Out of all the adventure bikes this, KTM and the yamaha are the only bikes that actualy look like cross breed bikes. Why are manufacturers making so called "adventure" bikes but designing them around the road? We want bikes that are awesome on the dirt with big engines that just happen to be able to cruise long distance at a high speed (to get to the dirt).
I have very little riding experience, no shame in admitting that. I just wonder if a 1200 is a little over kill for this kind of riding. It would also pain me to even think about putting this off road considering the price. I will just stick with my 96 KLR650.
I remember trying to find my way, for 8 hours, on a rocky road somewhere in the highlands of middle Greece with my ... Harley... ... I recall thinking to myself: "I would GLADLY give my right thumb for a GS..."
@MagicAyrtonforever Yeah I tried to find an R1200GS but I am planning on doing some offroading with them so I would prefer the Adventure of the F800 but despite this . . . Standard R1200GS usually go for a lot more cause theres more demand so its hard to find one on the price range i'm looking at.
@BikeSwan1 yep, mine is a road version but I went for cross spoked adventure wheels, adventure screen/side screens and sump guard, engine protection bars and handlebar protectors..
@MagicAyrtonforever That sounds like a really nice bike. I can imagine the accessories added up to a lot though. I forgot to mention that the Adventure i'm looking at comes with panniers.
@BikeSwan1 thanks man, I got my panniers free with the purchase along with new boots and a rally suit, but it was a lot of money and I intend to keep it for a very long time.. good luck with the bike you chose.
"It can do everything an enduro bike, a 450 can do, except maybe deep ruts". What a CROCK of crap my friends. I don't mean to get nasty on this GS1200, but that is a ludicrous statement
@vanboarder ALMOST anything a 450 can do? Still very inaccurate. Try taking the GS1200 to the local MX track.... and off road, my friend on a GS800 with proper offroad tyres has problems and needs both of us to wrestle his bike out of trouble, where my *motard* (road-tyre shod, no knobs) 250 gets through easily. I am not an advanced rider, but my WR weighs half of the GS, it goes over sand and mud where the GS sinks in and gets bogged. And wow, once it's bogged, what a headache...
@vanboarder maybe... but lots of comments here seem to marvel at the skill of these riders on these large bikes doing what they do in this clip, while my WR250X (again, ROAD tyres) would do it all easily with me on it. And before you say "Ahh, but could your WR take you across Africa with all your belongings aboard?", remember, I did't start this comparison. But for the record, yes it could, but less comfortably. My WR can do "almost anything" a GS1200 can do.
Its a compromise - the GS is more comfy on long distances and your WR is better off-road. Depends how much time you have because I wouldn't wanna try ripping it across a continent on a small bike like yours, but taking your time on it it would be fine.
i like this bikeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee its my lifeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Actually I think what he said was that this new model had 5 more. One thing though, the suspension setting on these big bikes is important. You can easily loose 20 or more HP if you don't set it up correctly.. because if you start hopping the back wheel you just can't get the power down. So either way.. the suspension setting does equate to usable HP on loose and rutted or rocky terrain. Outstanding bikes though, I've had 3 of them. R100 and I'm on my second 1150.
I currently ride a Goldwing & have just ridden the 1200GS (not Adventure my legs are too short :-) ) I found it very well balanced. I have ridden in a lot of soft sand (Fraser Island Australia) & yes these big bikes would be a hand full, but if you don't want a challenge stay at home & watch it on TV.
If we all only had enough money to have a bike for all occasions. Ride Safe & have fun.
This is not a beauty contest.Maybe you're ugly too,but you're also jealous.He is famous and is an adventurer and you are sitting home and writing about him........
From someone who has toured extensively off road on a 07 GSA (Gibb River Rd, Gulf of Carpentaria etc), one mistake off road and its all over. The weight and shear mass of the machine will write its self off pretty quickly. They are a brilliant machine if you get a good one. My second GSA rattled like a bastard and had I not sold it, would of only probably lasted about 60,000 klm's before a rebuild. To be honest, my biggest problem with my GSA overall was the bad BMW after sales service.
