Why Older BMW GSs are better

I have owned 8 new Bee Ems over the past 30 years. RS's and RT's. I always hankered for a GS, but after testing one, decided to stick with an RT. I now have a GS, it's a 15000 mile 1996 model the last of the airheads and I love it to bits. Few electrics, no gismos, on the button every time just fab. But now, at 78 it's got a bit too bulky and has to go. Very sad, but I'm not stopping riding.

I feel similar about my 2016 R1200GS. New to me early this year, I don't see any need to "upgrade" to the more powerful (and heavier and more complicated) 1300. Everything you said about the bike I agree with. I believe it hits the "sweet spot," like you said, in terms of electronics and complexity. It has everything you need and nothing you don't. I do have the keyless ignition, which I don't necessarily like since I never know where to keep my key, but it came with the bike and I'm getting used to it now. Easy to maintain, as well, although spare parts prices in the US are massively inflated compared to Europe. Cheers from New Hampshire.

Good review. Thank you. I started on a two stroke three cylinder GT550 in 1978 and just got myself a SV650. In Denmark your GS is four times as expensive as in the UK. Here the price of your used GS would pay for all my motorcycles I've had since 1978 plus my first car, - a Mercedes type 123! The SV650 is the best motorcycle I ever had. I'm retired, don't need a car and mainly use the SV650 for touring. Stay safe guys!

I have a 2014 gs and feel the same way, it hits the sweet spot, I love it.

I just "upgraded" from a 2007 BMW R1200 GS to a 2015 R1200GS. I actually bought the 07 brand new and the 15 is of course about 9 years old. The 2015 cost me only about $3K less than my 07 cost me band new. The 07 I bought with the Vario Bags and the 15 does have 3-4K in useful farkles so the 15 did have more - but it does show how much the bike has gone up in price. I can feel the greater weight - about 13 kilos (close to 29 pounds). And personally at this point I liked my 07 a little better - while lower HP it felt a little sportier. The 07 - IMO, was the best of the first generation 1200 - it dumped the Servo brakes and it hit that sweet spot before it began creeping up in weight after a big weight loss from the 1150 model. The 07 was also before the mini redesign in 08 that was not as good looking (IMO). But, I do love my 15 (and am falling more for it everyday).

I agree, there comes a time when you realise they are taking the hit and miss with increasing prices for new bikes and of course the extras.If you’re happy with your current bike stick to it and get your money’s worth back!

For me the sweet spot is the twin cam 2010-2012 TU model the last of the air/oil cooled .

Good to see I'm not the only one who forgets about the side stand 😊. It is not just older GSs that are better. Same goes for (almost) all bikes and cars. Totally different example: we use M-B Sprinters where I work. The old ones are better built, have less problems than the new ones. I'll stick with my '03 1150GS!

I have a very early 2013 LC . Magnificent bike . Interesting you say there are plenty of used , low mileage examples available , not in Australia , virtually every model BMW 2nd hand here has huge mileage . I was lucky to find this one with 44000kms a couple of years ago . Most are up around 100,000kms . I only ever buy used BMWs , let someone else take the depreciation hit , generally buy when they're about 3 to 5 years old . This would be my 6th BMW . Love the boxer engine I've had a few now .

I’ve had my 1200 gs 2015 for about 6 months , love it . I agree with you I love analog , my previous bike had tft , I now hate tft . I’m getting on a bit now but this bike still feels light to me and handles lovely , the only thing I disagree with is mine has keyless and I love it ( until it stuffs up 😂😂) thanks for your video great stuff . 👍🏻👍🏻

Came from a 2021 MT09SP to a 2019 1250GS. Best decision I have made. MT's are fun but I dont ride like that so never experienced what that bike could really do.

