Am unsure following a test ride

[Kaybe]

First time I tried a 1200gs, I did it because my neighbour had an 1150GS and we were off at a BMW open day. I did sports GSXRs, Dukes, big Kawas.

If truth be known, thought what the £$%^ is all that about.

A year goes by and perchance got to run one for about an hour in total, and what struck me was how relaxed I felt getting off the bike, despite being a fairly quick run. That said it was the parking up that made me nervous.

Another year goes by, yes I take time to consider these things, and this time after a good run on an HP2 mototard, then followed by a GSA. I was hooked.
Had a go with some of my friends' BMW bikes on longer routes, still just day events.
Now proud owner of GS.
Don't rush into it, but give it a good go, and I think you will not be disappointed.

 

[notanotherbike]

Take the LTR - Long Test Ride.......

I've owned bikes including a Futura (VFR copy), R1100RS & FJR1300, Each bike better than the last, I tested a R1200GS after watching LWR, But purchased a used R1150GSA - why? because thats what my wallet would stretch too......

I took short test rides on all of the previous feeling comfortable & in control, each bike offering something more than the last - comfort, no wobble, more leg room, wanting to ride it (aprillia - didn't want to get it dirty !!) sometimes i would ride 100/200 miles & be knackerd - but not with the GS......

I purchased my GSA from Bilks (UKGSER - Top chap) in france, Off the Ferry & back through Portsmouth to Ocean BMW & had it serviced there & then. I added the tax+mot & set off home..... i got drenched !! trying to beat the weather & worrying if i was doing the right thing, my frank thomas suit & cheap caberg helmet letting me down with noise & water...... but the bike got better & better with each mile towards home - heated grips working overtime with crap FT gloves, each turn up the M5/M6 with confidence & steadfast-ness ploughing through the Rain - my smile getting bigger & my body getting colder, arriving home with 3 layers soaked to the skin but knowing if it wasn't for me & my crap kit the bike would have gone on to Scotland without braking a sweat..... i know the FJR would not have made it. An LTR - long test ride will make up your mind, one way or another.

As for me, I've not changed my bike in 12 months & that's a record!
What i have changed is my kit - BMW Ralle2 suit (never getting wet again) & Arai tour+x helmet etc.

Nab - Notanotherbike.

 

[North]

When I first took an 05 1200 for a test ride. I did not think too much of it. I ordered one anyways and then wondered if I did the right thing.

I have had the Bike for almost four years and still love it. Everytime I ride it, it brings a big smile to my face.

 

[Bogcat]

I've had my GS 1200 for 8 months now, after 6 years with a 98 VFR 800f2. The GS is a more comfortable bike with more road presence in my opinion. The GS did take a while to get use to as other posts suggest, I'm riding far more miles with the GS and use it more, even at work! Even though I broke down on my first tour to Ireland (antenna key) I still love the bike and its more practical than the VFR plus I don't go as fast as I used to so I hope I won't get any more points!!

 

[Twister]

I changed to an 08 GS 10months ago from vfr800vtec. The first test ride I had on the GS I have to say that I hated it. I came away disappointed but the more I read obout the gs, I couldn't understand why everyone else thought it was so good. Left it a couple more weeks and had another test ride. Instantly converted this time and haven't looked back since. I now put twice as many miles on the GS as I did on the Vtec. I have listened to what everyone has said about the adventurer but take the gs out again before you make up your mind. You may be very surprised the second time around.

 

[ukaloon]

I've had 4 VFR's, two 750's and two 800's. They are the best made most compenent fast road bikes I have ever owned.
I've wanted a 1150GS ever since they came out in 1999. Steve Rose was the editor of Ride magazine around that time and he had one with Ohlins and raved about it. At the time my local dealer tried to stiff me on a trade in on a F650 Funduro so I went and bought a Tiger.
I've had my 1150GS with Ohlins for the best part of 3 years now, the longest I've ever kept a bike, and I don't ever want anything else.
If you are used to Japanese bikes an 1150GS will feel quite odd, but a 1200GS less so.
It is definately a relationship that can take some growing into for some, but given time the character of the engine will flow into your veins and you will never look back.

 

[loolah]

Test rode an Adventure for 3 hours today, with my 13yr old on the pillion. It had all the add-on packs & a lowered seat.

