Considering a GS....read this

[Mountain Ash]

Hi There

Hi folks, new to this posting lark, and to GSs.

Jonnywave put me onto y'all, and I've been lucky to ride his 650 Dakar, just a wee bit.

I've lots of experience journeying in canoes adn mountaineering, but none on a bike !!

Have the opportunity of a trip to Kurdistan in the next few weeks. Currently own a Kawazaki Z750S, which altho lovely, would be hell over such a distance.

Looking for advice and guidance from yourselves as to which combination of GS and kit / luggage / GPS / helmets / training / route selection / - the whole lot really. http://www.ukgser.com/forums/images/smilies/aidan.gif

Looking forward to meeting y'all sometime !

Wobble

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

using a name more elaborate than "the bike", "the GS" etc is seriously bad taste, methinks

(bit like calling a Suzuki GXR 1000 - "Suzi" )

Al

(enjoy the bike, though )

I couldn't agree more.

I've got an 850r at the moment. Or should I say, my local friendly franchise has it. Pity the feckers having to wheel it in and out everyday I've asked for an upgrade. It'll be a GS obviously. Expect I'll get a bit of boomph about buying an 800. I want a boxer though...

 

[SteadyEddie]

Aye,

There are hundreds of great reasons to buy a GS. I got mine last August and have put 9,000 miles on it over the winter. I just want to use it all the time! I walk to work so these are all social miles.

My mates complain bitterly that the GS seems to stay clean when their bikes are covered in winter road crap!

How do BMW make them non-stick?

The fabulous handling makes up for the limited top end speed as you so rarely seem to need to slow down. It really is fab fun to ride and as an old pal said before I bought mine,"If I could only have one bike, it would have to be a GS"

I find the free plastic luggage boxes leak just a little bit, don't hold very much stuff for touring and are really heavy. Wish I had aluminium boxes.

Can't wait to get out for a run tomorrow!

 

[Brian ROSEN]

"...the limited top end speed..." Now I wonder if you have the throttle really open ? In the road test (In France they still test top speed) the 1200GS reached 207 kph - that is 128.5 mph. Now what do YOU think it a satisfactory top end speed ?

 

[SteadyEddie]

Hi Brian,

It all depends where you are and how much of a hurry you are in. I do quite a few European miles, or should I start talking in kilometers? and have used the fabulous German autobahns. THe GS comes from there so when in a hurry to get from Switzerland to Holland, why not? As long as you follow their restricted speed areas, then very rapid progress can be made quite legally.

Let's face it, this will always be a contentious issue when speed gets discussed. Some feel that no speed limit should be broken because it is the law, but others say that the law is an ass. Neither is totally true or the debate as black or white as that. You are a criminal in the UK at one speed but doing nothing wrong in Germany at the same speed. That argument shows it is training and perception that can be a major factor.

The GS is designed as an off road type so i'm sure was never designed for high speed stability, but we all know how good it is! Most never see a bit of gravel or mud either.

MY Suzuki SV 650 and Harley chop both attain the same speed as the GS which rather shows how restricted the top end must be on the GS.

What would I like the top end to be?

Perhaps 150mph would not be too much for the bikes aerodynamics. You wouldnt use the top end too often but it could be handy.

My GS has a top speed of about the same as the road test you talk of.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

It all depends where you are

I thought that you were meandering around Scotland - I agree that on unrestricted autobahns it is all quite different. However when you are around the top speed on a GS yu do know about it! As you mention it is a question of aerodynamics at those speeds and the bike is not designed to be ridden at sustained high speed - for the simple reason that few owners are going to have the opportunity nowadays. I had one of the original R100RS's with a fairing that WAS designed for fast touring and it was quite possible (in pre radar days) to 'cruise' for hours around the 200 kph mark. Those days are over and I think that the GS is fast enough. Incidenatlly I recently changed "down" to a 800GS, thinking it a more suitable bike for an old man - but i find that I have bought a "souped up" Gs - not at all what I intended!

 

[SteadyEddie]

Well this bike is all things to me,

The big end went on the Merch engine in the chop so it is taking some time to get repaired. Serves me right for wanting a 2200cc V-Twin. The GS is a great winter bike but will serve me well all year round as required.

