Considering a GS....read this

[yorkie triple black]

i think its all in the right hand,pull that baby back and its bye bye gs

 

[Bryn]

It's like comparing a Disco to a 911 .. two very different animals

 

[jeffsmith]

It seems that many on here have moved over to a GS from Jap superbikes. Well, i've done it slightly different in that my last bike ,owned and regularly ridden(not mollycoddled) for five years,was a Harley Road King, which I loved.
My 09 Adventure is however, a different animal altogether, and I can't stop riding it.Fantastic bike.
My only concern is all this talk of final drive failure on some of the other forums. Should I be worried?

 

[Rasher]

My only concern is all this talk of final drive failure on some of the other forums. Should I be worried?

Only you can answer that, I do worry a bit, partly because of the financial cost (either through paying for extended warranty every year or not taking warranty and then needing £1500 when it goes)

If anything I am more concerened about it ruining a trip, my time is more valuable to me, I would be devastated to have a two week tour of the Alps lined up and then spend it sat at home waiting for BMW to fix the bike.

I may just get rid of my bike as it approaches 20k as from browsing around here it seems most last that long, but very few seem to reach 35k, although a few owners have managed to get through four in 50-60k this seems rare.

I can get through this summer and next before hitting 20k, and then have to decide if I keep the bike, buy another GS (Which I would if they do find a proper cure for the FD) or hope someone else comes up with a GS beater (or even close)

For now enjoy riding the thing, it seems to worry me a lot less when riding along with a beaming smile

 

[pnewman]

Well i have just got a 1150 GSA , I have to say it feels and rides great , much better than the 2009 R1200 GSA which it replaced , OK the gearbox is agricultural , but it has no canbus , no ABS , the final drive if it does go , is a relatively cheap fix. Its built like a tank and is all man , and metal, its 10 years old and looks better than alot of R1200 GSA with a few years on em.
I have a Tenere too , that is good , good fun to ride , simple to fix , cheap to service, i had a Buell Ulysses too , that was great fun to ride , when not running out of petrol , again cheap to fix and service.
Moral of my story is , i have gone back to basics, no canbus , ABS ,and ever decreasing BMW Quality and gone for a proper GSA
Ride what you want , when you want , but for me , i think i'm sticking with the 1150 GSA without all the electickery and possible quality issues of the new BMW's , from simple things like that lack of using quality fastners and fixings to electrical gremlins to the so called final drive issues , then again lots of guys and gals on here haven't had any probs , sometimes u just get a friday bike , we have all been there at some point.

 

[jeffsmith]

I think I'll stick with it as you say, there are so many on here who haven't experienced any problems.Mine's a basic model anyway with no ABS nor electrickery. I guess only time will tell.
I really like the bike.It feels just right for my size(I'm 6ft 4in)and is definitely the most comfortable bike i've ever owned.

 

[malcopopolo]

Hi Everyone
Well I part exchanged my 1998 VFR800 on Friday for a 2008 R1200gs.
I was fed up with a sore neck after 70 miles.
I have had it 2 days clocked up 350 miles and it is fab.
Big culture shock in terms of acceleration, I loved the fact the vfr rev counter went to 12k revs. I have had to learn to use the torque...
Spent two weeks umming and arring - shall I buy the GS - so glad I did.
It is absolutely brilliant in the twisties and has enough power in the real world.

The strangest thing is that I want to ride the GS all the time - never felt that with the VFR?

To be honest I wish I could have kept the VFR as well - but funds did not allow.

 

[gmac321]

Rallye

Has any one any thoughts on the Rallye? it seams to have some handy extras that come as std for not much more than a bog GSA, is it a tricked GS or GSA ? (sorry for my ignorance!)
I have a XC that I will keep for ever now, but need something for the longer trips.

 

[Arthurwg]

I have an 05 GS and recently bought an 08 Aprilia Tuono Factory just for fun. The Aprilia's very entertaining and has an amazing ride with Ohlins front and back, but I find that I get from point A to point B faster on the GS. The Aprilia requires much more rider input and attention to go fast, whereas the GS is so stable and easy to ride. It really must be the best bike out there.

