Yes these are getting pricey bits of kit aren't they - I'm not sure who can afford them these days (unless going the PCP route which personally isn't for me)....
Indeed, expensive. I just wouldn’t want to fund the depreciation. I’ve a VFR800 (2014 mint) and Triumph ST1050 (2006) and I’d be amazed if either cost me more than a few quid in depreciation in the years I’ll own them.
Great demo of adaptive ride height feature Andy .. can’t wait to get my one in May .. I have not ordered that and gone for high seat … hope I can reach tera-firma !!!!
Very good review as always however, I wonder what all this tech is doing to riders skills, adaptive cruise, active suspension, quick shifters etc, the ride height thing is practical and useful, that and cruise control would be all I need to be honest, the rest is so much more to go wrong, as for the new GS looks? it is still the GStrom to me, dont like the look at all.
Yes I'm with you on all fronts - the new GS is a stonking bike to ride I challenge anyone to disagree, but the looks I personally still find challenging....but that's just a personal thing obvs....
I'm 5'8" with a 30" inside leg. I just spent long weekend off-road in Andalusia on a 1300 with a low seat and adaptive height. The system was imperceptible and faultless. My first time off-road on any bike and I would have struggled without it. Brilliant stuff.
Hi Andy, One question that springs to mind is how fast does the bike retract to the low ride hight in the event of an emergancy stop? Would it drop quick enough to stop you dropping the bike?
Hi Andy i don't have a problem with the front of the bike it's the rear that puts me of, Radar or not you still got those rear light's/indicators all in one affair it seen a bit dangerous to me & another bug bear other than price is key less again do we really need all this stuff ?
BMW being BMW you just know the servo motors that change the ride height are going to be another point of failure and an absolute pain to maintain. I'd be looking for an extended warranty and selling the bike before that period ends...
What next? Auto pop out stabiliser wheels? Air bags? Crumple zone? Roll cage? Bikes are slowly morphing into cars, far too much tech. Ive owned three bmws and many tech related issues on each, poor customer service, never again. Maybe i was unlucky but based on dealer telling me they couldnt look at my last warranty fault for two months due to a backlog of GS safety issues, i suspect not.
Andy, please stop banging on about being a shorty. Especially as you are still growing, 5.7”-5.8” 🤭. As mentioned, you have long legs also. 32”, this is what really matters. At 5.2” with a 27” inseam, I am truly a shorty. I ride a Speed Twin, and this allows me the pleasure of reaching the floor booth sides, with my tips of my toes, literally.
The issue I have with this system (coming from an engineering background) is the need for it to keep lowering and raising. If you're not going off road, then why does it ever need to raise for most people? Unless you benefit from the extra ground clearance in high speed corners perhaps. For me, it's just something else to fail due to operating more often than is necessary.
Looks like a great system based on speed and acceleration, I'd have it fitted, and I'm 6' 2"! The main problems with these tall bikes are the high seat heights, and the high centre of gravity. Thanks to Karl Benz and his 1896 flat-twin engine design, which the GS uses utilises to great effect, it has a lower the centre of gravity. But, something like my old Yamaha Ténéré 700 was extremely top-heavy-and was a positively dangerous in some situations! It was a great bike built to a price, with a great engine, but the very high centre of gravity was the main thing I disliked about the bike. It was great when it was moving, with a commanding view of the road, but a right pain at low speeds around town, and especially on potholed broken-up roads or coming to a stop on a steep camber. That's where this type of system would help most riders. A tall rider might be fine on a well surfaced road, but put your foot in a deep pothole that you haven't noticed, or misjudge the steepness of a camber coming to a stop, and the height advantage disappears, and obviously, it's even worse for short riders!
I love the adaptive seat height concept as an even Shortier "Shorty" Than you, However the cliché of another thing to go wrong could be relevant ( an extra grand to start with but probably £2000 for repair or replacement ) depending on it's life span and propensity( just after warranty is my guess). Knowing my luck it would get stuck on the highest level.
the future is brilliant, so many unnecessary technology to solve problems that were never one while adding complexity and making our machines impossible to repair without a NASA masters degree and a laptop with property plugs and software! Amazing!
Ummmm, I don't understand. Say you're riding over rough ground and you need the extra height, your going to ride that much slower......and the height automatically decreases?
@@TheMissendenFlyer I commented tp the salesman that anyone in their late sixties think it was time to give a up big beemers need to ride one. It will extend their gs riding by 10 years. I hope the RT gets the same treatment and the smaller feel (without the ugly looks)
@@IanTed I can see why. I don't need 140 hp so I'm happy with the last of the aircooled 1200s. My latest bike is the tuareg 660. a phenomenal bike. So good at everything.
Ah, the new GS - 'Giraffe Superior' Go anywhere in elevated comfort, nibble the lush canopy at will along Acacia Avenue, pay off the finance in less than a century . . . I do eagerly await the obviously impending 'Beemer Bedouin' - 205 lt. tankage & no stands - they just lower gently onto their own frame rails, bellow loudly at everyone & then spit at the mechanic. Of course, 007's will also sport a 'Zebedee' button - for those 'most unwelcome of pillions' : )
As for using the manual mode for the adaptable ride height I can see riders who take their bikes off-road disabling ride height. Not sure you want your bike to start lowering on you as you waddle through a rock garden at 5-10mph🤔
Nice vid & a helpful demonstration. It's very clever & the mind boggles that Harley Davidson of all brands were the ones that pioneered this concept. It's like Moto Guzzi being the first with active aero. Bizarre. Anyway, as for this system on the BMW, looks great but I'm slightly cautious over the life span of the bike if you'd have any problems with it after it's has had years of crud etc thrown at it. I guess time will tell.
Instead of throwing heavy, expensive and complicated tech at bikes why don't manufacturers just make bikes that fit average height riders not just those 6ft 2" plus.
Interesting about the sidestand lean angle, it looked quite far over even with the lowered suspension. I'm pretty much the same size as you, short but fairly long legged. I'm fine on tallish bikes most of the time, but occasionally pulling a fully loaded bike of the sidestand can be an issue. I was looking at a Triple Black GS1300 at Aylesbury Ducati (traded in by the owner after only 50 miles riding!), and was told that the adaptive ride height doesn't react quickly enough if you have to do an emergency stop. That would seem to be the time you most need it! Have you tried a quick stop to see how it reacts?
Right? Harley's far from perfect, but not incapable of innovation. If only they applied said capability to the rest of their fleet, and prioritized value as much as heritage and exclusivity.
