1250 GS Rallye vs S1000XR

[fred_jb]

Indeed, split the difference. Go for a 1250r.
If I did not do any two up touring I would be on one, a cracking bike.

I do a lot of touring, and don't go off road, so am in the process of changing from GS to 1250 RS now that the latter has all the same features and functionality as the GS, which has not been the case for the last few years. The 1250RS is the faired and slightly sportier version of the 1250R, but otherwise the same mechanically, with for me the key advantage compared to the S1000XR that it has the boxer engine which I love. Will report back at some point on how that works out compared to the GS.

 

[Monners]

I do a lot of touring, and don't go off road, so am in the process of changing from GS to 1250 RS now that the latter has all the same features and functionality as the GS, which has not been the case for the last few years. The 1250RS is the faired and slightly sportier version of the 1250R, but otherwise the same mechanically, with for me the key advantage compared to the S1000XR that it has the boxer engine which I love. Will report back at some point on how that works out compared to the GS.

I must admit that one of the first things I thought when picking up the GS was that I could do with full fairings. Its kind of odd when everything else on the bike makes life easier but you have all the wind buffeting to deal with when touring. Is the RS on different suspension as well?

 

[stick]

I must admit that one of the first things I thought when picking up the GS was that I could do with full fairings. Its kind of odd when everything else on the bike makes life easier but you have all the wind buffeting to deal with when touring. Is the RS on different suspension as well?

You can sort the buffering with screen changes to suit your size/problems etc a good search on here will help. The RS has standard suspension ie fork legs ( not the same as the GS ) heard some great reports on them but the suspension would put me off at first but until I test one I will hold my dislike.
But a real world bike all the same .

 

[Firestick]

Done a few more miles on the S1000XR now and I agree with many comments, as a direct comparison to the GS.

The main one is the difference in the engine - it feels like a sports bike and can appear less relaxed. You just need to adjust after the GS, which doesn't take long, but a test ride will never show that. For me, after many years on sports bikes pre-GS, I like it.

Disagree on less comfortable - it's certainly as comfortable solo on a tank full to tank empty run. The test will be France for ten days and I can't wait.

 

[stick]

Done a few more miles on the S1000XR now and I agree with many comments, as a direct comparison to the GS.

The main one is the difference in the engine - it feels like a sports bike and can appear less relaxed. You just need to adjust after the GS, which doesn't take long, but a test ride will never show that. For me, after many years on sports bikes pre-GS, I like it.

Disagree on less comfortable - it's certainly as comfortable solo on a tank full to tank empty run. The test will be France for ten days and I can't wait.

I had one for a full day and two tanks of fuel , I liked it , but on the roads we were riding it just became tiresome and wanting.
I see the fact that ex sport bike riders would like it as they do the 1290 and the multi , but in reality there is no real difference . I just for some reason could not gel with it as good as it was.
The old thing , all that power and no real gain that's why I sold my 1200s Duc .

 

[neils]

XR

New XR model due out early next year--has been completely revamped apparently.

Will be worth waiting for !!!

 

[stick]

New XR model due out early next year--has been completely revamped apparently.

Will be worth waiting for !!!

Oh good , hope they put the 1250 engine in and get rid of the silly in line 4 .. Boxerlust dream

 

[Spareparts]

Never liked the XR. It is a S1000R on stilts. S1000 motor too revvy for relaxed cruising and lacks the effortless torque and drive of the R1250. And when you use the rpm and want it to handle, you realise it lacks the stability and surefootedness of the GS Telelever+Paralever or that the S1000R/RR is simply better at the job. Seat wedges you into the tank. Poxy puggage of the RS. Buzzy. Never feels relaxed although the QS is addictive.

If you want to make fast progress on less than perfect roads, nowt better than the GS/A. XR is poorly compromised imho.

 

[DC]

Oh good , hope they put the 1250 engine in and get rid of the silly in line 4 .. Boxerlust dream

Then it would be a GSXR ...

