Go Compare BMW R1250GS Rallye & Exclusive

Go Compare The Exclusive & the Rallye BMW R1250GS, what my mate thinks about his third GS, and the customer service!

mud sling

headlight protection on the Rallye

[mikedignum]

I have the Exclusive 2019 model and love it (its my first ever GS) Before lockdown it had taken me to Spain-Norway (arctic circle)-Germany-Sweden. It's now being used mainly as a blood bike for Essex Bloodruners. With 18.5 miles on the clock, it's a thing of beauty and doesn't let me down.

[maxflight]

Crisp presentation style, well paced, no bullshit.
Thanks for making this.

[drewiliffe]

When I wash my bike I blow the water off with a leaf blower. Makes a big difference and works really quickly.

[peterlewis]

I have the same GS as you, I would not swap it for the HP. Cast wheels easier to clean, plus I do not like gold wheels which seem to be getting more popular. As regards washing the bike, use a warm air drier to dry the bike, one of the best bits of kit I have bought, it will get rid of the residual water on the engine fins.
I really like my 1250 GS Exclusive!!

[maxflight]

Tell Ivor his comments about the 1250 versus the 1200 are spot on ! I concur with every word he said! There is a big difference.

Ps.. ref the eBay thing — fitted with crappy cable ties is ridiculously nasty on a £20K bike !

[glenns]

I own a 19 GS exclusive also, love my Dunlap TrailMax's!!! Great on road good offroad. Thank for sharing, great video.

[antons.]

Great video. Love them both, especially the exclusive. I wish i could have that bike someday...

[stevedawe]

Thanks for the HP exhaust comment. I bought the 2020 GSA Exclusive, and was considering doing the upgrade. In Canada I'm seeing about $1500-1800 for that upgrade, which is crazy if you ask me. I've bought a lot of slip ons in my life, most at least 1/2 that price.
Still laughing at your hot exhaust slip up, brought tears to my eyes.
Cheers

[andrewtofts]

Many thanks for the video. I had a 2014 GS, then a 2016 GSA and now have the GSA 1250 HP; I can honestly say that each bike has got better and agree with Ivor and others that the new engine/bike is smoother and faster. I have been using Bridgestone Battlax A41 Adventure tyres on my current and last bike, and find them to be excellent in both dry and wet conditions; I cannot comment on off-road. Cheers, Andy

[OnWheelswithDennis]

Nice review! I’m running continental trail attack 3 on my 1250gsa and love them!! Very sticky here in the Spanish twisties it’s like 90/10 road tire 👍 regards Dennis

[royhuxley]

Nice review. I treated myself to a 1250GS TE Rallye for the usual reasons. The brand, the model and the service BMW provide, without even taking one for a test ride.. A winning combination. For quality and reliability it is second to none. There has to be a reason why such an expensive bike is so popular and I think it is a combination all all these reasons. There are also so many ways it can be personalised to the owners taste and yes I am no exception! It is a very expensive bike to buy but Now I have it I do not regret paying the high price as it is worth it. You get what you pay for and it is a bike that’s a keeper so you do not have to keep changing it ever few years so perhaps that helps to justify buying it over the long term.

[highdefp-rmzg]

I’ve had 4 gs’s and will only buy continental trail attack tyres .. you won’t regret it .. they’re much quieter and sticky with a bit of off road bias.

[maxflight]

Tyres ! Yep I ride 16, 000 miles a year on my R1250GS (and similar use on the R1200 GS predecessor) Metzeler Roadtec 01 and Continental Road Attack are the best for grip and feel ... but beware.... I find riding it hard they only last 2100 miles ! (Totally unacceptable imho !)

I hear from friends, though haven’t experienced this myself, the Michelin Pilot 5 will last 4000 miles with hard determined use !

[BoxerRT]

Rallye HP is much faster than the Exclusive - it means High Power :) I had a similar experience with my previous GSA. Even though I am 6' tall, I never felt comfortable with the Standard Suspension. The seat pushed me towards the tank in every which setting possible. I even bought a device to lift the front and lower the rear. I kept the bike for less than a year and moved to GS Rallye with the lower suspension. Also, my GSA had the noisy Michelin 80/20s which I never liked. Now, very happy with the 1250 GS Rallye. The good news about the GS in the US is the resale value is very high, so getting in and out of the bike is no problem.

[barney]

I agree with Dennis Conti RA3, I dont use the trail version which is what you would need but Conti deff!!

[barryfrith]

great video, I have the same exclusive as you, I use acf50 on the engine and plastics.

[Fernando]

I Really understand what you`re saying about the “bond” thing. I had it with my previous 1200 GS - Excusive style / 2018 -. I decided to up grade for the 1250, (because it is, in fact, an up grade), but I found the new bike a little less comfortable, strangely. I didn`t create that bond with it yet...I`m waiting for that to happen. It is getting the first service now, and I expect to explore more, in order to achieve the full expectations. The engine feels a lot different, bettered and improved, the gear box and the breaks also. But there`s something about the suspension...I can’t tell yet. Don’t know what it is...I had the seat on the low position ( the previous bike), just to control better everything when I`m riding with my wife ( with the panniers installed too), but I`m thinking if I should change it for the higher position in order to get the comfort, we are missing.
Thanks for the very interesting video and for the opinion concerning this specific model and its different “ages”, and versions. About the cleaning. When you wash it, do you dry all the water with air compression? Maybe it is the better procedure to eliminate the particles that get stuck on that hidden spots where is difficult to clean everything well. Sorry for the obvious suggesting (it is well intended). I will be looking forward to the next video, with your thoughts about the Brand. that is an interesting subject.

[jgonzalez]

Another excellent video!!! Is the BBC looking for a new presenter? 👍👍

[flyermarkbig]

Test rode a 2020 R1250GS Exclusive today. Not for me which was surprising. I was thinking I might trade up. Main issues were the Ride was too stiff on Road with 38 psi in the tires. Also the seat was too hard and caused some numbness where you don’t want it after only 25 minutes. I was surprised by a lot of noise from the front tire. Would need the bar risers but overall I liked the seating position just not the seat. Power was really nice as was the handling. For now I will hang onto my ‘16 K1600GTL.

[michaelbolt]

Great video. Keep them coming! Curious how you have found the windshield on the GS? I have a KTM 790 adventure which is a great bike but the buffeting is horrendous. Considering a GS as a result.