muppix
Registered user
'evenin' all.
I had a test ride on a 2007 1200GS on Saturday, my first time aboard a boxer-engined bike, and following advice on this forum I also rode the 1200GSA straight afterwards. So what were they like?
The GS was a pleasant surprise, both in terms of corner stability and throttle response, once I'd figured out that you have to include a certain amount of over-grip in the things to check off before any spirited overtake.
I found the suspension odd at first, especially the front, as there was no dive to speak of and even though any mid-corner bumps were smoothed out acceptably you still get quite a bit of feedback from the road; cats eyes feel much larger than they do under other bikes and any tarmline-like road defects are also accentuated more than I'm used to.
The engine is just plain odd, like nothing else on earth. I've ridden a couple of V twins but most of my experience comes from Suzuki inline fours, usually in various states of tune, so I really didn't know what to expect from the boxer; which is predictable and linear in its power delivery, revs reasonably freely, and has enough torque at lower RPM to save me having to change gear too often.
The heated grips (a previously unencountered phenomenon) have been regraded in my esteem from Them's for Poofs to Where have You been all my Life? Nuff said - will invest in heated clothing at the next available opportunity. Generally the bike was very comfortable and since the screen is adjustable I won't complain that it caused some buffetting where the wind was hitting me right in the forehead.
Never having experienced ABS before I thought I'd give that a go too, in the first dirt-filled car park that I could find. Not overly impressed I must say; the back wheel refused to lock up and reward me with an intentional sideways slide, while grabbing a handful of front just caused the wheel to lock up and begin a furrow in the mud as predicted. Maybe it'll turn out to be useful in one of those I'd have been dead without it kind of situations, which could equally have been prevented by not riding like a t1t. Ho hum, I daresay it'll have its uses in winter and if not I can always turn it off.
All in all the 1200GS seemed a good replacement for my touring Bandit, although the engine could perhaps do with a little more sparkle. It's fine as it is, but with luggage and pillion I can see me wanting my Bandit back on certain parts of the Route Napoleon.
And the 1200GSA? Quite a bit taller, so even with the seat on its lowest setting I was only just on tip-toes while level, which at 5' 11" isn't a feeling I'm used to. Although not any wider than the GS it does have a much more imposing presence on the road, and the extra tank and bigger screen do take their toll on the fuel economy and top-end. (42 mpg vs 44 on the GS, 110 vs 125 likewise) Sadly I'll only be doing one trip every 5 years where the Advanture will give me better service than the GS, and therefore I just can't justify the extra pomp and circumstance.
On the basis of that morning's ride (and countless hours of research, mostly here) I'll be part-exing my 1200 Bandit for a 1200GS next week. Mine will be a 2007 model with 700 miles on the clock and full luggage, as well as ABS, trip computer, chrome exhause and tyre pressure thingy.
Nil Desperandum!
Mup.
I had a test ride on a 2007 1200GS on Saturday, my first time aboard a boxer-engined bike, and following advice on this forum I also rode the 1200GSA straight afterwards. So what were they like?
The GS was a pleasant surprise, both in terms of corner stability and throttle response, once I'd figured out that you have to include a certain amount of over-grip in the things to check off before any spirited overtake.
I found the suspension odd at first, especially the front, as there was no dive to speak of and even though any mid-corner bumps were smoothed out acceptably you still get quite a bit of feedback from the road; cats eyes feel much larger than they do under other bikes and any tarmline-like road defects are also accentuated more than I'm used to.
The engine is just plain odd, like nothing else on earth. I've ridden a couple of V twins but most of my experience comes from Suzuki inline fours, usually in various states of tune, so I really didn't know what to expect from the boxer; which is predictable and linear in its power delivery, revs reasonably freely, and has enough torque at lower RPM to save me having to change gear too often.
The heated grips (a previously unencountered phenomenon) have been regraded in my esteem from Them's for Poofs to Where have You been all my Life? Nuff said - will invest in heated clothing at the next available opportunity. Generally the bike was very comfortable and since the screen is adjustable I won't complain that it caused some buffetting where the wind was hitting me right in the forehead.
Never having experienced ABS before I thought I'd give that a go too, in the first dirt-filled car park that I could find. Not overly impressed I must say; the back wheel refused to lock up and reward me with an intentional sideways slide, while grabbing a handful of front just caused the wheel to lock up and begin a furrow in the mud as predicted. Maybe it'll turn out to be useful in one of those I'd have been dead without it kind of situations, which could equally have been prevented by not riding like a t1t. Ho hum, I daresay it'll have its uses in winter and if not I can always turn it off.
All in all the 1200GS seemed a good replacement for my touring Bandit, although the engine could perhaps do with a little more sparkle. It's fine as it is, but with luggage and pillion I can see me wanting my Bandit back on certain parts of the Route Napoleon.
And the 1200GSA? Quite a bit taller, so even with the seat on its lowest setting I was only just on tip-toes while level, which at 5' 11" isn't a feeling I'm used to. Although not any wider than the GS it does have a much more imposing presence on the road, and the extra tank and bigger screen do take their toll on the fuel economy and top-end. (42 mpg vs 44 on the GS, 110 vs 125 likewise) Sadly I'll only be doing one trip every 5 years where the Advanture will give me better service than the GS, and therefore I just can't justify the extra pomp and circumstance.
On the basis of that morning's ride (and countless hours of research, mostly here) I'll be part-exing my 1200 Bandit for a 1200GS next week. Mine will be a 2007 model with 700 miles on the clock and full luggage, as well as ABS, trip computer, chrome exhause and tyre pressure thingy.
Nil Desperandum!
Mup.
