Attention BMW!

[g.s.john]

So, how about a 7 speed box. With a really low 1st, but a 2nd gear that you can pull away in???

Maybe Touratwat can sell one alongside the Golden Farkles.

wot about a range change and a and a lo/hi splitter then you could have eighteen gears to play with,the novelty would soon wear off

 

[Aggy]

If they extended the warranty further they would most probably insist on keeping it totally standard with only bmw services

Unless the modifications are fitted by BMW ................ the same thing Harley Davidson does already

 

[Brian ROSEN]

What a good idea!

Unless the modifications are fitted by BMW ................ the same thing Harley Davidson does already I see that the latest fully customized Harley sells around £20.000. You cannot do 'better' than that very easily. Is that what "competing in price" means,

 

[theop]

For the next GS:

Better quality/finish all over. Fix all the stupid £10 parts that fail and lead to £1000 replacement jobs (like gearbox final selas etc).

Make the bike better looking (should not be v difficult as its the ugliest thing on the street)

Give it 10% more power (I believe its already on the card this one)

 

[velofelo29]

Make it Turbo Diesel same performance with twice the economy

 

[lloyd]

More Torque
Better sounding engine , preferably a V-twin
Better reliability
More feedback from front end.
Same fuel economy and styling
Better quality rear shock with a wider damping range.


Actually, chuck the Ktm's 1190 in it, tune it for 100bhp and 50 to the gallon . Give me a handlebar sport / economy switch . Sorted.

 

[NorthernBoy]

Not been a problem for me, but am only 6'3". If you want more protection then get a tourer

Shan't!

I think that the tourer would struggle a bit too much on the serious dirt, they're not designed for it, you see.

Hopefully they'll put the winglets and a better screen on the next model, to save so many of us needing to do it ourselves.

 

[NorthernBoy]

If they extended the warranty further they would most probably insist on keeping it totally standard with only bmw services

Because, of course, BMW are somehow exempt from European law, aren't they

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Winglets

"...Hopefully they'll put the winglets and a better screen on the next model, to save so many of us needing to do it ourselves. ..." In fact the 2008 model is fitted with the supports for the winglets; I was hoping that the GSA acreen + winglets would be an option instesd of the standard screen - but not yet.

 

[NorthernBoy]

"...Hopefully they'll put the winglets and a better screen on the next model, to save so many of us needing to do it ourselves. ..." In fact the 2008 model is fitted with the supports for the winglets; I was hoping that the GSA acreen + winglets would be an option instesd of the standard screen - but not yet.

Yes, I fitted them myself to my 2008 bike, and they've made a huge difference.

For those of us who have no interest in the GSA (i.e. straight guys who ride in heavy traffic, and who actually like our bikes to accelerate and to go fast), the wind protection can be a real issue.

Oh, and a power hike would be nice.

 

[bowser]

I would buy one in a heartbeat, as soon as the electrical system is replaced by a "normal one" until then I think I will stick with my 1100!!!

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Unkind

"....For those of us who have no interest in the GSA (i.e. straight guys who ride in heavy traffic, and who actually like our bikes to accelerate and to go fast), the wind protection can be a real issue...."
I have never ridden a GSA but 1.there is very little difference in acceleration figures from the GS .2. the wing mirros are the widest part of the bike and are the same on both models. 3. In heavy traffic there is a great advantage in ridng a machine that is high - to see well, and imposing - to be seen.
I think that the GSA is a fantastic machine and my only excuse for NOT buying one, instead of my latest GS, is that it is a bit over the top for the sort of journies I do. ¨

 

[NorthernBoy]

I have never ridden a GSA but 1.there is very little difference in acceleration figures from the GS .2. the wing mirros are the widest part of the bike and are the same on both models. 3. In heavy traffic there is a great advantage in ridng a machine that is high - to see well, and imposing - to be seen.

The differences are not huge, but the GSA weighs more, and has higher drag, so it falls behind in questions of both speed and acceleration. I know that it does not matter to everyone, but it was a consideration for me.

The GS is also a bit of a handful when fighting your way through stationary London traffic. Again, any increase in bulk matters here. Even the GS slowed me significantly compared to my smaller bikes or scooters.

No, for me the GS is the better choice, and I'd have gone for it no matter which way the price differential worked.

 

[Bem]

wot about a range change and a and a lo/hi splitter then you could have eighteen gears to play with,the novelty would soon wear off

And a drawbar plus 18 pin DIN socket

 

[Brian ROSEN]

More improvements

and a reverse gear and a hyddraulic centre stand.

 

[Aggy]

how about a reliable one

 

[casperghst42]

how about a reliable one

+1

Casper

 

[cafemaestro]

Summary

Right - to summarise the above:

the next BMW GS we want to see would have:

1) 5 year warranty - which implies BMW improve reliability and build quality.

(i.e. Mr. BMW Customer Satisfaction Manager - stop asking us to bear the cost of poor build/components and let BMW take the cost on board. This would provide an incentive to the factory to up their game, and allow you to trumpet the usual market guff about being top of the tree)

2) A more comfortable seat - face it: obesity is getting bigger

3) Better wind protection: - read any review from the launches and they all will say buffetting (and they're not talking about the sausage rolls )

4) More power - 'nuff said

5) Improve the gearbox - better ratios for low speed, less buzzy at certain common speeds (30mph/60mh)

Anymore for anymore?

 

[NorthernBoy]

I don't seriously expect that we'll see a 5y warranty, but if they are able to continue the progression that they made in build quality between the two incarnations of the 1200, that'll still be very good progress.

I'd just like to see it being higher quality all around, with the sort of levels of corrosion that I saw on my '99 fireblace (i.e. absolutely non visible after using it for three years and never washing it).

More storage under the main seat or passenger seat would be nice, as would a much more powerful horn, and a better battery.

Something like the mudsling as standard would be nice also.

 

[GSband]

Improved build quality and improved reliability. Those seem evident, no matter what.

But, to correct what bothers me most in the current model :
1) Less play in final drive and less on/off at throttle. Both give a jerky ride when passing bumps on the road. And less play in final drive is usefull in hairpin curves.
2) Decent shocks/springs. I'm on Wilbers now, and boy, what a difference.
3) Louder horn; easy !
4) Mudsling; if the megamoto has one ...

But that's it, really. I don't need more power, since it'll only be noticeable in the upper revs.
As far as design goes, the current design is not a beauty, but it stands out.