I’m fortunate to own a GSA 1250 with 30k miles on it since 2021 …. And an MSport S1000XR. If you are solo rider and are on roads, be they country roads, the XR is way more fun than any 1250 or the new 1300. It’s so easy to ride and always puts a dopey smile on your face. Handling and quickshifter are superb. An XR, TE model with full luggage is £20k. I tour with my wife on the GSA and it is a better two up bike. We’ve done the alps for three summers and in dynamic mode the GSA is brilliant….. but the XR is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. 10/10 for grin factor. If you never have a pillion then at least test ride the XR. Terence you just sum it up brilliantly.
Just went from a KTM super duke to a 2024 S1000XR, my first granddad-bike. I thought… This bike, i mean OMG! I’m amazed at it’s capabilities, it’s sure-footedness, it’s power, it’s «flickability»… And it’s comfort! I can still be abit of a hooligan and be comfortable. Bravo BMW!
I am 65 and I much prefer my sports bikes (S1000RR + Panigale V2 Bayliss) to the BMW GS. Apart from how the GS looks (not good) I found the 2018 GS1250 I rode last year was a harrowing experience. Top heavy and so bloody big and heavy. Like trying to ride a small truck. I don't like the beak front end of most adventure bikes and all that scaffolding on the sides. Although the new BMW GS 1300 does look much more agreeable and manageable but I have yet to ride one.
Its funny, for all the slagging the new GS1300 gets from current 1200/1250 owners there are a lot of folk about such as yourself admiring the more compact and lighter iteration of the 1300 bike. I have only sat on it in the showroom and it feels good. Not so sure about the shrunken pillion space though?
great review Terry, always preferred a sport tourer to an adventure tourer so the 1000xr was defo on my radar when changing earlier this year…so of course i opted for a tiger 1200 gt pro🤣talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place! ride safe T ☘️ JF ps. I think u bought the right bike for your needs.
You got the right bike John, it is a premium Shafty Super Tourer. Had they had the ride lowering feature when I test rode it I would probably be riding one now myself. See you at ABR?
The XR is the perfect bike to carve the mountain roads of the Picos, Pyrenees or Alps for a weeklong tour at 50 degree lean angles. The best competition comes from Ducati with the Multistrada family. If you don't have some hooligan in you, stick with the GS, which makes you more comfortably numb. The XR probably makes little sense in a crowded, dark, cold, foggy, wet and dismal place like Britain. Rent the XR when going to the continent. I come from the US and my band of lunatics does a moto tour in Europe ever year or two. We are about evenly split between BMW and Ducati for our rental preference. We've learned to pay particular attention to the newness of the tires before accepting a rental given that the XR's (default) tires are softer and sportier and the bike is ridden such. We've done both guided tours (Edelweiss) and our own (Hertz) with success. The 2024 XR appears to have some notable improvement, especially with the more traditional seat shape that allows you to hang off a bit when the spirit moves you. The +5 HP is always welcome even if minimal. The vibration never bothered me before, so improvements there probably won't be noticed. Relative to the GS, I prefer the XR's paniers and top box due to their lighter weight and sleeker design. I got grooves in my hands carrying the GS versions into the hotel when the XR wasn't available.
@@bernhtp Thanks for the detailed summary of your experiences with the XR, that makes perfect sense and good info for prospective buyers. Cheers fella 👍
Terry Great comparison! As far as which one, it just depends on which riding style you do the most of. I think your Daytona will satisfy your Hooligan side. Ride SAFE and BE safe Sir! 👍👍
I think the Daytona will scratch an itch without getting me in trouble TTRGUY! :-) I might get that same revvy feel from that as I did the XR. Maybe I just like more than two cylinders :-0
BMW knows their market. Modern UK congested roads are SO much more pleasant on a bike with a softer bottom end. The people commenting it’s gutless need to try it in bad traffic. A torque monster is great on wide open roads but PITA with any traffic. The latest model has little vibes, no more than any other high revving inline 4. I have both bikes to compare and they’re polar opposites which gives the best of both worlds. The seat cups you but an a tour I was fine with the M seat and a cover for all day riding. And this bike can really shift, you just have to rev it as it was designed - keep it above 5K rpm - it’s a sports bike on stilts. Always makes me laugh when people call it gutless sitting there in 4th at 40mph on 2.5K rpm FFS 😂
You’re dead right. It’s a fact of life we have to travel through towns and villages, a nightmare on a highly strung bike. Best of both worlds on this bike to my mind.
