BMW R1250GS Adventure Review - Around the UK in 48hrs
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2024
- I've been dying to do the new BMW R1250GS Adventure review, so when Coopers BMW in Tonbridge Wells offered up their spanking new demo bike, I jumped at the chance and decided to tackle the 'Full Monty' - around the UK in 48hrs ride.
This is an Iron Butt Association class ride, similar to the RBLR1000 I do most years but on steroids, so I thought it was the perfect way to test the new BMW R1250GS adventure.
However as you can see in the vid, things didn't quite go to plan.
Hope you enjoy the vid folks, keep SUBSCRIBING, keep SHARING, keep LIKING, and keep letting me know what you think in the COMMENTS section below!
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This video just highlighted my biggest fear of these BMW motorcycles. I too, was stranded due to electrical problems on my BMW R1200RT once in the middle of nowhere, New Mexico. I have lost my trust on that bike and was planning on picking up one of these. Now I am having second thoughts on BMW's. Their long term reliability has gone down the lower end of the totem pole due to electrical issues across their whole lineup. What a shame. :-(
Personally I’ve not had a single issue with my last 2 GS’s having ridden them solid almost everyday, all year long. In any weather and in over 50,000 miles.
Until such times that I do have an issue and resulting customer service that I feel is unsatisfactory, they’ll continue to have my business and customer loyalty.
Thanks for giving your real feed back ,I did booked 1 but will cancel the idea now.
Hi again Bruce, quite an inspirational vid! You just came off night duty and then went to tackle a 48 hour ride round the UK in the middle of winter is no mean aim! In that weather too! The fact the bike (even the new 1250 BMW Adventure) packed in first gives you enormous credit. How you kept your cool is a miracle. I’ve joined the Clan now and continue to look forward to your various adventures. All the very best Bruce. Yours aye, Alan
Alan thank you very much bud, really do appreciate your support.
Yeah the plan wasn’t to have done Nights the night before but unfortunately work must come first at times so that’s that.
I don’t know if I’d have succeeded in the challenge but would have given it my best shot.
Looking forward to trying again soon 😉👍
Well it remains quite an adventure and I wish you well as always. Looking forward to your Torro Adventure trip with the other guys. I’ve met TMF (who has been extraordinarily helpful with advice on bikes - I’m a 2018 back to the biker after a 27 year gap) and Rich Vida (Wildbad Xmas Party!!) and they both appear to be great guys. Stay safe. Yours aye, Alan
Heated Gillet,life changing👍
GUTTED! Utterly gutted for you! Another great video, thank you for sharing the adventure! I was rooting for you, especially through the service station rest stops! Cant imagine how tired you must have been! Your determination is inspirational! Ride safe, Buddy
Cheers lads, glad you enjoyed it.
Hope we manage to sort that meet-up this year too 👍
@@teapotone As soon as I back on the road we will be in touch to arrange something! Looking forward to your up coming trip to Spain!
Can't believe this is only a year ago - it's a fantastic video, but the quality of your videos is just another level now. Amazing progress is such a short space of time - love your work mate!
Bruce you are the MAN! This is the thing that makes you feel alive (very tired but alive) last year i got up at 3am, do my shift, got home, maybe a quick nap, meet up with a friend and rode 300 km to meet some other guy, go to sleep at midnight, woke up at 5, do 600+ km of Lazzoduro (wich is a pretty cool thing!)! Exausting but really cool!
Truly a warrior, especially after a night shift!👍(know 'em well) Well done given the circumstances Bruce. Be safe.
Oh mate. My heart was *nearly* as heavy as yours when it sank in that the bike was fubarred.... What an absolute nightmare. Could feel your tiredness, and then routed for ya when you decided to "go for it"... Oh well. Safe and sound, at least. See you soon, my friend!
