Thanks for sharing. Great review. Very encouraging review. In Aug. 2023, i acquired my first ever BMW GS1200. Yes it's heavy (so is a Gold Wing or a Harley Davidson Street Glide). I am small person at 150lbs. and at first sight it was an intimidating machine which gave me an impression i was about to hop on a Battle Tank! But after hours and hours riding the bike the weight was something i just had to live with and learned not to focus on too much. To me, it's not just a great bike but a wonderful bike.

I'm a big guy at 6'5" and this bike was recommended more than once . I think I'm gonna have to check it out a little more after this video. Very thorough review. Thanks for posting.

That tiny compartment on the tank is actually for your key FOB to keep in (it's in the manual). Also the GPS is just a glorified Garmin with a BMW badge.

Honest review. No lane splitting in Oregon ugh?! Yeah these will flatten bumps and ruts on truck trails and fire roads etc. I’m on an ‘05 with Öhlins so I’ve got about 50 less lbs to wrestle.

If I want to ride interstate highways from Illinois to Colorado, and then do some mountain off-road, it seems this bike would do well with that type of use. It's not the best street bike, and not the best dirt bike, but to do both with the ability it does seems to make it a very worthy consideration. I don't think the "perfect" bike exists. This one's close enough. Great review!

There is some great riding of all types in western OR

I like your narration style and personal subjective views Mark on this model bike. I ended up getting a 2020 GSA just recently (3 days ago).

Great review, I have a 2017 GSA Triple Black and I love it I have just hit 20,000km and agree with all your comments. I am about to commence a 10,000km trip here in Australia and I am sure the bike will handle it well. Thanks again.

Excellent review bud! I'm glad you've been able to put 10K miles on it already! (I know, that's nothing for a GS) but with limited time, work, family, etc, that very good in my opinion.

I have the same bike. I do enjoy it. I recently added a BMW K1600GTL to my bike stable. I like the GTL for highway cruising and bringing my wife along. I've also taken the GSA on long trips, but it has a few comfort issues I had to adjust, a backrest, bar riser to relocate them back a bit, the hand guard shields enlarged for cold weather riding. Overall, a great bike. The price is too high for what it is. Take a look at a 3 or 4 year old unit and see how much the price has dropped. Amazing.

Nice honest review from someone with actual experience on the bike.

I have the same 2016 BMW GSA. I just booked in for the 30,000 miles service. Don't worry about the minor engine vibration, the engine gets smoother after 24,000 miles.

I recently bought a 2017 GSA used ilo an RT. I was looking for an RT but this bike came along in pristine condition. I bought it to ride on road pretty much. I think it's an awesome road bike that looks cooler than an RT but I have other smaller bikes to go off road. Great video.

Really well done, Mark. Thank you.

I enjoyed your video. Nice work on the single track trails. Just bought my 1st BMW 1200 GSA. Awesome bike! Looking forward to putting miles on it.

I really love this video. Thank you so much for making it. I'm getting one soon, and it's videos like this that give you that insight into what it would be like owning one. Thank you!

I found your review to be extremely relevant. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I have a similar riding background and I'm debating a GSA also. Texas hill country is great riding but I would like to be able to ride off road more often. Reliability is my primary concern with a GSA purchase. Safe travels!

Nice overview of some real life use of the bike.

Well done interesting video. I have wanted a gs for many years but the PRICE has said no. I too have had many bikes since I was 16 (50 now) but I have never bought anything new... Most everything was like new with usually under 1500 miles. Anyway I am looking at a 2017 adventure model with many extras and it has 15k miles... The price is very good as the owner needs to unload it due to the covid-19 killing his business. I've had 2 VStrom Suzuki's and love them. I plan to use this bike for two of my Canada jobs.. I'll ride from Texas to Vancouver then across to Calgary and back home.... I guess I'm asking your thoughts...

Good review. I agree with all of the video. Additionally, the screen is too short if you are over 6' tall. The engine could use another 15 HP. At least 30 lbs could be shaved with an aluminum frame and conventional forks (which would also make servicing the front end easier.) The ESA needs more adjustment parameters. The stock handguards are a flimsy joke. Overall, it's a great bike that needs a few updates.