A world of difference this time, loved riding it, barely noticed having anyone on the back, even with the suspension set to the standard ride, & didn't want to give it back. Was grumbling to get back on the VFR afterwards.

Dealer is ringing me tomorrow with some pricing on their Select agreement. Bike was registered 12/07 & the dealer is looking for 10,700 for it.

Loo.

 

[Micky]

Test rode an Adventure for 3 hours today, with my 13yr old on the pillion. It had all the add-on packs & a lowered seat.

A world of difference this time, loved riding it, barely noticed having anyone on the back, even with the suspension set to the standard ride, & didn't want to give it back. Was grumbling to get back on the VFR afterwards.

Dealer is ringing me tomorrow with some pricing on their Select agreement. Bike was registered 12/07 & the dealer is looking for 10,700 for it.

Loo.

If it feels right then go for it ... hope all goes well

 

[Zundapp]

Bimbled gently down some lanes & while it was comfy and a bit less chuggy than my XT600E it didn't wow me particularly although it definitely had much better wind protection than I'm used to, as I'd been freezing on my VFR and I was quite warm on the GS.

Anyone who uses the odd expression 'bimbled gently' is fit only for BMW Club convoy runs, or maybe ownership of a Deauville. Surely not Adventure Bike material...

 

[loolah]

Anyone who uses the odd expression 'bimbled gently' is fit only for BMW Club convoy runs, or maybe ownership of a Deauville. Surely not Adventure Bike material...

The test ride on the GSA was a bit less bimbly, but I did have a nervous 13 year old on the back (only her second time) so I wasn't going for it.

Having had some pricing I'm rethinking the GSA however as I can get a GS for £2k or more less, so I'll probably go for one of those instead..

 

[Tarmac Teaser]

Before you bite the bullet go and try a Ktm 990 adventure you may be suprised. (wonder if anyone will bite)

 

[loolah]

Hi all, test rode an '07 and an '08 GS back to back at the weekend.

Really noticed the improvement in the gearbox on the '08 & it felt more planted overall. Was hooning about & felt really confident in corners compared to the '07.

Am collecting my lovely 2nd hand '08 GS in slate gray at the weekend The dealer is fitting a GSA screen to it as I preferred the higher one.

Will miss my VFR, especially as I note from the new issue of Ride that I'm trading the number 1 bike in Britain for the number 2 bike, but I definitely need something more comfy & upright.

Loo.

 

[jack.pe]

Hi all, test rode an '07 and an '08 GS back to back at the weekend.

Really noticed the improvement in the gearbox on the '08 & it felt more planted overall. Was hooning about & felt really confident in corners compared to the '07.

Am collecting my lovely 2nd hand '08 GS in slate gray at the weekend The dealer is fitting a GSA screen to it as I preferred the higher one.

Loo.

Good choice, I've had a CBR 600, two Aprilia RSVs, a Cagiva Raptor, a 748 and a 1150 GS and I rememebr when I got the GS that it took a few seeks before I really started to like it. Eventually I went back to normal bikes and bought an RSVR again.. that lasted 4 years and now I have bought a 1200 GS .. well the same thing happened, distinctly underwhelmed to begin with but now 3 weeks later am really starting to love it again, and just going out on rides for the sake of it. At first I found it bland but as I got used to the agricultural engine and the clunks and knocks the bike's charachter really shines out and it is just brilliant at covering a distance. Rode a 2008 Adventure and it handled better, seemed more planted but the ride seemed firmer and less forgiving too, even with the confort setting selected. So all in all very happy with mine...

Personally I don't understand the poeplw who say the 1150 is better,to me it seems worse in every way, slower, more vibey and way heavier... the only thing is quality and reliability were possibly better but as a bike much inferior to the 1200.

 

[beemerboy9]

Before you bite the bullet go and try a Ktm 990 adventure you may be suprised. (wonder if anyone will bite)

Since you're a KTM owner, you probably will not get a chance to read my translation of the comparison test from a German bike magazine between a
R1200GS and a KTM990 adventure in the next BMW Club journal.