Ha Ha thanks brother! Aye I was gutted but I reckon it did me a favour as Scotland was really bad with snow and ice apparently, so I’d only have crashed! 🤣
Can’t wait for Spain dude, it’s going to be #epic
Get practising your, “Loooook at thaaaaat!” 😉👍
i follow you and teapotone also tmf looking forward to what you guy's produce on video
RichyVida I offered cakes 🍰 hence the drive to get on with it. 🤣
Ha Ha, Cake ALWAYS wins!
I loved riding the GS 1200 except the electrical issues which made me not trust it, I currently ride a GSX 1250 I know there will be haters on here but I love it and prior to the Beemer I had three GSF 1200’s I am a Suzuki guy I know that but that’s not to say I haven’t owned other bikes KTM and an R1 and a couple of Honda’s the list goes on but I am really gutted for you that the Beemer let you down, I’m watched this video as I nearly pulled the trigger and was going to go out and buy myself another GS but thankfully convinced myself it would be for vanity rather than sanity so for now I will stick with my 1250 Suzie. Love watching your videos keep up the good work!
Mad. Just watched your video on 9th February and had the same breakdown yesterday (10th) on my 1250HP Rallye. Luckily, Ocean Plymouth were FABULOUS as ever. They set up a job card ready for my arrival and within the hour, all was rectified. Knackered battery changed at BMW's expense. Thanks Olivia, Bill and the mechanic. I would also agree that backlit buttons would be a great addition. I'm not sure why they wouldn't be. One minor issue is nothing when you have experienced the ride that this is lol. Great video btw.
Just revisited this video and had a wry smile.....After 4 separate occasions of my R1250GS not starting over the past 6 months I rang the local Motorrad dealer and got the problem sorted. Despite being left on charge using BMW's own approved high end charger the battery had little power in it to crank the engine. They advised me to use BMW Assist to collect the bike from my garage and off it went for diagnostics. Turns out there's a known problem with the 'new' batteries fitted to the 1250s and they replaced mine under warranty with one of the 'old' type batteries originally fitted to the 1200s. All is good so far but I was very close to going down the Lithium route and installing a battery with far more cranking amps. For the record the bike is top notch, pity its let down by a poor battery. I know a lot of guys swap out the batteries for lithium on initial purchase and wish in hindsight I'd done this. Standing there in full winter battledress and the bike not starting is pants but thankfully it didnt occur out on the highway....
Yeah that’s terrible isn’t it - I’m not 100% sure but I think the 1250’s are now given better batteries from stock to stop all these issues - at least I hope that’s right! 👍
I am buying a new bike next year my choice is either the GSA or the triumph tiger 1200 , I have had 2 triumph tiger and had no problems with even though I do high mileage, I was going to get the GSA and do some serious touring , I think I will stay with the triumph
Dunno how a stumbled upon this channel but I’m glad I did, it’s an absolutely gem, just got my CBT after 19 years of driving, like starting from scratch 😅 keep up the great content
Cheers Dozer, welcome to the channel bud and welcome to the biking world 👍👏
@@teapotone thanks mate
Bike looks as utilitarian as your accent.
Love your video 😀👍
So good Bruce love it and incredible effort. Shame the battery went fubar 😖 looking forward to round two!!
Cheers Chops! Come with me if you want? 😉
A brave fella and we’ll done. I have the same bike but it does have a couple of Achilles heels being no backlit switches and the standard screen is pants. The A41’s are good but they go off very quickly with loads of tread left so now I’m on Pirelli’s.
Just goes to show how vulnerable you are with all this high tech!! Good back up by BMW recovery, I have been recovered once by them and the service was very good, but it does make you think. Sometimes simpler is better. Hope you get to have another go, with some better weather.
Best BMW commercial ever!!!! Soooo...thats why they added the "SOS" button? would it even work in circumstances like this???
Yep it did work. I pushed the SOS button initially and it put me straight through to a chap on the other end. I explained the situation and he said I should call recovery, and gave me the number after asking if I wanted him to call it first.
Well done for being so fair with your review in terms of giving BMW the chance to explain the fault. It was so icy in Scotland on the days you were doing the challenge it would probably of slowed progress down to much anyway. Looking forward to your vids in 2019
Cheers Stuart, aye I doubt very much I’d have completed the challenge ride anyway due to the weather.
