Hello All. I watched a video of the 1300 and immediately decided to purchase a 1250. Yep 2 weeks later I got my dream bike. The 2023 BMW R 1250 GS. I’ve been riding her for a month and a half. Couldn’t be happier. This motorbike is exactly all I expected and much more. The 1300 is most certainly a great bike, my heart belongs to the 1250.
Similar to me, the new 1300 may be very clever but it is ugly and cheap-looking in comparison, if I wanted smaller and lighter I would buy an 800. 1250 may be the last of the full size rugged looking GS bikes now its gone all dwarf-friendly 🙂
@@GPR111 Yes the 1300 is a bit too plastic. I do not like the looks of it. At the end of the day, when ya park the bike, and walking away, “if you don’t look back” ya bought the wrong bike. 🏍️
@@bradleyalexander5821 I never look back at my daily. But it's comfy, quiet, and I can do 500 km on it and then still shake 95% of bikers in the hairpins. Don't care that it's ugly, it should drive good. (No, I don't drive a R1300GS, not even a BMW)
I have a '23 Rallye, with the 30 litre tank. It is a bit bulky, a bit unwieldy to move around on foot, but its a magic bike on the road. Best bike I've ever had. Theres nothing quite like cruising at 120 kph on a double lane freeway, that engine is epic.
Nice reviw Chris. I have been riding GS since the R80GS. I also (re)build 2 x R100GS and after owning the more modern R1100GS, R1150 Adv, 1200GS and the HP2 Enduro i dialed down my riding a bit. I still love to "hooligan" on bikes, but hitting 70years in 2024 my reaction times are decreasing. My brain says gooooo, but my body says slow down, while your still able to talk- and think about it.
It's an icon, and I wouldn't give up my Triple Black R1250GS for as long as I can. I think the 1250 has MUCH more presence than the 1300. It's an emotional thing. I inwardly smile walking up to her with my helmet, and I look back when putting her away (I call her Black Betty LOL). I know - sounds soppy, but ... deal with it. Unless I completely missed the point, that's what this video was about.
One of the first times I was lucky enough to meet Chris was years ago on the BMW demo stand at the NEC doing absolutely INSANE bike control and jumps and stuff within a tiny little off-road display area. What he was doing with such a big bike really did show what could be done (if you've got the talent and skills 😂)
I spent 4k on a fourteen year old 800gs… most of the points mentioned about the bigger bike apply. I did a 1500 mile Scotland trip and bike was faultless. It shows no signs of corrosion, is stupidly economical, and bombproof (despite being a bit bland) engine. One of the highlights was chasing time to meet a ferry at tip of Skye..mercilessly ragged the bike and fully loaded, felt great in the bends. GS’s may not be sexy but, they they get the job done in an addictively likable way.
You were really bang on about everything about the GS. There are some difference with the GSA for sure, but I think it’s largely the same. I did 210 miles today and the GSA did mud, water crossings, twisties, fast gravel, technical ascents with loose material, and I was able to put up some groceries on the way home from the journey. It was fun, comfy, and I felt like I had a nice adventure. What more could you want? (40-50bhp and a lower slant fuel tank wouldn’t go amiss).
I spent 15 years riding litre sports bikes and super nakeds track and road always having a slight chuckle at the “old ones” on the gs . I tried one in 2019 and bought it straight away . I’m on my second now and have done 6000 miles this summer over europe without a flaw and comfortable. You summarise perfectly. They’re not brilliant at anything but very very good at almost everything. I will say if you buy a 1250gs it’s advisable to have a v4 tuono to keep it company if your wife asks. 😅
Awesome review Chris, thanks for sharing! Ever since I saw for the 1st time the 2018 Rallye, with the blue frame, it become my dream bike to have, specially after watching your review, at the time, and I will not stop until I get one! 👍👍
I'm in the market for a GS. I want this trim that you had for test here. Standard GS, offroad suspension, spoked wheels, full TE spec. Only thing it's missing is the crash bars and luggage grid. The GSA has a lot of benefits over the small GS in this trim but I really really don't want the big tank, but problem is there is a lot of little things the standard model misses if it's not a GSA, like the full cage crash bars, flood lights, luggage grid, etc
I'd love to trust one of these again, an earlier 1200 worth 5k with 20k on the clock cost me almost that again in repairs over three years and another 30k. I just can't do it. XR or Versys for me i think.
i'm new to adventure biking Chris, I bought a Desert Sled after watching your review. I'm after some of those big fire roads you feature in your films but struggling to find some. Could you recommend?