True that! Certainly a good first showing from Harley in the ATV market though. However, Harley's adaptive ride height only adjusts the back, BMW does front and back, and unlike the Harley, the Beamer can be left in either up or down position for riding. @@unsungdrummer
This tech is all very impressive and I’m sure the first owner with the warranty will love it all, I wonder how the owner of these bikes in 2034 will feel about it. I’m a bit late to the party with regards to the 1300GS, I saw my first one up close this week. It was the green one with gold wheels and it was parked next to the new F900GS in the hi viz yellow paint and to me that bike looked modern and dynamic whilst the 1300 looked a bit plain and porky.
820mm is still quite high. But why does the bike need to rise 30mm? What would be the disadvantage of just remaining at 820mm? As far as the centre stand goes, that could just be made shorter negating the need for the bike to rise when you lower the centre stand. My 1150 GS was 840mm and I did drop it a couple of times as a result, thankfully with absolutely no damage (I'm, 5' 10" with 29" inseam). That's the main reason I sold it. Vince
Looking at this in a constructive way if they made the bike a height that most riders can flat foot then we wouldn't have to pay for all this extra technology they put on them, its always the average person who has to pay extra......just make them an average height to start with....
Thanks Andy, good to see this. One question, are those mirror supports thicker on the r1300gs to the 1250? Hope so as I find them a bit vibey at motorway speeds on my 1250. I guess so as there is cabling in them now for the lane monitoring led.
Brilliant feature, especially for all us ageing shorties, all my GSs has seat lowering cams and my GSA was too tall. I have a 29” inside leg so I could apparently ride a new GS with a standard seat😆, might be trying one next change as I do like the Triple Black.
Thanks Mr Flyer for a very informative video on the hight adjusting 'gadget' on the new GS. What a useful addition for us 'shorties'. Not usually a lover of too many electronic aids on a motorbike, but this one certainly opens up the GS to more riders. It certainly could of opened more of a selection for me (inside leg 29") over the years haha.
Hi Andy - I did say you’d like the adaptive ride height. :-) it’s brilliant. I have formally rejected my GS1300 719 and it’s back at the dealers - will be interesting’ to see how I’m treated. I want it replaced. ( Mechanical final drive noise - never present on your videos nor on another one I’ve tested)
Interesting review. I'm a sucker for clever tech although I do wonder about the reliability of the air-compressor(?) and associated kit over time what with all that up and down action going on. As a 'for instance', I recall you had a suspension fail on your GS which whilst clearly not the same was a pricey fix. I'm not poo-pooing just a genuine comment.
I presume all those complaining about “bikes and too much tech” are riding bikes with carburettors- you wouldn’t want the fuss of electronic fuelling would you?
Perhaps if the rider was actually offroad with the machine (one of its intended purposes) it would be of benefit to be able to disable the automatic ride height feature, so it doesn't lower itself over an obstacle while going slow offroad.
If you’re going to do it, do the same as Harley and BMW and make it automatic. Ducati and Triumph have got it wrong, maybe a software update or mid life model update will make the ride height lowering automatic. That said it does seem to be a bit of a solution looking for a problem. BMW used to offer standard and low suspension on the GS, and I can discern no difference in suspension action. Maybe if you really push on the lower ground clearance becomes an issue but not for me. I also wonder how durable this feature will be over time as if you ride through town a lot it’ll be going up and down, presumably via some electronics? I can imagine some embarrassment from shorter legged riders dropping the bike when the adaptive ride height fails - and it’s bound to at some point. It is however much cheaper for BMW as they only have to manufacture one bike with one set of suspension, side stand and centre stand heights, which is I suspect the real reason for this new feature.
Sadly they are getting way too expensive. Once you add all the packages the bike is close to $38K , that's just ridiculous. Then add servicing costs....
Although I've owned a GS in the past, there is something about the BMW brand that just doesn't work for me. In fact, I swore I'd never buy a soulless BMW ever again. However, it looks like I was wrong and now think I may have found my next bike.
Just an honest question, why would you want it to raise up above 25-30 mph? Presumably you would not be off roading at those speeds. You actually end up with a higher center of gravity at high speed when in twisties. When you would want the extra ground clearance would be going slow speeds over obstacles. I get the benefit of flat footing the bike, which is why I got a 1250 gsa low.
How fast does it lower once you've hit the required speed. Hitting the brakes hard, is there any chance that you've already come to a stop before it's fully lowered?
The issue with how far the bike leans over on the centre stand will be because BMW has been cheap and lazy. Fitting the same stand to all bike regardless of whether they have the lowering suspension or not. On the 1250 GS, it was only lowered chassis version that had the shorter side stand. With a longer stand on the full height chassis to prevent this excessive lean.
I remember when I was a biker, Harley-Davidson super glide was the only bike I could get my feet down flat on the ground. I'm 5' 5" tall & have being generous,a 30" inside leg.
Great info MF, thank you! Maybe the manual option for the ride height is there if you are off road, doing low speeds but still need the ground clearance.
I think if you’re off road and going slowly on gnarly trails then you possibly wouldn’t wish for the suspension to lower as your travelling over lumps and bumps?
Ive never been a fan of adventure type bikes.....cause im a total shortie 27&3/4" inside leg. So almost any machine i look at will need a lowering kit. However have thrown the leg over a tiger xtra low & was almost complete flat footed, so adaptive ride height is a game changer for myself & other fellow hobbies. The GS really is the Mercedes S class of motorbikes when it comes to future tech & i think thats great however i hope that BMW don't do the 10yr copyright thing that Merc do ...3yrs is fine cause it allows BMW the sales & bragging rights & also lets everyone else time to home their version to perfection. So wish list for me on a bike is Adaptive ride height, cruise, blind spot indicator & self cancelling or advanced indicator reminder system, say something like a indicator symbol in the mirrors below blindspot warning (draws the old eye & reminds you) or warning tone that gets louder the longer its on (only when bike is moving) & finally an AI assistant (something like iron mans jarvis but non intrusive) a simple one button does all thing...so say your out & it starts to get chilli? Jarvis knows this & pops on heated grips but not say an audi is ahead at a junction & jarvis slams on the anchors. A system that lets the rider ride but just is there to tend to your needs as you enjoy the ride....guess that'll be the 2030 GS then😂
Sounds good to me! Being able to say "GS heated grips on" or "GS lower windscreen" would be sooo much better than faffing about in those menus while you are trying tor ide.....
