The BMW R1300GS - A Masterclass in Design

“A bike trying to go and dying because its rider was busy paying for it”……man….this guy is a bike riding prophet….that’s some deep sh!t right there….

These are the classic f9 videos weve been waiting for.

I used to think Camissa was the best automotive journalist alive. I dont even care about motorbikes. I keep coming back for the superb writing and storytelling about design. Congratulations Fortnine crew, youre among the best in the world, if not the best.

Yes, I too loved the conclusion of the video. If you have plenty of money to buy an expensive bike like the 1300GS, God bless you and go have fun! But I remember when doing a short touring ride through the hills of Nevada and stopped at a small shopping center for travelers. I had my relatively inexpensive DR650 that was well modded out for adventure riding. There was another rider with his slightly banged up, cheap-looking, small Suzuki cruiser with a rack and duffle bags bungee corded all together. Young guy probably in his 20's. We chatted. He was having such a blast on his trip. Smiling and just full of excitement. I'll never forget that.

Best thing in the Video is the typo from the BMW Assist voice. "How many I help you?" Even funnier is that the typo carried over to the german AI Voice "Wie vielen helfe ich Ihnen?"

Can’t wait to buy one used in 15 years!

In Germany, where you see a lot of GSs, you notice one thing: This bike is under utilized. Most people that can afford the GS are way retired or almost retiring - their reflexes are not as good anymore, they aren‘t as in shape and have their stiff necks or shot knees. They can‘t use the GS off-road because it‘s to heavy, they can‘t fling it round the Alps because they can‘t turn their head far enough for the switchbacks and so on. Nothing the bike offers really gets used so it‘s mostly a rolling sign of a midlife crisis. The best bike out there, I agree, but also the most under utilized. I just checked and in 2017 the average Age of a BMW owner was 46 years (down from previous 50 years)

So glad Anish is back - you can see it immediately in the videography, absolute art.

This video told a lot of truth at the end. My Dad loves motorcycling and bougth a GS because its ``the best bike of course``. He only went to 3 trips in 4 years of owning it. Scared that if he dropped it he wouldnt have the money to rapair it.

I really resonate with the conclusion of this video. I ride a 2007 Fz6 that i bought in early 2023 for €2700 with 12.000km on it. The previous owners rode less than 800km per year. In the following 17 months i have ridden it 30.000km, through all weather, and been to 11 different countries and 4 different mountain ranges with it. It has never let me down. In that time it has had a valve service, a chain and sprocket, 3 new tires, 6 oil changes, installed a used set of hard cases, a topcase and heated grips. As well as about 1500 liter of expensive European petrol. All combined it cost me probably 2.5x the purchase price of the bike in less than 2 years of riding it. I have the money to buy the ideal bike and not go on many trips, or to buy a not so ideal bike and go on many trips. I rather spend my money on the older bike which is not ideal and make the trips, than have the ideal bike which just sits at home while i work.

3:40 The glowing exhaust headers look really cool in this shot.

I finally figured it out! It's an advanced stage firefighter maternity suit. Looks like it has a delivery pocket so mom can keep working after the child drops. You Canadians are a tough breed!

8:15 - SOS rider outside starbucks service area😂

Closest we've gotten to an old school TopGear episode right here...

I have an '09 R1200GS and I really struggle with the newer technology. Not in the sense that I don't' understand it, more in the sense that it's taking me further away from the ride. I don't WANT my motorcycle to do everything for me, I like to be challenged. I'd like to think my skill makes the difference but I know in many ways, the motorcycle has more to do with my enjoyment by making up for my lack of certain skills. But at least with my 09, I know I am still in charge. I dictate when and where I take he risks and don't rely on the moto to get me out of trouble. My 09 GS has been, and continues to be the best motorcycle I've ever owned. It's hard to give it up and after watching a video like this, it just reinforces that my 09 GS still has a long time left in my possession. At some point the repairs and maintenance will out pace it's value. But that day is not today. Not today.

I feel smarter in my brain

I don't want a tool that does what I didn't ask it to do, I want one that does what I tell it to do, even if it's stupid.

One of the best video ending ever.

I don’t ride, but I still think these videos are great. Every hobby deserves a channel as good as FortNine.

Bro. That ending monologue was deep! So I’ll keep my vstrom and work less and be happy. Got It, thank you!