I am already planning an upgrade to an adventure to get the luggage and big fuel tank. I will give my existing GS two years to get some value for money then plan the upgrade. I really liked the new suspension package but feel giving them a year or so to get any bugs sorted out will be a good plan.

I'm very interested in your comments on the 800 as my wife was thinking about the 650 GS as she is vertically challenged. It is supposed to be a slightly detuned version of the 800 so what you are saying sounds very positive. Any more comment will be gratefully received

Thanks

 

[Brian ROSEN]

The 650 & 800GS

As I wrote somewhere else I was very impressed by both these bikes when I road tested them - and I added that unless one eally wanted to go off-road there was no point in buying the 800. The 650 has a "sparkling" performance and is a really tidy little bike; I wish I could have persuaded my wife to have one! I then foolishly traded in my 1200GS for the 800GS - it is a good bike but it lacks the comfort, stability and presence of the 1200. It is certainly a 'young man's GS with a rorty exhaust note and a red line around 10,000 rpm but not really my cup of tea.

 

[SteadyEddie]

Hi Brian,

I shall have a look for your other comments but this all sounds perfect for Fiona.

Thanks a lot for your reply.

Have a fun summer!

 

[Roytonlad]

I like to add this to the cacophony

Thinking of a GS then like the thread heading says - Read This

Not Fit for Purpose

Let me start by saying I really wanted to like the GS but after a year and a half I have determined that, for my type of riding it’s NFP

So what type of riding you ask – long distance touring, mainly in North America up to now.

Last trip a 6 day 3600 km tour through Washington, Oregon, Nevada and California then back to Vancouver BC. The conditions were varied with temperatures from -3 C to 23 C. Winds at times gusting to 50 mph, some rain, over varied elevations, all on pavement.

Based on the categories that are important to me this is my assessment of the GS:

Highway Performance: 6/10
In North America if you are traveling distance you are going to be on a highway or a side road that resembles one for extended periods of time, that means days not just a couple of hours.
The GS felt out of breath and stressed at anything above 120 kph. There were many times that I wanted to overtake one or two semis and didn’t feel confident that it could get past them quick enough. And at over 4000 rpm it’s too vibey to be in the saddle for 10 + hours a day. However, seating position and other ergos are good and apart from the vibes I could have stayed on it for longer. In the high wind conditions it felt very unstable. Many times I had to pull over onto the shoulder to let cars and trucks pass as they were going faster than I could confidently go without feeling that the wheels where gong to be blown out from under me.

Weather Protection: 4/10
For me it’s clear that at temperatures below 12C you need electric gear. (I was wearing leather pants and an all season textile jacket with liner). And I now understand why some fit a bigger windshield and add flaps at the pegs to prevent your feet from getting soaked. Heated grips – settings either too hot or not hot enough.

Tight twisty’s: 8/10
This is the only place that the GS excels over other bikes I have used for my style of riding. Great handling and cornering characteristics, certainly more than enough for my riding skill level and ability.

In the City: 7/10
Pretty maneuverable and easy to push around when off the bike, if necessary. Good for negotiating through traffic.

Other Issues:
Gas tank to small. Non stop worry about making sure you know where the next gas is going to be. And the unreliable fuel gauge doesn’t help – one minute it shows 120km’s to empty and then inexplicably 10k later the fuel warning beacon comes on and 79 k to empty?

Conclusion:
For all but 10% of my type of riding my previous bike would have been a better bet and that bike was an ST 1300. I guess if my riding included lots of off-road portions then maybe the balance would shift.

What’s the point you say, (some of you will say who gives a flying f…). Well this is the “Considering a GS read this” thread. So nothing other than giving those who are tempted by all the hype about the do-it-all GS, like I was, the benefit of what I have learned – that maybe the GS is the bike for you if it’s all-round riding (whatever that is?) that you do.

Anyway, machine guns at the ready – fire away!

