SQD8R
Registered user
OK here’s my 24,000 km report. I normally would say end of season but I plan on riding through the winter whenever the weather is cooperative. I’ll stay away from stuff like passion and all that crap and just report the facts first. Then I’ll get into the passion stuff so you can sign off if you want. I was going to follow Lundbergs report format from OC. I really liked it and think it a good way to cover all the pertinent details on a review. But since his is specific to one ride and more specifically the modifications he did I’m not following it completely since I have no modifications to speak of.
I purchased the 2004 R1200GS from Motor Sport World in Ottawa
Rider Profile: 5’9, 230-240. 17 years street riding. 3 years trackdays and road-racing. 2 years motorcycle drag racing. Very little off-road experience. Previous trips done on VTR, and RC51 to East coast areas.
Previous bikes: 400 Maxim, 750 Katana, 1000R Ninja, KZ900, GPZ305, GS500E, VTR1000, RC51, CBR600RR, RD350 endurance racer, H1R replica
What has happened to date:
· Just over 24,000 km as of this morning.
· Usually 100 out of every 1000 kms is off-road
· 1 rear tire Tourance due to a flat (see below)
· Front Tourance tire still being used
· Burned about 700-800 ml of oil between 2, 000 and 18,000 km (still have bottle left in the bag)
· 1 burned out headlight bulb @ 20,000 km
· 1 broken support bar for the windscreen after something “big” hit it. I’m still not sure what it was a bird or a rock since I clipped both in the same day
· Longest ride in one time frame: over 1,400 km from Moncton NB to Ottawa Ont.
· Fastest I’ve been: over 180 kph, with luggage on in expanded position, consistently over a 45 min period running with a couple of VFR’s and ZZR1300
· Best gas mileage with bags mounted and expanded. 436 km
· Worst gas mileage with bags mounted and expanded 375 km
· Longest trip just under 7,000 km – Maritimes
· No modifications
· Only additions have been the factory side cases
· Future additions/modifications Bard Vardy’s lighting system, factory top case, Touratech engine guards and bars, possibly GPS
24,000 km. This has primarily been a weekend run of the following. I usually go for a 600 to 800 km ride on Saturday, weather be damned, followed on Sunday with a 100-150 km run thorough the trails outside Ottawa. There are plenty of trails wide enough for a big bike like this as well as ATV trails and wider paths for jeeps and such. I also go along the K and P Trail up by Calaboogie. This is nice trail wide in some areas and thin in others with terrain from smooth rock to larger stones but no major elevation changes to really speak of. The tarmac miles have also included three runs down to Windsor from Ottawa that usually ends up being a run of over 2,300 kms round trip, back roads mainly. My last big trip was this past Thanksgiving weekend. I’ve also gone up to Algonquin Park numerous times this summer, the Adirondacks, Manitoulin Is. and the Martimes, specifically the Cabot Trail. I had a longest run of 1,400 kms from Moncton NB to Ottawa in one day. If anyone needs a great route to any of these places let me know as I’ve tried many of them. I usually average a speed of 120-140 kph and find it just purrs well @ this speed.
My off-road has included dirt roads, logging roads, ATV paths. Again I’m no dirt master so I take my time and besides I’m not in a race since I’m out there alone. I’ve had no issues riding on dirt. I’ve dropped it twice and no ill effect. I’ve had the bags on and they have taken the brunt of the hit and I’ve kept the cylinder heads clear. Both times it was in a mixture of sand, mud and muck, so no real damage to be had. Being magnesium heads I know they wouldn’t take a hit well so of course I’ll be getting some engine guards. I’ve also taken through deep waters just above the cylinder heads and no ill effects.
So as you can see my issues have been negligible therefore my gripes are none. I love ever aspect of the bike and for the first time ever I’m really regretting the end of the riding season. I usually like the change of seasons but this time I feel like I’m really missing out on a lot of perfect riding time. I also feel that while I’ve enjoyed owning a RC51 I feel I’ve missed out on a lot of great riding by restricting myself to sport bikes in my racing endeavours.
In my mind it’s perfect because it does everything I ask of it and it never leaves me wanting for more or for other bikes. While I am still interested in other bikes, who isn’t, I don’t look at them and say boy I wish I had that bike. That tells me I’ve made the right choice, for me. If you don’t get that from your motorcycle keep trying until something fits. The one thing I’ve noticed about myself with this bike is that I’m avoiding the two traditional things I’ve done in previous motorcycle ownership.
