1000 miles in.

[conkerman]

I picked up my GS TE in mid September and thought I'd note down a few observations.

Good stuff.

Totally loving the riding position (Had sporty bikes previously), handling is excellent and super confidence inspiring, really liking the LC boxer, nice midrange pull, not that much point in holding big revs unless your arse is on fire.
Throttles are nice and responsive with no 'lag'
Low seat optioned on order means I can ride the bike
Standard exhaust sounds OK. I don't like loud exhausts and much prefer to hear intake noise.
I like the new indicator switch.
Cruise control kicks arse!
Excellent brakes.
Integration of Nav V is quite something.
ABS Pro and TC to remind me if I'm being too much of a twat.



Not so great stuff.

Fuelling can be a little snatchy when on/off throttle, not Fazer1000 dreadful, but detectable.
Keyless Ride - Still think its shit. Although I seem to be in the minority here.
Throttle action is very light, too light for me. I imagine it will be a chore with winter gloves on.
Rider modes redundant for me - leave it in dynamic, doubt I'll be riding in snow and ice.
Still not totally sold on GSAP.
Would like more settings on heated grips.
No media control on command wheel. My Bluetooth dongle is in my pocket so not to hand.
Anti wheelie seems keen to kick in.

Overall, The GS is an excellent bike, gets so much fundamentally right, most of the bits I don't rate as highly are optional stuff (throttle action excepted).

I think there is a lot to be said for getting the standard model, a couple of options + Ohlins/Willbers for a keeper.

 

[rickyxsara]

I was thinking of a standard model and appreciate your comments so far.

 

[GS TRV]

I was thinking of a standard model and appreciate your comments so far.

Dude try the SA before becoming a Hurst's victim

 

[matchbox]

Putting it in Rain Mode will lengthen throttle action to counteract light action. No loss of power, just twist further.

 

[conkerman]

I'm hoping I will acclimatise to the throttle weighting. If you put it in rain mode, the throttle becomes woolly everywhere.

I like the throttle to be direct and don't want to compromise that, I just would like it to be a bit heavier.

 

[Engineer]

The throttle felt very light on my 2013 bike when I first bought it, but after 22,000 miles on that bike and almost another 9,000 on my 2015 TE I am starting to think it's a bit heavy you get used to these things and I would not want to go back to a heavy action now.

 

[Reggie P]

Conkerman, I haven't quite reached 1000miles yet , but I'm thinking exactly as you post above.

Except , unlike you, I love the keyless go.

I'm curious, what did you buy in terms of "protection " (mudsling? fender extender?) and luggage ?

 

[BigRedUn]

I got mine about the same time, and have done similar miles. Most of what you say I agree with. The differences for me are no issues with fueling, but I have mine in either rain or road and with soft suspension; I think the engine is okay but sounds crap. I wouldn't get gsap again either.
I came from a Harley Fat Bob, and the handling on this in bad weather is so much more confidence inspiring; in fact I sold the Harley because I couldn't ride it in the rain, and I couldn't afford to have two bikes.
Mine came with panniers and I bought a s/h Givi top box through this site. I haven't bought any 'protection' yet, my wallet is still feeling a bit empty!

 

[littleade]

Overall, The GS is an excellent bike, gets so much fundamentally right, most of the bits I don't rate as highly are optional stuff (throttle action excepted).

I think there is a lot to be said for getting the standard model, a couple of options + Ohlins/Willbers for a keeper.

Hmmmm thanks for the write up. After test riding the Explorer and TE GS this was one thing I was considering doing with the TEX as I found the suspension jarring. I preferred the GS but the downside to me was the TE price so I'll ring Revs suspension to see if they do the stock GS too that'll give the same plush ride as the TE.

 

[conkerman]

Conkerman, I haven't quite reached 1000miles yet , but I'm thinking exactly as you post above.

Except , unlike you, I love the keyless go.

I'm curious, what did you buy in terms of "protection " (mudsling? fender extender?) and luggage ?

Nothing. Yet.

I expect it will be crash bars, headlamp protector and something to protect the front of the engine. Not convinced about mudsling/hugger as the shock is reasonably well protected.

Sent from my MZ604 using Tapatalk

 

[GS-Jonesy]

Putting it in Rain Mode will lengthen throttle action to counteract light action. No loss of power, just twist further.

Is this right? I was told by BMW that the different maps alter power, torque, traction control and ABS. Confused


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Engineer]

Is this right? I was told by BMW that the different maps alter power, torque, traction control and ABS. Confused


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No change in max power but the other things are adjusted, but not sure about ABS.

 

[Nutty]

Nothing. Yet.

I expect it will be crash bars, headlamp protector and something to protect the front of the engine. Not convinced about mudsling/hugger as the shock is reasonably well protected.

Sent from my MZ604 using Tapatalk

The mudsling is perfect, as it will protect the swingarm from stonechips. I got one of the first LC's in 2013, and the mudsling took about 3 months to come out. By then, the swingarm had a peppering of stonechips.

 

[Toddmeister]

Is this right? I was told by BMW that the different maps alter power, torque, traction control and ABS. Confused[

Yep, throttle response, torque, ASC and ABS are all changed in each riding mode. If you've got dynamic ESA suspension that is also modified.

 

[matchbox]

But you can overide these settings. All down to personal preference, therecis no right setting!

 

[GS-Jonesy]

Yep, throttle response, torque, ASC and ABS are all changed in each riding mode. If you've got dynamic ESA suspension that is also modified.

Thanks for clearing that up


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RedRick Esq.]

No change in max power but the other things are adjusted, but not sure about ABS.

I think rain mode reduces power by about 20 BHP

 

[Reggie P]

Big Red Un; I think the engine is okay but sounds crap. I wouldn't get gsap again either.

Yep! Pity , coming from an F800GS , which was a technically brilliant motor, the 1200 sound is disappointing.
The sound has to be the worst feature of the bike.

 

[conkerman]

You get used to the farty noise after a while.

The LC sounds much better than my R1100S.

The F800 is a parallel twin, I had a TRX850 years ago that had offset crankpins and sounded lovely.

 

[Jimmer83]

I like the sound of mine, the standard exhaust is louder than I thought it would be though.