2 weeks of ownership and I already love this bike more than any other.

snerkler

snerkler

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I've been lucky enough to have had all sorts of bikes over the years, from sportsbike to Harley, and from 600 naked to sports tourers and adventure bikes, but the R1250GSA is the best bike I've had. I'm seriously impressed. Granted I've been riding a Harley Road King for the last 4.5 years but I'm surprised how quick and agile it it, it's so easy to flick about an it completely belies its size.

Comfort is great (I've got the comfort seat), and I forgot how good the riding position is on the GSA, such a comanding view of the road. The Akra exhaust is already starting to bed in and it's starting to sound great, lovely tone and I'm even considering not removing the baffles now as it's just about loud enough and I think with the baffles out it might have too much drone a cruising speed.

I really can't put into words how much I've been enjoying this bike, I don't even mind the metallic 'rattle' from the engine under acceleration at low revs (I hope this is normal :help). It's a number of years since I had the R1200GSA but this like a big leap forwards.I can't wait for the 600 mile service so I can use the full rev range and hear the bark from the Akra :thumb2

Pics from this morning's outing.


A1_02157-Edit by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

A1_02184-Edit by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

A1_02222-Edit by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

A1_02227-Edit by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr
 
I absolutely adore mine.....I still feel the same as when I bought it nearly 2 years ago. Just cannot get bored of it.

I parked next to a Triumph 1200 yesterday and I was shocked at how small the Triumph was compared......

Just wish bits wouldn't break so much (thankfully all covered under warranty so far)
 
It took me a while to gel with mine, having owned a hexhead 1200 which I loved for a decade, plus other boxers previous to that.

Brought the 1250 for a run out today as its getting serviced tomorrow at Bahnstormer, I forgot just how effortless it is for such a big bike.

Had some dramas with the thing failing to restart after a short trip, now sorted with a Motobatt Hybrid battery. I can leave the bike parked for a fortnight and even with my datatool tracker she fires straight up, couldn't do that without a CTEK battery tender previously.
 
Pukmeister said:
It took me a while to gel with mine, having owned a hexhead 1200 which I loved for a decade, plus other boxers previous to that.

Brought the 1250 for a run out today as its getting serviced tomorrow at Bahnstormer, I forgot just how effortless it is for such a big bike.

Had some dramas with the thing failing to restart after a short trip, now sorted with a Motobatt Hybrid battery. I can leave the bike parked for a fortnight and even with my datatool tracker she fires straight up, couldn't do that without a CTEK battery tender previously.
Click to expand...
I've always had my bikes connected to an optimate when not is use, but from what I recall you saying I should be OK with the battery on the 2024 model?
 
I heard anecdotally that the 2019 bikes had weak batteries. I bought my bike at two years old and it was never quite right until I fitted this new battery which I have to say is bloody impressive (although expensive).

I can't vouch for the later 1250 batteries as I don't own one but I am not a fan of battery tenders, preferring occasional use rather than long-term maintenance charging. I don't see why any 1250 both old or new should have a battery issue unless there is a constant draw when shut down eg tracker draining the battery ?

My previous battery would always draw current the instant my CTEK charger was connected, probably due to the datatool tracker draining the battery? With the new Hybrid battery, I notice the bikes voltage is always showing much higher at rest on the bike info page of the TFT and it never draws power from the CTEK which just stays green the instant it is connected.
 
Pukmeister said:
I heard anecdotally that the 2019 bikes had weak batteries. I bought my bike at two years old and it was never quite right until I fitted this new battery which I have to say is bloody impressive (although expensive).

I can't vouch for the later 1250 batteries as I don't own one but I am not a fan of battery tenders, preferring occasional use rather than long-term maintenance charging. I don't see why any 1250 both old or new should have a battery issue unless there is a constant draw when shut down eg tracker draining the battery ?

My previous battery would always draw current the instant my CTEK charger was connected, probably due to the datatool tracker draining the battery? With the new Hybrid battery, I notice the bikes voltage is always showing much higher at rest on the bike info page of the TFT and it never draws power from the CTEK which just stays green the instant it is connected.
Click to expand...
I've always used optimates, from my experience they've always helped with the 'health' of the battery but we all have our favoured method :thumb2
 
snerkler said:
I've been lucky enough to have had all sorts of bikes over the years, from sportsbike to Harley, and from 600 naked to sports tourers and adventure bikes, but the R1250GSA is the best bike I've had. I'm seriously impressed. Granted I've been riding a Harley Road King for the last 4.5 years but I'm surprised how quick and agile it it, it's so easy to flick about an it completely belies its size.

Comfort is great (I've got the comfort seat), and I forgot how good the riding position is on the GSA, such a comanding view of the road. The Akra exhaust is already starting to bed in and it's starting to sound great, lovely tone and I'm even considering not removing the baffles now as it's just about loud enough and I think with the baffles out it might have too much drone a cruising speed.

I really can't put into words how much I've been enjoying this bike, I don't even mind the metallic 'rattle' from the engine under acceleration at low revs (I hope this is normal :help). It's a number of years since I had the R1200GSA but this like a big leap forwards.I can't wait for the 600 mile service so I can use the full rev range and hear the bark from the Akra :thumb2

Pics from this morning's outing.


A1_02157-Edit by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

A1_02184-Edit by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

A1_02222-Edit by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

A1_02227-Edit by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr
Click to expand...
Agreed... A gold wheeled GSA Trophy is a lovely thing... Akra adds sparkles for sure!
 
I’m the same with mine, it does so many things so well and probably better than any other bike, that it kind of makes the niggles irrelevent.