 

[rogerc]

I have just sold my 1100GS and bought a blackbird. The GS is a superb touring bike. It makes you want to ride a long way every time you jump on. Unfortunately it is also very (top) heavy and very wide and not very maneuverable at low speed. It is however very stable, good in cross winds and good on twisty roads. However, the Blackbird is a much easier bike for me to ride, less stressful due to instant throttle response and the ability to overtake quickly in any gear. I really liked the GS and went out on it the night before selling (just to fill up with petrol) and ended up riding for over an hour. Bikes are very personal things, in terms of speed, moving from a VFR to a 1200GS might be acceptable (I moved from a Sprint 955). However, after riding the Blackbird for a few days, the 1100GS engine was disappointing although the cornering ability more than made up for it....its also nice because you really feel like you can man-handle a GS, where quicker steering bikes need a bit more finesse. I think when people say that a GS will keep up with most other bikes....well its down to the rider.......if I was riding the GS I would be alot slower than riding the Blackbird. I think most GS riders would be quicker on a powerful sports tourer......but as for comfort, the GS is virtually unbeatable (except for the screen/wind noise/turbulence)
IMHO

 

[elevensies]

but a blackbird and a gs are totally differet, you cant compare,

its like trying to compare a landrover with a m5

one built for doing everything, other built for touring at speed!!!

no wonder you got rid, and as for low speed maneuverability your having a laugh, the gs is one of the easiest bikes to ride slow as it has a low centre of gravity.

 

[motobiker]

but a blackbird and a gs are totally differet, you cant compare,

its like trying to compare a landrover with a m5

one built for doing everything, other built for touring at speed!!!

no wonder you got rid, and as for low speed maneuverability your having a laugh, the gs is one of the easiest bikes to ride slow as it has a low centre of gravity.

what he said.. except to add.

you can tour at speed on a GS. whether thats an 1100/1150 or 1200 or indeed the 800. all are capable of license losing speeds. Just takes the right setup. I could sit all day at a 100+ on my bike.. soon lose me license if i did though.
So 85 +/- is just about right. and will mean I'm largely ignored by the cops.

Just... you don't feel that you have to go everywhere at ballistic speeds.. the bike doesn't need that to make it a fun ride.

I guess its something you either 'get' or you don't. its very VERY different. and absolutely addictive on so many levels.

Try the Twisties because feeling that huge bulk slew 90 degrees through the vertical within a couple of seconds has to be experienced to be believed....

 

[elevensies]

hey motorbiker, have you noticed recently the amount of people who are getting GS's and not keeping them for long??
seems some folk just think they understand, want to understand, but just cant.

shame really,


nope, im just getting grumpier!

 

[Littledumptruck]

but a blackbird and a gs are totally differet, you cant compare,

its like trying to compare a landrover with a m5

one built for doing everything, other built for touring at speed!!.

Gotta disagree with this one.
Just read through all of this thread and the one bike thats mentioned more than any other apart from the GS is the Bird. There is a common link between these two bikes. This also shows on the Bird forum, lots on there have GS's as well.

Quite what makes the link could be discussed for weeks and still come to no conclusion.

Me, I now have both, again. Ive had my Bird for 6 years. Replaced an R11RS with it, and I'd have to say I'd never have another RS, the Bird is in another galaxy by comparison. However after 3 years a friend borrowed my bird and handed it back saying how good it was, but also how boring, and oh what a seed he sowed!! What followed was my first GS, an 1150. Luckily I bought it in the Winter, and persuaded my better half that I should wait till spring to sell the Bird, but it just never happened. When the weather picked up, the Bird came out to play, and the GS never got a look in. And come that summers euro trip it was never in the frame. I couldnt afford both, so the GS went.

Recently I was offered an R850GS at a good price for a quick sale. This one I can afford to keep for the winter, and to be honest it feels just as quick as the 1150 up to about 90ish, which is plenty fast enough in iffy weather.

Ive also come to realise that the reason that the Bird can be seen to be boring is that its so bloody good at EVERYTHING it does. Ok it cant go offroad, but then how many GS do, really? Yes I now there are a handfull of you guys on here that do, and I'm hoping to try a bit with mine, but its not really a reason to have a gs over a bird for the majority.

And none of the bmw's can touch the Bird for reliability. I'd be a much poorer man if the RS and 1150 hadn't come with warranty!! Hopefully the 850 will be better.... And as for the KTM, never met an owner yet that hasn't been stranded as a regular event!!

 

[JJH]

you need earplugs rough engine thats called chacture spelt wrong u will find it a lot better on fuel take a long test it will ngrow on u JJH