100,000 Mile Review of R1200GS Motorcycle
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- čas přidán 3. 09. 2020
- What I really think about this bike. Now that I have 100,000 miles on my BMW R1200GS, I figured it was time for a long term review of this motorcycle. I definitely feel like I have had a good amount of time to get to know this bike, all the quirks, and the features and characteristics I love and even a little insight into the maintenance involved in putting this many miles on a motorcycle.
I am hoping to put many more miles on this bike before retiring it, many many more! Here's to another hundred thousand!
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🏡 WEBSITE: ftaadventures.com
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👍ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO AND GEAR I RECOMMEND (Some of these are affiliate links)
⚬ Wacaco Nanopresso: www.wacaco.com?aff=275
⚬ Surviveware FAK & Wet Wipes: surviveware.com/?rfsn=2868901...
⚬ AltRider: www.altrider.com
⚬ RMATVMC: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/?r...
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⚬ SHIRTS AND HATS HERE: bit.ly/2uUSdfE
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📧CONNECT WITH ME
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🎬 SUGGESTED VIDEOS:
⚬ NEW HERE? START HERE: • Top 5 Mistakes of Moto...
⚬ BAJA MEXICO ADVENTURE: • Baja California, Mexic...
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🏍 WHO IS TIM COLLINS OF FTA ADVENTURES? (FORMERLY FORTY TIMES AROUND)
A lifelong adventure enthusiast and a long time motorcycle traveler, I have spent the last few years honing my craft as a motorcycle adventure specialist. I am currently living full time on my motorcycle, a 2015 BMW R1200GS named Lupe.
Motorcycle travel and camping have become my largest passions in life. I have a meticulous nature that helps me analyze gear, technique and tactics in a way that is highly beneficial to anyone looking to embark on a motorcycle venture of any scope.
Be sure to subscribe and hit the bell so you don't miss anything: bit.ly/2GD0I4sI have the first copy of the book and wanted to give you an inside look at how it all came out. Now that I have approved the book in its current form I have ordered copies for the presale and will be shipping them out in a few weeks. I am super excited to get them out to you and see what you think!
If you want to learn more about the book check it out here:
📗 THE FUNDAMENTALS OF MOTORCYCLE CAMPING BOOK: bit.ly/2BlSrQZ
⏬⏬⏬
🏡 WEBSITE: ftaadventures.com
🤝 JOIN PATREON: bit.ly/2GWdcDN
🏍️ BUY A TANK OF GAS: bit.ly/2ujl1vb
🎁 SEND A GIFT: amzn.to/33KhKEH
📗 "THE FUNDAMENTALS OF MOTORCYCLE CAMPING" BOOK: bit.ly/2BlSrQZ
⏬⏬⏬
👍ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO AND GEAR I RECOMMEND (Some of these are affiliate links)
⚬ Wacaco Nanopresso: www.wacaco.com?aff=275
⚬ Surviveware FAK & Wet Wipes: surviveware.com/?rfsn=2868901...
⚬ AltRider: www.altrider.com
⚬ RMATVMC: www.rockymountainatvmc.com/?r...
⏬⏬⏬
👕MERCH
⚬ SHIRTS AND HATS HERE: bit.ly/2uUSdfE
⚬ STICKERS HERE: bit.ly/3dKYmvS
⏬⏬⏬
📧CONNECT WITH ME
⚬ Website: ftaadventures.com
⚬ Facebook: bit.ly/2GYLyG2
⚬ Instagram: bit.ly/2JqVIxJ
🎬 SUGGESTED VIDEOS:
⚬ NEW HERE? START HERE: • Top 5 Mistakes of Moto...
⚬ BAJA MEXICO ADVENTURE: • Baja California, Mexic...
⏬⏬⏬
🏍 WHO IS TIM COLLINS OF FTA ADVENTURES? (FORMERLY FORTY TIMES AROUND)
A lifelong adventure enthusiast and a long time motorcycle traveler, I have spent the last few years honing my craft as a motorcycle adventure specialist. I am currently living full time on my motorcycle, a 2015 BMW R1200GS named Lupe.
Motorcycle travel and camping have become my largest passions in life. I have a meticulous nature that helps me analyze gear, technique and tactics in a way that is highly beneficial to anyone looking to embark on a motorcycle venture of any scope.