Roytonlad

 

[Brian ROSEN]

The wrong bike

It is quite obvious that you chose the wrong bike for long distance touring - 600km a day for 6 days , 10 hours a day etc.etc. So why did you not buy the equivalent of your previous bike such as a 1200RT or LT? Your statement :
"....The GS felt out of breath and stressed at anything above 120 kph...." will sound strange to anyone who has owned one. We re talking about the 1200 are we not? This is what "Motor Cycle Sport and Leisure" said in its first test in 2004 ..."if you crack open the throttle at 70 mph the GS still streaks off with impressive haste...." If I were you I would take your bike back to the dealer - there MUST be something wrong with the engine management system.

 

[Roytonlad]

Brian

It is quite obvious that you chose the wrong bike for long distance touring - 600km a day for 6 days , 10 hours a day etc.etc. So why did you not buy the equivalent of your previous bike such as a 1200RT or LT?

You are right it is the wrong bike for me and to prevent the usuall abuse - for the record that doesn't make the GS a bad bike.

I bought the GS after having 2 ST1300 and thinking that the GS would be better for short trips. But for me even a short trip (200 mile day) would be better on more touring oriented bike. Plus I have to admit that I got caught up in the "its the do it all one bike to have" hype.

The GS felt out of breath and stressed at anything above 120 kph...." will sound strange to anyone who has owned one. We re talking about the 1200 are we not?

Yes I am a bit surprised by this too. Now, in all honesty it may be in part my years of riding big cc fours. The twin does take some getting used to but it still seemed to me to be the least stressed for long distances at under 4500rpm. And I didn't feel comfortable running it for long periods over 5000 rpm.

I will take your suggestion and have it checked by the dealer, because the other thing that I noticed, and may be related, is that the fuel consumption jumped from 5.2 L/100k to 6.3L/100k on the last trip.

Anyway it's just my experience with the GS.

 

[Ozzie3]

Spots Bike V GS

Just returned from Northern Spain,a group of ten,only one GS 1200, me, and one RT1200. Went down a road from a place called Tremp on the C 1311. The twistiest,smoothest road ever built by mankind.(It might have been built by God himself) 17miles of sure sports bike heaven.No traffic perfect bends.
All riders of about the same capabilities,1st the GS 2nd the RT and eight excuses. "It's too twisty" "C'ant get the power down" "No engine breaking", "Bikes too powerfull keeps stepping out"
Well i say "Get a bike without those problems" GS 1200 rules OK. Oh and you can carry luggage and do 200 miles on a tank full.
It's not me its the bike i know because later when we were on a long straight flat out at 135 the sports bike all came past,so they must be better.

 

[Our Gee]

More Details of the Road Location please !!

 

[Ozzie3]

It's the C 1311 between Tremp and Puente de Montanana,Cataluna,Spain.
Also try to link in the N230 north of Puento de Montanana and the N260.
They are all very good but the C 1311 has no traffic and a better surface.The N230 is blindingly fast with lovely 100mph+ sweepers.
If your in that area DO NOT miss it. I only road it last week (three times) but look foreward to returning.

 

[good'oleboy]

Goodoleboy

Well hello to all you guy's an' gals, this is my first visit to the site. I have had plenty of other bikes but the boxer twins are brill; especially in the GS. They sure do everthing and at the present I have an 1150 in the garage along with the new (to me anyway) 1200Gs. on an 05 plate 16k. I had a buyer for the 1150 but turned out to be a messer. Still been of benefit really as I can sit them side by side an gaze lovely at the 1150 and quite not so at the new'un. you see It conked out less than 2 days after riding it home. it just faded away. It may have been the supermarket fuel but again the secondary plugs were well past their sellby date. I could write a story on the amount of remedil work I have done to the bike since I bought it with bmwsh. Is it me guys or is the new'un not as well made as the 1150. 30KG lighter maybe, too complicated than the old'un, this cambus milarky? many of the dudes on the sportsbikes can't match these bikes on our rough old norfolk roads but the 1150 no probs 1200 faster more agile in the twisties came with these avon storm s. very good but again the tourances were damned good. I have done aload of miles on boxers around Ireland and France and some other countries as well I'm no slotch when the pace warms up but not daft enough to follow the idiot brigade. A well ridden GS keep with any one. I would like to have faith in the 1200 but at the mo I seem to have lost a little so if any of you folks have an opinion or advise I sure would like to here from you so to all keep it safe. Dave:
mmmm

 

[MartinB]

We got back from France - Spain - Andorra - France trip 3 weeks ago. We stayed at the Terradets Hotel in Cellers (Just south of Tremp) http://www.hotelterradets.cat/01_principal.php

Fantastic road, Good hotel (about £75 with evening meal)

Find Barcelona go west to Lerida then north to Balaguer on the C13 then turn left onto C1311. THIS IS BIKING NIRVANA ! ! !