I've been wanting a GS on and off since I test rode a 2015 model back in early 2016. I also got to ride an 800gs, and ktm 1190r Adventure r, 500exc, and 690r enduro unaccompanied on roads and jeep tracks that same day. The area was desert where I used to ride my full off road dirtbike. Didn't take the bigger ADV bikes on much single track, but the GS1200 really impressed on road, and it handled the dirt well for its size. Then about a year later I took a 2016 GS1200 out on a road-only test. Again, the 1200 impressed me with its comfort, power, handling. However, leaving the dealer on my own bike ('12 Speed Triple) immediately after the test a strong thought of: as good as that GS was, I personally would feel a bit deflated if it was my only bike. For me, the adventure bike off-road experience is us more of a "not much can stop me from getting to where Im going" and less an "weeeee!... This is fun in the dirt". Veing familiar with dedicated off road bikes, I coukdnt help but feel that riding a GS off pavement is an exercise in restraint, and acknowledgment of compromise. So for ne petsonally, the GS has a great purpose, but it is not unbridled trail joy: it is being an excellent touring bike. I'd like one as a more comfortable, shaftdrive bike to use when I go away on multiday rides. Ive been using a Ducati Supersport 939 with touring pack and it's not too bad for "touring" but a GS would be a better fit. I test rode the 1300 gs a couple months ago and have to say it was good, but can't really say I'd like it better rhan the watercooled 1200. Maybe riding the 1300 back to back with a 1200 would change my mind, but regardless, I'm fairly certain I would want something like my SS or similar category bike. So I'd have no problem picking up a nice second hand 1200 as basically a dedicated touring bike when I can finally afford a second bike again - hopefully/ maybe for my 65th B Day bext year.

I have the 1250 on a 19 plate Had it from new never had a problem with anything. done 28k on it & love it to bits. & will never upgrade to the 1300. & I was thinking the same as you at some point I will just get a newer 1250. Same same but different 😀

I have an ‘07 GS, my third GS. I also own 4 other motorcycles, 2 Hondas and 2 classic Yamahas. I love them all, equally…but, my GS is my go to motorcycle and it gets more bum than the others. Eventually I’m going to have to upgrade it to a newer one but I do like the simplicity of the air cooled GSs. Great motorcycles all from the first R80 G/S to the latest GS1300. They are peerless in their niche!

First GS I've owned is the '21 TE 1250. Love it for the low down weight, and have two driving modes on it: Dynamic and Dynamic Pro (Configured as Road with dynamic suspension). Pro is more used for motorways at higher speeds (which doesn't use lots of fuel), and Dynamic when I want to get quick off the lights or around twisties. Honestly not a fan of the exorbitant fees charged by the only dealer in Dublin, so I'll stick with my well-known mechanic and go from there. Cruise control is grand for long distance motorway driving. It's a grand one to use for commuting, and with Michelin Anakees on, there is a level of confidence around corners which beats the more road-oriented tyres. Yes, they are noiser, but wear ear plugs and enjoy the ride ye nutters. :) My previous bike was a Triumph Explorer, and I dropped it more times in 10 months than i have with any other bike since 2000. Too high level weight for commuting and maneuvring for parking. The BM reminds me of the old-skool Pan European 1200 akin to driving on rails. Screen was an issue, but the standard one on low (so I drive in free air) is perfect. Have I found my "forever bike", for now, yes. Most comfortable for long distances (don't need to sit side saddle on Iron Butt rallys), confidence inspiring on country corners (even with those random tractors coming round the bend), and just as nimble for daily commutes to work. For an upgrade I would look at the 1300 Adventure (love the Tonka look). But that's a few years down the road when the fix all the niggles, and only as 2nd hand.

Let's face it the main reason you like the older bikes is that they are much cheaper than new (12:55),... Ye can save a canny penny... btw what's a fast split gear change?

Interesting video. You make a big deal about electronics but the only thing that you really didn't like was the keyless ride. The 1250 does have a push button for the heated grips in the same place and the valve clearances are no more work than the 1200. I would have kept my 2017 1200 if it came with the TFT, i absolutely hated the clocks. I wasn't sure about the keyless ride but yet again once you have it is surprising useful. I dont want the 1300 and think that the 1250 is the sweetspot for the GS

Loved my 08 GS for a while. Gearbox output shaft, shaft drive and multiple electrical issues that collectively cost north of 3k to fix means i wont go back to a GS again. The free shaft replacement BMW now do every 30k or so tells anyone all they need to know about these machines. I just dont trust them. My old 1150r however is probably going to outlive me and my son.

My 2014 Gs ticks as well. With 96K kilometers, I think it needs a new cardan and clutch plates.

I’ve got a 14 plate GSA, great bike like you say it’s not a sports bike but I’m lucky enough to have a 08 ZZR1400 for speed kicks.