Be sure to subscribe and hit the bell so you don't miss anything: bit.ly/2GD0I4s
![R1200GS / R1250GS | Complete Buyer's Guide [2005-2020]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9arUyUFD5wk/mqdefault.jpg)
![R1200GS / R1250GS | Complete Buyer's Guide [2005-2020]](/img/tr.png)
After all those years and miles, still looks great! 100K Miles makes you qualified to review this bike unlike the 20 min and 20 miles know it all CZcamsrs :)
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If you cut the thumb off a heavy duty kitchen type rubber glove, about 30mm of it using a box cutter and straight edge. Then stretch it over the Keyless Ride switch it covers the whole switch body and fits like a glove (haha). It’s flexible and protects the switch from the sun and the elements. It’s cheaper than a new Keyless Ride switch👍🏻
Great idea! Thanks!
Hi Tim, I was contemplating selling my 2015 R1200GS this morning. I have had it from new but have only managed to do 51 thousand miles on it. Due to the virus I have been hit very hard financially so bike maintenance has been sketchy to say the least, but still the GS chugs on. Even though I clean my bike regularly the engine paint was lifting within 2 years and it has carried on doing so.
So this morning I was feeling a bit down which is very unusual for me, when I came across your year old video and saw the light. I have loved this bike all these years and it just fits me somehow and with my financial situation improving why the hell would I want to sell her. I am booking her into the shop today for a major service, she deserves it. Thanks Tim for bringing me to my senses.
Nice comment. I hope you enjoy your bike for many ‘save’ miles. 🖖
Excellent decision. Ride safe and ride often.
Great honest comment. This sounds cheesy but my mental well being is tied to my being able to get out and experience 2 wheels, some people just don't get it.
What major services have you done at 50-60km miles
50 K miles is nothing to sneeze at. More than most I reckon...
This guy can sell more bikes with this video than the whole bmw sales team
Thanks! Now if I could only get a commission on that lol
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Best overall motorcycle review I've seen. BMW should sponsor you.
Accurate
We'll stop getting honest info if he's getti ng sponsored
Hi Tim. Agree with everything you said about the GS. My GSA has 200,000 miles on it (360,000k’s) and has been awesome. To me they are a sports tourer that can handle dirt roads and forest trails while comfortably eating up big miles. Your vids are always so inspiring mate. Thanks!
200k miles - nice! What year is yours?
Awesome review, Tim, that bike and you have been through a lot together. Have a great weekend, brother! 😊✌
Thanks. Always great to see the updates.
Best of luck on the next 100K. I am envious you have been able to travel so much. Keep up the wonderful videos
I appreciate that video probably more than anything else you've put out there. It's hard to find good honest reviews about bikes with higher miles. Not so many people ride them that much! Good for you for breaking 100k! I believe your video on the saddle sore ride is the one that got me to do mine! So thank you for that. It was fun, and rewarding. I just wish I didn't lose a front tire in another city mid day!
Again, I really appreciate this video! It was a great one!
I received my book. Thanks so much! Looking forward to reading it!
Great review, and I especially appreciate the tip on clutch replacement. Just found your VLOGs today. Awesome work, and I’m looking forward to seeing more.
We need more reviews like this.Real world experience racking up alot of miles.Thank you for posting👍👍
Great review, real-life and honest, I appreciate that!! Ride on bro👍!
Great review Tim. Probably the best I have seen for that type of bike. So glad it works for you. That's what is important.
I appreciate that you give an honest review, pros and cons. Every machine has them. Good video.👍😎
Great review (and another awesome FTA video, Tim!) I was amazed by the mileage you are getting from your tires (and I too have had the 'pleasure' of the TPMS alerting me to my rear tire puncture before things went sideways). Hail, hail the R1200GS!
Great review! In love with my GS, so it’s great to know what i can expect 😅👍🏻
A review with simple honesty, very refreshing. Good stuff and happy miles ahead to you sir.
Thanks!
Every thing I wanted to know about putting a serious amount of miles on mine..
Priceless 👍
Ride safe guys
100,000 miles. Dear lord my man that’s some achievement. Bravo and thanks for sharing your thoughts. I for one appreciate your efforts. Great channel !
Thanks Tim for your honesty!!! I love my RT same as you love your GS. They're just great!!!!
great review man. so many youtube videos titled reviews are actually first rides / first impressions. this is an ACTUAL review.
Tim that is freaking awesome! This is what I call a real review and only after 105k miles. Hell yea. Other guys will take a brand new demo bike and pretend to do a some sort of a review within that half an hour of riding (if that). On top of that their riding experience is that of a total beginner.
I'm putting along with my Yamaha super tenere, love that bike.