Anyone who wants a 1250GS can now take their pick as there are literally bucket loads of them coming onto the market, all with FSH and all with virtually no miles on the clock. Mostly used for trips to the local Tesco or bike meet, usually owned by people with more money than sense....
There's been a period after the start of the conflict in Ukraine where some vehicle components such as LED headlights were in short supply, and BMW had to sell some of these bikes with halogen units. In some markets the bike was sold with a voucher to replace the headlight at a later date.
@@RikkyTang well its £1000 upgrade to the LED headlight. It was on the TE though as standard. The halogen is not a patch on the LED unit and it doesn't even have a DRL obviously
Hi Chris, Thanks for yet another excellent, real-world bike review. For all the reasons you've just listed, and probably a few more to boot, I still love my 1250GS to bits. For as new & as fangled as the new 1300gs is, in all its newfangled newness, I know I won't be chopping in my (...now old..?) 1250 any time soon. Great channel 👍
I have a 1200GSA 2019. Whilst i like the bike, having £11.5k tied up in a bike to do 1 or 2 tours on each year, run through winter, and do the shopping on isn't worth it. Not only that, but fully luggaged up is pushing 290kg. I'll be selling up soon and getting something easier to live with that's a lot lighter.
Hi, yes we are. Had a connection issue though, changed the battery and couldn't re-connect the adapter. Re-connected OK the next day, a bit strange. But, I would not use it in the rain, that's a watertight door you need to remove to plug it in.
The GS reminds me of a wife: You don't get lots of excitement; having a ride is not the most pleasurable but you know what to expect, they're not cheap to run; you secretly want to ride something different; but you decide "better the devil you know" so you stick with it, even though you really want to ride it's friend the Hayabusa......(or her sister)....because it's way more exciting....
Hello, I follow your channel with great pleasure, you are doing very successful work, it would be great if there was a Turkish subtitle option, good luck 🙏👏👏👏👏
I tested one while looking for a KTM "to just see what I was missing out on.." I had to have it. Every motorcyclist should ride one.. they are weird and unique and wonderful. And I initially didn't want to like it!
Hello All. I watched a video of the 1300 and immediately decided to purchase a 1250. Yep 2 weeks later I got my dream bike. The 2023 BMW R 1250 GS. I’ve been riding her for a month and a half. Couldn’t be happier. This motorbike is exactly all I expected and much more. The 1300 is most certainly a great bike, my heart belongs to the 1250.
Similar to me, the new 1300 may be very clever but it is ugly and cheap-looking in comparison, if I wanted smaller and lighter I would buy an 800. 1250 may be the last of the full size rugged looking GS bikes now its gone all dwarf-friendly 🙂
@@GPR111
Yes the 1300 is a bit too plastic. I do not like the looks of it. At the end of the day, when ya park the bike, and walking away, “if you don’t look back” ya bought the wrong bike. 🏍️
@@bradleyalexander5821 I never look back at my daily. But it's comfy, quiet, and I can do 500 km on it and then still shake 95% of bikers in the hairpins. Don't care that it's ugly, it should drive good.
(No, I don't drive a R1300GS, not even a BMW)
I have a '23 Rallye, with the 30 litre tank. It is a bit bulky, a bit unwieldy to move around on foot, but its a magic bike on the road. Best bike I've ever had. Theres nothing quite like cruising at 120 kph on a double lane freeway, that engine is epic.
There's something magical about how big GSes become nimble once you start moving.
Spot on review as usual, no nonsense, no bullsh*t, just telling it as it is. Top man 👍
Nice reviw Chris.
I have been riding GS since the R80GS.
I also (re)build 2 x R100GS and after owning the more modern R1100GS, R1150 Adv, 1200GS and the HP2 Enduro i dialed down my riding a bit.
