Breaking a BMW cherry with an R1200GS

[Ban_6]

Right....getting straight into it.

I have rode a lot of miles (on mostly hondas) over the yrs, mostly sportsbikes. Currently in possesion of a Ducati '9 series for the odd day and I use a honda cbf600 for work and knocking about.

I have recently returned on the duke from Germany and couldnt help but notice the outrageous amount of GS type bikes and other bmw's over there. (The numbers must be huge re sales in Europe).

I'd be handy enough on a bike, and couldnt help but notice some of the "quicker" GS riders in the twisty stuff on passes etc just taking them with ease. This got me thinking....

Sell the very functional cbf600 that i use for work and buy an R1200GS in triple black. The GS is only 5 kgs appx heavier than the honda! Thats crazy, obviously this makes the GS worlds apart and miles above - depending on your useage, requirement for the bike.

I'm sure lots of you have n R1200GS with this later engine released at the end of 2010? ( DOHC ) ?

The Honda crosstourer was an option but for me the GS seems to offer more, it doesnt have conventional forks which are needed on such a tall bike. Also, the Tenere, too expensive, Triumph Explorer, great bike but not for me.

So, peninding a test ride on a GS this week I think I am sold.

wahat say you?

 

[1157]

Yep get on an get the black it's the best colour scheme and the bikes a peach in all modes I.e sensible ,touring ,raggin it but it's even better with road tyres on if your not intending to be a rough tough adventure rider and ride on sand and gravel ,I had pilot road 3s fitted before I collected mine and all that has to be said is who needs a rice rocket in the twistys to have even more fun ,don't get me wrong the last gs1200 I had blocked tyres on and was good but the twin cam and decent tyres is a real gem ,especially as you say you've got some talent to go with it

 

[Mr K]

Welcome aboard!

 

[craig101]

Two years on from taking the bmw plunge I still go the long way home and will find any excuse to ride it whatever the weather.
Have a test ride, buy your triple thingy and enjoy many years of two wheeled contentment!

 

[Nutty]

The triple black is the best colour, but whatever you do, don't keep mentioning the colour on here

 

[Rasher]

Also, the Tenere, too expensive,

You can find great deals on the Yamaha's, I paid £2600 under list for a 6 month old ex-dem with just 149 miles on the clock - That's £9400 for an as-new bike with 18 months warranty and included delivery to my door and the dealer threw in parts and labour (normally chargeable) into the deal.

I know BMW are currently throwing in some extra's which make for good value, but IMO by the time you pay the high servicing costs on the BMW after a couple of years the TCO of the Yamaha will be a lot lower.

Also takes away the concern over final drives, FPC's and Fuel strips that can plague the Beemers.

Both bikes are cracking to ride though, very little in it from that point of view, sometimes I would rather be on a GS, other time the Yamaha.

 

[Ban_6]

Tks all !!!

The triple black is the best colour, but whatever you do, don't keep mentioning the colour on here

Why, is it taboo....? Alll forums have a no-no eh :

Do tell..

Also takes away the concern over final drives, FPC's and Fuel strips that can plague the Beemers.

Both bikes are cracking to ride though, very little in it from that point of view, sometimes I would rather be on a GS, other time the Yamaha.

Interesting points....appreciate that.

What is "FPC" ?

 

[Black Rooster]

What is "FPC" ?

fuel pump controller ?

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

You can find great deals on the Yamaha's, I paid £2600 under list for a 6 month old ex-dem with just 149 miles on the clock - That's £9400 for an as-new bike with 18 months warranty and included delivery to my door and the dealer threw in parts and labour (normally chargeable) into the deal.

I know BMW are currently throwing in some extra's which make for good value, but IMO by the time you pay the high servicing costs on the BMW after a couple of years the TCO of the Yamaha will be a lot lower.

Also takes away the concern over final drives, FPC's and Fuel strips that can plague the Beemers.

Both bikes are cracking to ride though, very little in it from that point of view, sometimes I would rather be on a GS, other time the Yamaha.

I think your find there are 20 GS's out there to every one yam, most of the problems mentioned by rasher no longer exist on current models or have been sorted on earlier ones, ..... go for the BM, you know it makes sense

 

[Georgeeboi]

The reason rasher paid £2600 under list is because they can't shift them especially the silver ones!.... Anyway that's what a friend of mine said who happens to be a manager at a Yamaha dealers, you pay your money and all that.

 

[Ban_6]

Appreciating the feedback, its appreciated.