 

[grin factor]

I have an 05 GS and recently bought an 08 Aprilia Tuono Factory just for fun. The Aprilia's very entertaining and has an amazing ride with Ohlins front and back, but I find that I get from point A to point B faster on the GS. The Aprilia requires much more rider input and attention to go fast, whereas the GS is so stable and easy to ride. It really must be the best bike out there.

Thats a very interesting post, as I have a Tuono, and am looking at a GS. The T in my view is easy to ride, fast or slow and handles nicely. Haven't yet riden a GS, but if what you say is true, I'm in for a treat.

 

[Bengaz]

Also you might like an R1200R. Don't rule them out

 

[grin factor]

Also you might like an R1200R. Don't rule them out

I had thought about them, but you don't see many for sale/test ride.

 

[Bengaz]

Yeh your right. That's the problem out dealer has. He recons he would sell 50/50 if he could get his hands on a demo. I was lucky and they had a nearly new one in, test rode it and ordered a new one.

 

[hobit46]

thinking of buying a GS 1200

Hello all

I have just joined this site tonight as i am thinking of buying a GS 1200 but have never ridden one. I am well aware that these bikes handle well in the real world on real roads, having followed a number of good GS riders on numerous occasions.

I would appreciate any advice or information on the following points

I am 5ft 8 and concerned that the bike may be to tall for me!

In general is the GS 1200 expensive to insure?

I ride two up 90% of the time and would be interested to know how stable the bike is with a pillion on board? I assume that pillion comfort must be very good given the proportions of the pillion seat!

I really like the 1200 adventure and am planning a number of foreign trips is it worth paying the extra cash for this model?

Any advice or information would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Arthurwg]

Yes, really great two-up. But it is tall. I'm 6'1" (but with a 32" inseam), and I find it just manageable. Perhaps you could find a lower seat option. It's also rather heavy for me, but I'm 67 and you may find that OK. I'd forget the Adventure as rather pointless, except for the better luggage and better windscreen, IMHO.

 

[MEDICMAN]

I'm 5'9" and have had three GS's and its the first bike I've ever had that seems to ride better Two up! It just feels so planted and rock steady.

My inside leg is 31 (and a bit) and so I've got the low seat on mine and my feet are just flat on the ground. I did look at the Aventure but as has already been said, apart from the taller screen and luggage it isn't worth the extra money. You can always buy a taller screen for rhe GS (its on my 'to do' list) and personally, I've always found the variable luggage on the GS to be more than enough for me and the misses, even when we went to Morocco.

I still remember my first test ride at the dealers where I only took one out for just over an hour and came back grinning like a Cheshire cat and bought it there and then. It really is that good.

 

[DrogoNevets]

ive had a few bikes, not many, i usually get bored of bikes at 6months or so and start looking for my next conquest

I have had the GSA 7 months, and still look forward to taking her for a spin (unless its tipping it down with rain) which is good as i took out 3 years GAP insurance on the thing just to be safe

 

[hobit46]

Guys

Thanks for the feedback, i guess i really need to arrange a test drive to fully appreciate how i will feel on the bike but i am sure that i will also come back with a smile on my face and chequebook in hand i will take your advice and go for a standard GS with some added goodies hopefully.

Cheers

Hobit

 

[twizzle]

Guys

Thanks for the feedback, i guess i really need to arrange a test drive to fully appreciate how i will feel on the bike but i am sure that i will also come back with a smile on my face and chequebook in hand i will take your advice and go for a standard GS with some added goodies hopefully.

Cheers

Hobit

Stop..............you said you wanted a GSA........if you buy the STD one I bet you will regret it........go on get the GSA...

 

[Arthurwg]

Stop..............you said you wanted a GSA........if you buy the STD one I bet you will regret it........go on get the GSA...

Why? What makes the GSA better?