I arrange my last two services well in advance and just asked. If you current insurance doesn't cover you fully comp on their courtesy bike (you must prove it if it does) you can either 1) see if your insurer will do a temporary transfer to Duffy's bike for the day or 2) pay a €50 insurance fee to Duffy's to cover you for the day.
I traded one exactly thesame bike i found the xr as a few issues pegs are in the way of my legs when stood still. Its also top heavy its gutless in the bottom end seat is awful it sounds awfull on idle really harsh sound. Its a 4cyl sports bike trying to immitate an adv bike even bmw moved it from adv section to sports section. It vibes alot
I believe the older one vibed a lot, could find no vibe problems on this '23 model. I would trade the description of bottom end as smooth and progressive. Great for town work and the like but yes, a very different delivery to the flat twin. I like the gruff idle sound but then I already own two four cylinder bikes so maybe I am biased there. But agreed, I wouldn't call it an adventure bike. A bit of a hybrid "Tall Rounder" with an emphasis on Sportiness.
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff i have had many il4 and for no apparent reason bmw cannot or will not make there il4 idle quitely like jap engines to me it sounds like a big tin full of cutlery being shook. I like bms there very nicely finished machines but mechanickly japs are better my gsa has had a cam tensioner all the sos system has been replaced and yet it still doesnt work correctly as i toppled overlast week in france and sos never went off rear strut error occasionally comes up to which dealer says nothing to see here. It burns oil and its only on 10k never owned a jap bike that burned oil
Sup guys I’m coming from street bike riding experience used to have r1 with toce exsaust ( that bike was monster ) for 5-6 year’s driving in florida roads from Miami to west palm beach etc , great fun and a lot of fast riding ( they called me “next level” ) to make story short I was off bike for 3-4 years and couldn’t find something fast with nice riding position, I didn’t want super sport no more. I’m thinking to buy this bike I think it would fit my way of riding fast and on the edge with nice position of driving?Ty for response if any
The S1000XR @170HP (2024 model) will suit you down to the ground and it has a reworked seat for extra comfort for 2024. It is a relaxed bike when you need it to be though, under 6K RPM it is a smooth easy town bike, get out on the road and it transforms, Jekyll and Hyde like. Of course there is an M version if you want to go bonkers!
So i think it is obvious you are unhappy with your GS. I am curious over why you still purchased the GS instead of an XR in the 1st place? Ive never bought a bike ive disliked and i would always test ride the competition before i made my decision to buy. I realise there is no such "perfect" bike and there will always be a compromise somewhere, but to dislike a bike as much as you seem to after purchasing, does not make sense to me. I don't and have never owned a GS, so not a "fanboy" but i am considering one, amongst others, hence watching your video for other opinions.
There are still many many features of the GS I like and enjoy and I am in no hurry to get rid of it. I just expected some elements of it to be better than they are for the premium price. As for not running with the XR to start with I looked at the low seat option of the XR and it looked as thin as toilet paper :-0. I passed :-) Next time around I might consider the low chassis XR with the regular seat? Cheers Jonno!
The gs is obviously a decent bike but my god it sounds absolute pants lol and an inline 4 is better in everyway and on the plus side you are allowed to acknowledge fellow bikers on different bikes 😂
Had to stop watching your VLOG half way through - too painful. Was thinking the whole time; why did this guy spend good coin on a new bike then proceed to tear it down for a different one from the same stable that he could easily have test ridden at the time of purchase. I have no loyalty to either bike, just can’t understand some people’s buying decisions. 😊
At time of purchase I had completely discounted the XR as too "Sporty" and never test rode it, had I I would of known better. However, it was a decision I made and I don't look back in super regret, it's the road I took at the time so I will just have to live with my decision. It won't kill me to ride a GS, I'm still very fortunate. Cheers.
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff Fair enough. I guess we all should have a stable of bikes to meet our different needs at the time - but few can afford that; right? Ride safe.
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I’m fortunate to own a GSA 1250 with 30k miles on it since 2021 …. And an MSport S1000XR. If you are solo rider and are on roads, be they country roads, the XR is way more fun than any 1250 or the new 1300. It’s so easy to ride and always puts a dopey smile on your face. Handling and quickshifter are superb. An XR, TE model with full luggage is £20k.
I tour with my wife on the GSA and it is a better two up bike. We’ve done the alps for three summers and in dynamic mode the GSA is brilliant….. but the XR is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. 10/10 for grin factor. If you never have a pillion then at least test ride the XR. Terence you just sum it up brilliantly.
Cheers and thanks for your direct insight too, I loved that bike!
could say it better
Just went from a KTM super duke to a 2024 S1000XR, my first granddad-bike. I thought… This bike, i mean OMG! I’m amazed at it’s capabilities, it’s sure-footedness, it’s power, it’s «flickability»… And it’s comfort! I can still be abit of a hooligan and be comfortable. Bravo BMW!