I think it depends on how you're built. I had no problem with my GS touring through the woods in my country (Romania). Also, the roads here are not that great so, you can imagine riding soft enduro is just riding here. I guess it's just a matter of what you like. And for VonMorph. I've ridden from Romania to Gibraltar, then down to Morroco and then back home, THROUGH Africa and is was better than any Goldwing or Harley
No he drove the older generation one with Ewan McGregor around the world and across Africa so a total of about 40,000 miles and it was fine. Many times he dropped it and it was fine even with water crossings and some cracked frames it was still running. The Toyota Hilux of motorcycles.
I've been waiting for the f800gs but it has been delayed until november. I'll now get the adventure instead. It is very nimble but not as much as the 800, probably. I'll mainly use it on the road and in the rough tracks of the Australian "outback". Can't wait!!
OK...I know this guy makes it look like anyone can do it, but how many can? Is it that nimble a bike? I plan on a purchase in the next couple of months, and will likely sign up for BMW's Offroad course in South Carolina, but wonder how long it will take to handle a bike with such ease...EXCELLENT VIDEO!
Out of all the adventure bikes this, KTM and the yamaha are the only bikes that actualy look like cross breed bikes. Why are manufacturers making so called "adventure" bikes but designing them around the road? We want bikes that are awesome on the dirt with big engines that just happen to be able to cruise long distance at a high speed (to get to the dirt).
jasonfish07 1 month ago
He's always a pleasure to listen to and watch . . .
ketama1122 2 months ago in playlist GSA
If there was a hybrid between lion and leopard, and that hybrid was converted into a machine... then that machine would be called the R1200GS!!!
JohnDoeNext 4 months ago
That pig can fly o0
AlucardNosferatu666 5 months ago
I have very little riding experience, no shame in admitting that. I just wonder if a 1200 is a little over kill for this kind of riding. It would also pain me to even think about putting this off road considering the price. I will just stick with my 96 KLR650.
K9LLL 7 months ago
0:15 - 0:19. I could watch that all day long.
caesareor 7 months ago
Comment removed
caesareor 7 months ago
great bike handling skills.I ride a kawi
trial bike and a 600 ninja which I ride on
dirt roads occasionally, I would not call it
a handful, but a wider bar and more up-
right riding position would make it much
more fun. thanks for the vid.
d5nonac 8 months ago
13 people ownes hyosung not even a honda
echolink100 8 months ago
I remember trying to find my way, for 8 hours, on a rocky road somewhere in the highlands of middle Greece with my ... Harley... ... I recall thinking to myself: "I would GLADLY give my right thumb for a GS..."
priestharis 10 months ago
@priestharis Same situation for me: dirt road, on a heavy Harley, only the place was different: the empty Kazakhstan.
Now I'm going to trade my HD Electra Glide Ultra Classic for a 2006 GS 1200 ADVENTURE.
ItalianHarleyRider 6 months ago
Im having an issue: Second hand (16,000km) 2007 BMW R1200GS Adventure ($11,000) OR New 2011 BMW F800GS ($16,000)?
BikeSwan1 11 months ago
@BikeSwan1 Try and a get an R1200 GS (not adventure) New!! I did.. got the esa suspension and never looked back.. just amazing bike :-)
MagicAyrtonforever 11 months ago
@MagicAyrtonforever Yeah I tried to find an R1200GS but I am planning on doing some offroading with them so I would prefer the Adventure of the F800 but despite this . . . Standard R1200GS usually go for a lot more cause theres more demand so its hard to find one on the price range i'm looking at.
BikeSwan1 11 months ago
@BikeSwan1 yep, mine is a road version but I went for cross spoked adventure wheels, adventure screen/side screens and sump guard, engine protection bars and handlebar protectors..
MagicAyrtonforever 11 months ago
@MagicAyrtonforever That sounds like a really nice bike. I can imagine the accessories added up to a lot though. I forgot to mention that the Adventure i'm looking at comes with panniers.
BikeSwan1 11 months ago
@BikeSwan1 thanks man, I got my panniers free with the purchase along with new boots and a rally suit, but it was a lot of money and I intend to keep it for a very long time.. good luck with the bike you chose.