 

[Monkey Rum]

Oh good , hope they put the 1250 engine in and get rid of the silly in line 4 .. Boxerlust dream

I’m the opposite, get rid of the old tractor engine and put the sublime shift cam 4 into the GS chassis

 

[CPJS]

I’m the opposite, get rid of the old tractor engine and put the sublime shift cam 4 into the GS chassis

Nah.
It's the big grunt from nowhere that is the GS forte.

 

[Nutty]

Never liked the XR. It is a S1000R on stilts. S1000 motor too revvy for relaxed cruising and lacks the effortless torque and drive of the R1250. And when you use the rpm and want it to handle, you realise it lacks the stability and surefootedness of the GS Telelever+Paralever or that the S1000R/RR is simply better at the job. Seat wedges you into the tank. Poxy puggage of the RS. Buzzy. Never feels relaxed although the QS is addictive.

If you want to make fast progress on less than perfect roads, nowt better than the GS/A. XR is poorly compromised imho.

Have you owned one?

 

[Blackal]

You can throw whatever luggage you want - on it........

OEM, Shad, Metalmule, Givi, Motech

 

[Spareparts]

Have you owned one?

One day and a full tank was more than enough.

 

[Monkey Rum]

Nah.
It's the big grunt from nowhere that is the GS forte.

I don’t get that, I’ve a 1250 and it’s pretty gutless below 3000

 

[CPJS]

I don’t get that, I’ve a 1250 and it’s pretty gutless below 3000

Don't know whats wrong with your bike then, any 1250 I've ridden GS, RT and R has pulled like a train from 1500rpm.

 

[stick]

I don’t get that, I’ve a 1250 and it’s pretty gutless below 3000

You must have a weak wrist or anti twist syndrome , many suffer from it

 

[Arsey]

One day and a full tank was more than enough.

I think Nutty kept his a week.

 

[Toddmeister]

I've owned both, the GSLC for 3 yeas and the XR for 2 years and did 15k plus miles on each of them.

My experiences FWIW as follows:

GS LC: lovely relaxed engine, lots of low down grunt, comfortable over long distances, reasonable handling. Very easy bike to ride, in the dry or wet, even when fully loaded with camping kit. Also surprisingly quick down the back toads when pushing on a bit. Only issues were the flappy valve thing stuck early on, but that stopped when I fitted a full Akra!

XR: Masses of power when needed, but it's an in-line four so needs to be ridden like one. No vibe problems with mine at all! Handling was sublime, with razor sharp turn in and precise steering. Super fast in the dry, but I used to find it a bit of a handful in slippy, wet conditions. Comfortable over distance, but fuel range when pressing on was much worse than GS. Basically a sports bike on stilts and requires a lot of skill and concentration if you're riding it hard as it's stupidly quick. No reliability issues.

I very much enjoyed both bikes, but they are completely different in character. As bike choice is a very personal thing, it's no surprise we get difderent views from different folk. The only way to really know if you'll like a bike is to take it for an extended test ride (more than once if at all possible!).

As for me now, I've gone Orange and am most happy with that decision

 

[Firestick]

I've owned both, the GSLC for 3 yeas and the XR for 2 years and did 15k plus miles on each of them.

I very much enjoyed both bikes, but they are completely different in character. As bike choice is a very personal thing, it's no surprise we get different views from different folk. The only way to really know if you'll like a bike is to take it for an extended test ride (more than once if at all possible!)

That sums it up for me too.

Over a decade with various GS/GSA and with the Rallye at two years old, 'had' to decide what to do. Don't particularly like the GSA, so;

Keep the bike
Buy a new 1250
Change to something else

Keeping it meant at least £400 plus per year on an extended warranty and a new one meant adding ten grand, so decided keep or swap to something else. Visit to the dealer made up my mind and the HP SE just reeled me in.

Bought the XR 'blind' having never ridden one - life is about adventure right - knowing a new model was imminent. Achieved superb PX price, sold all my farkles and got a massive discount on the XR.

Luckily, I like it. More than the Rallye? Not yet.

GS is a wonderful bike, no doubt about it, but I wanted to get out of the cycle for now. I may go back, but I do like the XR engine characteristics and maybe that will push me in a different direction altogether in another couple of years...