I still love to "hooligan" on bikes, but hitting 70years in 2024 my reaction times are decreasing.
My brain says gooooo, but my body says slow down, while your still able to talk- and think about it.
It's an icon, and I wouldn't give up my Triple Black R1250GS for as long as I can. I think the 1250 has MUCH more presence than the 1300.
It's an emotional thing. I inwardly smile walking up to her with my helmet, and I look back when putting her away (I call her Black Betty LOL). I know - sounds soppy, but ... deal with it. Unless I completely missed the point, that's what this video was about.
One of the first times I was lucky enough to meet Chris was years ago on the BMW demo stand at the NEC doing absolutely INSANE bike control and jumps and stuff within a tiny little off-road display area. What he was doing with such a big bike really did show what could be done (if you've got the talent and skills 😂)
Hey, he’s back there today doing the same thing on the 1300…
@@BikeWorldTVshow ha! That's brilliant! 👊😎
That is the reason why I decided to get 2nd time 1250ADV 40th anniversary instead of 1300. Greetings from 🇨🇭
Salutation de Neuchâtel 🇨🇭
I spent 4k on a fourteen year old 800gs… most of the points mentioned about the bigger bike apply. I did a 1500 mile Scotland trip and bike was faultless. It shows no signs of corrosion, is stupidly economical, and bombproof (despite being a bit bland) engine. One of the highlights was chasing time to meet a ferry at tip of Skye..mercilessly ragged the bike and fully loaded, felt great in the bends. GS’s may not be sexy but, they they get the job done in an addictively likable way.
Dont forget ro check the shaft drive and final drive. Can snap if its rusted stuck or siezed. 😊
To be honest a 1250 Rally used would be my choice currently.
You were really bang on about everything about the GS. There are some difference with the GSA for sure, but I think it’s largely the same. I did 210 miles today and the GSA did mud, water crossings, twisties, fast gravel, technical ascents with loose material, and I was able to put up some groceries on the way home from the journey. It was fun, comfy, and I felt like I had a nice adventure. What more could you want? (40-50bhp and a lower slant fuel tank wouldn’t go amiss).
Fist pumped Chris today at NEC that made my day love his video's!
Cool, we’ll be up there with him tomorrow.
Thanks Chris for the review. It was great meeting you at the NEC on Wednesday.
I spent 15 years riding litre sports bikes and super nakeds track and road always having a slight chuckle at the “old ones” on the gs . I tried one in 2019 and bought it straight away . I’m on my second now and have done 6000 miles this summer over europe without a flaw and comfortable. You summarise perfectly. They’re not brilliant at anything but very very good at almost everything. I will say if you buy a 1250gs it’s advisable to have a v4 tuono to keep it company if your wife asks. 😅
Awesome review Chris, thanks for sharing! Ever since I saw for the 1st time the 2018 Rallye, with the blue frame, it become my dream bike to have, specially after watching your review, at the time, and I will not stop until I get one! 👍👍
Well! Mine is not for sale! Lol
I'm in the market for a GS. I want this trim that you had for test here. Standard GS, offroad suspension, spoked wheels, full TE spec. Only thing it's missing is the crash bars and luggage grid.
The GSA has a lot of benefits over the small GS in this trim but I really really don't want the big tank, but problem is there is a lot of little things the standard model misses if it's not a GSA, like the full cage crash bars, flood lights, luggage grid, etc
Best looking bike ever 🙂
No need for the 1300....this is a much more gs character bike.
I'd love to trust one of these again, an earlier 1200 worth 5k with 20k on the clock cost me almost that again in repairs over three years and another 30k. I just can't do it. XR or Versys for me i think.
What went wrong out of interest? I've been considering a 2008-2010 1200GS as daily workhorse/winter bike, but perhaps not after reading your comment!
Couldn't agree more. Jack of all trades, master of none. It's why I've had three of them.
i'm new to adventure biking Chris, I bought a Desert Sled after watching your review. I'm after some of those big fire roads you feature in your films but struggling to find some. Could you recommend?