@TheMissendenFlyer absolutely in fact I think I need to have a word with BMW about "BUTLA" pronounced "Butler"(BMW Universal Technologies Liason Assistant) or whatever you name it during set up also you'll be able to have it address as whatever you choose "Sir, lord, master, boss....Big cheese, even Dave (tho not in a 2001 Space Odyssey HAL voice, that would scare me😂) totally customisable to your need just like a butler add in an extra level of security too cause that handy wee bike buddy would be linked to you & your phone. So your away on a lovely tour say the NC500 & Mrs Flyer & yourself decide a night at a lovely wee local BnB & some low life decided to try & nick your bike...no happening cause BUTLA would go full guard dog mode (obviously not on board tazers & flamethrowers...tho that would stop bike theft, there might be a slight legal issue there😂) but it would call you, active live GPS tracker, call the police & even send photos & videos to you for evidence. The applications are endless...however its not a Tesla🤢 no intrusive systems that take anything away from having to ride a motorbike. It's the true core of biking (in my opinion) total freedom, total control. Tech is only good when it aids or makes safer...tho not to safe after all if that was the case nobody would put an internal combustion engine on two wheels with a metal tin full of flammable liquid on top & place it betwixt our legs...cause that's fun. A car moves the body but a bike should always move the soul.
Andy I’m slightly taller than you but have a shorter inside leg of 29” and unfortunately I needed the lowered suspension model on my previous GS1250 and therefore I needed the adaptive height, works an absolute treat well pleased with it👍👍👍
while this adaptive feature is great, like any tech it’s likely to break when either a sensor goes bust or the adaptive suspension system has an error. in such a case wouldn’t it be a bit dicey, a rider who’s short and is dependent on the electronics to get the seat height down can have a fall. given this scenario, is there a way to force the bike to always be in this low mode instead of adaptive? that would be a great feature for the vertically challenged.
@@TheMissendenFlyer Thank’s for the reply. At the moment trying to get to grips with an all new BMW F800GS. Lowered and low seat option. Riding is fine, it’s the weight moving it around car parks etc.
@@TheMissendenFlyer I used to have an air cooled R 80 RT, many moons ago. Very similar in size and weight, but being a boxer, no problem moving around. Bikes just seem to have grown. By the way I am a local - Aylesbury .
Nice. Glad you had the opportunity to test it. I was definitely interested in this. Thanks. I'd probably pay the extra 500. The GS is a hefty bike and I like to have my feet flat. Strange the non adaptive bike doesn't have a slightly longer side stand. I would think it is a desirable feature. It would help for resale. Wondering what it does off road. You might want to turn it off if you were worried about clearance.
Andy , just an observation I have on your video's. I have noticed you have a habit of illustrating what you are saying with constant hand gestures, I fear one day a driver will mistake these for you waving them out of a junction with possibly dire consequences 😟 I just thought it was worth mentioning ...David.
Lots of people mention it David, unfortunately there’s not much I can do about my habits, but thanks for pointing it out, and I’ll try and bear it in mind!
Always great content...when I did my review of the 1300 I didn't have the one with the adaptive...but Im 6'2. I have to say I still prefer my 1250 GSA and GS...I feel they made this bike more Street Bikeish...great tech..great updates...but took the GS out of the GS....keep the content coming!!! Nice job!!!
Every vid Andy does of the new GS has all the hallmarks of suspense like the Maxwell House coffee ads in the 80's, will he, won't he but we all know the final outcome will be lol
I think the front radar seems to merge into the background on the ‘triple black’ you don’t seem to notice it so much. Perhaps they could colour code the panel on the other bikes to the same effect!
I used to own a BMW r1100rs, lovely bike and had two outstanding features that should be on all bikes. The front screen was tiny, but very effective and could easily be adjusted while riding by means of a big knob to vary the angle. The second feature were the seats, individual rider and pillion seats with a simple pin and slot system to vary both seat heights independently of each other. Simple, well designed and doesn't add weight and complication.
Thanks for the review, Andy, great as always. If you do a metric conversion, it raises at 50 km/hr and lowers at 30 km/hr. I primarily buy a bike by how it goes, handles and rides. A bike needs to have good suspension here in Australia because of our crap roads. Looks are a secondary thing to me. You can't look at it while you're riding it. :)
Excellent video and review. I'm seriously looking at one, but nobody at BMW can answer the main simple question for us shorties. If the electronics detect a system fault when riding along in auto mode, does it automatically lower to the lowest position as a default. With just a 29-30 inside leg, I fear a fault of it failing and remaining in the 850 position and arriving at a junction or traffic light and struggling to get left foot flat on the floor to try and hold it upright. Hence never even considered a GS before as ride a RS with the low seat option and feet flat on the floor. Dealers don't know, had email conversations with BMW Customer Service and just referred back to a dealer. Surely, it's not too much to ask BMW UK to be open about this, surely someone can contact the design team in Berlin and get a definitive answer. Having had BMW's for over 30 years I just cannot believe their lack of knowledge and support. The Customer Service via the 0800 or email is about as use as an ashtray on a motorbike.
Will be interesting to see what the average lifespan is for this feature, likely to be expensive to repair once out of warranty. That said, if I were in the market for the new GS I would likely spec it with this option. Great video.
Looks a benefit under normal riding situations, but what happens if you have to do an emergency stop, does it get to the low position in time. I just think if it's not quick enough to do that it could catch riders out who are expecting it to be there in those circumstances when they're in the process of putting their foot down especially if you're a shortie like me and have a pillion and luggage to contend with too.
Adaptive Ride Height it’s taken BMW three years to copy the Pan America, £1000 for the ride height and centre stand a rip off from BM. I like your video American Beauty about the Pan, went to look at the GS1300 and thought it was one of the ugliest bike I have ever seen..
Well, I have made no secret of the fact that I’m not a fan of the looks of the new GS 1300 Mark, but to say that it’s uglier than a pan America is a bit of a stretch! Although just like the new GS, the big Harley adventure machine does ride very well and the adaptive ride height is excellent on both bikes. Thanks for watching and for stopping by.
Great system no question, but you could just get a bike that is the right height as you could on the 1250 GS. The biggest trouble is that when you stopped and showed the bike it just didn’t make me think “mmm that’s nice” It just looks like another mid size sort of adventure bike. I love BMW’s and have a 1250GS and an RnineT but I think they have lost the wow factor in the looks department on this, hope the GSA or 1400 or what ever looks better when it arrives.
I have 3 fault lights on my 1300 and the adaptive ride height has stopped working i presume its connected,swith on and off again and it starts working,booked in next Friday .A week after that we head to Norway after watching your tour Mr Flyer
Looks only a mother could love. Excellent bike no doubt but the appeal of something good looking is important as well. Ducati Multistrada might not be as accomplished overall but miles better looking and 170BHP V4 is the winner for me.
