Geordietraveller
Registered user
Well I've had the bike for 2 weeks now and just come back from Skye having put a total of just over 2000 miles on it in total and thought I'd share my thoughts on 'bird Vs GS12 so far.
Positives -
Really confidence inspiring to ride, covers non-perfect roads at average speeds greater than the 'bird without as much effort.
Quick enough if you rev it and with enough torque to really hustle on tight roads.
Comfy, did a similar trip a few months ago on the 'bird 2 up with luggage and was crippled after long days in the saddle.
Economical, averaged just under 50mpg despite being 2-up, having the BM panniers expanded and riding it too much like the 'bird at first (trying to use power not torque). Went far further than the 'bird did but with a 4 ltr smaller tank.
Negatives -
Juddery!!, really noticed the vibes on the M74 at 80/90. Seems like it was designed to sit at 70 as the vibes just appear above this rev range and also below 3000 rpm.
Side winds, on exposed roads the GS is a LOT more affected by side winds than the 'bird. Only natural given the side profile of the thing and the fact that passengers are alot more upright as well but still a bit unnerving.
Gearbox, kept jumping out of 2nd. Mill said this was down to not being positive enough from 1-2 and it does seem to have improved with a more deliberate action but still does it occaisionally.
Slow on Motorways - not really that big a deal as that was one of the reasons for getting rid of the 'bird but still a shock to have to change down at 80 to zip past a car driver who puts his foot down.
Being overly critical by nature I've gone between seriously thinking of trying to swap it for a K1200S to realising the error of my ways and I reckon the bike is just about perfect for the way I use it. The GS lacks some of the 'in yer face' adrenaline rush of a big jap bike but it's qualities run deeper.
Now if only it didn't sound like a Pnuematic drill and try to vibrate my hands off the bars outside 3-5000 rpm it really WOULD be perfik!
Si
Positives -
Really confidence inspiring to ride, covers non-perfect roads at average speeds greater than the 'bird without as much effort.
Quick enough if you rev it and with enough torque to really hustle on tight roads.
Comfy, did a similar trip a few months ago on the 'bird 2 up with luggage and was crippled after long days in the saddle.
Economical, averaged just under 50mpg despite being 2-up, having the BM panniers expanded and riding it too much like the 'bird at first (trying to use power not torque). Went far further than the 'bird did but with a 4 ltr smaller tank.
Negatives -
Juddery!!, really noticed the vibes on the M74 at 80/90. Seems like it was designed to sit at 70 as the vibes just appear above this rev range and also below 3000 rpm.
Side winds, on exposed roads the GS is a LOT more affected by side winds than the 'bird. Only natural given the side profile of the thing and the fact that passengers are alot more upright as well but still a bit unnerving.
Gearbox, kept jumping out of 2nd. Mill said this was down to not being positive enough from 1-2 and it does seem to have improved with a more deliberate action but still does it occaisionally.
Slow on Motorways - not really that big a deal as that was one of the reasons for getting rid of the 'bird but still a shock to have to change down at 80 to zip past a car driver who puts his foot down.
Being overly critical by nature I've gone between seriously thinking of trying to swap it for a K1200S to realising the error of my ways and I reckon the bike is just about perfect for the way I use it. The GS lacks some of the 'in yer face' adrenaline rush of a big jap bike but it's qualities run deeper.
Now if only it didn't sound like a Pnuematic drill and try to vibrate my hands off the bars outside 3-5000 rpm it really WOULD be perfik!
Si
I mentioned the Gbox to Mill at the 600 mile inspection and they reckoned it was fine. It seems to be that it doesn't actually go properly into 2nd (feels like its in for a couple of seconds but still shows N on the clocks before jumping out) Since then I've been more methodical about change from 1-2 and it seems to have worked - it's only when I 'rush it' and try to change as quickly as on a Jap bike that it doesn't want to play. I reckon (hope) that I am still in the BM rider adjustment phase. 
I am keeping an eye on it though.
I`ve never done a throttle body sync but it sound like a useful skill.
A bit firmer gear change next time, Sir... 