Better luck next time though 😉👍
Modern bikes are so dependant on electrics and power from the battery, call me old fashioned but I think some bikes are just getting over complicated, I'm surprised especially with an adventure bike there isn't an emergency mode where the bike will shut all the not so important electrical things down and just run from generating power from the engine turning over so you can continue with a push start or one of them good old fashioned things called a kickstart! I think with an older less complicated bike you would of completed your journey. Great vid as always Bruce really enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing.
Cheers Craig, yep seems things are very reliant on electronics now, but that’s what makes the bikes so amazing and capable for the majority of riders these days.
I was surprised it didn’t go into a limp mode though? 👍
Yes you are old fashioned) people like yo seem to be a very small minority. May I ask what you ride? I come from Kim duke to Suzuki vstrom to ktm 1090 R. Do not own a garage so for me anything that can’t be fixed in an hour goes to a mechanic. Doesn’t really matter what’s on the inside, but there is less maintenance on my newest ktm than on a Suzuki with twice the power.
I wouldn’t want to attempt to kickstart a 1250. Probably have to jump off a 10 foot ladder to turn it over... 🤪
Really the electronic fuel pump is the only thing on a modern bike that should let you down over an old bike. And you have to go back a long way to avoid FI. And to be honest i don't want to go back to carbs
Any combustion engine needs electric to run, new or old, without a spark the engine shuts down. Old bike/cars don't produce power straight to the ignition system, even with the old dynamo's they had to charge a battery to supply the electric to the solenoids and distributor caps onto the spark plugs.
Great film but you tackling it when you were clearly so tired had me concerned for you.
As for all the folk blaming electronics for making bikes unreliable, I'm old enough to remember how unreliable analogue bikes really were. Electronics? Bring them on!
Yep agree with you there Mark, on both counts, but in regards to being tired on the bike, I’m well versed to big miles and long hours. I stop when I’m tired, sleep, recover and ride and repeat. There’s no sense in arriving dead is there.
Totally agree with the electronics side, there are lots of critics about this issue, and whilst I also think it was poor of the battery to fail the way it did, that’s life, these things can happen.
As you say, old bikes May not have had issues with electronics, but they certainly have lots of issues of their own at times 👍
@@teapotone when do we get part2?
Whenever BMW or a dealership agree to lend me one again🤷♂️👍
@@teapotone Love that video. inspired me to plan a 4 points South Africa iron butt 48hrs ride with a mate of mine, sadly, coronavirus lockdown for 21 days has derailed that.
I once bought a BMW 5 series and it stranded me with only 60,000 miles on it, it was towed, serviced and immediately sold. I now bought this same GSA 1250, if anything like this happens to me, I will sell it and never buy another BMW in my life, I mean, these things are not acceptable when you fork over $32,000+ on a two wheel and specially on a "King of the Road" GSA that is supposed to be bullet proof for what BMW claims it can and will do. Will see if my BMW GSA 1250 will last pass its 3 year warranty period. Thanks for the scary video!!
My brother is a recovery truck driver and he says the three vehicles he would never buy are Audi, BMW and Land Rover.
I LIVED IN HORSHAM MOST OF MY LIFE,LOVE RIDING THE 272 THROUGH TO STOCKBRIDGE
30:27 “vehicle voltage low”. This was where all sorts of warning ⚠️ lights and failures went on. Feel bad for you, Bruce. Glad to know you finished the trip with a big smile!
I’ll hang onto my 2009 GS
Hi Bruce - I hope you have discovered heated jackets now! Transformed my winter riding. Warm, relaxed and happy whatever the weather!
Aye I’ve got a Keis heated jacket, toasty.