Yes, it's definitely not a Grandad Bike, enjoy the new wheels!
I call it my Jekyll and Hyde bike. At 6k rpm it’s definitely Hyde.
So smooth. And like it’s on rails. So good.
@@olivierdefaux8651 Yes, below 6k its not a weakling, just smooth, above it's very exhilarating! 🙂
Great review , so many GS riders are such fanboys that as far as they are concerned GS is the only bike in the world , love the honesty keep it up
Thanks! 👍 I really enjoyed that bike and it has something very different to offer over the GS.
I enjoyed that little ride through the Irish country side mate, and your excellent review of course. This is definitely gonna be my next bike. 👍
Cheers, it’s a fantastic bike, incredible engine, brakes and suspension. Enjoy!
Good stuff as usual!!
Appreciate it!
I am 65 and I much prefer my sports bikes (S1000RR + Panigale V2 Bayliss) to the BMW GS. Apart from how the GS looks (not good) I found the 2018 GS1250 I rode last year was a harrowing experience. Top heavy and so bloody big and heavy. Like trying to ride a small truck. I don't like the beak front end of most adventure bikes and all that scaffolding on the sides. Although the new BMW GS 1300 does look much more agreeable and manageable but I have yet to ride one.
Its funny, for all the slagging the new GS1300 gets from current 1200/1250 owners there are a lot of folk about such as yourself admiring the more compact and lighter iteration of the 1300 bike. I have only sat on it in the showroom and it feels good. Not so sure about the shrunken pillion space though?
Yes, in smiles per mile nothing beats the XR, imho. It is a Porsche 911 to a landrover defender comparison.
I absolutely loved it.
great review Terry, always preferred a sport tourer to an adventure tourer so the 1000xr was defo on my radar when changing earlier this year…so of course i opted for a tiger 1200 gt pro🤣talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place! ride safe T ☘️ JF ps. I think u bought the right bike for your needs.
You got the right bike John, it is a premium Shafty Super Tourer. Had they had the ride lowering feature when I test rode it I would probably be riding one now myself. See you at ABR?
The XR is the perfect bike to carve the mountain roads of the Picos, Pyrenees or Alps for a weeklong tour at 50 degree lean angles. The best competition comes from Ducati with the Multistrada family.
If you don't have some hooligan in you, stick with the GS, which makes you more comfortably numb. The XR probably makes little sense in a crowded, dark, cold, foggy, wet and dismal place like Britain. Rent the XR when going to the continent.
I come from the US and my band of lunatics does a moto tour in Europe ever year or two. We are about evenly split between BMW and Ducati for our rental preference. We've learned to pay particular attention to the newness of the tires before accepting a rental given that the XR's (default) tires are softer and sportier and the bike is ridden such. We've done both guided tours (Edelweiss) and our own (Hertz) with success.
The 2024 XR appears to have some notable improvement, especially with the more traditional seat shape that allows you to hang off a bit when the spirit moves you. The +5 HP is always welcome even if minimal. The vibration never bothered me before, so improvements there probably won't be noticed. Relative to the GS, I prefer the XR's paniers and top box due to their lighter weight and sleeker design. I got grooves in my hands carrying the GS versions into the hotel when the XR wasn't available.
@@bernhtp Thanks for the detailed summary of your experiences with the XR, that makes perfect sense and good info for prospective buyers. Cheers fella 👍
Terry
Great comparison! As far as which one, it just depends on which riding style you do the most of. I think your Daytona will satisfy your Hooligan side.
Ride SAFE and BE safe Sir! 👍👍
I think the Daytona will scratch an itch without getting me in trouble TTRGUY! :-) I might get that same revvy feel from that as I did the XR. Maybe I just like more than two cylinders :-0
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff I rode the 660 Trident and the 660 is a wonderful engine! I LOVE triples! I can't wait to see yours.
BMW knows their market. Modern UK congested roads are SO much more pleasant on a bike with a softer bottom end. The people commenting it’s gutless need to try it in bad traffic. A torque monster is great on wide open roads but PITA with any traffic. The latest model has little vibes, no more than any other high revving inline 4. I have both bikes to compare and they’re polar opposites which gives the best of both worlds. The seat cups you but an a tour I was fine with the M seat and a cover for all day riding. And this bike can really shift, you just have to rev it as it was designed - keep it above 5K rpm - it’s a sports bike on stilts. Always makes me laugh when people call it gutless sitting there in 4th at 40mph on 2.5K rpm FFS 😂
You’re dead right. It’s a fact of life we have to travel through towns and villages, a nightmare on a highly strung bike. Best of both worlds on this bike to my mind.
try the m1000xr - if you don't bring much luggage!
