1200GS;regular or adventure

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GS-Prospect

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Hallo Everyone!
New here but not to motorcycles with boxer engines.
I want to buy a 1200GS to do some sport touring on;also two up and off the beaten path trips where more grippy tires like the Twinduros work better than street only tires.
Hope to get some good advise about pros and cons from 1200GS and 12Adventure owners.I already know the regular version is cheaper and the Adventure has a bigger tank..;-).I don't need that big of a tank but the regular GS tank could be 4 liters bigger for my liking to be "perfect";200 miles without holding back too much + 4 liters reserve is good enough for me.
I'm also tall enough for the Adventure but probably not strong enough to pick it up...;-) but I'n not worried about size and weight because both are too heavy for trails and I just want to have the ability to take some vacation trips in countries that include some roads that are not paved but also have a comfortable bike that is fun and capable on twisty pavement.
What kind of concerned me and reason to ask is the following experience I made on a testride riding a regular 12GS.Even with a fully preloaded rearshock the bike was kind of low in the rear making it turn slower or run wider compared to my R1100S.Even solo I had to crank up the preload the rear completely to like the handling but the pegs where scraping going slower than the S.I'm not heavy either...Is the Adventure handling better having more ground clearance to begin with or a heavier sprung longer rear shock despite the added weight due to the bigger tank?I was not able to try one,the dealer had all pre-sold...
Otherwise I really liked the R1200R with it's even faster engine and great handling but no chance of using grippier tires,either.
I would really like to see the Adventure being offered in all black and Ohlins as a factory option like on the R1200S but unfortunately that bike is really useless two up and on fire roads,otherwise it would have already replaced the R1100S...;-)
Also would you go for a new and expensive 07 or a slightly used and cheaper 06 with the electro hydraulic brakes?
Also what about the electrical gremlins with the battery going dead if not charged/ridden every week?
Could get a white 1150 Adventure used;but I really like the new 1200 engine and less weight is always good...
Any thoughts/input appreciated...Thanks!
 
ride both versions back to back. I did and I liked the GSA a lot better that the GS, so I bought one and I love it:D
 
Which corners better;the lighter GS or taller Adventure

The dealer has only a regular-GS for demo rides...
But sitting on it the Adventure keeps more it's "stance" were the regular one goes down in the back.Don't like the feel cornering.My S is way jacked up in the rear and rails like a dream...
I kind of look for this kind of handling,plus a bigger tank and the ability to take it off road with the right tires for a few planned trips...
Does anyone ride a regular 1200GS and uses different shocks from wilbers,white power or ohlins that might be height adjustable at the shock body itself?
I kind of plan to change for rebuildable shocks later anyways and could live with the small 20 liter tank and would still save some over the Adventure.For me the image or looks are unimportant as I see the GS as a tool anyways...
 
GS-Prospect said:
Does anyone ride a regular 1200GS and uses different shocks from wilbers,white power or ohlins that might be height adjustable at the shock body itself?
Click to expand...

i have an idea that technoflex shocks have ride height adjuster.
 
Sounds to me mate, like your fairly sold on the GS adventure.... Just out of interest... And this may be teaching you to suck eggs but... :nenau

To adjust the preload, you have to twiddle the handle thing and adjust the 'bit down underneath' with a screw driver.... :eek:

Somebody else can explain it properly.... but i find the GS handles spot on :bow

Nate
 
I've had both and never experienced the "sagging" you refer to, isn't it maybe just that specific bike - let's face it, test bikes are ridden HARD.

I found that the GS handles exceptionally and that the ADV 'drifts' a bit more - especially when full and loaded on Knobbly tyres.

My 2c.

P.s you do seem sold on the idea of the ADV - and it's an AMAZING bike, rather go for, that the GS and wish you had gone ADV.
 
If you take time to fill the standard 1200, 200 miles from a tank is easy. I normally get between 230 & 250 (I haven't done the 'neck' mod, but spend time dribbling in the fuel).

My dealer invariably sets up 1200 GSAs very soft at the back - claiming that riders prefer it. There is no reason for the 1200 to 'sag' any more than the GSA; it depends how you set it up.

The GSA is no more able to off-road than the GS, assuming you spec the same wheels & tyres. Arguably, it's less able.