1. Shopping for other motorcycles and considering replacing mine
Once I saw the R12GS I knew I had a keeper. I knew I’d own it within a year despite the fact that I had just purchased a ZX10R. The last bike I felt this way about was the RC51 that would still be with me if it hadn’t been written off. I am interested in other bikes of course. The KTM 950 was my alternate choice but the 12GS fit my life and riding better. As many know I’m still considering a 950 as my second bike. This desire stems strictly from my racing mindset. I look at it as a bike I’d have a lot of fun severely modify, running bare bones and of course it is better off-road. If I bought it that’s all it would be used for, off-roading with the 12Gs restricted to only roadwork. These two in my garage, in my mind, would be a perfect pairing. I also look at the XR650R the same way as well as the Husaberg 400 supermoto and F650GS Dakar. The supermotos that KTM and Suzuki have coming are interesting and the Husaberg 400 is another that is prominent in my mind. But I’m looking at these bikes as additions only and not as replacements. Other than the12GS, the 950 and the 650GS Dakar, I can’t imagine keeping the other models for more than a few seasons.
2. Shopping for ways to modify it in an attempt to improve the bike
I’ll add the light bar and engine guards but that’s it. Maybe a comfort seat for those extended trips provided it comes as a rider seat only so the top box can go in the passenger seat position. But realistically compared to what I’ve done in the past with bikes (I had over $12,000 into my RC51 race bike) I’ll be keeping it stock. Still it would be cool to really trick this bike up, perhaps when the warranty is done. I’ve seen the pictures of the Akrapovic under seat exhaust. Yum.
So there is my long-term report. Hopefully it is of help to those who are interested in this bike. While I would still say that a test ride is a good gauge I honestly believe that even that won’t tell you if you have made the right choice. But I’d say go with your gut choice I know I have. Also I think it is a good idea to decide what type of riding you are going to be doing. My ZX10R while an awesome bike, didn’t fit into my lifestyle. Reminiscing about my 1986 1000R, which back in the day was king of the sport bikes, blinded me. I just allowed myself to forget how much sport bikes have changed from sport bikes (really sport tourers) of old. The thing is to make sure you won’t regret not getting the bike you desire. If you’ve been pining after a 950, 12GS, R100GS, Vstrom, Tiger, KLR, 650GS or whatever, for over a year, I’d say that’s a good gauge of what you are looking for. And despite whatever you may read negatively about any bike, because they all have negatives and they are all posted on the requisite sites, I wouldn’t be deterred from your gut feeling. The Internet is a wonderful tool but it is just that, a tool. It isn’t the end all, be all. If you didn’t have Internet access what bike would you really be riding?
I purchased the 2004 R1200GS from Motor Sport World in Ottawa
Rider Profile: 5’9, 230-240. 17 years street riding. 3 years trackdays and road-racing. 2 years motorcycle drag racing. Very little off-road experience. Previous trips done on VTR, and RC51 to East coast areas.
Previous bikes: 400 Maxim, 750 Katana, 1000R Ninja, KZ900, GPZ305, GS500E, VTR1000, RC51, CBR600RR, RD350 endurance racer, H1R replica
What has happened to date:
· Just over 24,000 km as of this morning.
· Usually 100 out of every 1000 kms is off-road
· 1 rear tire Tourance due to a flat (see below)
· Front Tourance tire still being used
· Burned about 700-800 ml of oil between 2, 000 and 18,000 km (still have bottle left in the bag)
· 1 burned out headlight bulb @ 20,000 km
· 1 broken support bar for the windscreen after something “big” hit it. I’m still not sure what it was a bird or a rock since I clipped both in the same day
· Longest ride in one time frame: over 1,400 km from Moncton NB to Ottawa Ont.
· Fastest I’ve been: over 180 kph, with luggage on in expanded position, consistently over a 45 min period running with a couple of VFR’s and ZZR1300
· Best gas mileage with bags mounted and expanded. 436 km
· Worst gas mileage with bags mounted and expanded 375 km
· Longest trip just under 7,000 km – Maritimes
· No modifications
· Only additions have been the factory side cases
· Future additions/modifications Bard Vardy’s lighting system, factory top case, Touratech engine guards and bars, possibly GPS
24,000 km. This has primarily been a weekend run of the following. I usually go for a 600 to 800 km ride on Saturday, weather be damned, followed on Sunday with a 100-150 km run thorough the trails outside Ottawa. There are plenty of trails wide enough for a big bike like this as well as ATV trails and wider paths for jeeps and such. I also go along the K and P Trail up by Calaboogie. This is nice trail wide in some areas and thin in others with terrain from smooth rock to larger stones but no major elevation changes to really speak of. The tarmac miles have also included three runs down to Windsor from Ottawa that usually ends up being a run of over 2,300 kms round trip, back roads mainly. My last big trip was this past Thanksgiving weekend. I’ve also gone up to Algonquin Park numerous times this summer, the Adirondacks, Manitoulin Is. and the Martimes, specifically the Cabot Trail. I had a longest run of 1,400 kms from Moncton NB to Ottawa in one day. If anyone needs a great route to any of these places let me know as I’ve tried many of them. I usually average a speed of 120-140 kph and find it just purrs well @ this speed.
