Test ride a 2019 BMW1250GS with a pillion.

[@brianlekei8920]

Nice video. We have just changed from a Harley Ultra to a GS1250. Haven’t taken my wife yet but looking forward to it. We loved New Zealand when we visited. Thank you!

[@WoodendWanderer]

Thanks Brian. The BMW is so completely different. It has brakes where my Road King had what harley called brakes but were not great. Enjoy the new bike.

[@CodyMcDonald89]

How you like it over the Harley? I have a 21 ultra Harley and really wanting to get s bmw 1250gs for one the price is a little cheaper than my Harley so Will save some money there. But wife thinks it wouldn’t be comfort

[@brianlekei8920]

@@CodyMcDonald89 She is right, your Ultra will definitely be more comfortable for your pillion. I switched to the GS because of 3 things. 1.The Harley was simply getting too big and heavy for me. 2.I was tired of the locked in rider position. Sure you can move your feet to different positions but you can’t stand up to relax for a minute. The last thing is I wanted some power and excitement. Harleys work nice and ride nice but are let’s face it, they are gutless. Any normal person is not going to spend 10-15 k to get another 10-20 horsepower. Get out there and ride, it’s the best place to be. Seasons greetings to you and yours.

[@syumassh]

Fantastic, I wanted to get that Givi box and wanted to know how it looks on the bike. Lizzie looks great! Glad to hear the wife loves it as a pillion!

[@WoodendWanderer]

Hi Syumash. The only downside to the panniers was when my wife opened it when still attached to her bike and all her clothes fell out onto the parking lot.

[@euananderson369]

Hello, you might remember me I met you in Lochinver! I had watched your other video on the height of your lowered GS. I have finally made the decision to go for a GS and I am taking one for a test ride this weekend up to Ullapool. I’m hoping you can shed some light on the pillion side of things. What top box would you recommend for pillion comfort? At the moment on our tracer 9 gt the top box/back rest is sculpted in shape and my wife finds it comfy. My concern with the steel top boxes is the hinges etc will dig in to her back. We bought a backrest once before for a Givi box and we ended up just throwing it away as it pushed my wife too far forward and dug into her. Hope all is well and I might catch you next time you do the NC500!

[@norbertscheibner8334]

I have short legs and arms too. I added handle bar risers (Rizoma AZ451) and a little bit lowered foot pegs on my 2013 BMW R1200 GS LC. Now I sit straight up without leaning forward and have no issues with my shoulder any more.

[@WoodendWanderer]

Hi Norbert. When you fitted the Rizoma risers, did you need to change the brake and clutch cables at all or were the original ones still long enough?

[@norbertscheibner8334]

@@WoodendWanderer Well I had to reroute them a little bit and move the brake and clutch 0,5 to 1 cm towards the middle. Also I had to bend the little sheet metal which guides the brake cable a tiny little bit. All in all it was not much and I did this to really make sure that the cables don't get bend or pulled too much in the full right or full left position. In every normal position there was never a problem.

[@pedroroche8644]

Cant recommend South Pacific Motorcycles enough, such lovely and helpful people. I’ve rented and had my bike serviced with them, great service!

[@WoodendWanderer]

Thanks for the comment Pedro. I agree. They are such friendly people and keep their bikes and equipment in great condition.

[@robgutteridge1649]

Good review with some amazing scenery, thank you for sharing.

[@WoodendWanderer]

Thanks Rob. We are blessed in New Zealand with some amazing roads and scenery. I went on to buy one of these bikes and then the virus came and locked down the country. I hope to enjoy it more in the coming months.

[@robgutteridge1649]

@@WoodendWanderer We have friends from the UK who have settled in Christchurch, they were going for three years and six years later are still there and love it. I ride a 2016 r1200gs adventure with the lower suspension and absolutely love it. Yes, you do have to be aware of the road camber and footing when stopping as it is a heavy beast when stationary. Stay safe and well and hopefully you'll both be enjoying your new bike in that beautiful countryside soon.

[@midlifemotorcyclediaries]

Brilliant bike and brilliant biking country! Thanks 😀👍

[@WoodendWanderer]

I am lucky to live here. Particularly at the moment! Come on down when the borders are open. The tourist industry needs you!! Like your channel. I used to live in Dorset. Your vids brought back some memories.

[@Fernando90054]

Thank you for sharing! The bike is marvelous ! Has some extraordinary features and one of the best in the market for its purposes! It needs to be well managed at low speed handling and it takes some hours of training to avoid inconvenient situations, mainly because it is a tall bike. After that it is a gentle giant. Helps the rider a lot and is one of the finest and well balanced machines we can ever take out too travel or to ride on an every day use regular basis. There is a bigger wind shield available if you feel to much the wind on the shoulders (the one from the GSA), and it is an option. I thank you again for the beautiful video.

[@WoodendWanderer]

Hi Brito, Thank you for your comment. I am getting the factory lowered version as the standard model is just too tall for me. Even with a lowered seat on it. But it is still one of the best motorcycles I have ridden.

[@seanviper99]

The way those side panniers open down is now good idea, i mean you pack it and nexr then you open it up and it splashes out onto the road

[@WoodendWanderer]

That’s true. Although it is fair to say those GiVi panniers are not designed to be opened when on the bike. Better they are taken with you to say a motel room or hotel or campsite and opened there. The Bumot panniers are better in that respect.