The GSA is more protected as standard. But Motech bars cost around £100 on the GS.

The GSA is a 'feck-off' Tonka toy - nothing wrong with that, tho.'

Go with your heart.
 
Tonka Toy

Having gone from the 12GS to the 12GSA - I much prefer the GSA, not that the GS isnt a brilliant bike ... It is, just that the GSA is more of the same - Noticeable differences are longer travel suspension (It is better off road), tank capacity, and more relaxed head angle. Thie head angle results in the more "planted" feel to the bike, however it sacrifices the more sporty handling of the GS as it doesnt turn into corners quite as quickly.

As has been said, ride them back to back and you will know what suits you best

:thumb2
 
In the thread you've commented on being tall enough to manage a GSA, but I don't see your weight mentioned anywhere. For suspension advice your weight is a pretty important factor. In answer to your question re the rear of the Gs seeming to sag, regardless of the suspension setting this will lower the rear ride height and this will tend to slow the rate of turn in you get making the bike appear sluggish to turn. You haven't mentioned tyre pressures etc, and also adjusting the little screw adjuster on the bottom shock linkage. Personaly I'd be very surprised if on a correctly set up bike that you would have difficulty with such issues.
 
GSA better on paved roads,GS better in dirt...

Thanks for the good info so far.Like I said I wouldn't have asked but the dealer only has the regular to try out.My weight is 85 Kg,the missus 65kg so just normal weight.Like I said coming off the S I like the bike a little up in the back to make it steer quick and hold a tight line.The rear spring of the gS felt a little soft so I preloaded it all the way which made it feel ride riding solo.But pegs still touched where they wouldn't have on the S.Two up the rear definately sagged too much for my liking and the bike did not steer as quick or held the line.That's why I thought about the ADV because the bike sits higher,more clearance for the pegs and the rear spring feels stiffer,doesn't sag as much as the regular GS...The big tank is nice but really not the deciding factor.And real Charlie B...type off roading I don't want to do where the regular GS beeing lighter might be easier to handle.I just want to make a few trips on unpaved roads that are sandy or can be slick where the use of Twinduros is benefiial...
Thanks for the link with the height adjustable Ohlins.
Look like they are only available for the regular GS,though.Looks also you guys are pro-ADV.Guess I have to dig deeper in my pocket...;-)
One more question?The steering hea angle different on the ADV compared to the regular?The only difference in angle is because of the taller fork legs or am I wrong?
Thanks again!
 
The S is a sportsbike (of sorts) and the GS isnt. So trying to compare road handling in terms of issues like turn in and peg grounding is pointless. Would you look at a Harley in this way - not that I'm saying that the GS handles like a Harley (its way better) but just that you are comparing apples and pears.

If you are wanting the GS for fast open road smooth tarmac, you are looking at the wrong bike. Mind you, you are far from alone in doing that. Most UK sales seem to be to fashion victims who come from sportsbikes and will no doubt depart to some other fashion when that comes along.
 
The one for all;solo fun,two up touring and dirtroads

Good points birdeye and thanks Steve for the tip.The touratech 5 Liter underseat looks pretty nifty.
Of course a GS won't scratch like a S because it sits taller and moves more.But this is why I was surprised how easy it was to dragg the pegs on the regular GS.
That is why I posted the ADV question because I don't need that big of a tank and all the "overland" stuff.
The height adjustable rear Ohlins might take care of the too low rear stance but the front ones are not height adjustable so pegs might still touch.I guess the ADV will be it.I really like the power and handling of the R1200R but no TKContis so no side trips like on my S either.
Am I glad that the new R1200S is completely useless for touring and two up riding.Otherwise I really liked it almost as much as the R1200R that was almost as much fun but way more useful.That would have been way too expensive;having to buy two new bikes...;-)
 
What about the HP2???

Just out of curiosity, have you considered the HP2? I don't know a great deal about it, but if you're after something more sporty, but still capable of off-road side-trips, you could have an HP2 with one set of enduro wheels and one set of road wheels. Just a thought....

Steve
 
No HP-2...

I like the idea of the HP-2 but really it is no more than a expensive image bike for me.As a dirtbike too heavy and expensive and for going places even two up useless.
Waaay too small tank,no luggage...:-( It could have been great but like it is it's just toy for a few rich boys...
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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