MagicAyrtonforever 11 months ago
"It can do everything an enduro bike, a 450 can do, except maybe deep ruts". What a CROCK of crap my friends. I don't mean to get nasty on this GS1200, but that is a ludicrous statement
tosgem 1 year ago
@tosgem He said ALMOST everything a 450 can do. I'm sure it's not written in stone anywhere so you can pull your panties out of your ass.
vanboarder 1 year ago
@vanboarder ALMOST anything a 450 can do? Still very inaccurate. Try taking the GS1200 to the local MX track.... and off road, my friend on a GS800 with proper offroad tyres has problems and needs both of us to wrestle his bike out of trouble, where my *motard* (road-tyre shod, no knobs) 250 gets through easily. I am not an advanced rider, but my WR weighs half of the GS, it goes over sand and mud where the GS sinks in and gets bogged. And wow, once it's bogged, what a headache...
tosgem 1 year ago
@tosgem Maybe your friend is just a shitty rider.
vanboarder 1 year ago
@vanboarder maybe... but lots of comments here seem to marvel at the skill of these riders on these large bikes doing what they do in this clip, while my WR250X (again, ROAD tyres) would do it all easily with me on it. And before you say "Ahh, but could your WR take you across Africa with all your belongings aboard?", remember, I did't start this comparison. But for the record, yes it could, but less comfortably. My WR can do "almost anything" a GS1200 can do.
tosgem 1 year ago
@tosgem You should try that and get back to me. You might stay clear of Ivory Coast. I hear it's no good this time of year.
vanboarder 1 year ago
@tosgem
Its a compromise - the GS is more comfy on long distances and your WR is better off-road. Depends how much time you have because I wouldn't wanna try ripping it across a continent on a small bike like yours, but taking your time on it it would be fine.
StigRossi 11 months ago
Wow those guys can ride!
bfmv580 1 year ago
Yes my dream bike,own 08klr and love it but that would be the dream. ps. all donations excepted.
germanshep1 1 year ago
Bmw is the best manufacturer of enduro's.
Great driving by the way.
24BodhI24 1 year ago
QUAD WAY DOWN
LEOVARTY 1 year ago
i like this bikeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee its my lifeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
ptittigrou1 1 year ago
suspension add's 5 more bhp?? haha yeah right
jstguk 1 year ago
@jstguk your hearing aid needs new batteries.
nnonix 1 year ago
@jstguk
Actually I think what he said was that this new model had 5 more. One thing though, the suspension setting on these big bikes is important. You can easily loose 20 or more HP if you don't set it up correctly.. because if you start hopping the back wheel you just can't get the power down. So either way.. the suspension setting does equate to usable HP on loose and rutted or rocky terrain. Outstanding bikes though, I've had 3 of them. R100 and I'm on my second 1150.
PaleHearse 1 year ago
It was good to hear his commentary.
dougs650 2 years ago
It takes a LOT OF SKILL to whip these around off-road. These guys make it look easy!
gamccoy 2 years ago 32
This comment has received too many negative votes show
you need to be 6'5 to ride these bikes!!!!!!
mimito92 2 years ago
nah u dont my dads got one and hes 5,10 u jus have to have good balance.
lyricaldon06 2 years ago
@mimito92
Im 5'5 with a low seat GSA, no problem!!!!
nicktacular06 2 years ago
Klasse Bike !! Hab auch ne GS !
saxgesicht 2 years ago
charlie ,great rider
pomplumber 2 years ago
Is this the 2008 model. It must be beacause mine is the 2007 model and I ant do have this shit! Yet!
dogfooddave2000 2 years ago
£9500 before you bolt heated grips on it
rckhopper 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
GS 1200 ADV - expencive parts, powerless and very heavy for off road I drive it for 2 years with 28.000km...
This year I bought KTM 990 ADV and KTM is much better bike for everyting.
LatiTea18 2 years ago
Apples and Oranges
Kinley1978 2 years ago
By the way what does a new GS cost nowadays???
beastfromeast34 2 years ago
One arm, one leg, and two of your first born. However it is worth it....... Maybe :)
Kinley1978 2 years ago 3
BLESS BOORMAN BIKER CREW!!!
(BBBC)
beastfromeast34 2 years ago
Good !!!!!Great motorcycle!!!!!!
I have a Moto Guzzi Stelvio....
snupoxxx 2 years ago 2
A great motorcycle! My dad has one!
k1200sman 2 years ago
1.21
edwinfilllllllllllll 2 years ago
Its the adventure. You can tell (amongst other things) by the tank guards and the spoke wheels vice the aluminum rims.
woodlovesniki 2 years ago 3
Can some tell me is this the BMW R1200GS Adventure not the normal GS
KamB772 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
BMW GS - too heavy, powerless, expensive parts, bad for off road...