That's a really useful video Andy. There's plenty of content on the 1300 that talks about this feature without demonstrating it on the road. Whilst i dont really need it, now having seen it actually being used, I will definitely specify this.
It is growing on me, test ride now booked for one of the open days BMW are doing across the network. I’m wondering when the so called GS 1400 rumoured GSA replacement will emerge though and what that will look like 🤔
In one of the videos you stated that the new R1300GS is very difficult to pick up of the side stand especially if you have a pillion aboard. I've always been taught that the pillion only climbs on once the bike is off the side or center stand and the pilot has the bike in the upright position.
Ta for another good video tvm. One thing I notice abuut the bike.. the sound...it sounds a bit lumpy ..or tractorish under acceleration. That would not entice me to buy nor the weight. Every gs biker i meet complain /and state they struggle with the big gs weight old and new models...with luggage. But why not just buy a bike you can enjoy all aspects including being able to use a magageable weighted bike . Any suggestions on any bike new or old that could offer a better solution that also does not cost more that £13k? Ta again for your great channel. Always interesting. By comparison...Norally's channel. I must admit I am finding I am no longer watching as much.
Well I'm looking forward to trying the new Honda NX500 next week! ....and who doesn't love Noraly!!! ....but I'm ashamed to admit I haven't watched for some time.....
Nice tech, but I'd probably prefer to buy a bike that fits me without it. I rode a 1250 for the first time last week. Great bike. Too much tech for me on this one, really Andy, if you were to put on 20 pounds, the problem takes care of itself.
I'm just thinking about the logic of having the option of not being in auto mode all the time. Given that the GS has always been marketed as an adventure tourer, tall suspension was/is a necessity and design feature to tackle slow rutted potholed tracks if it automatically lowers at 15 mph it's useless. Modern adventure tourers however are morphing into luxury tourers that we hate to even get dirty let alone laugh in the face of a potholed back road. I'd keep your trusty 1200 it's most likely the best iteration of GS model line ever, tall suspension and all.
I am not saying my bike was cheap, but these big cc adventure bikes have got a little out of hand in regards to prices. I could have bought 2 of my bike for just one 1300 gs. Don't get me wrong, it is an amazing bike for sure, but for 33,000 euros, it is only for the man of a certain age, or drug dealers... no pcp over here in the Netherlands either, so it is a loan at a pretty high rate too.. even more money!
Thumbs up from those of us who aren't BMW "fan boys" but just enjoy a bit of bike talk. I couldn't even afford a centre stand for this bike. 😊
Yes these are getting pricey bits of kit aren't they - I'm not sure who can afford them these days (unless going the PCP route which personally isn't for me)....
Indeed, expensive. I just wouldn’t want to fund the depreciation. I’ve a VFR800 (2014 mint) and Triumph ST1050 (2006) and I’d be amazed if either cost me more than a few quid in depreciation in the years I’ll own them.
That little old lady at 15:18 looked very worried watching a guy in black gear on an all black huge motorcycle who was talking to himself. ;-)
She should be worried - I'm a danger to the public!!
Great demo of adaptive ride height feature Andy .. can’t wait to get my one in May .. I have not ordered that and gone for high seat … hope I can reach tera-firma !!!!
Very good review as always however, I wonder what all this tech is doing to riders skills, adaptive cruise, active suspension, quick shifters etc, the ride height thing is practical and useful, that and cruise control would be all I need to be honest, the rest is so much more to go wrong, as for the new GS looks? it is still the GStrom to me, dont like the look at all.
Yes I'm with you on all fronts - the new GS is a stonking bike to ride I challenge anyone to disagree, but the looks I personally still find challenging....but that's just a personal thing obvs....
Ha 820mm is still abit tall for me
I'm 5'8" with a 30" inside leg. I just spent long weekend off-road in Andalusia on a 1300 with a low seat and adaptive height. The system was imperceptible and faultless. My first time off-road on any bike and I would have struggled without it. Brilliant stuff.
It seems amazing! And smooth?
Hi Andy, One question that springs to mind is how fast does the bike retract to the low ride hight in the event of an emergancy stop? Would it drop quick enough to stop you dropping the bike?
Yes it's pretty rapid....
Hi Andy i don't have a problem with the front of the bike it's the rear that puts me of, Radar or not you still got those rear light's/indicators all in one affair it seen a bit dangerous to me & another bug bear other than price is key less again do we really need all this stuff ?
BMW being BMW you just know the servo motors that change the ride height are going to be another point of failure and an absolute pain to maintain. I'd be looking for an extended warranty and selling the bike before that period ends...
Many have mentioned similar.....
@@TheMissendenFlyer Probably previous BMW owners, like myself...
Great bikes to test ride, awful to maintain.
What next? Auto pop out stabiliser wheels? Air bags? Crumple zone? Roll cage? Bikes are slowly morphing into cars, far too much tech. Ive owned three bmws and many tech related issues on each, poor customer service, never again. Maybe i was unlucky but based on dealer telling me they couldnt look at my last warranty fault for two months due to a backlog of GS safety issues, i suspect not.
I have an airbag on my Gold Wing!
which comes with Honda reliability 😁
Same here. Owned three BMW’s problems with all of them. The gadgetry on the new GS is hilarious.
I wouldn’t own one of those out of warranty for free.
Andy, please stop banging on about being a shorty. Especially as you are still growing, 5.7”-5.8” 🤭. As mentioned, you have long legs also. 32”, this is what really matters. At 5.2” with a 27” inseam, I am truly a shorty. I ride a Speed Twin, and this allows me the pleasure of reaching the floor booth sides, with my tips of my toes, literally.
Sorry Jon.....
The issue I have with this system (coming from an engineering background) is the need for it to keep lowering and raising. If you're not going off road, then why does it ever need to raise for most people? Unless you benefit from the extra ground clearance in high speed corners perhaps. For me, it's just something else to fail due to operating more often than is necessary.
Agreed!