[@pgVeritas]

How lucky you are to live in such a beautiful part of the World. The scenery was stunning. Only thing is, the roads are a little too straight! Your wife gave a great and valid opinion. I took my wife on a test ride of. GS Adventure. Although we’d been married for 9 years, I sold my bike when I moved back to the UK. She was really scared because she’d never been on the back of such a big bike. After a while she loved it (when she realised I took my responsibility for her life very seriously). The roads in NZ are infinitely better than the UK’s, as you no doubt, know. The bike purchase is now set for November, Covid-19 and serious spinal surgery delayed the purchase. However, even though I’m really confused about which BMW to buy (RT, GSA, K1600GT) sensibility keeps coming back to the GSA. The roads in the uk, are dreadful and a serous danger to bikers. The GSA, has 20cm (8in) travel front and rear, and as I found, it sails over uneven roads and potholes. The sort of potholes in the UK, will definitely cause death or serious injury to bikers. I think my wife agrees with yours on what I should get…Thank you.

[@WoodendWanderer]

Hi Alberto. Thanks for the comment. I am looking at spending some time in the UK as well as in NZ so I will definitely remember what you say about the roads. The only way you will know is take each bike out for at least a weekend. Hire one if you can. These bikes are not cheap and its really worthwhile riding each one especially with your wife on it as well. I bought the GS simply because there are so many gravel roads in NZ. I found the K1600 too big for me and the RT was too tall. Good luck with your purchase and hope your back is recovering. Take it easy and choose wisely. Happy riding.

[@KeithO29]

Great review, and a beautiful country.

[@WoodendWanderer]

Thank you Keith. I bought one. It is an awesome bike.

[@KeithO29]

Woodend Wanderer I saw it in the other video you posted. You went away with my brother in law Steve. Great looking bike. My wife Janet went on the back with Chaz when we visited last year. I had her watch the video to see your wife’s reaction to the ride. Maybe one day I’ll have one myself.

[@WoodendWanderer]

KeithO29 oh you ate that Keith. Heard much about you. When you back in NZ?

[@WoodendWanderer]

Are not ate. Damn autocorrect.

[@KeithO29]

Woodend Wanderer not sure when we will be back. Not too long, I hope.

[@betruly7894]

Thank you. I was thinking to get me a Road-King for 2 up traveling. Now i'm also considering the BMW 1250 series Adventure and Tour. For close that price you can enjoy better the R 1250 RT?

[@WoodendWanderer]

The Road King is still a great two up bike. If you are considering it the rear stock seat needs upgrading to something much more comfortable. The GS is very comfortable and has better luggage options for two up in my opinion. My wife says the GS is better for her and that’s the decision made for me 😁

[@tonydavis5053]

Thinking of doing a similar trade from a 06’ Harley Street glide to a 1250 GS, sounds like the wife agrees with the ride 👍🏽. One thing I’m curious about is the engine heat is it noticeable we live in Florida?

[@WoodendWanderer]

Hi Tony. I found the BMW to be cooler. The Roadking being air cooled used to get hot when sat in traffic or at junctions for too long. The inside legs got a bit toasted. The BMW is liquid cooled so I have never had the same problem so far. New Zealand is not as hot as Florida admittedly and I have not had the new bike so long. But so far so good.

[@alexdb77]

Excelent!

[@paulyflyer8154]

I've seen a GS with a pet carrier on the back, so I guess carrying a wife is the natural progression. A novel idea..I wonder if it'll catch on or if it's just a gimmick?

[@WoodendWanderer]

The owner of the Buchleuch bikers hotel in Moffat has exactly that. A top box on his GS kitted out for his dog complete with safety harness in it. Dog goes everywhere with him.

[@NMalteC]

It's got the same engine and transmission as my RT. In my opinion, 100 km/h in 5th is a waste of fuel. It can easily do 75 in 6th

[@WoodendWanderer]

Thanks Malte. You are quite right. I am used to riding a Harley Road King so it is a case of getting used to a new bike and learning its capabilities. Particularly loaded with luggage and my wife on the back.

[@deantasney981]

If you don't mind me asking how tall is your wife as my wife ?iAs my wife is 5ft 1 so bit worried about reaching the pegs ..

[@WoodendWanderer]

Hello Dean. Thanks for the question. My wife is 5ft 3". When I had the standard GS I would have to put the bike on the side stand and my wife would get on the front seat then shuffle back onto the pillion seat. Then I would get on and then had a devil of a job getting the bike off the side stand. With the new factory lowered version I get on the bike and take it off the stand. I then put the bike into road mode on the minimum height setting. My wife can get on easily using the rear pegs even with the pannier boxes fitted. Because of the additional weight on the back (she is 63Kgs) I then put the ride height from Minimum to auto. It works really well. I do the opposite when she want to get off. I hope that helps. If you can, take one on a test ride with your wife on the back. Thats what I did.

[@Brian-ie2un]

Very nice.

[@WoodendWanderer]

It was a beautiful bike to ride Brian. So smooth.

[@mum-0217]

Tremendous views and super smooth riding on the BMW GS. The bike looks like it holds the road well and I was wandering how safe you feel compared to other bikes like the Harley? Kind regards to you both Michael.

[@WoodendWanderer]

Hi Mike. Thanks for the comment. The difference in technology between the 06 Harley and the GS is astonishing. The Harley Road King was stock and basic. The GS has traction control, ABS, easily adjustable suspension dampening and preload. The Harley had none of these. As I get used to the GS I do notice that it holds the road better, particularly in the wet. The Harley front end used to get very light at speed and stopping it in a hurry took practice. The GS on the other hand with the traction control and ABS is a dream. Whilst I have not had to do a real emergency stop I have practiced them in a local car park to see what the bike was capable of and it is very impressive. Took some courage to jam the brakes on. Certainly would not do that on the Harley. So, to answer your question, yes it feels safer. Hope this helps. Mark.

[@ТатьянаМоторина-щ1ь]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@edsoncarvalho9297]

Nice video.

[@WoodendWanderer]

Thanks for the visit