I hed a GS 1200adv '06, now i hed KTM... KTM is much better bike...
LatiTea18 3 years ago
I currently ride a Goldwing & have just ridden the 1200GS (not Adventure my legs are too short :-) ) I found it very well balanced. I have ridden in a lot of soft sand (Fraser Island Australia) & yes these big bikes would be a hand full, but if you don't want a challenge stay at home & watch it on TV.
If we all only had enough money to have a bike for all occasions. Ride Safe & have fun.
Jacko2050 3 years ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
Well said that man
sjpb1982 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
WHAT AN UGLY LOOKING MAN
CORRIGEEN71 3 years ago
Stop talking about your mom that way.
bigpeeler 3 years ago 2
This is not a beauty contest.Maybe you're ugly too,but you're also jealous.He is famous and is an adventurer and you are sitting home and writing about him........
tirimut 3 years ago 2
From someone who has toured extensively off road on a 07 GSA (Gibb River Rd, Gulf of Carpentaria etc), one mistake off road and its all over. The weight and shear mass of the machine will write its self off pretty quickly. They are a brilliant machine if you get a good one. My second GSA rattled like a bastard and had I not sold it, would of only probably lasted about 60,000 klm's before a rebuild. To be honest, my biggest problem with my GSA overall was the bad BMW after sales service.
Dood2010 3 years ago
I think it depends on how you're built. I had no problem with my GS touring through the woods in my country (Romania). Also, the roads here are not that great so, you can imagine riding soft enduro is just riding here. I guess it's just a matter of what you like. And for VonMorph. I've ridden from Romania to Gibraltar, then down to Morroco and then back home, THROUGH Africa and is was better than any Goldwing or Harley
Alexandruioancuza 3 years ago
is this bike the latest in this series?
ikkeennigij121 3 years ago
does it damage the bike when it falls?
ForestRyder 3 years ago
No he drove the older generation one with Ewan McGregor around the world and across Africa so a total of about 40,000 miles and it was fine. Many times he dropped it and it was fine even with water crossings and some cracked frames it was still running. The Toyota Hilux of motorcycles.
ferrari68 3 years ago
Best Bike i have ever ridden. Excellent off road on packed surfaces (i.e. Dirt, Small gravel)
The ASC, ESA and ABS are musts!!!
I love it!
n9233f 3 years ago
太棒了！
aibaoma 3 years ago
The best all around and travel bike with a cooool guy, love it
olivierk13 3 years ago 18
The best all round bike on the planet-period.
NomadGSA 4 years ago 3
me encanta la bmw gs
manugrancanaria 4 years ago
Incredibly nimble off road?
Compared to what? A land rover? A Unimog? The QE2?
Nimble is not a term most riders of Japanese off road machinery would equate with the big Beemer.
Jaqhama 4 years ago
he said "surprisingly nimble off-road" not "incredibly". its surprising since it's such a big bike (which was implicit in the comment).
soopahsoopah 4 years ago 2
I can't wait to own one! I love them!
Sunfire12R 4 years ago
seems a lot better then previous gs1200's
closer ratio's and reeve valve settings too much rider aids though
naillcr125 4 years ago
To heavy for ofroad;)
rienkvandenberg 4 years ago
I've been waiting for the f800gs but it has been delayed until november. I'll now get the adventure instead. It is very nimble but not as much as the 800, probably. I'll mainly use it on the road and in the rough tracks of the Australian "outback". Can't wait!!
twodozeneggs 4 years ago
OK...I know this guy makes it look like anyone can do it, but how many can? Is it that nimble a bike? I plan on a purchase in the next couple of months, and will likely sign up for BMW's Offroad course in South Carolina, but wonder how long it will take to handle a bike with such ease...EXCELLENT VIDEO!
njphotoman 4 years ago
Charlie Boorman kicks ass
Really love the way he talks about the best bike in the world!
BMW R1200 GSAdventure rockZ like no other machine
Mindjuh 4 years ago 2
Charlie Boorman is the mother fuckin' man. I love that guy.
ElitePower 4 years ago
Great review.
dbauernf 4 years ago
Charley Boorman talks alot of sense
permyvalentino 4 years ago 3
que moto más preciosa
manugrancanaria 4 years ago