I've seen the reviews, phenomenal bike!
I've toured with my wife on my XR and she loves it
Brilliant to hear, thanks for the feedback David.
How does one blag a courtesy bike from Duffy's? I am just shown the door and told we will call you when its ready?
I arrange my last two services well in advance and just asked. If you current insurance doesn't cover you fully comp on their courtesy bike (you must prove it if it does) you can either 1) see if your insurer will do a temporary transfer to Duffy's bike for the day or 2) pay a €50 insurance fee to Duffy's to cover you for the day.
I traded one exactly thesame bike i found the xr as a few issues pegs are in the way of my legs when stood still. Its also top heavy its gutless in the bottom end seat is awful it sounds awfull on idle really harsh sound. Its a 4cyl sports bike trying to immitate an adv bike even bmw moved it from adv section to sports section. It vibes alot
I believe the older one vibed a lot, could find no vibe problems on this '23 model. I would trade the description of bottom end as smooth and progressive. Great for town work and the like but yes, a very different delivery to the flat twin. I like the gruff idle sound but then I already own two four cylinder bikes so maybe I am biased there. But agreed, I wouldn't call it an adventure bike. A bit of a hybrid "Tall Rounder" with an emphasis on Sportiness.
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff i have had many il4 and for no apparent reason bmw cannot or will not make there il4 idle quitely like jap engines to me it sounds like a big tin full of cutlery being shook. I like bms there very nicely finished machines but mechanickly japs are better my gsa has had a cam tensioner all the sos system has been replaced and yet it still doesnt work correctly as i toppled overlast week in france and sos never went off rear strut error occasionally comes up to which dealer says nothing to see here. It burns oil and its only on 10k never owned a jap bike that burned oil
Sup guys I’m coming from street bike riding experience used to have r1 with toce exsaust ( that bike was monster ) for 5-6 year’s driving in florida roads from Miami to west palm beach etc , great fun and a lot of fast riding ( they called me “next level” ) to make story short I was off bike for 3-4 years and couldn’t find something fast with nice riding position, I didn’t want super sport no more. I’m thinking to buy this bike I think it would fit my way of riding fast and on the edge with nice position of driving?Ty for response if any
The S1000XR @170HP (2024 model) will suit you down to the ground and it has a reworked seat for extra comfort for 2024. It is a relaxed bike when you need it to be though, under 6K RPM it is a smooth easy town bike, get out on the road and it transforms, Jekyll and Hyde like. Of course there is an M version if you want to go bonkers!
So i think it is obvious you are unhappy with your GS.
I am curious over why you still purchased the GS instead of an XR in the 1st place?
Ive never bought a bike ive disliked and i would always test ride the competition before i made my decision to buy.
I realise there is no such "perfect" bike and there will always be a compromise somewhere, but to dislike a bike as much as you seem to after purchasing, does not make sense to me.
I don't and have never owned a GS, so not a "fanboy" but i am considering one, amongst others, hence watching your video for other opinions.
There are still many many features of the GS I like and enjoy and I am in no hurry to get rid of it. I just expected some elements of it to be better than they are for the premium price. As for not running with the XR to start with I looked at the low seat option of the XR and it looked as thin as toilet paper :-0. I passed :-) Next time around I might consider the low chassis XR with the regular seat? Cheers Jonno!
The gs is obviously a decent bike but my god it sounds absolute pants lol and an inline 4 is better in everyway and on the plus side you are allowed to acknowledge fellow bikers on different bikes 😂
🤣yes indeed!
Had to stop watching your VLOG half way through - too painful. Was thinking the whole time; why did this guy spend good coin on a new bike then proceed to tear it down for a different one from the same stable that he could easily have test ridden at the time of purchase. I have no loyalty to either bike, just can’t understand some people’s buying decisions. 😊
At time of purchase I had completely discounted the XR as too "Sporty" and never test rode it, had I I would of known better. However, it was a decision I made and I don't look back in super regret, it's the road I took at the time so I will just have to live with my decision. It won't kill me to ride a GS, I'm still very fortunate. Cheers.
@@terenceokeeffesmotorcyclestuff Fair enough. I guess we all should have a stable of bikes to meet our different needs at the time - but few can afford that; right? Ride safe.
GS 1300 have more more tork than S1000XR,and tork it’s lots fun.
I need to test drive the 1300 yet, I don't mind the look of it either. I did like the turbine like power delivery of the XR though.