Looks like a great system based on speed and acceleration, I'd have it fitted, and I'm 6' 2"! The main problems with these tall bikes are the high seat heights, and the high centre of gravity. Thanks to Karl Benz and his 1896 flat-twin engine design, which the GS uses utilises to great effect, it has a lower the centre of gravity. But, something like my old Yamaha Ténéré 700 was extremely top-heavy-and was a positively dangerous in some situations! It was a great bike built to a price, with a great engine, but the very high centre of gravity was the main thing I disliked about the bike. It was great when it was moving, with a commanding view of the road, but a right pain at low speeds around town, and especially on potholed broken-up roads or coming to a stop on a steep camber. That's where this type of system would help most riders. A tall rider might be fine on a well surfaced road, but put your foot in a deep pothole that you haven't noticed, or misjudge the steepness of a camber coming to a stop, and the height advantage disappears, and obviously, it's even worse for short riders!
I love the adaptive seat height concept as an even Shortier "Shorty" Than you, However the cliché of another thing to go wrong could be relevant ( an extra grand to start with but probably £2000 for repair or replacement ) depending on it's life span and propensity( just after warranty is my guess). Knowing my luck it would get stuck on the highest level.
Yes that thought had crossed my mind too!
Adaptive ride height and at only 450 quid an absolute bargain I'm seriously thinking of having it on my GoldStar.
the future is brilliant, so many unnecessary technology to solve problems that were never one while adding complexity and making our machines impossible to repair without a NASA masters degree and a laptop with property plugs and software! Amazing!
I guess it's progress......
Ummmm, I don't understand. Say you're riding over rough ground and you need the extra height, your going to ride that much slower......and the height automatically decreases?
I guess that's the use case where you turn it to manual!
You can deactivate it in the quick settings 😊
Very innovative but just something else to go wrong and cost a fortune to fix no doubt
When it fails you can just see owners toppling off one side as they stop expecting it to be lower 😅
Yikes!
PS - 32” for a 5’8” bloke is indeed a long leg!
Very clever tech and especially like the fact when you pulled up at a junction it went down. Very useful for shorter riders👍
Sure is!
@@TheMissendenFlyer I commented tp the salesman that anyone in their late sixties think it was time to give a up big beemers need to ride one. It will extend their gs riding by 10 years. I hope the RT gets the same treatment and the smaller feel (without the ugly looks)
@@volvogt21 I gave up my 1250 GSA for a low, light Multi V2S. Great bike but the suspension adjustment may tempt me back.
@@IanTed I can see why. I don't need 140 hp so I'm happy with the last of the aircooled 1200s. My latest bike is the tuareg 660. a phenomenal bike. So good at everything.
Andy Great video I’m like you love GSA’s but sorry I don’t like the headlight front ends it’s a bit cyclops I much prefer the older looking GSA
Ah, the new GS - 'Giraffe Superior' Go anywhere in elevated comfort, nibble the lush canopy at will along Acacia Avenue, pay off the finance in less than a century . . . I do eagerly await the obviously impending 'Beemer Bedouin' - 205 lt. tankage & no stands - they just lower gently onto their own frame rails, bellow loudly at everyone & then spit at the mechanic.
Of course, 007's will also sport a 'Zebedee' button - for those 'most unwelcome of pillions' : )
P.S. I'm only jealous! : )
As for using the manual mode for the adaptable ride height I can see riders who take their bikes off-road disabling ride height. Not sure you want your bike to start lowering on you as you waddle through a rock garden at 5-10mph🤔
Yes, a few people have mentioned that Paul, don’t know why I didn’t think of that at the time!
Nice vid & a helpful demonstration. It's very clever & the mind boggles that Harley Davidson of all brands were the ones that pioneered this concept. It's like Moto Guzzi being the first with active aero. Bizarre. Anyway, as for this system on the BMW, looks great but I'm slightly cautious over the life span of the bike if you'd have any problems with it after it's has had years of crud etc thrown at it. I guess time will tell.
Yes that thought had crossed my mind too. Thanks for watching as ever.
Instead of throwing heavy, expensive and complicated tech at bikes why don't manufacturers just make bikes that fit average height riders not just those 6ft 2" plus.
Man i wish.. 30" inseam and basically no bmw will work for me without aftermarket gear. Flat one foot is possible on some..
I'm at work watching this. The man makes good videos.
Thank you!
Interesting about the sidestand lean angle, it looked quite far over even with the lowered suspension. I'm pretty much the same size as you, short but fairly long legged. I'm fine on tallish bikes most of the time, but occasionally pulling a fully loaded bike of the sidestand can be an issue.
I was looking at a Triple Black GS1300 at Aylesbury Ducati (traded in by the owner after only 50 miles riding!), and was told that the adaptive ride height doesn't react quickly enough if you have to do an emergency stop. That would seem to be the time you most need it! Have you tried a quick stop to see how it reacts?
It's a pretty quick system and I'm surprised if even with an incredibly well done emergency stop you can beat it....but an interesting point!
Oh shit... bmw taking notes from a harley! Never thought I'd type that.
Right? Harley's far from perfect, but not incapable of innovation.
If only they applied said capability to the rest of their fleet, and prioritized value as much as heritage and exclusivity.
😜
True that! Certainly a good first showing from Harley in the ATV market though. However, Harley's adaptive ride height only adjusts the back, BMW does front and back, and unlike the Harley, the Beamer can be left in either up or down position for riding. @@unsungdrummer
@@damerowrmine feels like it's both, plus you can lock it in settings
This tech is all very impressive and I’m sure the first owner with the warranty will love it all, I wonder how the owner of these bikes in 2034 will feel about it. I’m a bit late to the party with regards to the 1300GS, I saw my first one up close this week. It was the green one with gold wheels and it was parked next to the new F900GS in the hi viz yellow paint and to me that bike looked modern and dynamic whilst the 1300 looked a bit plain and porky.
820mm is still quite high. But why does the bike need to rise 30mm? What would be the disadvantage of just remaining at 820mm? As far as the centre stand goes, that could just be made shorter negating the need for the bike to rise when you lower the centre stand.
My 1150 GS was 840mm and I did drop it a couple of times as a result, thankfully with absolutely no damage (I'm, 5' 10" with 29" inseam). That's the main reason I sold it.
Vince
Looking at this in a constructive way if they made the bike a height that most riders can flat foot then we wouldn't have to pay for all this extra technology they put on them, its always the average person who has to pay extra......just make them an average height to start with....
I agree!!
Thanks Andy, good to see this. One question, are those mirror supports thicker on the r1300gs to the 1250? Hope so as I find them a bit vibey at motorway speeds on my 1250. I guess so as there is cabling in them now for the lane monitoring led.
They look much the same to me....
Here's a thought, the low position obviously has many benefits, what's the point of the high position?
Off-Roading comes to mind, other than that I guess for very tall riders?
I just wonder how long the motor and its mechanism will last with repeated raising and lowering.