Thanks
Excellent work reporting your seat time at 100k miles, awesome in itself. Thanks for all the info, best sales pitch yet!
Awesome Tim! The maintenance & tire schedule is a great checklist for us newbies that can be used for most Adv bikes, my Yamaha Ténéré 700, well done!
Awesome review. Maybe the best on CZcams for the GS long term! I miss my GS after moving to a 790...
Your overview and experience is appreciated and awesome. I had dirt bikes as a kid, Harley Ds later and then a K1200 BMW. BMW was incredible bike. Thanks!
Fantastic review! I’m stunned by the fact you’ve never changed front brake pads! Amazing!
Great review Tim, also very personal too, watching you smile as you talk about the pros of your bike, it really shows how much you like her! On side note, can you pls hare the software you use to edit your videos? Thanks in advance and keep it up, you're doing great!! 👍👍
Thanks for taking the time to do this. Was thinking either a GS or Africa Twin. Decided on the Africa Twin w/DCT. Awesome that we have so many great choices.
Now that's a review worth paying attention to, for those of us who plan to keep our bikes long term rather than trade up every 2 or 3 years. Nice one, Tim 👌
Thank you for posting this, really considering a GS as my next ride, and it's nice to know how well they hold up long term.
"I recognize the bike for what it is, a bike that makes me happy". Does any rider need anything more than that? That's all I'm looking for. One of the most honest and thorough reviews of a bike I've seen. Thanks Tim for such a great video with lots of good tips and info.
My current bike makes me happy amd its fantastic. Unfortunately, i cant ride it for more than 200km because its uncomfortable, which eliminates the purpose of having a motorcycle. Cant even get to the mosel or eifel, let alone the alps. Im asking for more and im gonna find it in a GS
This is a great review!! Real world usage and 100K + miles!! Thank you!
Love your reviews and your very interesting reports - thank you very much. And also love my GS Adventure Rallye 🥰🙏👍
Brilliant review, I think u said it all, thanks for sharing ur valuable opinion about that famous bike, especially after 100,000 miles...
I have a 2016 R1200GS. Great bikes. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Thanks for your honest review of this I just purchased a second hand 2014 model with 23000km on the clock, man this is the best motorcycle I have ever owned, I hope to put a lot of miles on it, so it is great to hear they have longevity as well as that fun factor
Tim, great video. Thanks for sharing!
And that right there, Tim, is the best review of this bike ever. From a guy who actually went the mile. thank you!
Love your book Tim! Awesome, informative, comprehensive, complete work on Motocamping! Every enthusiast should own your book! Rand
Thanks Rand!
Thank you Tim, I recently bought my 2018 GSA and I was looking for your review I’m excited too take my first trip out of Phoenix. Thank you for an awesome review.
A great review for someone that basically lives on his motorcycle!
This guy cuts the crap out best review that watched in full. No crazy stuff simple and clean. 🌹❤️ good luck
Wow !!! a through review after real-time mileage and experience. Not many people have put that many miles on a single motorcycle usually like myself over a lifetime...maybe, maybe not I don't know for sure but certainly not on one bike. Hat's off to you Sir !!!
Absolutely on point. Great review. You touch on things that most people don't discuss in detail, including sales guys at dealerships. GS's are balanced, great at many things and terrains, reliable, expensive to fix if you break something (but we don't get into this game unless we can afford it lol.), but they don't break easily, and absolutely a joy to ride anywhere. I realize I'm just stating the obvious especially to any other GS rider, but for the newbies or folks thinking about a GS. As NIKE says" Just Do It"
My friend Kerri has the same year GS and just turned 130,000 miles on it. Never broke down. Never saw a Dealer except for maintenance , fork seals, and a bent rim. Amazing machine
Thanks for this video! You're very right about the fact that this moto is very capable but we have to pay lit bit of extra attention on certain types of surface s but I've seen some videos of very skillful riders showing what this machine is capable of on off road. Plan is to build up skills so fully enjoy it both on & off the road. Cheers.
Great honest review. I have the 1250 and love it. Already put 26,000 miles on it and I plan to keep it so I'll probably see 100K. I wish I could get that kind of mileage out of tires. I'm only getting about 6500 miles out of front and rear.
