I found this video extremely useful. I am five foot eight with a thirty inch inseam. I have had a standard 17 plate GS with the lowered seat. Whilst I have enjoyed it my wife and I who ride two up most of the time have been intimidated by the bike being just that two or three centimetres to high. We managed to cope with it by lowering the suspension for her to get on and off but it. Hasn’t been practical and have had a couple of toppling near missis. Today we collected a 19 plate GSA rally lowered suspension. It is phenomenal. I didn’t test ride one so was apprehensive about how it would be. I was very apprehensive about getting a GSA lowered due to the cost and it not being right. My decision to go ahead with it was based solely on this video and I have no regrets. My wife and I feel so much safer, stable, grounded and balance on this lowered version. It is an amazing motorcycle. Thank you very much to Toby and Mark for putting together such an informative video. I hope this comment helps others in their decision making. Keep up the good work.

Just lowered my 2016 R1200gsa using lowering springs, it has transformed the bike for the better, I am 5'8"" with a 30"" leg. I can now flat foot it, I maneuver round carparks a lot better & it cruises better, more comfortable. New springs cost me £200 & took me 1 day to replace the springs, a bit time consuming but fairly easy job Todo.

Thanks RiderCamTV for an informative video. You commented that the RT with the lowered seat is even lower that the factory lowered GSA and I've found this certainly to be the case. For me at 5'4" (162.5 cm) and inseam 28.5" (72 cm) I can easily get both balls of the feet on the ground with ordinary shoes on the standard RT LC bike with the low seat. Perfect. Other options viewers may wish to consider are boots such as the Daytona M-Star GORE-TEX® which add around 6 cm or perhaps better still, practise and/or get some further professional training to the extent that you really don't worry about flat-footing it. The MotoGP rider Pedrossa, at 5'2", does not worry about such trifles either!

I watched this video a year before I purchased my GS and decided on the standard height and not the lowered version. Thanks guys.

loved your sense of humour which wasn't on some one else's expense, it was lovely to watch it, and please do keep up more videos coming along. you are naturally good at your job. down to earth and funny.

Glad I found this, I'm 6ft and am picking up a lowered GSA tomorrow. It felt great on a test ride and I'm sure maneuvering it in and out of my postage sized garage will be easier but I was concerned about whether the lowered one was the right thing - TBH the decision wasn't based on anything more than availability and cost of the bike but I'm sure it will be great

Your videos do make me chuckle. Never stopped to think about the differences in bike height, everyday's a school day. Thanks guys.

Great video , I’m a shirt rider about 164 cm. Your review has inspired confidence on the big BMW GS”s to try out. Thank you.

I love the humor of you Brit's! Thank's Governor!

I am 71 years old & ride a 1200gsa, 2017 , low chassis in white. Yes identical to yours. I have a 29inch inseam & have no problem in handling it. Only one gripe is that it keeps going into limp mode. BMW main dealers have it now but are unable to shed any light on the cause. I have researched this fenomina & it appears the exhaust valve butterfly is a common problem. Have you ever had or heard of this problem, yours in despair. Like your style of video delivery.

Great video! I did not look at the GS because of its intimidating height. I’m 5 feet 7 and nearly 80 years old and I want to have my 2 feet on the ground when I have to move the bike. I didn’t see the lower GS before I got the R1200R 2017. It was interesting to me that you noticed the light steering in the lower GS as I noticed on the R that is also low. It feels much better than my F800GT that I traded in. I will look for a short GS to give it a try. My only problem with my R1200 is that I cannot stop smiling when I ride.

My girlfriend have a 2015 gsa lowered. You get less ground clearense and footpegs hit the ground with less lean angle. Because of the shorter shocks it gets much harder suspension you loose the good thing about gs driving on bumpy roads and off road. My girlfriend is 165cm high she tried my standard gsa 2015 on bad roads she was shocked over the differense between the bikes she wanted to sell her bike after that and by a standard one. I changed the shocks, senter stand and side stand to standard and kept the low seat now shes happy again she also driving offroad. Dont by the low gs before you have tried it with a low seat.

I know just what you mean about the uncomfortable inner thigh bit, I’m 11.5 stone, 5’10” with 33” trouser leg and although I’ve only sat on showroom bikes the normal bike gave me it whereas the low suspension/seat didn’t. I exchanged my Africa twin for a T120 because I hated the height when dealing with adverse camber at junctions two up . I can’t try the GS till this lockdown is relaxed.