It'll pack up 5 minutes after the warranty runs out and then cost you a fortune to replace it all.🤑
Brilliant feature, especially for all us ageing shorties, all my GSs has seat lowering cams and my GSA was too tall. I have a 29” inside leg so I could apparently ride a new GS with a standard seat😆, might be trying one next change as I do like the Triple Black.
Point 11 - or we just know about comma/period single frame advance/rewind :)
Cheat!!
Thanks Mr Flyer for a very informative video on the hight adjusting 'gadget' on the new GS. What a useful addition for us 'shorties'. Not usually a lover of too many electronic aids on a motorbike, but this one certainly opens up the GS to more riders. It certainly could of opened more of a selection for me (inside leg 29") over the years haha.
Can you put a ‘TMF’ sticker on the radar panels? 😏
If you want!
Hi Andy - I did say you’d like the adaptive ride height. :-) it’s brilliant. I have formally rejected my GS1300 719 and it’s back at the dealers - will be interesting’ to see how I’m treated. I want it replaced. ( Mechanical final drive noise - never present on your videos nor on another one I’ve tested)
Good luck - be interested to hear how it goes….
I’ll be sure and let you know - I’m quite interested to see what kind of fight I’m going to have.
Interesting review. I'm a sucker for clever tech although I do wonder about the reliability of the air-compressor(?) and associated kit over time what with all that up and down action going on. As a 'for instance', I recall you had a suspension fail on your GS which whilst clearly not the same was a pricey fix. I'm not poo-pooing just a genuine comment.
Yes, the same thought has occurred to me.
I presume all those complaining about “bikes and too much tech” are riding bikes with carburettors- you wouldn’t want the fuss of electronic fuelling would you?
Perhaps if the rider was actually offroad with the machine (one of its intended purposes) it would be of benefit to be able to disable the automatic ride height feature, so it doesn't lower itself over an obstacle while going slow offroad.
Yes, a few have mentioned that Paul, don’t know why I didn’t think of that!
Do they make riding boots with stacked heels? If so, problem solved.
With the added benefit of not lloking so short when you're off the bike too!
They do as it happens - Daytona do a set for ladies that look identical to the mens version so noone need know ;0)
If you’re going to do it, do the same as Harley and BMW and make it automatic. Ducati and Triumph have got it wrong, maybe a software update or mid life model update will make the ride height lowering automatic. That said it does seem to be a bit of a solution looking for a problem. BMW used to offer standard and low suspension on the GS, and I can discern no difference in suspension action. Maybe if you really push on the lower ground clearance becomes an issue but not for me. I also wonder how durable this feature will be over time as if you ride through town a lot it’ll be going up and down, presumably via some electronics? I can imagine some embarrassment from shorter legged riders dropping the bike when the adaptive ride height fails - and it’s bound to at some point. It is however much cheaper for BMW as they only have to manufacture one bike with one set of suspension, side stand and centre stand heights, which is I suspect the real reason for this new feature.
On the ride you just did, can you tell me the advantage of the bike being 20mm higher over 32mph?
None whatsoever that I know of....
Sadly they are getting way too expensive. Once you add all the packages the bike is close to $38K , that's just ridiculous. Then add servicing costs....
Did the rpm at 60 mph get lower on the new model? 😎🏍💨💨💨💨💨👍🏻🏍🍻yup looks like it on last part of vid 🤓same at 70 mph. If I see it right
Although I've owned a GS in the past, there is something about the BMW brand that just doesn't work for me. In fact, I swore I'd never buy a soulless BMW ever again. However, it looks like I was wrong and now think I may have found my next bike.
Just an honest question, why would you want it to raise up above 25-30 mph? Presumably you would not be off roading at those speeds. You actually end up with a higher center of gravity at high speed when in twisties. When you would want the extra ground clearance would be going slow speeds over obstacles. I get the benefit of flat footing the bike, which is why I got a 1250 gsa low.
5 ft 8 and 32?! I'd kill for that three inches over my 29. I tried the the 1300GS with a low seat. No problem for me.
I'd like to see a comparison between the R1300GS indicators/ tail light v your original R1200GS, especially from a car drivers perspective.
You need to get out more jimmy
:0)
Hum, thinking the r1250gs low trim has a seat height about 1/2 to 1" lower then this new adaptive rider height trim...could be mistaken
Abrupt breaking scenarios? Can’t see it reacting fast enough to be useful . Anyway , still too tall and heavy for moi . 😊
Gee, I dislike electro- geewhizardree, although for $25k there hadda be sumpin....
Fair enough....
How fast does it lower once you've hit the required speed. Hitting the brakes hard, is there any chance that you've already come to a stop before it's fully lowered?
The issue with how far the bike leans over on the centre stand will be because BMW has been cheap and lazy. Fitting the same stand to all bike regardless of whether they have the lowering suspension or not. On the 1250 GS, it was only lowered chassis version that had the shorter side stand. With a longer stand on the full height chassis to prevent this excessive lean.
The day just got better! Thank you TMF!
My pleasure!
Loving the mature woman with the blue VW live viewing the shenanigans in the car park :)
I remember when I was a biker, Harley-Davidson super glide was the only bike I could get my feet down flat on the ground. I'm 5' 5" tall & have being generous,a 30" inside leg.
Great info MF, thank you! Maybe the manual option for the ride height is there if you are off road, doing low speeds but still need the ground clearance.
I think if you’re off road and going slowly on gnarly trails then you possibly wouldn’t wish for the suspension to lower as your travelling over lumps and bumps?
Ive never been a fan of adventure type bikes.....cause im a total shortie 27&3/4" inside leg. So almost any machine i look at will need a lowering kit.
However have thrown the leg over a tiger xtra low & was almost complete flat footed, so adaptive ride height is a game changer for myself & other fellow hobbies.
The GS really is the Mercedes S class of motorbikes when it comes to future tech & i think thats great however i hope that BMW don't do the 10yr copyright thing that Merc do ...3yrs is fine cause it allows BMW the sales & bragging rights & also lets everyone else time to home their version to perfection.
So wish list for me on a bike is Adaptive ride height, cruise, blind spot indicator & self cancelling or advanced indicator reminder system, say something like a indicator symbol in the mirrors below blindspot warning (draws the old eye & reminds you) or warning tone that gets louder the longer its on (only when bike is moving) & finally an AI assistant (something like iron mans jarvis but non intrusive) a simple one button does all thing...so say your out & it starts to get chilli? Jarvis knows this & pops on heated grips but not say an audi is ahead at a junction & jarvis slams on the anchors.