 

[jdunique]

Hello from across the pond

Hello fella's
Most call me Big Jim and I live in the US in Florida, I found a link to your website in the K1200LT website and because I have been lusting after a GS decided to jump in here. From what I have read so far I think the GS would be what I should try and there are a few 1150's near me that can be had some at quite reasonable prices. My concern deals with my size and weight although I am pretty sure it will be OK, I am 6'4" and weigh about 350lbs, I am 62 and have been riding since I was 11 years old, for the last 20 years or so I have been riding big touring bikes and currently own a K1200LT, a R1200CL and a Harley Road Glide, I have a friend who wants to purchase the CL and we have agreed upon a price that will be beneficial to both of us so I need a replacement!
My use of the GS would primarily be for commuting to work, a total of about a hundred miles a day. Beyond that almost every weekend my circle of friends, my wife and I go somewhere usually traveling something like 400 miles or so normally the LT or the Harley would get most of that duty in addition my wife is vertically challenged so I don't believe she would enjoy the ride on a GS she seems to want to ride on something that has a barcolounger for pillion accomodations. Living in Florida as I do there are not many twisty roads to enjoy but we find some interesting back roads and places to visit.
Any way I am starting to ramble so I wanted to post and say thanks for all of the valuable information you have added here it has helped me to make up my mind!
Thanks
Jim Davis
Floral City, Florida US
[email protected]

 

[Brian ROSEN]

".....I am 6'4" and weigh about 350lbs,...." without wishing to sound rude I think it is difficult to imagine your 'climbing up' onto a GS. I have a friend who is rather heavy and he found that the suspension on the GS was not up to his weight - and he was only about 50% heavier than average.
I am just about half your weight and although we have found the GS an ideal bike for two up journies, touring or loal trips, it is not easy for a pillion rider to climb aboard, particularly if you have a top box(which is really essential.)

 

[Doctorbiker]

If you were dithering about buying a GS think on this….

(I just had to write it)!

I’ve had my 02 1150 now for 6 months and it is rapidly replacing my old K75 as the best bike I have ever had ; and I owned that K75 a long time ago!

Some time ago I had not had a bike for a few years and bought a F650 funduro to go to work on – a bike I hated but it did the job. A friend of mine had an 1100GS and then 1150 ADV, both of which I had a go on and I liked them, mostly for their styling. After having 2 K’s I was used to the quality of finish and mechanical toughness that you would expect to get from a BMW so made up my mind to buy a GS. It took me quite a while to find a really nice one for the right money, but find it I did on this very site.

I usually use it to go to work (10 miles on country lanes) with the occasional long trip. I find that it is fantastic on country roads; it goes around corners like it is on rails, whilst the soft, long suspension soaks up the bumps. On the motorway, behind my big ADV screen (fitted as an extra) I can cruise happily at high speeds. The heated handgrips are a comfort on cold mornings and on wet days. I can get my laptop and stuff for work in the system topbox and add system panniers when needed.

You may be thinking that so far there are other bikes on the market that will do that. Well here are the unique selling points:

The bikes sounds like a real motorbike as I open the throttle to overtake or charge up hill. I love the throaty double beat. And, when you start it cold, it wobbles and shakes slightly - real character often missing from Jap machines.

I went green laning the other day on for the first time on the GS. I am not an accomplished off road rider – far from it. I took it slow but managed to go everywhere my friend on his little Honda XR250 went (despite the lack of knobbly tyres).

So what a fantastic machine; cruise in comfort at motorway speeds, commute to work, looks cool (well some think so) and can go off-road! Well GS owners already know this – I don’t need to convert them.

Just buy one and smile!

Sean