Yeah, I cant wait to get my leg over the bike on Sat for the test ride. :cool

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

Make sure you have a good long test ride, as it will feel strange at first.But when you get used to it you will love it. The yamaha doesn't even get close to it. Which is why no one buys them
It is a fantastic motorcycle
Good luck!

 

[Nutty]

Tks all !!!




Why, is it taboo....? Alll forums have a no-no eh :

Do tell..




Interesting points....appreciate that.

What is "FPC" ?

For some reason this lot get upset when people keep mentioning triple black In fairness, most TB owners put that they have a TB on every post they make, such as on technical questions, which is completely irrelevant.

All that aside, get a Triple Black, it's the best colour, and is definitely the fastest.

 

[Rasher]

The reason rasher paid £2600 under list is because they can't shift them especially the silver ones!.....

£2600 is 10 years worth of annual re-spray's

Your right, they could not shift them at £12k, too many think it is too expensive and you get a higher quality BMW for similar money. What you get is a fantastic sturdy bike for good money.

As to all the GS problems being sorted, well I keep seeing failed FPC's and Final Drive issues even on later machines cropping up here - and what about Fuel Gauge failures?

From another topic

Just about to have my fuel-strip replaced, so that means I've now had all the main failures between my two recent bikes, FPC, ESA, Fuel-strip....oh, but no final drive failure yet!!

I would not call the issues sorted, much better maybe

 

[Ban_6]

Well..


seems I have stirred the hornets nest above there.... Sure, no harm in a debate eh...


Yeah, got the GS out on Saturday. First impression was that its a "tall" bike, not a big bike. Even with the low seat one of my legs was an inch or so off the deck. Kinda nerving, even for me, didnt wanna drop it at lights.

But, I tell you, I had a bit of fun on it. Drive is quite good. Small bit of wind buffeting on the m/way ( i was moving on in fairness ).

Throwing the bike into corners felt odd - no dive. But I got used to that. Also, it was almost ducati like - planted front end, seriously.

Couldnt believe how nimble it was, i kept getting lower and lower in turns, looking for the "thats far enough" angle but couldnt get there. I suppose a week or two would sort that out

All in all, impressed.

Will keep you all posted.

Appreciating the feedback above, that stuff's important, bmw bike or not

 

[Ban_6]

Still no decision made yet......working on prices & packages. Nearly there.

 

[GoSquirrel]

Late reply!

Banzai600....you absolutely will not regret getting the GS. After twenty years or so mucking around on sports bikes (CBR600's in the main), bought the GS three years ago, haven't looked back - the bike does it all.
djs

 

[Rasher]

I did 300 miles on my Tenere around Wales yesterday, this involves about 120 miles of dull A roads to get to the decent stuff.

The other 180 odd was an even mix of tight twisty roads, fast twisty roads and narrow / single track lanes.

I have done this route many times over the last 17 years, on every type of bike (GPZ900 / ZZR1100 / FZR400RR / TL1000S / Laverda 750SS / ZX9R / Thundercat / ZZR1400 / GS and now the Tenere)

On every other bike some of the journey was very crap, no bikes are great on dull roads, but thrumming along on the Tenere always has me smiling, where on some of the other bikes I "could" go much faster but the ST will cruise at a ton, and at an indicated 80 feels good where the ZZR1400 would feel boring and frustrating.

On the twisties every one of these bikes have been fun, and probably equally so overall with some being more suited to fast stuff and others better at slow stuff - the problem is the fast stuff can get you banged up these days!

The single track section is quite good fun on any bike, but not so comfy with a bum-up / head down bike, and sportsbike suspension limits progress / enjoyment, the Adventure Bikes obviously are best with a good riding position and a much better feel over the bumps and on poor surfaces.

Probably the biggest difference with the Tenere is I could have easily turned around and done it all again, the sportsbikes all had me desperately needing a hot bath and early night.

This trait was common to the GS, you just do not want to stop riding, any road in any condition will do, you just want to keep going.

Still looking forward to the next dozen or so weekends, where with the sportsbikes I would be about to mothball them, or certainly ride a lot less, only pouring rain and freezing temperatures keep me on the sofa these days.

 

[kennyboy]

Still no decision made yet......working on prices & packages. Nearly there.

ive got 2012 gs ,fantastic to ride, but over a long distance the seat is probably the worst of the dozens of bikes ive owned as for servicing .1st £170 2nd£360,a proper bmw rip off.

 

[SteveS]

Just gave my Fireblade up after 10 years and bought a 2010 GS1200 , It is staggeringly good, just try one.