in the two bikes so far. The only change with 1250 motor is shift cam and a slightly larger bore. It’s still only a hybrid liquid cooled motor and the final drive, gearing, etc are all the same. I’m still impressed but it’s an evolution to the 1200. These are Jesse Luggage Boxes. They’re powder coated red and came this way.

[@JoeS97756]

Faster than it should be? So put it in rain mode and ride like a grandpa or just don't twist the throttle. LOL

[@AdamChandler86]

Thank you. I’ll do that.