This is very useful to me as BMW does not have this bike to try out, and all the bike that is coming in now has already got buyer.

Yup, got the lowered version just for all the reasons you have mentioned here!

great comparison video... when I was in the market in June I wished to find a video like this showing the difference between the 2 side by side, but there was nothing, anyway, I did go with the lowered GSA and never looked back...its an awesome machine that so far after 3000km I am yet to find fault in the riding position, comfort, ergonomics or weight/height proportions...add the quick shift into the mix and its a dream...great review guys

Excellent review guys - thanks!

Really interesting comparison guys, particularly when you incorporated the RT. I like my GSA to be tall; when riding solo with just my top box on, I always set the suspension in 'one rider plus luggage' and solo with my panniers on I go for 'two rider' position. I am 6'2" and am happy with just the balls of my feet being on the ground; this is my personal preference. The only slight down side of having the bike set so high, is settling it on its side stand; because the bike is so high, it leans over quite a bit before the stand touches the ground. I just love this bike; rode from Lincoln to Norwich and back over the weekend and had a ball. Cheers, Andy

great comparison video nice to see good old cornwall,miss it some times but love living in brisbane australia now keep the vids coming

Thank you very much for this video. I really enjoyed it. Next time, it will be very helpfull for us, when you are share your thoughts and coparisons during offroad rides. We really need to know about the ground clearance at offroad.

Don’t apologize for the wind noise, it was a great video. I also liked the happy dog panting in the background! Cheers

I am 5'8, I have had the standard 1200 with the low seat, but now I have the lowered 1250. The foot pegs seemed a bit high when I swapped over but I much prefer the lower version. The steering seems more direct too.

Just got an ‘18 lowered R1200GSA & it is phenomenal! I had an ‘10 R1200GS & this newer one is so much easier to handle. Love this bike!!

Thanks for the comparison. I’m 5’4”, 26” inside leg and currently have a 2015 RT with the low seat. I tried a standard GS with a low seat a couple of months ago and wasn’t sure about it due to the lack of wind protection and it wasn’t as responsive as the RT in handling. When the RT was in for a service and MOT the other week, I wanted to try the GS again, but the dealers only had a lowered GSA available. Could just about managed it with the rear preload down but it affected the handing and that put me off. However, I felt I had more wind protection on the GSA than the GS. Loved the new LCD display and am still a little tempted to get one if the next RT isn’t suitable. Sorry for the long comment!

Time to change, thinking of GSA Triple Black, I’m 5’9” with 29” inside leg, need to check the difference at dealer as my only concern is the extra ride height...great video.

I'm 6ft and still had the lower version. Purely because of the reaching for the floor thing on cambered roads. I find it superb to ride. The footpeg to seat position remains unchanged on the lowered version so the riding feel should be exactly the same for comfort. Wiuld prefer the pillion seat to be stepped slightly higher for the wife and that would give better pelvic support but that might be an aftermarket solution to get. Good video boys, cheers.

Have only had the lowered version and it's great

I’ve just bought a low GSA and love it, feel more confident on it than my mates normal one. Only thing is my boot is getting slightly thinner due to cornering 😀

Hi guys,excellent informative video thanks.I'm 5ft 9 with 29" inside leg,currently I ride a 2014 GS with just the low seat and I can almost flat foot the bike.Now looking to buy a new GS factory lowered version which comes with lowered suspension and a low seat,don't need a 30 litre tank or the extra weight the GSA offers,I have a 150 mile arse you see! Happy days ahead. Ride safe.

I bought the '17 GSA low suspension after going to my BMW dealer looking at the RT. The dealer suggested I ride the regular GS with low suspension, but I didn't like the wind at speed on the freeway (and anyone who buys one of these for long trips is going to spend a lot of time at speed on pavement), and the lack of the fairing like the RT was telling. The dealer suggested I try the GSA variant, as the larger tank acted as a fairing, and I decided to humor him... and fell in love. The GSA is the perfect long distance touring bike for pavement and gravel/dirt... but despite many peoples' contentions it is is not a dirt bike, and riding on hard trails risks breaking the bike and the rider.With pure gas (no ethanol), the bike gives in the high 40s or better for MPG, and the 30L tank will go 300 miles easily between fillups. The mileage suffers greatly, though, once you get above 60 mph/100 kph, though. But it's easy to ride, easy to maneuver, easy to balance with its low center of gravity, etc.Perhaps the RT is a better pure road bike, but forget riding on dirt roads for any distance. Perhaps the new Gold Wing is also a better road bike, but gets nowhere near the mileage or range... and it has a smaller tank to boot. I can't see a better bike for long journeys, whether or not you're planning to ride off pavement. And, it is the only adventure bike for people with less than a 32" inseam.

