Anyone test-ridden the new 1250 GS yet ?

[Billy Big Roy]

Out of interest have you tried the 1290 SAS and if so how does that compare - GT is obviously something very different

Not yet Paul, but I hope to within the next week or so. The GT has been a great bike, it really has. Took her to Monaco this year and she performed faultlessly.

 

[BDG]

Out of interest have you tried the 1290 SAS and if so how does that compare - GT is obviously something very different

I had a GT and swapped it for a 1290 SAS and have no regrets at all. Much prefer the Adventure over the GT. The GT suspension is too harsh on anything except smooth roads, the Adventure suspension is great. The GT tank cut outs didn't suit my long legs. As standard the GT was geared too tall, even with lowered gearing it isn't as flexible as the Adventure, but the GT does have a manic top end in comparison and is fast as f***

 

[pbbanks]

I've owned 4 1200 GS bikes, including a 2017 Rallye and 1 GSA in 2015 and none of the bikes vibrated like the 1250GS I rode Sunday. I'm going to try it again this weekend and spend more time riding it and going through the rider modes etc. As I mention in my original post, 3 of the sales team agreed about the vibration when shifting down, and whilst I appreciate it has a "quick shifter", I would like the option to change down manually on a £16k + bike without any vibration.

I think its worth the wait to try the new GSA when its in the showroom as my last GSA rode lovely, smoother I thought than the GS.

May be a one off test bike with a glitch??? (unlikely), but sorry I still don't understand what you mean by "vibration" , is it roughness in the gearchange\transmission when changing down. Or clunking if the revs are out of tolerance of what the quick shifter change can cope with?. As I understand it if you don't like, or don't want to use the quick shifter, just pull the clutch in as normal and the quick shifter doesn't do anything, it is disabled by the first part of the clutch lever pull microswitch. i.e. Use the clutch and it is a normal gear change.
My 1250gs is really smooth on the gear changes both up and down , with or without using the clutch. 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd can sometimes jolt a bit when not using the clutch if the revs are too high for it to cope with but you get to anticipate when its likely to be too much for it and use the clutch. As I've said before on another post the 1250 is miles better on the gear change (with or without shifter) than my 2015 GS LC Te was. Also have a mate with a 2013 GS who rode a test bike 1250 and he also said how much better and smooth the gears were.
May be just my interpretation of "vibration" is different to yours , I thought you meant engine vibration.

 

[stick]

May be a one off test bike with a glitch??? (unlikely), but sorry I still don't understand what you mean by "vibration" , is it roughness in the gearchange\transmission when changing down. Or clunking if the revs are out of tolerance of what the quick shifter change can cope with?. As I understand it if you don't like, or don't want to use the quick shifter, just pull the clutch in as normal and the quick shifter doesn't do anything, it is disabled by the first part of the clutch lever pull microswitch. i.e. Use the clutch and it is a normal gear change.
My 1250gs is really smooth on the gear changes both up and down , with or without using the clutch. 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd can sometimes jolt a bit when not using the clutch if the revs are too high for it to cope with but you get to anticipate when its likely to be too much for it and use the clutch. As I've said before on another post the 1250 is miles better on the gear change (with or without shifter) than my 2015 GS LC Te was. Also have a mate with a 2013 GS who rode a test bike 1250 and he also said how much better and smooth the gears were.
May be just my interpretation of "vibration" is different to yours , I thought you meant engine vibration.

Agree , mine is as smooth a shaved pussy …….

 

[dave hendy]

May be a one off test bike with a glitch??? (unlikely), but sorry I still don't understand what you mean by "vibration" , is it roughness in the gearchange\transmission when changing down. Or clunking if the revs are out of tolerance of what the quick shifter change can cope with?. As I understand it if you don't like, or don't want to use the quick shifter, just pull the clutch in as normal and the quick shifter doesn't do anything, it is disabled by the first part of the clutch lever pull microswitch. i.e. Use the clutch and it is a normal gear change.
My 1250gs is really smooth on the gear changes both up and down , with or without using the clutch. 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd can sometimes jolt a bit when not using the clutch if the revs are too high for it to cope with but you get to anticipate when its likely to be too much for it and use the clutch. As I've said before on another post the 1250 is miles better on the gear change (with or without shifter) than my 2015 GS LC Te was. Also have a mate with a 2013 GS who rode a test bike 1250 and he also said how much better and smooth the gears were.
May be just my interpretation of "vibration" is different to yours , I thought you meant engine vibration.

