Bog standard R1200GS WC

rickyxsara

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Has anyone got one with just the heated grips and nothing else. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts etc. thanks:aidan
 
When you mean with heated grips and nothing else is that with wheels and the engine or not? :D
 
Has anyone got one with just the heated grips and nothing else. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts etc. thanks:aidan

Yes I had a 2013 LC with heated grips only - it was a good bike, no fancy suspension or modes or stuff, had it for 2 years and about 22,000 miles - good bike.

My new 2015 TE has some advantages, but to be honest non of the extras are essential but the active suspension is nice especially two-up, however if you intend keeping the bike outside the warranty then be prepared for big bills when the suspension is shot if you do big miles.
 
i don't think I've even seen a non TE one out and about. Don't know why, its a well priced bike! Although, i wouldn't want to live without the Dynamic engine mode. Road just wouldn't cut it. but then, if you haven't had Dynamic, you wouldn't miss it!
 
Mine's not a TE, but it has a few carefully selected options, namely Dynamic mode, ESA, (not very) heated grips and a low seat. The LED headlight was the deal breaker for me on the TE as I never ride in the dark and it adds £900 to the price.

In retrospect I maybe should have skipped the slightly temperamental ESA as I only ever ride two-up, but added cruise control :blast
 
I ordered a standard LC with cruise and GPS prep 6 weeks ago, I pick it up this weekend. I factory ordered a standard bike for a few reasons, the main one being I didn't want ESA, never had a bike with electronically adjustable suspension and didn't think it was worth the extra. Only time will tell if I made the right choice for me.
 
Interesting thread. I also asked about the standard vs TE GS and my dealer said that there was very little demand for the stock bike due in part to many being bought on PCPs so the monthly additional cost was low again due in part to better residuals on the TE as second hand wise demand for the stocker is very low. Additionally of course if you buy stock then add extras the additional cost you've spent adding them on does not get transferred on trade in. I was certainly impressed by the ESA on the TE but trying to get a test ride on a standard GS to see what difference the ESA makes is near impossible as they are all TEs.
 
^ For sure, with demo bikes they always want to showcase the manufacturers latest technology, they aren't going to give you a poverty spec car/bike to try ^
 
If you're going to keep it long term it doesn't matter what you order. If you fall out of love and want to flog it in a year or two you will struggle to sell a non-TE model and even if you can you're likely to get a price that is worse than the equivalent second value of the savings you made over a TE spec new. It's annoying as I would have preferred a stock bike with heated grips but you can't get a lowered machine without ESA and once you've got that and computer pro, cruise etc. it's not significantly more expensive to get a TE. I've seen a few XE models (easy to notice as they don't have LED indicators) but no standard ones as far as I can tell.
 
If you are ESA averse, and are worried that a basic spec bike will be hard to off load in the future then one option which could work (at a price) is to buy the TE and then remove the OE suspension units and replace with manual ones of your choice (Wilbers, Ohlins, Nitron etc.). You can then disable the electronics with the Touratech DDC plug which stops error messages and allows all the other systems to still function - you'll need a plug for the front and the back at £170 each.

When you come to change the bike, you can then return to standard TE spec and either transfer or sell the lovely aftermarket stuff you purchased originally thus reducing your overall losses.

Not a cheap solution and you'd have to be pretty ESA averse to want to go down this route!
 
Has anyone got one with just the heated grips and nothing else. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts etc. thanks:aidan

I bought a one 18 months ago it was a 13plate and had 1700 miles on it. great bike with no fancy electronics, suspension etc. .I prefer standard bike, did a 3000 mile trip to europe this year never missed a beat. I am just not a gadget man but everybody to there own.
 
I have one,Heated grips and led indicators,, bought october 2014,
no issues, added a sat nav mount and engine bars, and mudsling,
Roamer
 
Originally I did order a basic bike with heated grips, but swapped my order for a TE and bloody glad I did. No regrets.
 
Thanks again lads for the replies. I am not anti esa or electronic gizmos but they do just not rock my boat. It is nice to hear Rudie and Roamer are enjoying theirs. I do not do mega miles or two up riding but I like the GS for comfort and ride. I previously had a 1150 and a 1200 tc but had a ride on a wc today. It blew my socks off and now I really would like one.:thumb2
 
I didn't want all the electronics but I wanted lowered suspension. However I could only order lowered on a bike with ESA, went full TE in the end.
 
2014 GS1200 in White, heated grips and no other options. Almost as basic as you can get. I ride 52 weeks year, so far 23000 miles and have no regrets about the spec.
I sometimes wonder if the rear suspension is designed for ESA, I get occasional vibrations through the transmission. The suspension is set for me solo, I no longer adjust the suspension two up or with luggage, just ride it a bit different. I have had ESA and I don't miss it.
I don't ride in the dark so LED headlights are not required,
I could not care less about white, orange or LED indicators, however I do think the LED are more difficult to see compare with normal bulbs.
Cruise control, nice perhaps but a few thousand pounds cheaper is much more attractive.
Riding modes, Rain mode makes so little difference its only there as a sales aid.
I realise the lack of toys on my bike will reduce its resale value but compared to my 36000 miles expected at three years old its not really an issue when balanced against the lower purchase price.
 


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