Now on standard GS, but now curious to try GSA, thanks for video.

Hi both, really informative videos, keep up the good work. Just a quick question about standard and lowered suspension variants, isn't it more about inside leg measurement that's body height, I'm 6ft 1in, but most of that is body with stumpy legs 😩, so still no clearer on which would suit me better, other than going into a dealer and trying them out. Rather than your heights can you advise on your inside leg measurements which would give me a better idea on whether I'd be bale to touch the ground with both feet as you do in the vid ? Info greatly appreciated 👍

Gracias por el vídeo me gusto la comparación entre la RT y la versión Normal (R1200gs) , muchas gracias Saludos

Enjoyed your video.I'm 5'8" with a 29" inseam. I started out with the 800GS. I believe it was the same height as the standard 1200. I could only put one foot on the ground at a time. Currently I'm on a 2017 factory lowered 1200GS (with a Russell seat)and it's working out great.If your considering an aftermarket seat such a the Russell All Day Saddle, and your height challenged, you definitely want the lowered bike. With the Russell seat in the high position front, low rear, I have to slide a little forward and can get the balls of my feet on the ground both sides. If I had a Russell seat on a standard suspension there is no way I'd ever touch the ground.

Thanks for this video This helps me make my mind up and go for the lowered version. Off to the dealer next to part with some dollars (I'm in Chicago)

The lower suspension version of the GSA just has standard GS suspension. Seat to footpeg distance should be identical standard GSA and seat to ground will be very similar to the standard GS, not withstanding the slight difference in physical seat thickness between GS and GSA seats which means the seat to floor dimension isn't quite the same. FWIW, I'm over 6ft tall and have a 32" inside leg, but intend to get a lowered GSA when I eventually replace my RT as I like the extra legroom of the GS/GSA compared to the RT.

Another good video guys and it is nice that some manufactures are giving this option as I am short so most of the bikes I buy have to be lowered

I guys thanks a lot for yours thoughts and comparison , very usefull to me !! I'm going to go for the lowerd one 2018 version.Ciao from Fabio , Milan -Italy .

I’m seriously considering the bmw for my next bike and being able to flat foot it is high on my priority list. I’m a tad over 5’9” and it sounds like the short model will be the one to check out.

Hi Guys, very informative video, I'm about 5.9 with 32in inseam, local dealer has gsa rallye te coming in with lower suspension only done 2000mls.

Great job comparing the three 👍 enjoy all of your reviews.

Love how well engineered the bikes are. These bikes are pricey to buy, what are the service intervals, do they require lots of maintenance, is the maintenance expensive? My fear is I can afford to buy one but, not sure if I could afford to keep it maintained.

Thanks. Was over at Lutyens motorad, the dealer in Delhi India, comparing the GSA LC. And yes the lower one is a lot more comfortable vs the slightly jittery on toes positioning on the regular GSA. Unfortunately they only have the triple black, a colour not appealing to me! And yes they can give me the blue white in LC; but that'll be about ₹1,00,000 or $1500 more! Because it's the Rallye package. Sometimes the BMW pricing indicates a con job for sure :-)

I liked my new 2016 lowered GS so much, that I bought the 2018 GSA with TFT. When you ride out of the dealership on a new lowered GSA with TFT, you will know immediately why you spent the extra money.

Wow. This has opened my eyes up to the bigger GS. I have a F700GS, but little small for two up IMO. Thanks

Not trying to be negative guys, but you're comparing centre stand length. Yes the lowered suspension model has a shorter centre stand, but is it exactly in proportion to the lower height of the suspension?, I dunno. Given that, then the only true way to compare is with the bikes being held upright, with the same luggage etc loaded. I tried both and at 5'8", went for the standard height model, a good video showing you flat footed though 👍

Massive thumbs up!

It's good to have choices and bmw provided that. The standard windshield is just fine with me, no need for an aftermarkets. I ride the standard 2016 GSA.

Cute dog, too! You should have included it more in your video 🐶

the lowered GSA handles much better than the normal GS, I have owned both. However Off Road the lowered GS has issues due to clearance.

