Now have 18,000 miles on my 2017 RS - "different shaft/gearbox and some updates from the 2015/16 models but honestly I couldn't tell any difference when swopping my 2015 RS for this bike. I did get 'lucky' this year, part of a drive shaft 'check' - "not a recall!" and the shaft was stuck to the bevel unit and the gearbox output shaft. Result was everything removed, overhauled, new bevel drive unit, new shaft and all rubber gaters, clips and free fitting costs. Well worth the gamble - IF nothing found I would need to pay from drive shaft re-grease - it is now part of the 12k service - you get a new page to put in the owners manual and service history updates page. Bike has been as good as yours seems to be and for me it is a better choice for road use than so many GS that only see tarmac.
I recently did a spine grease and rubber boot replacement on my 2005 BMW R1200GS. It was a pretty simple job and only took a couple of hours. That is another "Older" bike that is a joy to ride. The new Royal Enfield 400 sounds interesting. My Ural dealer now sells them. I am going to check them out.
@@lifetimeadventures9107 It may be worth getting a bmw check - I think all that age R1200's are getting a free shaft drive anyway at a certain higher mileage. Mine was replace as the grease/lubricant was the problem of seized splines. I think it is replaced for free after 36kmiles/50k kilometres
Yes I can understand that. I switched to the R1200 RS from a K 1200 RS because of the difference in the weight and handling. I have much more enjoyable rides now. Having the modern suspension technology also is a bonus. Enjoy your adventurous rides It it on a fabulous machine.
Thanks for posting this video! I am thinking about picking up one of these, 2016 Lupin Blue. I currently have a 2016 GS. Can you share your thoughts about the windscreen and how much/little buffeting you get?
I have two windscreens that I change with the seasons. The short stock one is great for the summer months as it lets more wind past but has very little turbulence. The taller one is effective at keeping the cold air from hitting me in the colder months and the air is smooth that reaches me while riding at cruising speeds. Thanks for watching and enjoy your riding .
@@michaelhawkins5530 Hello Micheal, that is a warm weather jacket that I was wearing in that video, I purchased it at Cycle Gear. I believe it is still available as I just checked for it on their website. Priced at $159.. It is a Sedici Federico 2 Mesh Jacket. I like wearing the jacket in warmer weather and it has some weather protection but is not waterproof, although it has padding on shoulders back and elbows and is good for temperatures above 60°. I fit in a size large. I am 5 feet 11 tall and 173 pounds with a trim waste. Thank you for watching the video and as soon as the weather warms up I’ll be out there publishing more content, for your enjoyment. The temperatures are below freezing for the last two weeks and the roads are covered with ice and salt. Soon the return of warmer riding weather. Happy riding adventures.
Hello Dean, I don't ride too often with a passenger. If I were doing a long tour of a thousand miles or more, I would choose the BMW. The Moto Guzzi gives a comfortable ride, and it can be taken off road easily if the occasion arises. It would be good for a three-to-four-hundred-mile round trip or between stops with a passenger. The weight of the riders would have to be considered also. I would favor the BMW for a heavier loaded trip. Another choice would be the BMW R1250 GS. It is the ultimate dual-purpose touring bike. The best way to tell if the bike feels right for you is to get a test ride or go to riders-share.com and see if anyone near you has one of these bikes for rent and go have an Adventure.! Thanks for the question. 🏍👍
Thank you Nathan. The the digital sequence of the camera that causes that to happen when exposed to another digital screen device. I haven’t figured out how to prevent it yet.
It looks like the regular bars have been changed out for a 'straight' bar setup ? If that is the case did you do that and what difference does that make ? Thx for the video Im looking at the RS as a replacement for my 2010 VFR 1200 at the minute.
I purchased the R1200RS with the wider bars already installed. It was one of the factors that convinced me to purchase the bike. It also came with the AKRAPOVIČ exhaust. The wide bars gives you a better riding position and a feeling of more control in the corners along with a more upright riding posture which is less tiresome on long rides. The exhaust adds to the aggressive character of the BMW R1200RS with a real nice exhaust note. I had a R1100S and a K1200RS before I got the R1200RS. I quickly realized that the R1200 RS combines two performance factors of both the other bikes. I recently sold the other two bikes, knowing that I had a machine that could do it all. It is my go to bike for long highway rides and twisty roads with comfort in performance.
