The most obvious difference visually is the 08 and onwards bikes have the large shiny metal bit on each side at the front of the tank (with "GS" on it) earlier models didn't have that.
Mike
1200GS...please guys talk to me, I'm completely new to these
- Thread starter y2blade
- Start date
The most obvious difference visually is the 08 and onwards bikes have the large shiny metal bit on each side at the front of the tank (with "GS" on it) earlier models didn't have that.
Mike
snerkler
Registered user
The side panels are the most obvious clue
Early model pre 08
Later model
thank you both
very helpful
I just LOVE my 2005 1200GS.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
Mr K
Registered user
New ones have to be run on hyper unleaded to get the performance advantage.
2004 model here, approaching 60,000 miles and 7 years with her. NEVER had a bike for more tha 18 months before.
2004 model here, approaching 60,000 miles and 7 years with her. NEVER had a bike for more tha 18 months before.
tbh it is looking like I'll be going for a 08 with all the goodies already fitted
but not ruling out the earlier ones if the right bike with all the mods done comes along
just got to get the Mrs on the back of one and change her mind on it
but not ruling out the earlier ones if the right bike with all the mods done comes along
just got to get the Mrs on the back of one and change her mind on it
04 and lovin it 
The KTM looked like a one-up hooligan toy and more like a competitor to the Multi Strada to me.
I am sure they go a treat, but can't see them being much good for two-up touring, the BMW really does tick the allrounder box properly really does feel like a jack-of-all-trades and masters most of them (reliability and stupid double service schedules being the only downfalls IMO)
I am sure they go a treat, but can't see them being much good for two-up touring, the BMW really does tick the allrounder box properly really does feel like a jack-of-all-trades and masters most of them (reliability and stupid double service schedules being the only downfalls IMO)
I've gotta say, I love mine too. 
I haven't been without a bike for about 25 years, and this is the first bike that ticks so many boxes for me.
I've done the middle weights, sports bikes, tourers, dedicated track bikes, and they've all been brilliant.
This bike though (GSA) seems do do it all. The only thing it won't do is the 130's 140's fast road stuff that to be honest, I don't want to do any more.
It tours one up, two up, it does simple off road stuff, and as a back road hooner it's an absolute hoot. I can sit on it all day, and on the right road (narrowish twisty A road / B road) there's not much that'll beat it.
Good road bikes have mid range grunt (perfect for gas out the corner, overtaking..) good engine braking (perfect for flow rather than point, squirt brake) softish susspension (It's a road not a race track), and they give you vision. You can see...plan.... overtake.... The GS has all of those things in spades.
I think it's a cracking bike, I absolutely love it, and I genuinely can't think of another bike that I'd replace it with.
The other day I went out with her indoors, we had a bit of a play on fast A roads, bimbled on gravel / moss strewn b roads and then did ten minutes on a by-way !! Brilliant!
Best bike I've ever owned
I haven't been without a bike for about 25 years, and this is the first bike that ticks so many boxes for me.
I've done the middle weights, sports bikes, tourers, dedicated track bikes, and they've all been brilliant.
This bike though (GSA) seems do do it all. The only thing it won't do is the 130's 140's fast road stuff that to be honest, I don't want to do any more.
It tours one up, two up, it does simple off road stuff, and as a back road hooner it's an absolute hoot. I can sit on it all day, and on the right road (narrowish twisty A road / B road) there's not much that'll beat it.
Good road bikes have mid range grunt (perfect for gas out the corner, overtaking..) good engine braking (perfect for flow rather than point, squirt brake) softish susspension (It's a road not a race track), and they give you vision. You can see...plan.... overtake.... The GS has all of those things in spades.
I think it's a cracking bike, I absolutely love it, and I genuinely can't think of another bike that I'd replace it with.
The other day I went out with her indoors, we had a bit of a play on fast A roads, bimbled on gravel / moss strewn b roads and then did ten minutes on a by-way !! Brilliant!
Best bike I've ever owned
R17GSR
Registered user
Not that much different. The handling got a bit sharper and the steering a bit quicker with the '08 model year and that also got a bit more power.
I'm on my third one at the moment - it's an '09 and I previously owned an '04 and an '07. They've got progressively more refined and better built with each iteration. Buy the latest bike you can afford and get a warranty with it.
It was inevitable that you'd see the light, eventually.....
Feck me , joined 2004, what you waiting for.......a hydro/nuclear GS1200!!
original_concept
Registered user
Also, to confuse matters further. If you look hard enough there are 08 plated bikes which are 2009 spec'd (built around Summer 2008); so you can get a 2008 bike, but is actually the slightly better 2009 spec, without having to pay for a 2009 plate. LED indicators as standard etc.
I have a smooth, 15000 mile 07 GSA and I have ridden several 09 and 10 models and I am not sufficiently convinced that its worth spending the extra thousands for a new model. I have had more fun on this bile than any other that I have owned.
I'd just go for whichever is within your spending limit, but avoid the unnecessarily over complicated earlier brake servo versions.
I am sure that the new bikes are better, but you are not going to see one at its best when new.
I'd just go for whichever is within your spending limit, but avoid the unnecessarily over complicated earlier brake servo versions.
I am sure that the new bikes are better, but you are not going to see one at its best when new.
UPDATE
Took my otherhalf out on Demo......she thought it was (her words)
"boring,slow,big,heavy,ugly and sounded rubbish"...she said it was nothing like (our friend Gary's) the KTM 950 (I'd told her it would be much the same on the pillion seat to try and talk her round to the idea of the GS) ...and can't see why I was gushing about my Demo on one a couple of months ago
She basicly thought I would be making a massive mistake If I bought one, she's all for a KTM ADVENTURE though
b****cks
perhaps she is right (it wouldn't be the first time)
Took my otherhalf out on Demo......she thought it was (her words)
"boring,slow,big,heavy,ugly and sounded rubbish"...she said it was nothing like (our friend Gary's) the KTM 950 (I'd told her it would be much the same on the pillion seat to try and talk her round to the idea of the GS) ...and can't see why I was gushing about my Demo on one a couple of months ago
She basicly thought I would be making a massive mistake If I bought one, she's all for a KTM ADVENTURE though
b****cks
perhaps she is right (it wouldn't be the first time)
That surprises me, the pillion seat on a 990 has got to be narrower and less comfey after a few hours than a GS. Whats ironic is that if I wanted a bike just for me, I would consider a 990 over a GS, but I've deliberately gone for the beemer 'cos I do so much two up....
You Had us Fooled for a while there Eh?
EggChaser
Registered user
If you're vertically challenged the '08 (from Approximately May onwards) was the first model that had a factory lowering kit available as an option (shorter stands, shorter shocks etc)
However if the bike has ESA it won't be a lowered one as the short shocks are not ESA compatible (so no need to check if ESA is mentioned)
If you are however tall and the bike you look at does not have ESA, might be worth checking.
However if the bike has ESA it won't be a lowered one as the short shocks are not ESA compatible (so no need to check if ESA is mentioned)
If you are however tall and the bike you look at does not have ESA, might be worth checking.
What you need is a 57 plate in excellent condition, in red, the fastest colour !
with some nice extras !
with some nice extras !