Mines smoooooooooth

 

[Billy Big Roy]

Just so I am clear what I meant by "vibration", the bike that I rode had a lot of vibration through the handle bars, seat and tank on the down shifts and speeds over 80mph. Bike vibration is something I've come to terms with after owning a number of 75 degree V KTM's and a 90 degree V Ducati Monster 1200R, so whilst I'm no expert, I can recognise it.

The test bike I rode last Sunday had excessive vibration, mechanical vibration, through the bars mainly. I had nothing to compare it to as its the first 1250 I have ridden, and the dealer who agreed with me re the vibration had no other 1250GS to compare the bike too. I'm going to try the bike again this coming weekend, and I'm also going to try another dealers test bike so I at least have something to compare.

I'm not being critical, its a stunning bike, and I've owned 5 GS bikes over the past 4 years. I was just surprised with the amount of vibration I was feeling. it made my 1290 GT feel like a V8

 

[Warlord]

The vibration is caused by the Shitcan system ready to explode.

All it takes is one of those little pins to fall off, is that helpful?

 

[Weird Bob]

The HP is a near perfect motorcycle, well done to BMW for refining the excellent R bikes.
I really enjoyed my spin.
How nice the "minimalist" GS is compared to the GSA and RT.
Reminds me of my lovely 2013 GS was (once the clutch was sorted).
The little screen worked and a wonderful view of the road.
The engine and gearbox is perfect but still a big twin.
This machine would be my dream track day bike.
I dont mind Anakees but didn't feel right on the HP.
BMW must bring out a supermoto version of the HP.
Mind you getting back onto my 16 plate RT for the 210k ride home, I didn't miss the GS one bit.
Medium heavy rain most of the way in RST jeans and no wet gear.
Got back to Galway dry, an incredible machine. The 1250 engine is going to sit nicely in the RT.

I was just looking at those pictures thinking that looks like Howth and then I saw the sat NAV screen.

 

[pbbanks]

Just so I am clear what I meant by "vibration", the bike that I rode had a lot of vibration through the handle bars, seat and tank on the down shifts and speeds over 80mph. Bike vibration is something I've come to terms with after owning a number of 75 degree V KTM's and a 90 degree V Ducati Monster 1200R, so whilst I'm no expert, I can recognise it.

The test bike I rode last Sunday had excessive vibration, mechanical vibration, through the bars mainly. I had nothing to compare it to as its the first 1250 I have ridden, and the dealer who agreed with me re the vibration had no other 1250GS to compare the bike too. I'm going to try the bike again this coming weekend, and I'm also going to try another dealers test bike so I at least have something to compare.

I'm not being critical, its a stunning bike, and I've owned 5 GS bikes over the past 4 years. I was just surprised with the amount of vibration I was feeling. it made my 1290 GT feel like a V8

Mine has no vibration through bars or any where else so I assume the test bike has a problem.

 

[Nutty]

It seems odd that the bike has this issue, a few people at the dealer have noticed it, so have obviously checked everything, yet it still vibrates. They obviously think it’s a characteristic of the bike, or they’d pull it from the demo fleet. Hopefully it’s a one off.

 

[EVskiy]

It seems odd that the bike has this issue, a few people at the dealer have noticed it, so have obviously checked everything, yet it still vibrates. They obviously think it’s a characteristic of the bike, or they’d pull it from the demo fleet. Hopefully it’s a one off.

Just another Friday afternoon bike then....


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[Davy F]

Just another MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday afternoon bike then....


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Fixed.....