But the game changer was when I bought my Rukka suit - amazing 👍
Thanks Bruce for getting back to me,I'm collecting a GS 1250 next week,changing up from 2017 GS (17/18) model which has been fantastic.. having had a early 13 GS LC..crap gear box..changed in 15..big improvement..and in 17 got current one,wow what a bike....and by all accounts the 1250 should be awesome.Respect for you not 'Tearing The Arse' of BMW in public about the bike breaking down,they are machines after all..yes very dissapointing, but maybe fate intervened you were knackered after a 'Shift',and at least the bike standing on the tow truck...you in passenger seat,not the big NHS yellow Taxi. 😀👍🏍🇮🇪
What a lively debate this has opened !! You might get your own back when I do Pyrenees with you next year. Love a bit of banter
Looking forward to it bud
Thanks for that , i was thinking to get one but that video very disappointed me if it was me on somewhere remote area 🤨you did well thanks.
True brother that was quite disappointing from BMW part. Me too canceled the idea of purchasing one.
A realistic perspective would be that this could happen on any bike. Just an anomaly. However given BMW’s history with “electrical phenomenon” long ago, this will not bode all that well with those left with bad tastes in their mouths having experienced electrical system failures. Let’s see when enough of these beauties get out there what happens..Then BMW will have sense urgency and have a fix. Wonderful wit there Matey. Enjoyed every minute. Great job!
Thanks very much and I agree with what you’re saying there about the battery issue. Time will tell 👍
Came here from TMF, now thats a proper review. Personally I'm torn between the RT and K1600 as I will use it as a blood bike. K1600 is a good "compramise" between my current zzr1400 and my previous RT-P 1st gen
Hi Mark, welcome to the channel bud.
I’ve not ridden either bike yet but friends have. The K1600 is a real weapon, very fast, comfortable, but incredibly agile for such a big bike.
👍
Good effort Mr Teapot! Shame about the battery... I have a 2005 GS, no electronics apart from ABS. I had all the lights come on when in France this year, still made it another 1500 miles home with my "disco" lights :) They are brilliant bikes, Ride safe mate.
I have a 05 RT and its been though 3 battery's that I know about,but there again I use a heated vest....
Jack , top man, took him for his IAM test 👏🏻👊🏻
Hats off 👏 to you Brother!
I'm a Harley-Davidson guy for many year's & now I'm in the market to add an Adventure bike to my collection.
I have my eye on the BMW GSA R1250 Trophy edition but now I'm wondering if I should 😆
Thanks for your input of putting these great videos together Bruce 👍👍 like m a lot! I’ve just ordered my 1250 adventure Hp and so looking forward riding it here in Spain (where we have sunshine..) minimal 6 weeks till delivery 🤪 all the best and hope to see part 2 of you completing the trip🍀🍀!! Regards Dennis
Thanks Dennis, that HP paint scheme is beautiful 👍
Great video Bruce. It is really emotion provoking when these things happen, but these things do happen with a very small percentage of new bikes/cars etc (across all manufacturers). Sometimes all the tech is a downfall when something as simple as the battery fails so all systems shut down to a "safe mode". Look forward to the re-attempt!!
Thanks Reece 👍
That was a top effort, fair play. looking forward to the rematch!
Oh Dear Bruce. We have all been there fella but out of your hands. I would not even attempt that trip any way so a big up for trying. Look forward to your coming Spain jaunt with some of your fellow Vlogers so onward and upward.
Thanks Paul 👍
Bruce, yet again another great video, shame about the ending. Glade that you said the bike was Brown ( 5:11 run time) as I was in Coopers having a laugh and joke with Jack over the colour of the same bike, just a few days before you were there. I think BMW are calling it a Matt Green 😩😩.
Green??? GREEN?!?! 🤣👍
I have found the correct information “Kalamata Metallic pant”. Green 🤣🤣
Just watched this again Brucey ... great stuff !
Well against all odds you was going well,shame about the bike giving up 😢 I think you were just to hardcore for it fella 😂 look forward to seeing you getting it done at some point soon. Ride Safe & Enjoy
Damn!! Bruce, perhaps that was a sign from the Gods ... they were saying "Don't do it now! Give it a go in summer when the conditions are much more favourable!" :) Looking forward to the next one. Btw, my mate and I were just at Loomies this morning - great breakfast.