I've had two standard height GS (low seat) but found them hard work when coming to a stop trying to work out which foot I was going to put down based on road condition\angle\camber etc... It was close a few times where I missed tiny bits of gravel and the ball of my foot slipped taking the bike over - I jarred my knees many times trying to catch the bike. In the end I tested a lowered XR and preferred the slightly lower height and weight (aside from the ballistic engine :-) ). I would definitely have another GS, but this time would look at a lowered suspension option first.

I was between the lowered chassis and the normal gs with a lower seat. I went for the normal gs with lower seat option. I have the boss on the bike most of the time and I preferred the suppleness of the normal suspension

Nice content (including the comments) - keep it up lads!

I'm 1.68 ,Love that middle bike , great video

Can you tell me if both the front and rear suspension is lowered? Thanks for the video. 😃👍

With all of this, if you could only tell us your height, things would become so much clearer with visual reference of seeing you sitting on the bike.

What about the distance between seat and footpegs?....Is that the same between the 2 GSA's? (i.e is your knee angle the same?)

I had a test ride on a GSA standard. I couldn't put my feed flat on the floor only tip toes. I asked the guy at the dealership if the seat was in the high position and he said no, it was in the lower position. So I bought a Triple Black lowered. When I got the bike I found that I could put both feet flat on the floor in both the high and low seat setting. I now ride with the seat in the high position.

I’ve now had a 2017 rt and 2017 gsa low chassis. Hands down for me I prefer the gsa low. The gsa is much easier to handle in intense urban traffic. I miss the rt’s hill hold feature and brake safety feature that illuminates the tail light when downshifting using quick,shift. The gsa is rock solid in 40mph side winds with large semis on the highway. However, the rt has better wind protection and slightly more comfortable. Pick your poison....

Interesting video guys - thanks. Is the lowered frame option an extra cost ? Also - what was the seat cover item - just back from a round trip from Bristol to Wadbridge, Perranporth and home again (great day out) but the posterior did get a little numb so wondered if this was some sort of enhancement - or was it just an item of roadkill for the Bar-B-Q?Cheers

Hey guys! Jaime from Brazil!! I’m thinking about buy one 1250 gsa lowered, but I’m afraid that the bike will be different that the standard one. I’ m riding with my wife 80% of the time. Should I get concerned?? Thank you for the excelente and funny video!!!

Lol love the comment " lovley little bike" a GSA even a lowered one is not a little bike. I have a S.A. (short arse) version and love it. I tried a satanard version and felt it was just that little bit to tall and on the low seat but didn't want to go for the thin seat option and lose comfort. I have added a 58 litre top box to carry a large amount of camera gear in and feel that it would be much more difficult to manoeuvre around with that weight being a inch or 2 higher. If you are interested in one but think they are to tall try the lowered suspension you will be amazed at how low the are.

The hight of a person does not make a big difference but the inside leg measurement does. sometimes a person 5ft 10 can have longer inseem than someone 6ft. I'm 5ft7 and 30" inseem and I would not have a chance even on the lowered version. but great video very informative.

Thank you, I’m 5”4. This was so very informative. The BM is a really top bike. But it troubles me as in reliability & maintenance cost. Can any one who owned this please , make comment ? Thankyiu

Great review, keep them coming! :) The lowered version is the only i can go for :P

With the windscreen a smaller screen normally is better. On my 1200LT BMW went to a smaller screen from the original and it was much more manageable and cleaner. They stated the large screen had a lot more drag and buffeted the air more while the smaller one was stiffer and had less buffet so less turbulent to the rider. Sure enough the smaller screen was a better ride. This also was an engineer design change from BMW so not sure if all bikes will benefit from the change.

Great review .... Thanks a lot .... Greetings from Morocco

Hi guys, Ive just picked up the Rallye lowered version, im 5'6" with a 29 inch inseam, i can get the balls of my feet on the floor. Awsome bike.

it very helpful , thanks a lot

Great video.

Thanks for information... 👍👍 I from Malaysia 😊

I don't get it. Lowering the suspension doesn't change the riders position at all. The distances from the top of the wind screen to the seat to the foot pegs are all still the same. Your arse is just closer to the ground with the frame lower. Same as if you put smaller wheels on it.

At 5'7" it was my only option ...and I`ve zero regrets as I`m able to go anywhere my mates go. What`s really weird though, in my opinion at least, is that my brand new Triumph Bobber doesn`t handle anywhere near as good as my Bavarian pig. If I ever have to choose between the two ...the Beemer stays! Cheers

My question is: (sorry I know you may have covered this already, new subscriber here) what if I already have a regular height GS1200 and wanted it lowered after the fact? Are there any options other than trading for a lower version, is changing the dynamics of the bike after production, not feasible?