Anyone who wants a 1250GS can now take their pick as there are literally bucket loads of them coming onto the market, all with FSH and all with virtually no miles on the clock. Mostly used for trips to the local Tesco or bike meet, usually owned by people with more money than sense....
I'd rather have money and no sense...than having sense but no money
..a fool and his money are soon parted...@@hazarddavid6987
Great review this is the bike I have, but am tempted by the KTM 1290R
Really, sir, the best analysis I have seen. And I have seen a lot.
Excellent tribute to the GS. Hope you do one for the GSA.When the new one comes out. 🎉😊
I’d prefer the sound on this than the new one
Is it just me or does that have a halogen headlight ? We're these even available on the 1250 or has someone taken a headlight unit from the 1200 ?
There's been a period after the start of the conflict in Ukraine where some vehicle components such as LED headlights were in short supply, and BMW had to sell some of these bikes with halogen units. In some markets the bike was sold with a voucher to replace the headlight at a later date.
@@RikkyTang well its £1000 upgrade to the LED headlight. It was on the TE though as standard. The halogen is not a patch on the LED unit and it doesn't even have a DRL obviously
Hi Chris,
Thanks for yet another excellent, real-world bike review.
For all the reasons you've just listed, and probably a few more to boot, I still love my 1250GS to bits.
For as new & as fangled as the new 1300gs is, in all its newfangled newness, I know I won't be chopping in my (...now old..?) 1250 any time soon.
Great channel 👍
R 1250 GS Rallye Premium model is the most beautiful motorcycle ever made
Good honest man, thank you for yours reviews.
I have a 1200GSA 2019. Whilst i like the bike, having £11.5k tied up in a bike to do 1 or 2 tours on each year, run through winter, and do the shopping on isn't worth it. Not only that, but fully luggaged up is pushing 290kg. I'll be selling up soon and getting something easier to live with that's a lot lighter.
Hi I hear u are using the audio adapter for the action 4 can I ask do you think it will be ok in heavy rain ?
Hi, yes we are. Had a connection issue though, changed the battery and couldn't re-connect the adapter. Re-connected OK the next day, a bit strange. But, I would not use it in the rain, that's a watertight door you need to remove to plug it in.
The GS reminds me of a wife:
You don't get lots of excitement; having a ride is not the most pleasurable but you know what to expect, they're not cheap to run; you secretly want to ride something different; but you decide "better the devil you know" so you stick with it, even though you really want to ride it's friend the Hayabusa......(or her sister)....because it's way more exciting....
I think you need a new wife.
Already had 6. Although in fairness 5 of them weren't mine...@@Crsf84
@BikeWorldTVshow when's the new Himalayan review coming?
Not long
@@BikeWorldTVshowstill waiting!
Nice jacket. What is it?
Spada Joe.
@@bearonatinybikeTa very much. Finally the wife can stop nagging me about what I want for Xmas.
waiting for RE450 video :D
I has one of the blandest notes in any twin cylinder. Imagine if it went 270-450-270-450 instead of the 360-360-360-360.
Hello, I follow your channel with great pleasure, you are doing very successful work, it would be great if there was a Turkish subtitle option, good luck 🙏👏👏👏👏
My 2018 rallye is going nowhere anytime soon!
Vanden Plas 🤣😂, showing your age there Chris 😂
Wow these are alot more expensive here in mainland Europe
Why follow the herd, how many users go off road. The R1250RS is much better suited for road users 😮
Like the comment of the 1200. For normal money. 😊
To have one bike they just aren’t fun enough ok second bike to have when I test rode one I just found it vanilla and bland each to their own
You can call it comfortable, you can call it versatile, but you cannot call it good-looking. Sorry.
Total and utter garbage all hype and no substance, the one i bought spent more time in fault than it did running
But is it better than a 1998 CB500?
I never ridden a GS....maybe i gotta try one to see what all the fuss is about 😄
I tested one while looking for a KTM "to just see what I was missing out on.." I had to have it. Every motorcyclist should ride one.. they are weird and unique and wonderful. And I initially didn't want to like it!
Been riding these bikes for years, I put 20,000 a year on these bikes. You don’t know crap