@@lifetimeadventures9107 I recently test rode a RS with tubular bars and it felt good. I have not test rode a RS yet with the regular bars on it. I was undecided which to go for. What do you think about the bar risers vs tubular bars? I assume you got tubular bars? Many people complain about the weight of this bike and riding around town and moving it in the garage etc. So I like to know your thoughts overall about this bike if you do not mind sharing and do you still like the wider bars? Also, it seems like the wider bars you would sacrifice some nimbleness of the bike. Have you notice that?
I find the R 1200 RS very easy to manage on and off the bike. I am 6 feet tall and 170 lbs so I have the leverage to move the bike around. The handlebars on my bike are very comfortable and do not reduce the handling at all. I think they help with cornering and managing the bike when off the machine. Putting bar risers on is a personal decision based on your arm reach and desired riding position. You can purchase tubular bars with different rise heights instead of using risers. I was fortunate to find the bike I have as it was setup just the way I wanted it. Thanks for your comment and keep looking for that bike that will take you on your lifetime adventures.
@@p-dub7422 having the wider bars on the bike made it feel more stable in the corners and moving it around the garage. I have experienced the clip-on style bars on other bikes and have them on my Triumph Thruxton. They function well at road speeds but lack the leverage when moving slow or pushing the bike around. You can get used to anything but the key is to be comfortable while using the bike. So I would recommend having the touring bars if that’s the style of riding you are planning.
Now have 18,000 miles on my 2017 RS - "different shaft/gearbox and some updates from the 2015/16 models but honestly I couldn't tell any difference when swopping my 2015 RS for this bike. I did get 'lucky' this year, part of a drive shaft 'check' - "not a recall!" and the shaft was stuck to the bevel unit and the gearbox output shaft. Result was everything removed, overhauled, new bevel drive unit, new shaft and all rubber gaters, clips and free fitting costs. Well worth the gamble - IF nothing found I would need to pay from drive shaft re-grease - it is now part of the 12k service - you get a new page to put in the owners manual and service history updates page. Bike has been as good as yours seems to be and for me it is a better choice for road use than so many GS that only see tarmac.
I recently did a spine grease and rubber boot replacement on my 2005 BMW R1200GS. It was a pretty simple job and only took a couple of hours. That is another "Older" bike that is a joy to ride. The new Royal Enfield 400 sounds interesting. My Ural dealer now sells them. I am going to check them out.
@@lifetimeadventures9107 It may be worth getting a bmw check - I think all that age R1200's are getting a free shaft drive anyway at a certain higher mileage. Mine was replace as the grease/lubricant was the problem of seized splines. I think it is replaced for free after 36kmiles/50k kilometres
My 2018 R1200RS is still going strong. (167,000 km / 103,768 miles)
Wow…That’s a impressive amount of riding..you must have had some great riding adventures..
My 18 1200 rs still going strong, 14k miles😂
Holy! Sounds dependable.
What all services have you had to do besides oil changes ?
Nice bike and review. I switched from ST1300 (too heavy for me now) to a 2016 RS like yours recently.
Yes I can understand that. I switched to the R1200 RS from a K 1200 RS because of the difference in the weight and handling. I have much more enjoyable rides now. Having the modern suspension technology also is a bonus. Enjoy your adventurous rides It it on a fabulous machine.
Thanks for posting this video! I am thinking about picking up one of these, 2016 Lupin Blue. I currently have a 2016 GS. Can you share your thoughts about the windscreen and how much/little buffeting you get?
I have two windscreens that I change with the seasons. The short stock one is great for the summer months as it lets more wind past but has very little turbulence. The taller one is effective at keeping the cold air from hitting me in the colder months and the air is smooth that reaches me while riding at cruising speeds. Thanks for watching and enjoy your riding .
I like your riding jacket. Can you give us the brand?
@@michaelhawkins5530 Hello Micheal, that is a warm weather jacket that I was wearing in that video, I purchased it at Cycle Gear. I believe it is still available as I just checked for it on their website. Priced at $159.. It is a Sedici Federico 2 Mesh Jacket.
