BMW R 1150 GS Adventure reviews

I decided to hand in super sport and give adventure touring a try. So far it is pretty comfortable and smooth. At higher speeds (85mph+) it can feel pretty unstable. A couple days after picking it up out of the show room and a proper break in my wife an I did a 1200 mile trip quite please with the comfort and ride ability of the machine. My only complaint is the luggage racks/engine protection bars don't seem to be treated with any anti corrosion. I would expect premium everything with the price tag they have on them. within 2 months of getting it out of the show room I have noticed corrosion occurring where the racks mount to the bike. I keep/maintain my machine as if they were my kids so seeing that happen is a bit much. Over all on point and a great buy. would be better if the bike didn't seem like it was ready to be reclaimed by mother earth though. Show less

I just got one a week plus ago and did my first 150 miles with it. This bike is so smooth you feel like you can just keep going. On the expressway, even keeping a low rev (below 5,000) you still move at way around 70 miles and you still have plenty of power to come. The torque is very good as you can nearly slow down to nearly stop in 3rd and just go again. The ABS - that is great. The sitting position on the comfort seat that I have is superb. I have to say I am very happy to have traded in my G650 for this one - totally different league. I tried the F800 but it is a bit too big / height for what I like and the engine of the 700 is basically the same as the 800. Show less

I bought my 2013 R1200R back in August. It's my first BMW. I've always liked the boxer motor. The bike is the new "montego" blue color and came with every available electronic accessory made for this bike - many of which I've never had before on any bike. This 1200cc boxer engine is very deceptive in that it has abundant power delivered evenly across the rev range. Contrary to popular opinion, it is as smooth as any bike I've owned once underway. There is a little (character) vibration at idle. The integrated brakes may be the best I've ever experienced only rivaled by an '01 Speed Triple I once owned. The paralever suspension really dampens front end dive under braking. It doesn't completely eliminate it but comes pretty close. You have to experience the balance under braking to believe it. Comfort for me is excellent. I almost sit completely upright on her. The seat may be the best stock seat I've ever sat on. My rides (when I get to ride) average 150 miles with no real fatigue. With all my aches and pains, I consider that a monumental achievement on the part of BMW. I'll post again as the miles and time pile up. This bike is highly recommended. Show less

After owning several of the larger BMW GS twins I have to say that dollar for dollar, this bike is superior. The pluses are an incredible do it all engine, nine inches of suspension travel, great handling, rugged side cases, lighter weight, BMW quality at a much lower price and a machine that gives up little compared to the bigger GS. The only gripe I have is that the wind protection is fair but not good. Offroad, this bike will ride circles around the other big adventure bikes and will put a huge grin on your face. Show less

I have ridden them all, Triumph, Honda, Yamaha and a few Harley's. This is my first BMW. I'm loving the R1200 GSA. I tested the GS800, very nice and fast, but I kept thinking that would not be long, I would wish that I bought it bigger (knowing self...) This bike is a little intimidating. It is tall and heavy, but when moving, even at 5 mph., it is a cat. It rides great, feels nimble and you can go everywhere with it. This is the first motorcycle that I have owned that I could do off road. I love the fact that I have been riding in the middle of nowhere, exploring roads that I would never go on a Harley, and just have so much fun with it. It is so much more than just a bike to commute, go out at night, or traveling. This is a bike that you can go off road and go highway 80 mph. and does great either way. It is very ergonomic and has a fantastic sitting position. Your back will not hurt, plus it is one of the few bikes out there, that you can stand straight up, riding full standing at 45 mph., rest your back and legs, then sit and continue on. It's just amazing. I would buy a GSA, or Triumph Tiger 1200, or Super Tenere. All of these are fantastic bikes, but BMW is the only one with an awesome club and support from dealer and other riders. Plus it is the coolest, most expensive and has as much poise out there as riding a "Harley". Cheers. Show less

I bought a 2000 R1100RT with 84k miles on the clock in July. I was not sure about changing from a cruiser to a sport touring bike. All summer long, when I went to the barn, I kept grabbing the RT. I put over 6k miles on this bike over the past three months, including a canyon carving expedition into the Smokies in August. It's easy to ride, comfortable and quick. Just trying to figure out why I waited so long to trade in my cruiser for a sport touring bike. Show less

