Do i don't i?

[baronlebon]

1200 - 36MPG on a fun day 38 MPG an an average day

Hi
Just been up to Richmond via A1 to get a pair of Hogg lites.Got em cheap!!.Then on to Northallerton,Helmsley(lovely),Scarborough,Filey,Bridlington.BackA614 to goole M62 M18 M1 to Notts.2 up A1 and motorway avg 100 also caning it all way round.I'm 17 stone pillion 10.5 stone and panniers.Average 40 to gallon!

what milage has yours done?

baron.

 

[Sea Lion]

Just passed your test, bugger all experience and you want a big GS...

 

[ballistic]

Hi.
I mean were talking averages here.I don't tend to worry about the fuel i put in but 15 quid is the most I can get in with 20ish on reserve.Then on tripometer its getting to between 170-200 to same.Probably realistically 53/55 mpg,but hey!it's now done 28400 miles so I'd consider it run in.Mabey they get better mpg with milage,they certainly get more fun with milage!

Cheers Baron

Just to back up Baron's mpg claims... I did the first 27000 miles on his bike and had an overall average of 56mpg. Great engine, better than my new GSA
Glad to see you're looking after it dude

 

[Monsieur]

This must have been asked a thousand times, but here goes...

Just passed my DAS. Been riding a Honda Varadero for 6 months. Need a bigger bike. I will be commuting from Bristol to London on mondays, and back fridays. Need a bike that will get me there, and around town all week.

I am 6ft1", so need something comfortable. Budget says 650GS, heart says 1200GS, experience also says 650...

What do you all think...

(Friend has a Pegaso Strada, but I love the BMW)

Matt

I assume you mean the varadero 1000? (I normally assume wrongly!).
If so, how much bigger than a varadero can you get? An incredibly comfortable, reliable and enjoyable bike to ride, commute and tour on. Much better value than a GS and, arguably, much better looking

2005 models for £4000 - you can't go wrong
If you ride the 125 model go and get a test ride on its bigger brother - you know you want to

 

[Colban]

I assume you mean the varadero 1000? (I normally assume wrongly!).
If so, how much bigger than a varadero can you get? An incredibly comfortable, reliable and enjoyable bike to ride, commute and tour on. Much better value than a GS and, arguably, much better looking

2005 models for £4000 - you can't go wrong
If you ride the 125 model go and get a test ride on its bigger brother - you know you want to

Heresy!.
Looks like we got a candidate for a whupping.
If you see any reports of a "Wicker Man" burning in the Lincoln area,you know the score.

 

[Monsieur]

.....I'll fetch my coat

 

[Shrimpo]

Ditto on the bigger bike option

Did the DAS last march, bought an 1150 GS in April. Never looked back.

I'm 6'3" myself and while the 650 (my original choice) was a lot easier to live with at Wheelbarrow pace, any kind of Motorway miles felt like they might be a chore both power and comfort wise.

I spoke to my instructor about it during my DAS training and his advice was exactly that stated above "you'll be selling that 650 in 6 months, just go for the most comfortable bike, it's the Rider that sets the limits, not the bike".

The advice worked for me. 20k miles later I wouldn't change a thing. Ah, well not strictly true, maybe a higher seat.....and some HID lights........and some trick panniers........and some ohlins.....you get the idea.

 

[Gazzabart]

Get the GSA

when i was 16 i had a fizzy
when i was 18 i had a Yam RD250E & passed my test
now i am 43 guess what
i thought it was a good idea to get a 1200GSA
good is the wrong word
fantastic would be better
its a doddle to ride
i bought it 5 weeks ago with 418 miles on the clock
some how it now has 2500 miles
it really does nearly 50mpg all the time
its fun
great to ride
i love it
Les wassel has just put some HIDs on it
if you do get a GS
get the highest spec going
go older to get the spec if needs be
my extras came to £4300.00
already on the bike when i got it
good luck
Gaz

 