A good try TP1. While I'm a fan of the BMW, particularly this latest GSA, I wonder if it is all getting a wee bit too complicated now. Not sure I'd round the world on it - too many systems to to go wrong. I'll settle for my trusty 2015 Vstrom1000 - gets me through without a hiccup...at pace. I'm looking forward to part 2 though...
"I wonder if it is all getting a wee bit too complicated now" - good point, and same here. I love the idea of all this tech, but I'll admit I'm too scared to actually buy a bike that features it.
Or a yummy super ten
Probably needs a stronger battery. I heard Kim's have that issue as well
Got the GSA myself...note to self....carry a Li-Ion spare battery if going on a trip! I feel for you Bruce...great effort but just one of those things.
Great ride video, glad to see you enjoyed the new 1250. They are very deceptively fast & smooth. Great attempt after & swing of nights. I see you r still in "the job".....20yrs was enough for me. Keep the reviews coming.
Cheers Johnno, aye I’m still in, thought about leaving quite a few times but a job is a job and the mortgage needs paying no matter what. 😉
Loving your commentary 👍. Just a tad damp out there, nice and homely feel for us Picts 😂
Great vid mate shame about the battery issue .sure you will smash it on your next attempt .maybe when it's a bit warmer 😉 enjoy Spain looking forward to the vid with everyone say hi to Lindon 👍
Thanks bud, will do 👍
I don't ride a lot at night, but I agree the buttons would be much improved if they were back-lit. Good stuff M8, keep it up!
Thanks Miles, glad you enjoyed it bud
I disagree....if they hadn't buggered around with the buttons in the first place, bmw vets would be able to find the buttons with their eyes shut. It wasn't broke and didnt need fixing.....f*#@king designers🏍️💨🤬 the only thing about my 07 GS that bothered me was where the clutch was and that a car driver couldn't see it stationary at a junction in broad daylight(be#@&nd)
The bike looks great but a single cell failure shouldn't cause catostophic electrical failure like it did, certainly not on a bike that's supposed to be capable of round the world trips. Certainly doesn't install confidence
Unfortunately BMW is always skimpy on battery (and seals), this GS uses the battery from (at least) the 2009 model, and my (on the 2009 Model) broke the day before Warrany expired and on my 2016 model i replaced it after 1.5 year, just to be sure, but imagine that on the 2009 model the battery was fine, on this there is a lot more electical thing that seeps power, so i imagine tha battery is barley adequate. And don't get me started on the K1600 Battery!!!!
Good point 🤔
My battery failed in an identical way to `Bruce,s. (2016 bike)... promptly sorted by the BMW warranty people. Didn’t really bother me, these things can happen with any bike.
@@maxflight777 Batterys certainly can die on any bike at any time but the essence of my point is that this is the Adventure Version of what is considered the the King of Adventure bikes and something as simple as a failing battery has caused complete failiure/imobilisation. I have had a couple of batteries go out over the years and have always been able to bump start, let the stator take over and get to where I need to, but this bike seems so loaded with unnecesary electronic creature comforts you are no longer able to use bump starting as a get out of jail card. This won't be a concern for most GS riders who only ever do rides on the shorter end of the spectrum, but would I pick this to attempt a Bruce style RTW trip, hell no.. I think I'd go for the beast over this!
This is the problem with modern vehicles, you are relying on sensitive electronics that require a battery in tip top condition, it seems a bit crazy to me but that's the direction it's all gone. The likes of Austin Vince took DR350's around the world, they didn't even have starter motors.
Your welsh sounded like me over Christmas..when everyone forced booze down my throat 🤪..excellent video Bruce 😎👍👍
Ha Ha, good effort. I bet you resisted as best you could too though right? 😉👍
@@teapotone 😜resistance is useless Bruce 🍺👍
That blows mate, good effort though esp after a night shift you mad barsteward!!
