Anyone ridden the new GS at BMW ORS yet?

[Nutty]

I'm interested to hear how people find the new GS on the course How does it fare in a "big off" as there's been debate on build quality compared to the twin cam

It's been there for a few weeks, so how many from here have had a play?

 

[autogs]

build quality and crashabilty are two seperate issues afaic,but you will take this post as an anti lc rant anyway as you do with any slight negative post about the lc.

 

[Nutty]

build quality and crashabilty are two seperate issues afaic,but you will take this post as an anti lc rant anyway as you do with any slight negative post about the lc.

Not at all. I'm interested to hear how its getting on, and have no problem with negative posts, as that's the point of a forum

 

[araspitfire]

Can't speak for crashabiltiy.. but over the past week, I've had the fuel-tank off of a 2006 GS, my 2013 GSA, and a 2012 GS water cooled. (installing power sockets to the front.)

I really like the way the new one is put together. High-quality shoulder-screws made from SS, (VS the high-drag locking nut-holders) so you don't crush the plastic body panels. I'd put it at slightly better engineering than mine, but more plastic parts. Lots more screws to get the tank off, but it's very straight forward.

Considering they build airliners out of plastic these days, I dunno if that's a good, or bad thing. Depends on the plastic used I guess...

I was commenting to my friend today, that I'm eager to see the BMW off-road skills bikes when we get there (germany) in June... it will show where to apply the 100 mile per hour tape before going off-road... The body panels look to be expensive.. they do fit well and look good, inside and outside.

Al...

 

[david a hall]

I think that if you fall off it on an abrasive surface it will get scratched.
If you hit a wall at 80 mile an hour it will get shorter and probably require a truck to collect it.
I guess the rest will fall between the two categories, fairly ridiculous question really.

 

[Nutty]

I think that if you fall off it on an abrasive surface it will get scratched.
If you hit a wall at 80 mile an hour it will get shorter and probably require a truck to collect it.
I guess the rest will fall between the two categories, fairly ridiculous question really.

And so your "crusade" continues

 

[david a hall]

And so your "crusade" continues

Forgive me it does look like that.

 

[Straydog]

My bike on Easter weekend GS1.

Very light, easy to handle, (but I have only ridden a GSA), great engine, belted up the fire roads like no tomorrow, comfortable, turns in nice, only problem was getting used t huge off road boots and changing gears with them, I cam not a fan of the screen, but otherwise, it made you feel very comfortable riding it offroad.

On guy on the course, dropped it after some momentum exercises onto some sharp slate.. there was a nice new hole in the rocker cover, which was 1 of two instances over the weekend, but otherwise nothing else, the bikes have no protection other than a good bash plate on the course.

 

[allthegearnoidea]

I used one on Level 1 in Wales and thought it was awesome. I had expected to find the bulk and size intimidating but found the reverse to be true. The traction control and abs worked brilliantly off road. Our instructor took us through a number of situations to show us the effect of abs and traction.

The bike stood up well to bumps and knocks. I dropped mine about half a dozen times including one nasty hilltop drop and it took it all well. Whilst I can't claim it was pristine I was surprised how good it looked at the end of the course.

We tackled some pretty amazing obstacles and rocky fire roads and the bike just kept on going.

I briefly tried the schools other bikes (G650GS, Sertao and F800GS) and I found the 1200 by far the easiest to ride off road. The consistent power delivery, inexplicably superior manoeuvrability and technology made it my favourite for the course.

Compared to my 2012 GSA (which didn't go off road!) it felt more responsive, lighter and smaller but perhaps did not have the overall sense of solidity and presence.

I am going to consider buying one but I hear numerous dark rumours about serious shortages of spares and accessories and of dealers offering very poor deals.

Unless I give into temptation I think I will probably wait for next years GSA.

I'm not an experienced off road rider but if you wanted to know anything more specific please PM me and I will do my best to answer.

 

[sid61]

I did ORS level one over easter on the new 1200 gs. Now i want to buy one.
I have done very little off roading and went to get some instruction/experience.
I could not beleive how good the new 1200 was at everything including the ride to and from the off-road arena to base, on enduro tyres as well.
Lots of power. Very stable.
Some of the bikes suffered damage. one broke a rad in my group, but it was a freak accident as normally the rocker cover would touch down first.
My friend who went with me is an enduro racer and far more suited to comment about the bikes ability than me. He could not beleive how nimble the 1200 was (he was on level 3 ORS).
Probably because I had such a great weekend my opinion is one of enthusiasm
but I thought it a great bike