BMW GS vs. GSA | The ONLY guide you need

BMW GS vs. GSA | The ONLY guide you need . BMW R1250GS or R1250GS Adventure. Is the GS or GSA a better choice, and which is the better value? 2021 BMW R1250GS vs GSA. (R1200GS vs GSA)

I've owned both the GS and GSA (adventure). I take you through the important differences that matter in the real world. And we talk price, options and weight - and why the GSA is actually a better value than the GS. Why would you choose one over the other? This is the ultimate video on this topic.

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[teoris]

Great and precise comparison. I have had 3 GSA's, and an 1150 GS prior to that. I am 70, 5'-11" and have no problem with the height and weight. I hope I can ride them till I am 90. Great channel.

[pruppen]

I have owned a GSA, now I own a r1200GS. Why? In my part of the world (Norway), I'm never more than 30 min away from a gas station, often much less than that. No need to carry that much fuel around. And for me, weight has become an issue, mostly on gnarly roads. These bikes are HEAVY now, even though they are very well ballanced. And the standard GS looks better.
Ps: This channel is great, love it! 👍

[adammfharris]

Awesome video!
My opinion if anyone wants it-
I’m 6’ 1” and own a GS.
I don’t like the luggage racks on the GSA.
I don’t like the bulk (some of it disappears under movement)
I love the clean look of dropping the Varios off the sides and going on an evening or a morning ride.

Off-road- the GSA is a handful. As far as suspension travel-
How many people on here can even come close to bottoming a GS suspension out?
Being a little closer to the ground is better for off-roading heavy adventure bikes in my opinion.
Wind protection- get the Puig… it’s cheap, and many people say it’s the best.
Foot pegs- the GSA has better pegs. Get the enduro foot pegs.
Crash protection- Use half the money you saved from not buying the GSA and get the oem lowers for the GS (the fairings aren’t anywhere near the size of the GSA, it’s all you need), and if you feel like it maybe some bark busters and folding mirrors/clutch/brake levers.
If you don’t feel like it that works too, the bike is already pretty tough, and if you break something, just pop it back on with some zip-ties.

[Richard.Cabeza]

IF I’m going on an adventure, I’m taking my full size pickup, towing a smaller box trailer with my GS, mountain bike and camping gear inside and a kayak on top. I’ll park at a forest service, public or private camp ground for a week and take long day trips, put a tent and gear in a waterproof duffle for the back.
I totally get the adventure biking and admire those that do it. I don’t want to carry all that shit on my bike and I like to explore when I go to places. For me a GS and if they have Rally in 2023 I’ll get that version. Let’s ride.

[JEEP-N-DIRT]

GSA - At any rate, it still comes down to knowing how to ride it (correctly), and what type of riding will take place. No doubt, the best all around bike for may reasons. For anyone looking to actually go off-road, then please learn how to ride it correctly by taking a good off-road class like the ones offered at the BMW training centers, or the Rawhide adventure riding school out west. Then practice practice practice.
On an unrelated - related note, any adventure bike requires a specific skill set in order to maximize what it's designed to do. While some will chime in that this brand is better than that one, and the other is better then this one, at the end of the day, first- go learn how to ride any of the bikes (correctly) so that you'll be better prepared to judge accurately for your needs. Then, go test ride and know that BMW is the only dealer that will generally let you test ride the crap out of any of the bikes pretty much on any given day so make sure to ride it for a while, maybe even a couple of time since it may take a bit to play with all the gadgets, adjustments, etc., then ride it again. After that, you may be like me and look back after 21 years of ownership and realize you made a good decision. (lol). Seriously, don't by a GSA or any bike until you figure out how you'll ride and what kind of riding you intend to do. I love all bikes, but while the GSA is not the best at one particular thing, I'm still a believer that its the best all around everything bike. If you'll be single tracking all day, then go for a smaller dual sport, if you'll be riding across the country (or continent), on road or forrest service roads, or unpaved roads, or occasional BDR's (and maybe taking some of the bypasses if things get too rough), or mountain twisty roads, and want be upright, comfortable, and capable of carrying alot, then GSA is the way to go.
Ride safe and God Bless all of you fellow riders. (Unfortunately I'm out of the game for other reasons, but have enjoyed all my years of riding and ownership)

[christopher]

I appreciate how in depth you go into the data of the bikes. Watching your vids is like going to class sometimes. I greatly enjoy these vids,

[tontonn]

Thanks for the heads up on the Rake and Trail. The did change it for 2021.