Ile stick with my trusty v strom . To many things to go wrong on these new BMWs for my liking but each to there own . Enjoyed the video though 😉
Great effort dude. Technical difficulties especially electrical ones are buggers. Favourite bit is you saying about your RWT and that bike managing it fine but new BMW struggles to do 1 days riding.... our trip to Germany last year... my 18 year old Zx6R was faultless but mates brand new R1 sooked all the life out of the battery whenever we stopped.
Interesting what you said about power and smoothness of the new one. I thought it would be pretty much the same as Helga. I said to you before that a GSA would suit you as you're a tall guy, I think it's the next step for you without doubt. My lowered GSA is awesome and I have to say much prefer it to my previous GS.
Good luck with the next adventure Big man, all the best.
Thanks Jay 👍
Mr T, get yourself a heated waistcoat best £100 you will ever spend on bike clothing. Better luck next time with the four corners or if you are free at the end of March - there is an IBA “Dambusters” run....
Had my Giali heated waistcoat for 20 years and still going well. Makes winter work a pleasure.
Strange they call a battery cell failure uncommon. Had one on my f800st and one on my 1200GSA (2017). Engine running without dashboard also happened with me. Luckily I was at home.
Waiting for my 1250GSA now.
Hope you are going to give it another go. I opted in for the GSA HP after giving it a good tesdrive, watching Your and TMS's reviews. It will be handed over sometimes late Aug. It will be my 4th Bimmer. I am aware there might be issues, but I have my faith in the system. I had no major problems on my previous ones (F800S, K1300S, C650GT), smaller ones have been properly taken care of.
Tea pot one, you are brilliant sir. Your vids and commentary are highly entertaining. =oD
That’s very kind Craig, thank you 👍👏
Did you know that at the Exeter services stop where you pause at the lights opposite a motorhome dealers, Chris Martin of Coldplay's parents used to own it?
No mate I didn’t! 👍
Better luck next time Bruce and hopefully the weather gods will be on your side too
Love the video..."knit one Pearl one" might need translating for some foriegn viewers....
Hmm, any problems with the bike and the ECU shuts down automatically. If that's the case, BMW Assist is going to be a must! A sign of the times that everything relies on the electronics and unfortunately the weakest part of a bike is now the electronics. I'm becoming more convinced that when I next purchase a bike it's going to have as few electronics as possible.
Anyhow, enjoyable vlog as usual. Thanks 👍
cant beat a yamaha xt500
Bruce you should do a 2nd part just with the most recent GSA just were you left this one. I think this is the 3rd time I am watching this lol ! COVID lock down will do that to you 🤟👍🍻
Sad you couldn't get to finish your challenge Bruce, though a second attempt in the Spring/Summer could be so much drier and longer daylight hours so this was a mixed blessing?!; loving the bike, I need to just wait 3.5 years before I can get one!!!
Tick the days off bud, but make sure you make the most of those 3.5 years too!
LIVE your life 😉👍
i like that. nice honest test ride and review. no daft graphics/fancy production, just an honest interesting ride review. shame about the electrics, but all bike fail sometimes.....
gutted for you mate, a great trip and was going so well up until the bike failed, i really feel for you. was pretty hairy when the headlight went off.
great video though and looking forward to seeing the future adventures!
Cheers Viking 👍
This was a great watch Bruce, so sorry the 1250 went up the creek....I’d still like to give one a try though.
Well done on a cracking effort in miserable weather conditions and sleep deprivation.
Kind regards.
Cheers Beans! Glad you enjoyed it bud and I’d still totally recommend you try the new 1250, that engine is just superb 👍
Good effort Teapot and better luck with the _battery_ on whichever bike you use next time 👍
Hi Bruce, I just found your channel via The Missenden Flyer, I’m looking forward to watching your videos. Pity the bike let you down. I’ve been avoiding doing a test ride on one, as my GSA is still quite new. I think I will continue to avoid it, it may lighten the wallet some what. Greeting from Johannesburg , South Africa.
