[Buying Advice] First GS – 1200LC or 1250? Budget ~£10k

Got myself a 2018 GS1200 TE a couple of months back with a TFT Screen. From a BMW Dealer with 19,500 miles on the clock and has the two years warranty on it. (Have called upon it already when one of the fork seals was leaking - all done with little fuss).

Love it so far - haven't ridden the 1250 to compare but the 1200 was just in my price bracket and the 1250's would have been a lot extra.
 
FragglePete said:
Got myself a 2018 GS1200 TE a couple of months back with a TFT Screen. From a BMW Dealer with 19,500 miles on the clock and has the two years warranty on it. (Have called upon it already when one of the fork seals was leaking - all done with little fuss).

Love it so far - haven't ridden the 1250 to compare but the 1200 was just in my price bracket and the 1250's would have been a lot extra.
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A late 1200 might well deliver good savings and a very similar experience to the 1250.

It will come down to what's available with the best history.

The good thing is there does seem to be a bunch of them about.
 
GTMorgan said:

This looks a bargain to me, a very good friend of mine was touring with the owner on this bike a few weeks back in Portugal, it's a well cared for example and that mileage is nothing.
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One of the best color schemes on the 1250s

A friend of mine recently bought one the same, looks great 👍

By the way, agree with the comments above, when I had my 1200 I couldn’t justify the cost to change to the 1250, but if I didn’t have either I would have definitely gone for the 1250, if you can make the maths work it is a better bike
 
I have a late model 2018 R1200GS with the TFT screen which I love. My exhaust valve failed and I fitted Akrapovic headers with no catalytic converter, a servo emulator and a Hilltop remap. All in less than £1,000 and the engine is transformed. More power, more midrange, better pickup and better economy. A 1250 may have a nicer engine than a standard 1200 but I would rather stick with my slightly modified 1200.
 
DorsetRider said:
Yes, I feel it can be one of those false positives, machines are built to be used and mechanics being what they are tend to be happiest when well oiled and treated with kindness in the purpose for which they were designed.
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Nah, keep it in mind and ask the right questions for the lack of use but they are not organic material that depends upon use and movement. Dependent upon the age of the bike, as long as they have had the oil and filter changed every year and their condition reflects that, then I'd be happy to look at a low mileage, older GS. IMHO the 1200 is a great bike, post 2016 (fly wheel, gearbox changes in 2017). The 1250 is also a wonderful bike throughout it's whole run and a bit more responsive and quicker in the hands of someone who can take advantage of the difference (Not me) The 1300 is also a great bike and 'sportier' than the 1250. If I could get insurance where I live, one would be in my garage now, even though I love my 1250. We are all only restricted by money, circumstances and life choices. Getting a fast sweeping corner right at full chat in the Pyrenees fells exactly the same on the 1200, 1250 and 1300. Enjoy whatever model you decide on. Getting a GS changed my whole biking experience.
 
the woodster said:
Nah, keep it in mind and ask the right questions for the lack of use but they are not organic material that depends upon use and movement. Dependent upon the age of the bike, as long as they have had the oil and filter changed every year and their condition reflects that, then I'd be happy to look at a low mileage, older GS. IMHO the 1200 is a great bike, post 2016 (fly wheel, gearbox changes in 2017). The 1250 is also a wonderful bike throughout it's whole run and a bit more responsive and quicker in the hands of someone who can take advantage of the difference (Not me) The 1300 is also a great bike and 'sportier' than the 1250. If I could get insurance where I live, one would be in my garage now, even though I love my 1250. We are all only restricted by money, circumstances and life choices. Getting a fast sweeping corner right at full chat in the Pyrenees fells exactly the same on the 1200, 1250 and 1300. Enjoy whatever model you decide on. Getting a GS changed my whole biking experience.
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This is what makes our past times so pleasurable.
 
DorsetRider said:
The 2016 may well be in a sweet spot for value and tech. ShiftCam would be nice but if I've never had it I won't miss it and though it widens the torque curve I'm sure none are lacking in pull where it's needed.

I absolutely love the TFT and connectivity as part of the base bike on the 2019 model but it doesn't make the adventure.

As a new rider I feel that the very latest ride modes and aids such as cornering ABS will be welcomed. But I don't have any of these on my 2017 GT.

Going older makes sense as much more depreciation is lost by someone else.

If I go 1200 and can find a model with options such as riding modes beyond just “Rain / Road”, Dynamic ESA, Cornering ABS, DTC, Heated grips, and Cruise Control, I'd have something close to a 1250 without the engine.

Full BMWSH would be most ideal.
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I have had my 2015-built (Euro 3) as its first owner since early 2017.
Just on 39k, serviced every year based on mileage.
Prejudiced I might be, but have not yet been convinced of the need to change as the practical "benefits" of upgrading are very slim in performance terms. Even riding the loaner 1300GS in August in my favoured green/gold showed insufficient improvement to qualify for a big outlay.
Mind you, I have made a few mods including XF-ID, TT suspension, RT front wheel.
Only health bits in the form of arthritis will bring about a change, and then only to the Big H.
 
Welcome - As I'm a very biased R1200RS owner for 10 years, have you considered anything other than a GS if you're not an extremely tall off road rider?

You will get all you need to know - plus a bit more - on this place btw.

ps - I did enjoy a used GS between 2007 and 2013, but I wasn't a rufty tufty off roader, though it did manage a few track days.
 
Boxerboy55 said:
Welcome - As I'm a very biased R1200RS owner for 10 years, have you considered anything other than a GS if you're not an extremely tall off road rider?

You will get all you need to know - plus a bit more - on this place btw.

ps - I did enjoy a used GS between 2007 and 2013, but I wasn't a rufty tufty off roader, though it did manage a few track days.
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You beat me to it,buy a RS and use the cash you saved for trips,booze,drugs and hookers.
 
My favourite bike was the 2011 Twin cam I owned. The 1250 was good though I never used the majority of the bells and whistles bolted on. If I ever buy another it will be the cleanest latest TC I can find
 
leadfarmer said:
One of the best color schemes on the 1250s

A friend of mine recently bought one the same, looks great 👍

By the way, agree with the comments above, when I had my 1200 I couldn’t justify the cost to change to the 1250, but if I didn’t have either I would have definitely gone for the 1250, if you can make the maths work it is a better bike
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I thought that colour scheme was the HP version not Rallye? I always wondered why they would want to abbreviate ‘Higher Purchase’ and paint it on the bike. :D
 
g00ner said:
My favourite bike was the 2011 Twin cam I owned. The 1250 was good though I never used the majority of the bells and whistles bolted on. If I ever buy another it will be the cleanest latest TC I can find
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This is a fair point and true to the GS heritage, at my stage I'd worry about not having ABS/TC and some of the newer rider assist features in the LC and beyond.
 
Having owned both 1200 and 1250GS, the 1250 was significantly better, especially the gearbox and the TFT, as my 1200 was an early lc model with a tiny speedometer, but I wouldn't have bought the 1250 if I could have been comfortable on an RS. I don't ride off road, so the gelände bit was wasted on me, but the riding position of the RS made my hip hurt.

I would definitely choose the 1250 over the 1200. Decent 1250s are available within your budget if you are patient. BMW dealers are really good regarding test rides, so take advantage and ride a couple, including an RS if you like the idea.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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