So guys, Ive watched you're videos and like your approach and style! Here's the question (don't sit on the fence), I want to buy a new bike and can't decide between a lowered GSA and an RT! Nice problem to have I know, my main use will be touring - what would you choose??

Hi I noticed you got your feet on the really well can I ask how your height sir ? Great video as ever keep em coming 👍👍

would have been an idea to see you on your own bike to compare!

Besides height, is there any other way to differentiate the low version of the standard? for example some identification in the vin

Hello, How tall is the guy talking about the Lowered suspension R1200 GS? Thanks

Couldn’t find the massive thumbs up, so I just gave a regular one.

Hey guys! I’m a fellow advanced rider with Cornwall Advanced MC. I have a 2007 R1200RT, and I find that it is very lumpy and jerky at low revs, is this the same with the blood bike RT and others or is it just mine? Loving the channel by the way, fantastic content! Joshua (Reposted ;) )

How tall is the guy in the blue shirt? May have been mentioned in the video, must have missed it.

Great video lads. I'm just ordered my 2018 adventure. I saw your video where you fitted the wunderlich screen which I was going to get. I noticed that in this video you said that the original may be better. Have you retried the original or would you still recommend the wunderlich? Thanks!

Thanks for the great video guys. I am 5ft 5. Been riding GSA for few years ensuring the height. Thinking of lowering so that I can enjoy the ride rather than endure the ride. adv which lowering options. Suspensions or hyper pro?

Hello do you know the suspension travel front and rear in the lower version ?, thanks

Great video, guys. Very informative. Standing at 6'1" tall, I prefer the standard height with the seat in the high position. But I am interested in that lowered version for more comfortable long-distance touring. Especially when my wife wants to get on the back seat. My biggest concern would be the ground clearance. How much lower to the ground is the lowered version of the bike?

Hi, great video. Apart from the viewers actually seeing the difference you need to make a trip to BMW and feel the difference yourself. A std R1200 without lower seat I was on my tippy toe's, one with just the lower seat I was flat foot and I'm under 6 ft so I was happy with that. Also Where did you guys get the reflective stickers on the rear luggage on the lowered bmw

what about the comfort of the suspension? I had a GSA2017 (not lowered) and now I have a 2018 RT that is good but not as smooth as the GSA as far as the suspension are concerned. So I'm curious if you noticed differences in suspension behaviour with the lowered one.

But how was it off road compared to std GSA? I found the RT to be quite a bit different and would get one but only pure road-only adventure...

Nice video, I have the GSA LC 2015 lowered and I am happy of my choice because I like to have both feet on the floor when I am off road and also when I ride with pillion and with the bike set up for two; I still have good confidence. And I am 181cm, and the sales guy didn't understand why I was choosing the low version. I almost failed during a road test exactly on a leaned road on one side and I almost let down the bike...then I told myself that I didn't want to struggle every time I was taking the bike. Cheers

wondered how lowered suspension would cope with passenger as most of my riding is done with wife had a gs adventure for 5 years now

I may have missed it in the video but did you tell us exactly what the seat height is on the lowered version?

Why are your legs higher up on the lowered GSA? Have they raised the pegs too? Thought it was just a lower suspension set up with everything else staying the same.

I love how 15milimeteres wasnt accurate enough for him , so he went with "about a lids worth"

Awesome video mate, just what I needed to see as Im caught between the two and will have to make up my mind in exactly a year, as Im going for it. Seems that at 5'10" the lowered version is the sensible option for every good reason. Thanks.

does Lowered GSA bottom out during off-road or gravel roads....I stay in India and would be riding more of 80 % road and 20% off-road, gravelled roads and no roads conditions..... does lowering the suspensions have any other cons on the bike other than mentioned in your video

How was the bike lowered? Other link? Other suspension springs? Other shocks? Spacer in the rear and just dropping the front crowns? thx!

Gidday mates hope I'm not too late to join the conversation! I'm unfortunately very short at 153 cm but wish to ride a GS 1200. I wonder if we can lower the standard GS with low profile seat and customize/replace the suspensions? I'm thinking of getting a second hand standard GS. Cheers and ride safe!

Is the height clearance changed (decreased) by lowering suspension? Great vid folks!

First time I hear about a lower version of that bike. Thanks so much, I will have to give it a try even though I am, what you call vertically challenged. Is it as tall as a F800R or taller?