A system that lets the rider ride but just is there to tend to your needs as you enjoy the ride....guess that'll be the 2030 GS then😂
Sounds good to me! Being able to say "GS heated grips on" or "GS lower windscreen" would be sooo much better than faffing about in those menus while you are trying tor ide.....
@TheMissendenFlyer absolutely in fact I think I need to have a word with BMW about "BUTLA" pronounced "Butler"(BMW Universal Technologies Liason Assistant) or whatever you name it during set up also you'll be able to have it address as whatever you choose "Sir, lord, master, boss....Big cheese, even Dave (tho not in a 2001 Space Odyssey HAL voice, that would scare me😂) totally customisable to your need just like a butler add in an extra level of security too cause that handy wee bike buddy would be linked to you & your phone.
So your away on a lovely tour say the NC500 & Mrs Flyer & yourself decide a night at a lovely wee local BnB & some low life decided to try & nick your bike...no happening cause BUTLA would go full guard dog mode (obviously not on board tazers & flamethrowers...tho that would stop bike theft, there might be a slight legal issue there😂) but it would call you, active live GPS tracker, call the police & even send photos & videos to you for evidence.
The applications are endless...however its not a Tesla🤢 no intrusive systems that take anything away from having to ride a motorbike. It's the true core of biking (in my opinion) total freedom, total control. Tech is only good when it aids or makes safer...tho not to safe after all if that was the case nobody would put an internal combustion engine on two wheels with a metal tin full of flammable liquid on top & place it betwixt our legs...cause that's fun. A car moves the body but a bike should always move the soul.
Excellent vid. I don't see why a centre stand is necessary on a bike with shaft drive? Save the £500+ imo.
Considering how much it leans over (S1000XR-esque) it's a useful space saving accessory if nothing else.
I tend to agree Clive - not sure I'd spec one for that price....could do without the weight!
Andy I’m slightly taller than you but have a shorter inside leg of 29” and unfortunately I needed the lowered suspension model on my previous GS1250 and therefore I needed the adaptive height, works an absolute treat well pleased with it👍👍👍
Good isn't it....
That's a piece of new tech that actually seems useful. But BMW and their options lists.
while this adaptive feature is great, like any tech it’s likely to break when either a sensor goes bust or the adaptive suspension system has an error. in such a case wouldn’t it be a bit dicey, a rider who’s short and is dependent on the electronics to get the seat height down can have a fall. given this scenario, is there a way to force the bike to always be in this low mode instead of adaptive? that would be a great feature for the vertically challenged.
How is it for us real short arsses. I’m 5’ 4” with a 28” inside leg ?
With the low seat and adaptive ride height, I think you’d be fine.
@@TheMissendenFlyer Thank’s for the reply. At the moment trying to get to grips with an all new BMW F800GS. Lowered and low seat option. Riding is fine, it’s the weight moving it around car parks etc.
Yes heavy ol bikes those - I fing my big GS easier to handle due the low COG
@@TheMissendenFlyer I used to have an air cooled R 80 RT, many moons ago. Very similar in size and weight, but being a boxer, no problem moving around. Bikes just seem to have grown. By the way I am a local - Aylesbury .
Who can afford a bmw,the servicing costs are horrendous.😊
Nice. Glad you had the opportunity to test it. I was definitely interested in this. Thanks. I'd probably pay the extra 500. The GS is a hefty bike and I like to have my feet flat. Strange the non adaptive bike doesn't have a slightly longer side stand.
I would think it is a desirable feature. It would help for resale. Wondering what it does off road. You might want to turn it off if you were worried about clearance.
Yes a great feature this - I'd definately spec it up if I were buying a new GS.....
@@TheMissendenFlyer Ooh, Mr Flyer..."definitely"... See me after school!
Excellent video yet again but such a pity it's so bloody expensive.
Tell me about it....
Harley Davidson: Look, an automatic lowering option!
Everybody: Meh.....
BMW: Look, an automatic lowering option!
Everybody: Woooooowwwww!
🤣
Yes but if you have no radar you can do whatever you like with the covers.
Andy , just an observation I have on your video's. I have noticed you have a habit of illustrating what you are saying with constant hand gestures, I fear one day a driver will mistake these for you waving them out of a junction with possibly dire consequences 😟
I just thought it was worth mentioning ...David.
Lots of people mention it David, unfortunately there’s not much I can do about my habits, but thanks for pointing it out, and I’ll try and bear it in mind!
Always great content...when I did my review of the 1300 I didn't have the one with the adaptive...but Im 6'2. I have to say I still prefer my 1250 GSA and GS...I feel they made this bike more Street Bikeish...great tech..great updates...but took the GS out of the GS....keep the content coming!!! Nice job!!!
I tend to agree.
Great review but I think more tech to go wrong and more visits to the dealer💰💷
Yes that plate is stopping me ... Ric at Shipley bmw said put a set of eye's there ... lol
Every vid Andy does of the new GS has all the hallmarks of suspense like the Maxwell House coffee ads in the 80's, will he, won't he but we all know the final outcome will be lol
You think?
Well they made the green with gold wheels just for him 😂..bmw great marketing brand.
Well the Maxwell house ads took years but we eventually got there lol@@TheMissendenFlyer
I'm way to young to remember Gareth Hunt doing that thing with his hands to Una Stubbs next door.....
I think the front radar seems to merge into the background on the ‘triple black’ you don’t seem to notice it so much. Perhaps they could colour code the panel on the other bikes to the same effect!
I used to own a BMW r1100rs, lovely bike and had two outstanding features that should be on all bikes. The front screen was tiny, but very effective and could easily be adjusted while riding by means of a big knob to vary the angle.
The second feature were the seats, individual rider and pillion seats with a simple pin and slot system to vary both seat heights independently of each other. Simple, well designed and doesn't add weight and complication.
Sounds good to me, Dave!
Hey TMF are these spam comments a new phenomenon I have not seen them before. 3 at 11 minutes. Interesting profile pictures...😳
Yes it’s happening more and more I’m afraid….
Pioneered two years ago on the Harley Pan America S. It was inevitable others would copy the idea as it's such a brilliant one.
Indeed - as I mentioned in the video....
Thanks for the review, Andy, great as always. If you do a metric conversion, it raises at 50 km/hr and lowers at 30 km/hr. I primarily buy a bike by how it goes, handles and rides. A bike needs to have good suspension here in Australia because of our crap roads. Looks are a secondary thing to me. You can't look at it while you're riding it. :)
Very true - you'll love the new GS then, rides fantastically well...
