1200 gs adv advice please

[porker]

I have had a refundable deposit on a 1200 gs adv for a while and only got around to a test ride on saturday.
I experienced a terrible weave problem which started at approx 90mph and got very bad as speed increased. The bike had knobblies on and obviously arnt speed rated over 100mph but is this the cause of the steering wobble, it was very unsafe. I reported this to the dealer and they are going to put some road tyres on for me to try it again.
Also I found the engine was holding back at high speed, anyone experienced that?

 

[Deadskin]

How many miles on the clock ??
the demo i had a go on only had 70 miles on the clock and was really tight
obviously.
Though through experience they soon loosen up @ 10k

 

[porker]

only 750 miles

 

[Deadskin]

Also I found the engine was holding back at high speed, anyone experienced that?

Rev limiter

 

[porker]

it wasnt the rev limiter, only doing 6000rpm ish, seemed like a fueling problem

 

[Ryperd]

Shaking head could be wrong suspension setup.

 

[Micky]

Now done 3,500 miles on mine

No probs

Except I want a new rear tyre

 

[Andy0557]

Day 1...

Only 100 miles but its bloody lovely. After the first bit of wobbliness, it seems great. Like getting back on on an 1150 again for "presence" but much more refined. And SO good on the pegs - like it's on rails.

 

[porker]

what tyres have you got?

 

[Micky]

what tyres have you got?

Me?

Hi Porker

These..... Michelin Anakees

 

[(RIP) Shenzi]

Porker, you are lucky to get a test ride, they don't have any demo bikes down here. Not that I am bothered as there are no major differences between this and the basic 1200GS and certainly none whatsoever to the engine. At 750 miles it is no big surprise that the engine is still tight so I don't understand your concern.

 

[Little legs]

Porker, just rode a GSA12 today and can confirm that the knobblys are shite.

I had the same speed wobble at 80 plus.

Cornering was a bit weird those TK knobblys are a load of rubbish,

I asked Willliams why they had'nt changed to road tyres, They said they BMW wouldnt let them change tyres until they were bald ???

 

[porker]

I cant beleive they are on demo bikes! I thought the idea of a demo was to get people to buy them. When I went for a demo in Chelmsford which is surrounded by main roads the last thing I expected to see was knobblys.
The dealer said he would change them last week and ring me so I could ride it again but suprise suprise I got no phone call.
Although I have a deposit down I am going to consider another bike as if the dealer cant even get that right whats the hope of being able to look after me after I have handed over my money.

 

[porker]

and as far as BMW not letting them change the tyres, what a load of cr*p. The dealer owns the bike and they do as they want.

 

[Pondboy]

NOG put Tourances on their demo 1200Adv as soon as they got it.

The <500 mile Cooper Reading 1200Adv felt quite breathless when I took it out on Friday. When straight back out on a slightly higher mileage (and thrashed) 1200Gs and it felt like a different engine.

I'd put it down to engine looseness on the 1200GS and people being scared to hammer it on the knobbly tyred lardy 1200Adv. PB

 

[Alte Wolf]

I cant beleive they are on demo bikes! I thought the idea of a demo was to get people to buy them. When I went for a demo in Chelmsford which is surrounded by main roads the last thing I expected to see was knobblys.
The dealer said he would change them last week and ring me so I could ride it again but suprise suprise I got no phone call.
Although I have a deposit down I am going to consider another bike as if the dealer cant even get that right whats the hope of being able to look after me after I have handed over my money.

Porker like yourself, in some ways I had some question marks in my mind about so called "knobblys". I reckon for most 'normal' purposes they are unusable/dangerous.

However in almost every other respect the new 1200GSA is IMHO a very serious and excellent motorcycle. In fact I think with the right tyres it has the potential to be a real 'giant killer' with the little bit of extra ground clearance.

Well, thats just IMHO

I would not hesitate to recommend it to the 'keen' and 'experienced' motorcyclist

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

As Pond Boy said NOG changed the tyres straight away on their demo GSA as they didn't want riders out on the TKC's

 

[porker]

it was the best thing they could have done!

 

[MikeP]

Porker like yourself, in some ways I had some question marks in my mind about so called "knobblys". I reckon for most 'normal' purposes they are unusable/dangerous.

Conti' TKC's seem to generate completely opposite opinions.

I've not tried a 1200GS with them but have used them for ages on my Adventure.

"Unusable/dangerous"? That's a bit strong!