2021
Rake - 25.7 degrees (GS), 24.9 (GSA)
Trail - 4.0 inches (GS), 3.8 inches (GSA)
Wheelbase - 59.6 inches (GS), 59.2 inches (GSA)

2019
Rake - 25.5 degrees (GS), 26.3 (GSA)
Trail - 3.9 inches (GS), 4.1 inches (GSA)
Wheelbase - 60 inches (GS), 59.7 inches (GSA)

[rskiller]

Your analysis makes sense if the BMW OEM parts is what you want to add. If you want to go to the aftermarket, then that changes the conclusion. If you like the BDCW pegs and skid plate, if you like the Alt-Rider engine guard bars, if you want Denali lights, if you want a Puig windscreen, if you want Touratech luggage racks, or whatever after market brands you like, then it makes less sense to buy the GSA and put all those extra parts you paid for on a shelf.

[juanfelipearango]

The detail in your content is just mindblowing, damn i love this channel!

[txdyfzg]

I am 6.1 feet and bought the 2021 Gs Rallye instead of GSA, it's the best bike i ever had, coming from Aprilia Tuono v4 factory 2018, the Gs are very nimble and sharp on the twisty coz it's smaller than Gsa by bit, unless you need more petrol for touring on the mountain yes you need GSA for an extra fuel. Buy what you need not what you want.

[sportpilottraining]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. I was going back and forth between the two bikes and I am moving forward with a 2021 GSA in the Rally color scheme after watching this. The cost looks to be a wash over time and the extra fuel and wind protection really seal the deal for me as I will use either bike as more of a sport-touring rig than an offroad bike. Thanks again for the great content.

[roncoleman]

Got back from the BMW MOA rally in Montana a few weeks ago…a 5000 mile round trip joy ride from Michigan on my 2020 GSA (low suspension). I’m 5’7” with a 28” inseam and went with the low suspension and find the bike quite manageable despite its beastly looks and reputation. In parking situations I just drop the ESA suspension to minimum and I can nearly flat foot it to back in. Otherwise I ride in the Dynamic suspension and mode settings on pavement, which is where I ride most of the time, except for occasional county gravel roads or fire road to a camp site. I have a K1600 as well, but at 65 years old I bought the GSA as a “bucket list” bike in February last year after spending some time researching and warming up to the model just before the onset of the pandemic…my thought was “if not now, when”? If you’re in to transcontinental touring, like staying off interstates and the “pack mule” functionality of the bike, the GSA is a great choice. You won’t be disappointed.

[BoilerRealm]

I went with a GS for the following reasons. I found a great deal on a used bike with the entire Altrider catalog and full Jesse luggage setup thrown at it. And at 5'8" and 150 lbs, I was more comfortable with the smaller bike. If I had found an equally farkled GSA with the lower suspension for roughly the same money, I probably would have went that route. But I'm very happy with the standard GS.

[johnsimms]

Thanks for the analysis. I have been looking at getting a GS and trying to nail down the pros and cons of the GS vs the Adventure. This puts a lot of the facts into perspective.

[mattshelton]

As someone who's considering a new GS and wondering about the model differences, this was invaluable. Thanks!

[superflycatchermtb]

I was going to buy a GSA, because of the better/taller suspension. But then I found a '17 Rallye edition GS with the Sport/GSA suspension. It's really awesome riding and looking. Also, I never have an issue with fuel range, 200 miles is enough...if I were commuting that might be a different story. I love how my GS Rallye handles off road gravel and jeep roads and trails. But if I didn't have a Sport suspension GS, then I'd go for a GSA. The extra height and travel really make a difference.

[dragoslfc]

This comparison literally answered all my questions as I was in doubt between the teo models. Thank you! 🍻

[peterobinson]

I’ve owned both GSA and GS and actually prefer my GS. I like the lower saddle height of the GS as well as the ease of convertibility from long range travel to the clean look with no panniers. Much of my riding is done sans bags.
I’m ready for a break after 200 miles so gas not much of an issue. I love both bikes but love my decision to go with the GS. Happy Trails Folks.

[christoff]

GREAT review...I sat down with paper and pen and followed your numbers. I hadn't really considered the GSA...but you make some really valid points. I'm also a taller rider and love all the ground clearance I can get!! Thanks for the excellent review!