I like wearing the jacket in warmer weather and it has some weather protection but is not waterproof, although it has padding on shoulders back and elbows and is good for temperatures above 60°. I fit in a size large. I am 5 feet 11 tall and 173 pounds with a trim waste. Thank you for watching the video and as soon as the weather warms up I’ll be out there publishing more content, for your enjoyment. The temperatures are below freezing for the last two weeks and the roads are covered with ice and salt. Soon the return of warmer riding weather. Happy riding adventures.
Which bike would you rather tour on with a pillion? BMW or V85?
Hello Dean, I don't ride too often with a passenger. If I were doing a long tour of a thousand miles or more, I would choose the BMW. The Moto Guzzi gives a comfortable ride, and it can be taken off road easily if the occasion arises. It would be good for a three-to-four-hundred-mile round trip or between stops with a passenger. The weight of the riders would have to be considered also. I would favor the BMW for a heavier loaded trip. Another choice would be the BMW R1250 GS. It is the ultimate dual-purpose touring bike. The best way to tell if the bike feels right for you is to get a test ride or go to riders-share.com and see if anyone near you has one of these bikes for rent and go have an Adventure.! Thanks for the question. 🏍👍
Nice review ride. What is the flashing orange screen indicating?
Thank you Nathan. The the digital sequence of the camera that causes that to happen when exposed to another digital screen device. I haven’t figured out how to prevent it yet.
@@lifetimeadventures9107 Huh… should have guessed that. It just looked so consistent.
@@lifetimeadventures9107 this is a late replay fella but play with your shutter speed! that can help
@@HybridSonaHaver thanks for the advice.. I’ll do some adjustments and see how it works.
@@HybridSonaHaver thanks for the advice. I’ll do some setting changes and see how that works. Thank you.
It looks like the regular bars have been changed out for a 'straight' bar setup ? If that is the case did you do that and what difference does that make ? Thx for the video Im looking at the RS as a replacement for my 2010 VFR 1200 at the minute.
I purchased the R1200RS with the wider bars already installed. It was one of the factors that convinced me to purchase the bike. It also came with the AKRAPOVIČ exhaust. The wide bars gives you a better riding position and a feeling of more control in the corners along with a more upright riding posture which is less tiresome on long rides. The exhaust adds to the aggressive character of the BMW R1200RS with a real nice exhaust note. I had a R1100S and a K1200RS before I got the R1200RS. I quickly realized that the R1200 RS combines two performance factors of both the other bikes. I recently sold the other two bikes, knowing that I had a machine that could do it all. It is my go to bike for long highway rides and twisty roads with comfort in performance.
@@lifetimeadventures9107 I recently test rode a RS with tubular bars and it felt good. I have not test rode a RS yet with the regular bars on it. I was undecided which to go for. What do you think about the bar risers vs tubular bars? I assume you got tubular bars? Many people complain about the weight of this bike and riding around town and moving it in the garage etc. So I like to know your thoughts overall about this bike if you do not mind sharing and do you still like the wider bars? Also, it seems like the wider bars you would sacrifice some nimbleness of the bike. Have you notice that?
I find the R 1200 RS very easy to manage on and off the bike. I am 6 feet tall and 170 lbs so I have the leverage to move the bike around. The handlebars on my bike are very comfortable and do not reduce the handling at all. I think they help with cornering and managing the bike when off the machine. Putting bar risers on is a personal decision based on your arm reach and desired riding position. You can purchase tubular bars with different rise heights instead of using risers. I was fortunate to find the bike I have as it was setup just the way I wanted it. Thanks for your comment and keep looking for that bike that will take you on your lifetime adventures.
@@p-dub7422 having the wider bars on the bike made it feel more stable in the corners and moving it around the garage. I have experienced the clip-on style bars on other bikes and have them on my Triumph Thruxton. They function well at road speeds but lack the leverage when moving slow or pushing the bike around. You can get used to anything but the key is to be comfortable while using the bike. So I would recommend having the touring bars if that’s the style of riding you are planning.
@lifetimeadventures9107 When you say touring bars you mean the tubular bars? Or the standard bars with clip ons?
Hi its Dave.
Hello Dave, it was a great group ride today. Look for the video coming soon…happy riding adventures