Daily decision: Ride the GS12 or the Mille?

[Tobers]

For all you sportsbike riders out there who are looking at this forum pondering a GS, I was in the same position a while back and thought you might be interested in my experiences.

As the proud owner of a shiny black RSV Mille with some serious (for a sportsbike) miles on it, and 3 Alps tours, I thought I'd never take to a GS though I did fancy one. Then I moved job to work in London and I bought an 1150 for the commute, and have since got a 1200. I managed to keep the Mille as well

People on this forum told me I'd hardly ride the Mille again, and I thought they were talking tosh. How could I not ride the superbly dynamic, fantastic handling, powerful shiny thing - the GS would be just for commuting. However, the advice on this forum was spot on, and here are two examples:

Yesterday (Sunday), nice sunny(ish) day, dry roads though a bit chilly. Loads of bikes coming out of hibernation and onto the roads. I had the option to take the Mille or the GS12 for a 2 hour ride. I chose the GS12, and glad I did - some lovely pootling round back lanes and a v.scenic ride. The roads were a bit plod-infested so I was more than happy to be inconspicuous and stealthy, yet still able to chuck the bike at Mille-esque speeds (for public roads that is) around when the traffic was a bit lighter.

This morning, Monday, sunny again, which bike to ride to work? Chose the GS12 again. Warm hands, heated waistcoat plugged in, great view over traffic for smooth filtering, comfy. Just couldn't be arsed with the squashed riding position of the Mille.

And so it has been since I got into GSs. The Mille will be out a bit more as the weather warms up, but these days its just harder and harder to get satisfaction from riding a pure sportsbike on the road. The GS on the other hand never fails to deliver a really enjoyable and satisfying ride. The blend of speed (from the GS12), handling, comfort, tractability, practicality etc beats anything out there in my opinion.

So there you have it. An experience much duplicated by others on here I'm sure.

Andy

 

[Bryn]

Andy, totally agree. My last sports bike was a 929 Blade, a lovely bike but on a long run the back pain i got was unbearable. Did a run to Assen and wondered how I was going to get back again

In contrast the 1150 isnt going to blow ones socks off but it aint half comfy. Did the same Assen run last June, and if I had to I could have turned round and done it again.

Also as this is the real world if you do get caught at illegal speeds its likely to be alot less than if you were on a 'Blade/Mille, so you're likely to keep your licence cleaner

Bryn

 

[Big Lee]

BMW R1200GS. The thinking mans sportsbike

 

[wilbjr21]

Must agree. I've been lucky enough to own a Mille R - wonderfully built machine but I only did 3000 miles in three years as I was a enjoying my ST1300 more - 20,000 miles in two years. Now I've traded in the ST1300 for the R1200GS the MilleR wasn't going to get look in, so it's gone to a good home - a friend who had just sold his CBR600 and was on the lookout for a quality sportsbike.

 

[longdog]

. Did a run to Assen and wondered how I was going to get back again

Off the thread a little, are you going to the MotoGP in Assen this year?

 

[Mzokk]

Sort of agree. Did 26,000 miles in two years on the GSXR600 in the Avatar. I still have it. But didn't use it during the winter's that I've had it. Used the 1150gs last winter and a Mz660 skorpion for the two previous. I like the GS but rode the gsxr600 last Sunday when it was warm and Sunny and while its not as practical it'll give you a Buzz your not going to get on a big trailie and its brill on a racetrack.

I did notice my neck bit sore on the gsxr which never bothered me before. Need to get miles clocked up on it to develop the muscles again!!

 

[Joyseeker]

The GS v sport bike continues

hey Tobers

i'm new to biking and the closest i've got to the style of sports biking is a 'monster' and hated the riding position. but i learn loads off my neighbours who i ride with regularly.

in particular one who retired 8 years ago onto his harley. there must have still been the itch of the sports biker in him cause last sunday i took him to pick up his KTM 625smc. (its a competition bike on the road) the last couple of days we've done 300mls running it in.

cutting 6 hours of riding short. as the KTM has bedded in and the rider adjusted to the supermoto riding postion the bike has impressed me. the suspenion and stressed engine just fly. and now my riding chum is leading me down roads where the harley just did not follow the 12GS.

as the rider says 'i get the same trill on my KTM at 60 as i did with my sports bikes at 120.' a lesson there. ideal for that 2 hour burn.

of course the KTM can not do motorways like the GS but on A roads and lanes it seems fine - have not riden the little beast yet

also appealing to me like my 12GS...... after the ride no need to fuss cleaning it...... and it only cost £4.5 new (but then for that money it is entitled to start like a ducati.

(ps on sunday some of you may have seen us heading for devils dyke down the A281...... we passed heading the other way 3 blue 12GSs?)