Hi Marc,
Great to hear from you bud and thanks for subscribing, hope you enjoy all the vids.
Yeah I was gutted the battery died as I was really enjoying the new 1250 GSA, it’s a beautiful new engine and transforms the bike.
Stay safe 👍
Great vid Bruce just a pity it went pear shaped mid journey, you were also lucky that the light chucked it when it did cause that looks like a national speed limit sign where you finally stopped, dread to think what could have happened otherwise, all the best for 2019 & your possible upgrade of Helga.
Bloody Hell Bruce! I used to get home off nights and not remember how I got there. Are you super-human? Enjoyed the vid and look forward to your next crack at it.
Cheers Paul, no bud, but thankfully I don’t seem to need too much sleep these days 👍
Another great vid. Fair play to you undertaking that journey, serious effort!
Pity the bike didn’t make it, lucky you weren’t out in the desert in Morocco! If you’re ever doing a trip around Ireland put the word out 👍👍
Thanks Chris, I’m hoping to get to Ireland this year so will make sure I let everyone know on the various platforms I use - here, stories, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook 👍
I’ve had 2 1200 gsa loved them my second BMW after a week of ownership started coughing and spluttering and wouldn’t start straight away. One call to BMW assist and 20minutes later bike was on a tow truck and off back to Allan Jeffries bmw.
The service I received was fantastic and to relieve my disappointment of the bike playing up I was given a 250 shop voucher.
I fancied a change so after test riding many bikes I am now the proud owner of a Ducati Multistrada V4S. Roll on spring
Hi Bruce, I had the same with mine along with a flood of other electrical issues, same issue with battery and all sorts of warnings. As much as I love the GS mine has been nothing but a disaster and has been in the garage more than I’ve had it. I had one incident of getting out the day before from having the bike checked over top to bottom and serviced prior to leaving for Europe. Morning of leaving for Europe got 4 miles down the road and got a catastrophic engine failure warning. Problem I see is when you have an issue like this it brings up so many warnings you’ve no idea what real and what isn’t. Anyway annoyingly still like the GS but would definitely consider a swap to KTM or something for a try for reliability
That’s horrendous Pete! Have BMW looked after you ok?
teapotone Yeah ok, but annoying constantly going back and forth, when you buy a new bike you don’t expect that kind of shit. Got to say though mines new had the lights stop working, that looked frightening in the dark.
Absolutely bud, I had similar thing with my Triumph Explorer when I bought it before my first GS, it really put me off the brand to be honest, although I realise now it was just a ‘Friday afternoon’ bike.
Cracking video Bruce, I really enjoyed that , shame about the battery tho , the positive is you will have another crack at it , hopefully during better weather
Cheers Craig, yep I’ll give it another go ASAP bud 👍
Great video. Gutted about the last part
Imagine if your GSA broke down in the middle of some remote country. Reliability is extremely important in adventure bikes.
Yes that’s true, but I’m sure some local mechanic would be able to bypass the wizardry and get you up and running so you can limp it to a dealers somewhere
Wazzock, reminded me of my Dad he used to love the word lol, great video as usual, I was following your progress at the time , shame you didn't get to complete , did check the challenge out and might have ago at it later in the year myself , have a great time in Spain
Spinal tap for the win!!! 😆👍🏻
Always 😉👍
Great Video Bruce, was impressed that you managed to bump it off given the electronic failures. Hope you can attempt Iron Butt 4 corners ride again at some future date.
Great video and looking forward to you having another crack at the challenge, later in the year.
Never owned a BMW and wouldn't mind a test ride on the R1250R 👍
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it 👍
If the engine is running and the generator works then every bike runs, even if the battery is low. The generator produces always more Watt then the ones absorbed by the lamps, accessories, spark plugss, ECU and so on. This is reason why the electric converter has so big surfaces for cooling. I.e. the excess of energy is dissipated by heat.
