Deleted account 210609001
Registered user
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2003
- Messages
- 29
- Reaction score
- 7
My bike - a 2005 1200GS - was in the dealers today, and for a loan bike I was given was a 2007 model. I was a little relcutant to start with, worried that it would feel much better than mine and make me give even more money to the dealer.
It didn't work out quite like that - here's the diference I noticed:
The speedo face is slightly different on the new bike, with every 10 mph marked out with smaller digits. Mine has every 20 mph marked in bigger digits. The older design is much easier to read.
The Info display is better on the new bike (but only subjectively so others may not agree).
The brakes - non-servo on the '07 bike - seemed to have much harsher initial bite. I found it hard to brake smoothly at low speeds in traffic. This surpised me, given the criticism from some for the servo brakes being a bit like a switch - although I've never really had a problem. Then when braking harder from higher speeds the level effort required was increased, in contrast to low speed behaviour. I had thought the servo system was nothign but unnecessary complication, but compared to the new system, I think it might have some benefits. On the other hand, the ABS seemd to cut in later on the newer bike (only found out by deliberate provocation).
I have a different exhaust system on mine - a Laser Duotone - but I was worried that because it makes a nicer noise it might just be fooling me by sounding faster. But as far as I could tell in an entirely non-scientific test, I think mine pulled a little quicker. This may be nothing to do with the exhaust and more to do with (a) the difference in mileage or (b) wishful thinking on my part.
All of the above might just be the unfamiliarity of the newer model, but either way it has convinced me that I don't need to buy a new one yet.
I did find myself sitting on a 1200ST thinking it felt comfortable, and when you're sat on it, you can't see the its ugly face...
It didn't work out quite like that - here's the diference I noticed:
The speedo face is slightly different on the new bike, with every 10 mph marked out with smaller digits. Mine has every 20 mph marked in bigger digits. The older design is much easier to read.
The Info display is better on the new bike (but only subjectively so others may not agree).
The brakes - non-servo on the '07 bike - seemed to have much harsher initial bite. I found it hard to brake smoothly at low speeds in traffic. This surpised me, given the criticism from some for the servo brakes being a bit like a switch - although I've never really had a problem. Then when braking harder from higher speeds the level effort required was increased, in contrast to low speed behaviour. I had thought the servo system was nothign but unnecessary complication, but compared to the new system, I think it might have some benefits. On the other hand, the ABS seemd to cut in later on the newer bike (only found out by deliberate provocation).
I have a different exhaust system on mine - a Laser Duotone - but I was worried that because it makes a nicer noise it might just be fooling me by sounding faster. But as far as I could tell in an entirely non-scientific test, I think mine pulled a little quicker. This may be nothing to do with the exhaust and more to do with (a) the difference in mileage or (b) wishful thinking on my part.
All of the above might just be the unfamiliarity of the newer model, but either way it has convinced me that I don't need to buy a new one yet.
I did find myself sitting on a 1200ST thinking it felt comfortable, and when you're sat on it, you can't see the its ugly face...
bit of a bummer if the engine cuts out