 

[yofi]

I test rode the 1250 GS HP spec bike last Sunday. As soon as I sat on the bike I realised how much I had missed owning one after riding a KTM 1290GT for 11 months. I really liked the look, the finish is what we've come to expect from BMW.

The TFT screen is great, a real leap forward in technology from the old style clocks. The self cancelling indicators are a nice addition as is the black switch gear. Its a shame its not illuminated though. The weather was awful here on Sunday, so I was riding in rain mode most of the time, and the times I did get into road mode I have to be honest, I didn't feel any quicker than the last GS Rallye I owned. The bike felt great though, comfortable, well equipped and enough power to keep most happy.

One thing I did notice though was the vibration. On downshifts its awful, and at cruising speeds it's bad enough to spoil any ride out over 30 minutes long. I pointed it out to the sales guy who agreed it was excessive on the downshifts and a number of the Motorrad staff had commented on it.

So, just got from trying one out. Impressions, in order, were the kick back torque at lower speeds when the cams get shifted. It probably gives the impression of having a lot more poke than it really has, as I didn't really get back on my bike and think mine was really any more leggy throughout the range (aside that initial kick).

The big plus is the smoothness in the 3-4K range, which makes town crawls more pleasant. However, as you get up the rev range it begins to feel like the old bike in terms of vibes, and the big downside for me was the vibes when you come off throttle/downshift - not good at all. When I mentioned it to the sales guy I told 'that's a first', but looking at the comment above it seems I'm not alone in noticing this.

Overall, probably a bit disappointed tbh (I wanted to like it!)

 

[Warlord]

So, just got from trying one out. Impressions, in order, were the kick back torque at lower speeds when the cams get shifted. It probably gives the impression of having a lot more poke than it really has, as I didn't really get back on my bike and think mine was really any more leggy throughout the range (aside that initial kick).

The big plus is the smoothness in the 3-4K range, which makes town crawls more pleasant. However, as you get up the rev range it begins to feel like the old bike in terms of vibes, and the big downside for me was the vibes when you come off throttle/downshift - not good at all. When I mentioned it to the sales guy I told 'that's a first', but looking at the comment above it seems I'm not alone in noticing this.

Overall, probably a bit disappointed tbh (I wanted to like it!)

Where did you test ride it from?

 

[yofi]

Why do I feel I shouldn't be asking why this matters?

Wollaston Northampton (always found the gals and guys good, and it's a good vibe centre, ha ha).

 

[Warlord]

Why do I feel I shouldn't be asking why this matters?

Wollaston Northampton (always found the gals and guys good, and it's a good vibe centre, ha ha).

Because one of my mate test rode the R1250 today (I went with him). From Rybrook Motorrad - Wolverhampton.

His quote "...new engine is a peach! Loads more torque you can really feel it when are accelerating. A bit vibey through the bars. Not a quantum leap like air cooled to water cooled but a marked improvement! Lots of new tech too !"

But he commented straight after the test ride to the salesman about the vibes.... Sales Guy said "thats the first time anyones said that"

Seems to be a common theme....

 

[Warlord]

I was just checking it wasn't the same bike !!

 

[autogs]

"kick back torque when the cams get shifted" wtf does that mean?

 

[yofi]

I was just checking it wasn't the same bike !!

Interesting. And your friend's rights as well, the vibes did seem to be coming through the bars more than anywhere else.

It is quite peachy low down.

"kick back torque when the cams get shifted" wtf does that mean?

I think it means my vocab probably needs improving, when all I meant was that the bike threatens to go in to wheelie mode, but doesn't.

 

[stick]

Tr

Because one of my mate test rode the R1250 today (I went with him). From Rybrook Motorrad - Wolverhampton.

His quote "...new engine is a peach! Loads more torque you can really feel it when are accelerating. A bit vibey through the bars. Not a quantum leap like air cooled to water cooled but a marked improvement! Lots of new tech too !"

But he commented straight after the test ride to the salesman about the vibes.... Sales Guy said "thats the first time anyones said that"

Seems to be a common theme....

300 miles this weekend as now run in , still as smooth as a shaved cat , and better than my old 16 plate . Best thing I’ve done for ages