I had the battery dead in the past, but I was always able to return to home by pushing it down an hill (not good for the catalytic converter of the exhaust system), or simply by using the cables from another car/bike battery to start the engine.
This bike has a serious fault/flaw in the design of electric/electronic circuitry, IMO.
Not necessarily. I've had some that can plod on with all electrics fine, but I've had some that won't ride unless revs are less than 2k, hence voltage and current needs. All depends on bike model and year. True possible alternator issue. As the bike should have enough to run the bike, charge the battery and power auxiliary devices. But whocanreally explain electronics?
@@DaveDayve I can explain you electronics, I play with mototcycle ECUs as hobby. They have 2 levels of protection to avoid engine damages. At level 2 the ECU will stop the engine on the base of some input sensors. In this case the issue can be a flaw in the design of electric power lines (the sensors are low powered if the battery go down) , or an error in the program stored in the ECU.
In both cases, the issue reveals that the bike was not longly tested before putting the model in production. The buyers are the testers. This behaviour is typical of big constructors with a large network of dealers: it's more cheap to fix the problem when users/customers report it, then delay the production for six months.
Looking forward to this mate
It’s an old vid bud, there’s a link to the full vid at the end of the teaser and in the vid description.
I’m just trying a wee experiment with these teaser vids 👍
@@teapotone yes mate i got it, shame about the breakdown. I bought a 1250 few weeks a go, my first GS, love it
Damn that battery. Glad to see it wasnt the bikes fault. Great ride though, next time get some rest. Waiting for PART 2!!!
Me too! Hoping to get a chance to try it again soon 👍
@@teapotone Great to hear. Looking forward to it! You got yourself another Sub. Love your adventures!
Oh, how I miss that weather :). Down to 15 deg C at night here and I wake up shivering!
Ha Ha, honest I’m not jealous.
🤬👍
2000 miles...48 hours...2 degrees...rain...straight off a night shift - maybe the bike saved you from yourself 😁
Lol no all bikes go wrong Bruce luck of the draw with that one mate . Just bmw boys not like the banter when they do. Most my mates ride them and love having digs at me n my enduro. All taken in good fun though. Looking forward to episode 2. 👍👍👍
BMW Australia web site has an option called the HP battery 🔋 for the HP style Rally X version,. Anyway I’ll give it 12 months before thinking about a change from the 1200GS, let the bugs be found.
If I had just spent the thick end of GBP 20k on a bike like that I would not be too chuffed at an outcome like that. Not a good advert for BMW is it.
Well no, there’s no denying that
oh what a spirit man, what a spirit..... keep it up!
Great video. Everything happens for a reason as they say!
That looks so tough in those conditions, your as hard as nails Bruce. Oh get Keis heated kit it’s great try it and you’ll love it and British company I think. Bike packing up after that effort must be gutting for you. Cheers
Thanks John 👍
Brilliant video again mate love the 1250 gutted it didn’t work out,roll on the summer when you try again.👍
Cheers Mark 👍
i also took the r1250 out for a test and well wow is all i can say the old 1200 i hated it was slow and had a slow pull away but this thing is fantastic so much so the s1000rr is going up for sale so i can get one i think is just fantastic
Awesome Shawn, I loved it too, can’t wait to give it another go 👍
What an absolute *******. But you're not alone in having a disastrous trip "up north"...
Thx for the upload mate. A battery can’t really be the fault of BMW. I’m going to invest in the 1250 after I sell my S1000XR. Cheers mate
Thanks Chris, that new 1250 engine is just an awesome bit of kit 👍
Tough luck Bruce, I’ve tried the new 1250 and liked it. But I think I’ll stick to my trusty 2018 1200 GSA.....
not the best advert for BMW man but well done brother
That A303 is a good road at 4 am in the morning, otherwise forget it. Boy that trip looks utter punishment.
Ha Ha yep you’re right there, it’s a tough road trip that one!
😂👍
Stranded in the middle of nowhere, but what a wonderful bike! Oh dear.
Heaven forbid you ever put yourself out of your comfort zone eh.