Excellent video and review. I'm seriously looking at one, but nobody at BMW can answer the main simple question for us shorties. If the electronics detect a system fault when riding along in auto mode, does it automatically lower to the lowest position as a default. With just a 29-30 inside leg, I fear a fault of it failing and remaining in the 850 position and arriving at a junction or traffic light and struggling to get left foot flat on the floor to try and hold it upright. Hence never even considered a GS before as ride a RS with the low seat option and feet flat on the floor. Dealers don't know, had email conversations with BMW Customer Service and just referred back to a dealer. Surely, it's not too much to ask BMW UK to be open about this, surely someone can contact the design team in Berlin and get a definitive answer. Having had BMW's for over 30 years I just cannot believe their lack of knowledge and support. The Customer Service via the 0800 or email is about as use as an ashtray on a motorbike.
Not good is it….
Will be interesting to see what the average lifespan is for this feature, likely to be expensive to repair once out of warranty. That said, if I were in the market for the new GS I would likely spec it with this option. Great video.
Thanks!
Looks a benefit under normal riding situations, but what happens if you have to do an emergency stop, does it get to the low position in time. I just think if it's not quick enough to do that it could catch riders out who are expecting it to be there in those circumstances when they're in the process of putting their foot down especially if you're a shortie like me and have a pillion and luggage to contend with too.
Right! based on the time it took to rise or lower as he was riding an emergency stop wont get into the low position for a balance check in time.
Sorry mate couldn’t see the bike raise or lower when the centre stand was put down 😢
You weren’t looking closely enough then - appears obvious to me!! Are you watching on a phone screen maybe?
I watched motobob do it and it seemed obvious (on TV). On my phone I couldn't see it here either!
I could clearly see the back end then the front raise.
@@r6ymy Me too! :0)
As a fellow 5'8"er adpative ride height is a must. A non auto function would be a recipe for disaster. Keep the GS info coming.👍
Will do Simon!
Adaptive Ride Height it’s taken BMW three years to copy the Pan America, £1000 for the ride height and centre stand a rip off from BM. I like your video American Beauty about the Pan, went to look at the GS1300 and thought it was one of the ugliest bike I have ever seen..
Well, I have made no secret of the fact that I’m not a fan of the looks of the new GS 1300 Mark, but to say that it’s uglier than a pan America is a bit of a stretch! Although just like the new GS, the big Harley adventure machine does ride very well and the adaptive ride height is excellent on both bikes. Thanks for watching and for stopping by.
Great system no question, but you could just get a bike that is the right height as you could on the 1250 GS.
The biggest trouble is that when you stopped and showed the bike it just didn’t make me think “mmm that’s nice” It just looks like another mid size sort of adventure bike.
I love BMW’s and have a 1250GS and an RnineT but I think they have lost the wow factor in the looks department on this, hope the GSA or 1400 or what ever looks better when it arrives.
Yes, I’m completely with you, Stephen, I think there are a lot of us waiting for the 1400 “adventure” model.
Struggling to see the point of this system, does 30mm make THAT much difference? Maybe I should ask my wife 🤔😃
It certainly does!
I have 3 fault lights on my 1300 and the adaptive ride height has stopped working i presume its connected,swith on and off again and it starts working,booked in next Friday .A week after that we head to Norway after watching your tour Mr Flyer
Enjoy your ride - hope the bike gets fixed to your satisfaction!
Looks only a mother could love. Excellent bike no doubt but the appeal of something good looking is important as well. Ducati Multistrada might not be as accomplished overall but miles better looking and 170BHP V4 is the winner for me.
I'm with you on the looks front Raj - though personally prefer the way this bike rides.....
That's a really useful video Andy. There's plenty of content on the 1300 that talks about this feature without demonstrating it on the road. Whilst i dont really need it, now having seen it actually being used, I will definitely specify this.
I think it's a brilliant feature - this and the adaptive cruide are defo thibngs worth having IMO.....amazing bike this.
It is growing on me, test ride now booked for one of the open days BMW are doing across the network. I’m wondering when the so called GS 1400 rumoured GSA replacement will emerge though and what that will look like 🤔
....so are a lot of us!
In one of the videos you stated that the new R1300GS is very difficult to pick up of the side stand especially if you have a pillion aboard. I've always been taught that the pillion only climbs on once the bike is off the side or center stand and the pilot has the bike in the upright position.
Fair enough, whatever works for you (I personally do the opposite!)
Ta for another good video tvm. One thing I notice abuut the bike.. the sound...it sounds a bit lumpy ..or tractorish under acceleration. That would not entice me to buy nor the weight. Every gs biker i meet complain /and state they struggle with the big gs weight old and new models...with luggage. But why not just buy a bike you can enjoy all aspects including being able to use a magageable weighted bike . Any suggestions on any bike new or old that could offer a better solution that also does not cost more that £13k? Ta again for your great channel. Always interesting. By comparison...Norally's channel. I must admit I am finding I am no longer watching as much.
Well I'm looking forward to trying the new Honda NX500 next week! ....and who doesn't love Noraly!!! ....but I'm ashamed to admit I haven't watched for some time.....
Nice tech, but I'd probably prefer to buy a bike that fits me without it. I rode a 1250 for the first time last week. Great bike. Too much tech for me on this one, really Andy, if you were to put on 20 pounds, the problem takes care of itself.
McDonalds here I come!
One thing that I realised when Harley brought out the Pan. Everyone would end up copying their adaptive ride height. Who knew? HD lead the way.
In this case they sure did!
I'm just thinking about the logic of having the option of not being in auto mode all the time. Given that the GS has always been marketed as an adventure tourer, tall suspension was/is a necessity and design feature to tackle slow rutted potholed tracks if it automatically lowers at 15 mph it's useless. Modern adventure tourers however are morphing into luxury tourers that we hate to even get dirty let alone laugh in the face of a potholed back road. I'd keep your trusty 1200 it's most likely the best iteration of GS model line ever, tall suspension and all.
Yes I am likely to do just that!
I am not saying my bike was cheap, but these big cc adventure bikes have got a little out of hand in regards to prices. I could have bought 2 of my bike for just one 1300 gs. Don't get me wrong, it is an amazing bike for sure, but for 33,000 euros, it is only for the man of a certain age, or drug dealers... no pcp over here in the Netherlands either, so it is a loan at a pretty high rate too.. even more money!
Yes, I agree, Dean, I would have to think very seriously before splashing out the sort of money these command.
good video! l just wandering is it necessary to add the adaptive height control for 185cm tall ?
I would....