Wow. I can not believe you got her through that single track. Nice job. Ps that gps is super cool.

Nice to see some reviews around home !! Good job. 2008 GSA and still love it.

Good no non sense review. Thanks for sharing.

Over two years in and I still love my GSA. I have a Harley Fatboy custom as well (1991) nut my GSA is the go to bike for serious riding. Great vid and some good points (By the way my 2016 GSA is also the same colour!!!).

One thing you failed to mention is how well it handles the twisties. My 17 GSA is an amazing bike when the road starts to twist. I can ride it as aggressively as my Street Triple, and with a lot more comfort. An incredibly engineered piece of machinery, and yes, it is bloody expensive lol.

Thank you for your review it was really appreciated. I own a 2017 GSA.

Congratulations! the video and the analysis. I bought my gsa 2018 full equipment 15 days ago, before I had a very nice gs triple black 2016, now I'm in love with the gsa, i did not find at the moment defects because I like big and comfortable bikes to travel, therefore they will be heavy surely.

Great review, I have a 2016 GSA, just hit 6K miles. Did I hear you say you can opt to show your speed on the dash? I know how to display it on the Nav screen but on the dash? I don't know how BMW does it but opposing cylinder engines have torque that twists the bike to your side. It occurs when we start the engine but is gone after it's running. I don't know how they do it but it certainly works. Thus, we get that shudder on start up which is cool. One other thing I don't like, the width of the bike. When we put our feet down, especially off road, our legs are splayed outward like outriggers so we are inclined to have our feet slip outward and tip over. Riding a GSA is like straddling a horse. The further your legs are splayed outward the less leverage we have. Something new GSA riders learn quickly like I have, tip over....

Thank you Mark, for your honest and clear review! I'm trying to make a decision on whether to buy the R or something lighter and your review was really helpful in that sense.

I noticed a lot of complaints in regards to the weight of this machine where it was originally built and designed to perform at its best, off road. Did you ever take advantage of any of the BMW sponsored off road training courses or anything like them you see here all over KZfaq? It might help get over the weight issue. I rode one over the weekend and it was a feather in comparison to my super Tenere which I also feel is light and very capable off road. My biggest compliment to the GS I felt was the front end suspension. I’ve owned over 30 bikes and none of them feel as smooth as the telelever front end. So impressive

going to pick one up today, seriously. Let you guys know if anything changes. 2016 fully loaded.

Thanks, Mark

well the gas milage is bc its a boxer engine they just dont get good gas milages, but its a good review !

Are you Al Franken's Brother, Mark Franken? You sure sound like him. Thanks for the excellent real world review. :-)

Nice video. Sounds like you are riding a sewing machine on those trails. That motor is smooth! My older GS doesn't see much worse than gravel roads, but even that opens up a lot more interesting stuff around Oregon.

it's now 2022 and do you have your GS still or did you upgrade to newer or px away? i have a 2015 R1200 GSA i've now had it for two years and bought it the uk from Canada because i love it self soooooo much.

Great review!!

Nice review Mark. I'm considering a used 2015 with about 19K miles. Any thoughts on maintenance that would be required given the age and mileage.

Nice vid. I agree with all your descriptions of your GS except comfort compared to a Goldwing. I have a 2017 Goldwing and have had 4 other Goldwing's before this one and I can say with certainty that my 2019 R1250GS is not as comfortable as my 2017 Goldwing. Keep enjoying your ride!

Great review I might get one without all the electronics so it’s cheaper and more reliable

If no plans to off road, would you still choose the GS? What are your thoughts on the RT?

Wait till your final drive shits itself, mine did at 18500 miles. Replacement is £1300, no parts available except oil seals.

Hi Mark..Great video! I am on a standard 2016 GS and love it as well. However, I did see the EAA wings decal on your saddle bag. May I ask what you fly? I am in a 150 and a J-3 right now.

Nice review! I've got a '15 Yamaha Super Tenere ES that I'm thinking of trading in for a '14 or '15 GS Adventure. How reliable has your bike been? I think the GS will hands down beat out the Yamaha in every category except reliability. That's my only concern but it's probably not a big deal due to how much BMW has improved their bikes.