Great video. Thanks for the details and your experience with the bike. I bought a R1250GS earlier this year and I have about 10K on it at this point. I am from Quebec Canada so the riding season is pretty much over now. I will get it out again in April. I also love the bike. It's a great ride. Couldn't be happier really. I hope it will stay trouble free for a long time as I am not much of a mechanic and I don't think I could change a clutch :-) It's not a perfect bike, but as for you, it fits me well. I love the power of the boxter engine and the comfort of the ergonomics when I am riding it. Anyway, thanks for the video and keep riding my friend. Dan
Great review lots of good insight on the GSA, i have a 2015 now for almost a year and have much to learn about this type of bike,have always rode pavement on Harley Davidson, got tired of pavement so i bought a 650 gs just to try it, loved every minute but at 6' and 200# it just wasn't big enough for me and a week of gear, so i sprang for the big guy...safe travels.
Great Video! Can't wait to put 100k on my vstrom 650xt! I love it and hopefully as reliable as everyone says they are!
Tim - I have the '19 1250 GSA and that bike is a dream - the engine is incredibly smooth, clutch like butter, quick shifter much improved, etc., etc. You're dead on about the feeling you get when riding it. It's addicting and confidence inspiring. Go anywhere, do anything. It does it all very well. I think they improved the seat since the '15, cuz I don't feel the pain like you do. Also the Puig windscreen is the best after market one to get. Taller, but has the same styling as the OEM. Great review, thank you!
Honest review with all the good and bad points spot on. Overall, the best all rounder I have owned.
With this kinda mileage you are the real person to review the bike. I am a potential buyer and about to get a 2013 model with very low mileage. your review really helpful.
You communicate very well and your review was excellent . The BMW twin boxer engine/cylinders are just incredible in all the BMWs.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences and thoughts.
That is pretty wild that you've never replaced the front brake pads! I'm on my fourth GS now after a long break punctuated by two S1000RRs, where the front brake pads lasted about 2500 miles on the road, way less on track... ha! I do use the front brakes a lot, so it will be fun to see how long it takes to wear them out. Great review and videos!
Good honest review of the bike.
I admire what you have. I have a triumph street tripple and manage to go out an hr every 2 weeks. I have a business to run and a wife with 3 kids.
I would love to just get a bike like that and go off the grid for 3 month.
Everyone always admires what they don't have and don't appreciate what they do have. Think that's a little lesson for myself😊.
I enjoy all your videos and look forward to more.
Safe travels 🙏
One of the very few informative bike reviews on u tube.
Thanks for the update, I just picked up a 2005 R1200GS. very happy with my purchase. It needs new tires, but no big deal.
Awesome Video and great content.... you are doing what many want to do but very very few do.
Thanks for that review, I'm going to find a way to cover up my keyless button now!
I bought a 2015 GSA new here in San Diego and have just over 15k on it - love the bike. I switched my seat to a Seat Concepts single seat and it's been great (and fairly cheap). I've put those seats on every dirt bike that I've owned, they're great.
Every so often, I think about jumping into something different, but then I ride my Fat Pig (I mean that affectionately) and the balance, power and comfort of the thing just brings me back to reality - this is a great ride.
I have the same version, triple black thanks for a taste of things to come.
As I often say "no such thing as the perfect bike but the perfect bike for the right person". Good video and enjoyable.
Really Nice Video, thanks a lot for sharing your experience. What is still blow my mind, is the fact your never change your front brake pad ... It's crazy !
Excellent information and review. Thank you
Only 895k miles to go.
😁
Ya know Tim, your book really is for every motorcycle genre... I ride a Harley softtail... but the gear I use, and why and how I use it is for its size, weight, and minimalistic utility. Basic practical and utility. It’s the same gear (mostly) you do... I love to ride, explore, and camp... It’s a book not just for ADV riders... Thanks again for the videos and book. Rand
Only 100K miles? This is just an unboxing video, I was looking for a review, LOL. Haha, awesome review, Tim, think you've definitely got enough experience with that machine to know what you're talking about. Even if a bike was an absolute piece of junk it'd be pretty tough not to feel a solid connection with it after that many miles. So awesome man, love the way you broke everything down. ;)
Great Review! I have the same bike and it's Amazing what it can do on and off road. Safe Travels!
Hey Tim nice review, I also ride a 1200GS but the previous version with no water cooling and dry clutch so interesting to hear your review. I have not wanted to spend $600+ on an after market sit so I use the arihawk cushion for long rides. It is cheap and a game changer as you can adjust the air and always make it feel different so pressure is never on the same spot. Also helps with the air flow. Take care
An excellent review Tim.
IMO you were spot on in all areas, especially the seat. WTF are they thinking in Berlin when the send the GS/GSA out with those seats?
Keep up the great reviews.
Thank you so much for a wonderful review.
Great review. You mirror my thoughts exactly.
