I took a 1200LC TE out for an hour or so today
First I got some instructions from the dealer about the controls, how to adjust the seat,screen etc. and how the ESA and riding mode menu's work and I was off, first impressions-very good, coming from a 1200 TC everything felt familiar and the riding position felt good, I don't know what position the seat was in but initially I felt like I was sitting
on rather than
in the seat if that makes sense, handlebar position felt good, feather light clutch, nasty clunk when engaging first but gearbox positive and silky smooth after that
On urban roads the fuelling and power delivery felt very good with good power delivery from virtually zero revs, noticeably more power low down and through the mid rangewhich seemed promising as joined a dual carriageway and extended the engine a bit more, quickly up to the legal limit with little effort at all, I played around with the different modes and adjusted the screen to make it higher-an easy one handed affair, very good acceleration in top gear accompanied by a nice exhaust note and rumble from the airbox at larger throttle openings, what's not to like
Joining the M4 and travelling West for 1 junction it made good progress (officer......) and I turned off heading for country roads and single tracks, this bike tracks well and turns nicely and it's easy to hold a line or make adjustments mid bend (as most GS's are), with the ESA set on "soft" the bike was comfortable and controlled on bumpy gravel strewn country lanes,turning back onto country A roads I tweaked the settings again and selected "Dyna" for both ESA and riding modes, the changes make a difference with the suspension tightening up and the engine really singing in the upper part of the rev range, this bike had just over 1000 miles on the odo so will no doubt free up as it gains miles.I had a little play with the cruise control which did as it you'd expect and it's controls were fairly easy and intuitive to use.
I covered around 60 miles on a variety of roads and came away impressed, if I were buying I think I would go for the TE but I am hanging on to my Twin Cam for at least another year by which time we should know what the LC ADV will look like
The increased noise at tickover mentioned in other threads.......... as far as I can tell it's from the wet clutch, with the clutch lever pulled in the noise stops and the engine is quiet
Things I didn't like?
Not much, nitpicking but I thought the rod to lower the sidestand was awkward to find and use when sat on the bike, maybe the gear lever is a little small (I don't have clown feet
) or maybe I could find a better position for the lever to suit me with a little adjustment, oh and...............the switchgear, the left side is quite busy on the TE, the "flash" is a pull with one finger type of switch with sideward movement controlling hi and low beam, different to what I'm used to not necessarily worse, the indicators I was ok with but several times reverted to trad BMW type and my right thumb was flailing around trying to find a switch that's not there
I told the sales guy I liked it, he reached for his pen and calculator and I made my excuses and got up to leave
All who have ordered/taken delivery of the 1200LC enjoy your bikes I think you'll be delighted with them
Same location a week earlier, I'll hang on to this old barge a little while longer yet.