My off-road has included dirt roads, logging roads, ATV paths. Again I’m no dirt master so I take my time and besides I’m not in a race since I’m out there alone. I’ve had no issues riding on dirt. I’ve dropped it twice and no ill effect. I’ve had the bags on and they have taken the brunt of the hit and I’ve kept the cylinder heads clear. Both times it was in a mixture of sand, mud and muck, so no real damage to be had. Being magnesium heads I know they wouldn’t take a hit well so of course I’ll be getting some engine guards. I’ve also taken through deep waters just above the cylinder heads and no ill effects.
So as you can see my issues have been negligible therefore my gripes are none. I love ever aspect of the bike and for the first time ever I’m really regretting the end of the riding season. I usually like the change of seasons but this time I feel like I’m really missing out on a lot of perfect riding time. I also feel that while I’ve enjoyed owning a RC51 I feel I’ve missed out on a lot of great riding by restricting myself to sport bikes in my racing endeavours.
In my mind it’s perfect because it does everything I ask of it and it never leaves me wanting for more or for other bikes. While I am still interested in other bikes, who isn’t, I don’t look at them and say boy I wish I had that bike. That tells me I’ve made the right choice, for me. If you don’t get that from your motorcycle keep trying until something fits. The one thing I’ve noticed about myself with this bike is that I’m avoiding the two traditional things I’ve done in previous motorcycle ownership.
1. Shopping for other motorcycles and considering replacing mine
Once I saw the R12GS I knew I had a keeper. I knew I’d own it within a year despite the fact that I had just purchased a ZX10R. The last bike I felt this way about was the RC51 that would still be with me if it hadn’t been written off. I am interested in other bikes of course. The KTM 950 was my alternate choice but the 12GS fit my life and riding better. As many know I’m still considering a 950 as my second bike. This desire stems strictly from my racing mindset. I look at it as a bike I’d have a lot of fun severely modify, running bare bones and of course it is better off-road. If I bought it that’s all it would be used for, off-roading with the 12Gs restricted to only roadwork. These two in my garage, in my mind, would be a perfect pairing. I also look at the XR650R the same way as well as the Husaberg 400 supermoto and F650GS Dakar. The supermotos that KTM and Suzuki have coming are interesting and the Husaberg 400 is another that is prominent in my mind. But I’m looking at these bikes as additions only and not as replacements. Other than the12GS, the 950 and the 650GS Dakar, I can’t imagine keeping the other models for more than a few seasons.
2. Shopping for ways to modify it in an attempt to improve the bike
I’ll add the light bar and engine guards but that’s it. Maybe a comfort seat for those extended trips provided it comes as a rider seat only so the top box can go in the passenger seat position. But realistically compared to what I’ve done in the past with bikes (I had over $12,000 into my RC51 race bike) I’ll be keeping it stock. Still it would be cool to really trick this bike up, perhaps when the warranty is done. I’ve seen the pictures of the Akrapovic under seat exhaust. Yum.
So there is my long-term report. Hopefully it is of help to those who are interested in this bike. While I would still say that a test ride is a good gauge I honestly believe that even that won’t tell you if you have made the right choice. But I’d say go with your gut choice I know I have. Also I think it is a good idea to decide what type of riding you are going to be doing. My ZX10R while an awesome bike, didn’t fit into my lifestyle. Reminiscing about my 1986 1000R, which back in the day was king of the sport bikes, blinded me. I just allowed myself to forget how much sport bikes have changed from sport bikes (really sport tourers) of old. The thing is to make sure you won’t regret not getting the bike you desire. If you’ve been pining after a 950, 12GS, R100GS, Vstrom, Tiger, KLR, 650GS or whatever, for over a year, I’d say that’s a good gauge of what you are looking for. And despite whatever you may read negatively about any bike, because they all have negatives and they are all posted on the requisite sites, I wouldn’t be deterred from your gut feeling. The Internet is a wonderful tool but it is just that, a tool. It isn’t the end all, be all. If you didn’t have Internet access what bike would you really be riding?
