BMW R 1250 GS Adventure l Long-term bike review

The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure, the unofficial king of adventure bikes. It has topped motorcycle sales charts and been a willing accomplice on long-distance journeys throughout the globe for years.

From tackling the Road of Bones to sparkling in the sunshine outside Starbucks, and everything in between. If motorcycle adventures are involved, chances they’ve been done on a BMW GS Adventure.

But does the reality of riding BMW’s flagship adventure bike live up to the hype? Is it really as good as its many, many owners say? Or is there a touch off the Emperor’s new clothes to the GS Adventure?

To answer those questions and more, ABR editor James spent eight months living with the adventure bike, culminating in a 3,000-mile two-up tour of France. And here, is his ABR Verdict…

The ABR Verdict

Regular readers of Adventure Bike Rider magazine will be familiar with the ABR Verdict which is where we rate a motorbike as a commuter, weekend tourer, continental road tourer, off roader, and a pillion carrier.

How did the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure fair after we spent the best part of a year riding the motorbike? It's time to find out. And if you're an R 1250 GS owner, let us know how you rate it in the comments below.

_Bits from us_ 🏍️
*Checkout our Podcast the ABR Garage on here:*

#bmw #r1250gsa #motorbike #review

00:00 - 01:19 The premise
01:19 - 02:49 Commuter
02:49 - 04:46 Weekend tourer
04:46 - 06:34 Off-roader
06:34 - 08:30 Continental road tourer
08:30 - 09:56 Pillion carrier
09:56 - 11:42 The verdict

[cosef]

With all the hate BMW and it’s owners get it is good to finally get a positive review. Thank you

[NISSIM]

Got my 4th GSA over the 1300.
The best bike in the world!

[jimmyyeo]

Just bought my 4th GSA and still not bored with it ! Great bike !

[Sequel]

This is definitely one of the best bikes on the market. A dream bike. I have been riding a cbr 600rr and have always wanted one of these

[photobiker]

I got my '23 GSA two weeks ago, and once the place thaws out, I look forward to putting many miles on it, including a trip across France this summer. The bike, although big, does seem very light and easy to control when moving. A wonderful piece of engineering.

[dmsridertv]

12000 faultless miles in Europe on mine last year. Best bike I've ever owned by a country mile

[tylerhamilton-nzqs]

Am riding a pint size version of it-I bought a scaled down BMW Adventure ride on kids 12v toy and put all the bits on a 20'' wheel electric fat bike. All the parts fit and it does 30 mph!

[asmith]

There are so many bikes to choose that the consumer has choices. Ultimately, it is all about how much you are willing to pay and what u prefer. Don't hate....congratulate! Test and do your own due diligence for your needs.

[jamesoliver]

I love my 2022 GSA. You explained the characteristics of the bike perfectly.

[MikeGilroyAK]

I have watched a ton of reviews on this bike. Yours is one of the best! Thank you

[karlopeternel]

Yeah, I really like my Bumblebee BMW R1250GSA 40 years edition. Sheer riding pleasure 🙏

[CodgerBiker]

A two wheeled car. It does everything my Forester does, but I never get to pick that up. Nice review 👍

[GPR]

I am on my second Gsa - totally brilliant bikes although it took a while to get used to its quirky looks and riding style after a fully faired conventional touring bike. I dont really care about the so called BMW haters as an individual I choose what I like and what I think best suits me no matter what people think I really dont care. All the big adventure tourers are pretty damn good but the GS is "just right at all the parameters" for me personally. No doubt the next version will have even more useful tech and power and cant wait ! 😉 ps although I am planning a test ride on the big KTM soon just to see what all the fuss is about unfortunately though it is chain drive which I wouldnt personally want on this type of machine for very big tours....

[johnasbury]

I love my ‘18 GSA (& loved my 2010 GS several years ago). Just a great do everything bike. It’s like Sir David Attenborough narrating too! Great video!

[davidmallia]

I say the standard, normal, GS boxer is the more practical bike for the majority of us, poser, or not. It is, literally, an all purpose bike. The GSA is overkill for most. By the way, buying a GS boxer does not oblige you to prove yourself off road. It is a multipurpose bike for all ages, and all abilities.

[Crsf]

I have a 23’ gs trophy and for me it’s the best of almost all worlds. This is my second gs rodeo and the fuel range isn’t an issue for me personally as being honest I need off the bike before the fuel runs out.

Overall it’s one of the best in class at everything. As you say there are things that the competitors do better but over all it’s a really really hard package to beat.

By the way I was one of those “i’ll never own a grandads bike” but a few bad backs later and the complete fear factor of my last zx10 changed my opinion and I love it.

[davereinhart]

Agreed. The GSA is about as good as it gets. It makes a person want to explore.

[Archbadventures]

The GSA is always that special bike for everything

[SeanandEmily]

Great review! And what a fantastic bike! After our trip to Moldova on the GSA I concur and so does Emily. 😎🙌🏻

[craigfoster]

I’ve owned this bike as well as the large displacement adventure bikes from Ducati and Ktm. They’re great for pavement and dirt and gravel fire roads. Taking these bikes on anything technical is risky business unless you’re an extremely advanced rider (which 99% of the owners are not). Fortunately, for the safety of these individuals, most of them are posers anyways. They’ll never even take them off road. They will, however, look quite stylish riding them to their local Starbucks.