Thanks for the detailed review!👍
Awesome review, been eyeing these for a long time
A great well thought out review👍🏻
Yeah the bike is still gorgeous. Excellent down to earth review real world thank you
I am actually on my second GS. My first BMW 1200GS was a 2007, and I used in on and off road a lot and loved it. Changed for a 2018 GS Adventure and still love it. I totally agree with you about the seat! For my first GS, I changed it for a Sargent, wich is very confortable but for the second bike, I bought the Touratech. It’s a little more expansive, but as confortable and more durable, with less to no maintenance, wich is a good thing for offroad.
Congrats on 100k Tim!
The review I've been looking for a long time
Now that’s a true long term review!
Great review. Totally honest. I think buying new is the way to go if you can afford to. I have had a few secondhand low mile GS and GSA and all had big faults. Still my favourite bike. I now ride an Africa twin DCT.
Great review.
The center stand gets in my way too, just as you described.
I check my own valves clearances because it is really easy to do. However, I don't replace the gasket unless it leaks, which hasn't happened to date.
Greg, how often have the valves actually NEEDED adjustment in mile intervals?
@@northerniltree i think it’s pretty random i heard some bikes need it after 10000kms and some don’t even after 50000kms
I feel the same overall about the bike. I had the same bike you have and made the up grade for the 1250 about a month ago. I love the new engine, feels a little more well balanced, torquy and in fact it is more powerful, but the 1200 was ok too. Now with the panniers and a passenger, it behaves easily than the 1200. And see that I use to enjoy a lot my 1200. The seat still is a pane. By your experienced opinion I am thinking about changing for a more comfortable one. Thanks for sharing, it is quite useful to count with long using experienced riders opinions. And thanks for the numbers. Costs are always a point to pay atention.👍🏻
one thing I have learned in life is that since you only live once, do it right. You could have gone with a less expensive bike, but you wanted that one and it made you happy. You are able to afford to keep it running, so you made the right choice for you. It is a bummer about the seat. I find it funny that it took until you got to 100K miles before it has aggravated you enough to replace it. You are a man on a mission to put up with it for that long. Keep enjoying the ride. I enjoy that kind of riding by watching folks like you do it. Not sure I would ever do that
Congratulations Tim!
Great review, thank you!
That was an awesome review of a real world example of what they can really do.
Thanks for the update/review! I bought my 05 in 2015 with 45K on it. I now have 87K. I love it. Yes, it's had it's issues (final drive failure, ABS servo failure -currently in bypass process), but for the most part reliable and easy to maintain (thought not looking forward to the eventual clutch replacement-I can do it, it's just an expensive PITA!). I recently retired, prematurely and involuntarily, so I have to watch my pennies and not likely to be able to replace the bike anytime soon even if I wanted to.
I'm assuming the w/c bikes share engine and trans oil now? I change my trans and final drive every three oil changes. And yes, not only have gone through more rear pads than front, I am just about to install my third rear break rotor. With the removal/bypass of the ABS system (for those not familiar, there are issues with iABS system from 05 through 07 models), I will lose my rear assist and I'm curious as to how I will respond/adjust to it.
Regards valve cover gaskets: at least for the hexheads, I tried a less expensive alternative and they leaked and hardened (one actually broke when I replaced it). Again, for my engine type, the OEMs can be re-used 2-3 times.
Thanks for the review!
Amen! Totally agree. I love mine too. Thanks for this great review. Peace
That was sage brother.... well done on many levels
Awesome review, makes me wanna buy one for sure!
Honest review, thanks for it!
Great assessment Tim and thank you for doing that. I can relate to everything you stated and agree with most everything. I kind of chuckled a bit on your comment about the stock seat. I don't know how tall you are. I am only 5' 7" and I take long trips (over 4-5 hours) throughout New England. My butt hurts after about 3 hours, not after only one. It's not the best seat, I do realize but I also logon to the RGS1200 Forum and there is a lot of chatter about the Sargent seats and how comfortable they are for the R1200. I just visited Acadia National Park, the Park Loop Road and up Cadillac Mountain and your assessment about the versatility of the GS is spot on! Thanks Tim!
Great review mate. Love my GS. My only gripe is the seat 😩. I use an air hawk with the secret being ‘just’ enough air.
I have watched loads of your videos and will never venture off road but ,you convinced me to get a GS used of course its a 2013 with 77000 kilometres. I do not think the seat is staying too long,but a bit of fixing to do first. At 74 I doubt i will do 100,000 mile review . God bless.