This is the most comfortable seat on a bike that I've ever owned...and I owned a 1987 Suzuki Cavalcade 1400 LE. Highway miles just flow under the tires with ease and it handles the back roads with precision. At 65 bhp., you will need to downshift a couple of gears to crank up rpm. during passing. But the six speed tranny makes for easy riding up and down hills. Show less

I traded a great 2003 R1150RT for a new 2012 R1200RT. It's much the same but also much different. I know that sounds strange, but after one has ridden both, it will be understood. The new RT still feels like a traditional BMW Boxer twin, but is smoother, accelerates better and has a much torqueier feel. The new windshield provides a different still air pocket for the rider, and the ESA II adjustable suspension provides the rider with three different bikes to ride in one. The comfort mode allows for a smooth feeling almost luxo touring bike. Normal mode makes the bike feel almost like the 1150's feel, but with the above improvements. The sport mode is great. It tightens up the suspension and makes the bike handle very similar to a sport bike. Turn in is a little harder to accomplish, but once set, the bike tracks turn with precision which is not expected from a bike of this size and weight. Overall, I believe the improvements are worth the extra expense required for its purchase. Anyone wanting a bike that will take you quickly through twisties, but can also be used for daily commuting, and traveling from coast to coast, can do much worse than to choose the latest Boxer from BMW. Show less

I bought my R1100RT brand new in Oct., 2000. i rode her daily back and forth on Los Angeles freeways for a year. I put 31,000 on her during first year. She handled very well in rough traffic: stops on a dime and has the ability to power you out of tight spots like a rocket if need be. I rode her recreationally over the next couple of years, and due to knee surgery, I had to park her in my garage over the 2003-2004 time period. Occasional starts during 2005 ended with a dead battery, and her sitting quietly in my garage until the spring of 2012 (yes 7 years). I FINALLY put a new battery in her and she started up with a chug, until I put fresh gas in her. She rode like a champ and I had her serviced within a week. I've put almost 800 miles on her in the first two weeks of bringing her back to life and she hasn't missed a beat. I was thinking about trading her in for a new R1200RT, but after riding her and enjoying the looks of onlookers, I don't think I could ever get rid of her. This is one great machine built by one great company. If you have one; keep it. Show less

My 2001 black with white pin stripe, as of March 2012, has 50,553 miles on it and has never had a problem. It has been a fantastic motorcycle for daily commuting, twisty road Sunday rides, touring and even seen a track days (yes, I said track day). I have ridden this bike over 5,500 miles from Chicago to the most Southern point in Mexico and Yucatan and back. I've done a few cross country trips all without problems. With all the miles my stock rear shocks were getting soft and saggy. A few weeks ago I did replace the front and rear with Ohlins shocks at $1,300. Shocks are a wear and tear item. I read a review here where the rider said the exhaust was too quiet for him. The stock exhaust is almost silent, yery stealthy! But I did miss a little rumble and wanted to make a few performance changes. I decided to drop 28 lbs. and gain better Bhp by changing the exhaust to a full Two Brothers Racing ($289) setup. I also added a Techlusion Tfi ($169) fuel/air tuner like a power commander. Right away the exhaust note blew me away. This bike rumbles like a Ducati with Termigonis! The weight loss and hp make a huge difference in "get up and go". I will say I love the increase in performance but when on long distance rides, I wish I had the stock silencer on it purely for the peace and quiet. The RL handled twisty curves with grace and now with Ohlin suspension, it feels surgically precise and I feel very, very confident in corners. The R1100RL can be a great all-around bike. It has the museum quality in it's throw back classic BMW styling with new technology performance. It's a great bike for shorter height riders as the seat has three height settings from 29.6-31. 5 inches. You do feel like rider and bike become one. I think everyone who truly rides should own 2-3 bikes. It's a fun bike, a commuter and long distance tourer. This bike is fun, but not as fun as a Ducati sport bike. Although, it will still have your heart pounding and put an ear to ear smile on your face! It is a fantastic city commuter. I have even ridden a suit and tie to work on this stylish machine. I added the Parabellum Scout faring so with side cases, tank bag and large BMW bag on the optional luggage rack, it will get the job done riding long distance tour bike, but not as comfortable as the new K1600GTL on long trips. This why I say you always need the right bike for the job. Some are more versatile than others. BMW does a great job at making a bikes that can have multiple uses. The R1100RL really does this well! This is one bike I don't think I will ever sell. Show less