Nice review! I’m looking at the new 1250 GSA but live far enough from a dealer that I haven’t had an opportunity to ride one yet. If you mentioned it I didn’t catch it but do you have the standard or lowered suspension and are you satisfied with that choice? Another Moonrod rider here also. Thanks!

wow this bike has more tech than my car!

Impressive off roading with that bike. I don’t think I would have the courage to try that.

Nice review. I am seriously looking at going to a GS this spring however I have never had the opportunity to actually ride one. I often see reviews that comment on the weight of the bike. Now the GS weighs in at give or take 550 lbs. and I currently ride an HD Ultra Limited at 900 lbs. so the GS seems like it would be a light bike to me. Have you calculated your mpg on the GSA? I bounce back and forth between the GS and the GSA and the fuel tank size is the main issue because I like both versions. I previously owned a Suzuki Boulevard (14 liter tank), good bike but it seemed like I was always at a gas station so it sort of turned me off bikes with smaller fuel capacity. Ride safe.

Thank you for the great review. I would be curious on your comparison with the BMW RT and Ducati Multistrada Enduro. I'm torn between the three as I loved the ride on all 3

Fair well rounded review, thanks for sharing. Since you already owned a Goldwing, and still have a dirt bike, would it not make more sense to buy a K1600 or the new Goldwing? I own a similar bike to your GS, but find it too big for single tracks, and while not bad on the highway, my wife would prefer a bit more comfort. I think I'll be trading mine soon for a touring and a smaller more nimble bike for the single track. By the way, how tall and wt are you? I am 5 11, 170 so that may be part of the problem.

Great review. 👍

Perfect picture! great bike but the price quite steep, however the benchmark for the category!

So, what you are saying is, The 1981 Harley comes in 2nd" Right?

The GS is overpriced, overweight, and is , at best left to dirt roads and tarmac. I sold my 15’ GS ADVENTURE and bought a KTM 1290 Super Adventure R. It’s lighter, has 160 hp, 103 ft pds of torque, a bulletproof engine, and long service intervals. It’s comfortable, has better suspension than the GS, and comes standard with a TFT screen, 4 different ride modes, traction control, cornering ABS, and cruise control. It’s a hell of a bike for 18 grand.

Thanks for the great review! Can you contrast it with the Goldwing for everyday riding, commuting, and long distance travel?

Great vid, Mark- do you still have your KLR?

Thanks for the review 👍🏻🏍

I love my GSA but why does a 23k bike not have a helment lock? Yes, I can do a aftermarket but then I have one more key. I looked into using BMW lock sets to diy a helmet lock but all said and done about $300 bucks, WTF BMW.

Honest, helpful review. Thank you. What do you feel about the Africa twin?

How many miles can this Gs do?

excellent

I agree with everything, my biggest gripe is the GPS, it's total junk, I've got the Nav VI though and my phone is quicker at finding routes, you'd think that a $1000 piece of GPS would at least be quick at that.

😍😘BMW GSA1200😘😍

I wish someone could make a video comparing the 1200 GS Adventure and the 1200 GS.

What is the running and service cost for oil change and filter change

Any issues with the drive shaft/final drive ?

For me the most disappointing thing is the sound of the motor. At idle they sound terrible even from new. The 1250 is worse. I've 'been-there-done-that' as far as BMW is concerned. Happier with my Harley and Triumph.

I have had the GS, but am looking at the Triumph

What tires do you like best on your GSA?

What kind of phone mount would recommend?

Wrong tires to be used for a single track or fire roads.

How come you don’t use the Mooney to visit your daughter??

so what your saying is you could do the same on your old kit,just not as comfortable.lol

10.000 is nothing for this bike :) You should do review after 100.000 ! :)

I've put 12,000 miles on my Tiger 800 XCa, 50/50...BUT this video made me want run right out and get a bigger, heavier, fatter, more expensive bike that will make me look cooler at Starbucks. I'm SOLD!

Looks like Washington State.

It's expensive and over priced. But you still bought one!

come on, nothing broke yet? ;)

I dont like the price of it 😞 26000€