The SoS fault coming on and needing a dealer visit (next week finally)..mildly annoying.
Yes, mine has that slight metallic rattle when accelerating at low revs….i do however suspect that’s a normal thing…but nonetheless you can hear it and long for a more refined sound…the sheer cost of extras like Nav, cases etc is insane…and far too expensive.

It’s however not let me down, is 3k in and for me looks good as new when clean. I can ride it all day, I’m about used to all the switches and wheel menus so my riding experience is just getting better.

I can see the Standard Anakee tyre is starting to just square off, so suspect that by the time it hits 5k miles I will be getting twitchy about new boots.

I’ve just bought one of the nicer light protectors with the amber fitment and yet to fit it, and I keep looking at other little touratech and Wunderlich bits and bobs I could add to personalise it a bit more than the usual kickstand foot, fender extender and frame bungs.
I hope in doing that it will stop my wandering eyes and keep it fresh.

But despite many of the doom and gloom posts around, I’m still very pleased I took the leap. Honestly don’t see me swapping it, there will have to be a huge upgrade in tech and riding dynamics to make the kind of improvements I would notice, and I suspect that won’t be in the next 10 years. By which time I will have passed 60 and maybe looking at the world of cafe racers and short fair weather trips
 
NeilCol said:
I’m the same with mine, it does so many things so well and probably better than any other bike, that it kind of makes the niggles irrelevent.

The SoS fault coming on and needing a dealer visit (next week finally)..mildly annoying.
Yes, mine has that slight metallic rattle when accelerating at low revs….i do however suspect that’s a normal thing…but nonetheless you can hear it and long for a more refined sound…the sheer cost of extras like Nav, cases etc is insane…and far too expensive.

It’s however not let me down, is 3k in and for me looks good as new when clean. I can ride it all day, I’m about used to all the switches and wheel menus so my riding experience is just getting better.

I can see the Standard Anakee tyre is starting to just square off, so suspect that by the time it hits 5k miles I will be getting twitchy about new boots.

I’ve just bought one of the nicer light protectors with the amber fitment and yet to fit it, and I keep looking at other little touratech and Wunderlich bits and bobs I could add to personalise it a bit more than the usual kickstand foot, fender extender and frame bungs.
I hope in doing that it will stop my wandering eyes and keep it fresh.

But despite many of the doom and gloom posts around, I’m still very pleased I took the leap. Honestly don’t see me swapping it, there will have to be a huge upgrade in tech and riding dynamics to make the kind of improvements I would notice, and I suspect that won’t be in the next 10 years. By which time I will have passed 60 and maybe looking at the world of cafe racers and short fair weather trips
Click to expand...
Good to hear. Yeah, the accessories are extortionate, Touratech and Wunderlich prices are pretty eye watering too.

As for the Nav it is very much on the pricey side. I was considering using the smartphone cradle with my iPhone but Apple recommend against it as the vibration can damage the camera.

I’ve considered buying a cheap second iPhone just to use for the Nav but by the time you’ve bought this and the smartphone cradle you may as well have bought the Nav itself. The price of the smartphone cradle is ridiculous.
 
snerkler said:
Good to hear. Yeah, the accessories are extortionate, Touratech and Wunderlich prices are pretty eye watering too.

As for the Nav it is very much on the pricey side. I was considering using the smartphone cradle with my iPhone but Apple recommend against it as the vibration can damage the camera.

I’ve considered buying a cheap second iPhone just to use for the Nav but by the time you’ve bought this and the smartphone cradle you may as well have bought the Nav itself. The price of the smartphone cradle is ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Treat yourself to the BMW Nav. It just works seamlessly for me with the mount & wonder wheel..
 
snerkler said:
Good to hear. Yeah, the accessories are extortionate, Touratech and Wunderlich prices are pretty eye watering too.

As for the Nav it is very much on the pricey side. I was considering using the smartphone cradle with my iPhone but Apple recommend against it as the vibration can damage the camera.

I’ve considered buying a cheap second iPhone just to use for the Nav but by the time you’ve bought this and the smartphone cradle you may as well have bought the Nav itself. The price of the smartphone cradle is ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Oh and the Chinese muddie extenders and hand extenders are just fine too..
 
Just been given a new 1300GS loaner whilst my GSA is in for its big service. Sadly I’m not a fan, even though I’ve only ridden it 30 miles:

It’s small and nimble, feels more like a “girls bike”. Quick shifter seems improved over my 1250. Engine seems no different.

It’s Fugly, it feels bland, it clatters even worse than my 1250. It also has transmission whine that my 1250 doesn’t. I don’t like the lack of wind protection, sitting on rather than in it.

Will be glad to get my GSA back.
 
On batteries, my 21 plate 1250 had a replacement battery after a failure on a tour in Europe. Since then it has been as good as gold and can be left stood for 2 or 3 weeks and still fire up first time.

I am the same with the 1300 - wanted to love it and wanted to buy one but have ridden it three times and each time, my opinion of it has worsened. I thought it was meh, then really not that great and now am of the view that BMW have really fucked it up. The only thing that is better about it over the 1250 is that it is faster - an improvement that was entirely unnecessary. You want fast? Get a sports bike or a hyper-naked.
 
I was a sceptic until I rode the 1200 GSA, loved it, bought it then swapped it for the 1250 GSA which was a brilliant bike. I then took a Multistrada Rally out for the day, crikey that was expensive
 
Forgot to add, the 1300 loan bike is also pretty slow to churn over on the starter button just like my 1250 was before I fitted the Hybrid battery.

As you say Snelly, “Meh” …..that sums up this new model for me too.

It feels soulless, like a domestic appliance. Where is the character ?
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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