[Bart]

the 12 gs only needs a couple of days to get used to the height and for someone your height it'll never be a problem.
For a scary 1200cc bike it really is a pussycat and needs little or no experience to ride. However to ride it WELL will take the same time it would on any other machine

get the 1200 me boy and learn your craft. There's nothing better out there for doing the business

 

[the boxers]

Oh Sh!t Oh Sh!t Oh Sh!t Same problem

Like you I am having this same debate with myself. Das course next week. Just shy of 6ft, 20st and about a 33 inside leg. I went to the local dealer today to try a F650 for size. When sitting, flat footed the bike with a significant bend at the knee (maybe my weight on a non set up suspension had an effect). However the impression was that the bike was small. Tried a Dakar and felt a lot better. Almost flat footed (again weight maybe a factor).

Then sat on a R1200gs. Felt comfortable, about the right size and flat footed. Head says 650 (due to experience), heart says 1200.

Speaking to the salesman was advised to go back when passed and test ride both 650 and 1200 gs's. I asked about the mooted 800gs and was told they had seen nothing concrete on it.

If you have not bought yours by the time I by mine I'll put my experience up here.

 

[the boxers]

Quick update.

Failed first test But then passed on the 24 July

Have had my license back and am now doing test rides. Although some dealers are reluctant to give them to rookies with less that 1 year on the license

Today did two tests. The F800st and the r12gs. Both about 2 hours in length.

The 800 is a great bike quick, light and nimble. However it was just a touch too cramped for me.

I then went out on the r12gs. What a difference. Size wise was almost spot on. I felt comfortable riding. It did not feel too big or heavy on the road. Slow speed stuff felt better than the 800. The ride seemed to be more controlled and smoother.

I am trying to get a test on a tiger1050 and a versys for next weekend.

Will update again later

 

[Pukmeister]

Congrats and welcome to the exciting world of 2 wheeled freedom.

I rode bikes as a kid (off-road)then had a long absence. Like you I did a DAS a few years ago and went straight on to a 600cc Yamaha sportsbike. It was a missile and had I been younger and less responsible/sensible I would probably have come off it within weeks. Only common sense, fear and a bit of luck allowed my skills to grow at the same pace as my willingness to explore the bikes potential.

That said, if I had bought a lesser bike I would have outgrown it very quickly.

Fast forward a couple of years and I got my 1200GS. I thought it was pretty tame when ridden carefully (which it is) and yet quick enough when pressing on without being too much of a handfull.

With hindsight, I would have no fear in recommending an R1200GS to a sensible first timer, especially a six-footer like yourself.

Remember, the throttle goes both ways.....

 

[Gipsy]

Bike use and abuse is under the control of the brain and the R hand. Just because you have 100 BHP doesn't mean you have to use it. FWIW I've had a 650 Gs and did 20,000 miles on it, including several long foreign tours. A great bike and often underrated. My only concern would be lack of top end acceleration above 80 on the motorway, but if you can live with this no problem. I would also suggest that with your height you might look at the Dakkar version, as it might well be more comfortable for you. Now done 18,000 on the 1200 and love it. Wouldn't ever swop back until I get too old to get my leg over. I'm a shorty at 5ft 8ins.
I don't think you will go wrong with any of the boxer engined Gs's. If I was taller and a tad more athletic I'd probably go for a well sorted 1150 from a caring owner, with all the extras already onboard.

 

[notpc]

Try something older and smaller first, enjoy GS more later

Did my DAS end of last year and spent six months with an old 600 Bandit getting some idea of what it's all about - did around 3,000 miles including commuting up the M40 to London.

THEN got eased onto the 1200GS demonstrator at the local dealer last month and realied how much easier biking can be. The GS is so tame by comparison - sure, lots of power, but also with this handy controlly thingy on the right grip that means you only get as much as you want. Plus that funny little windscreen actually screens you from the wind - don't know how they make it do that. Oh, and mpg in the mid fifties - nearly 20% better than the Bandit and amazing for twice the cc.

I'm still glad I took the intermediate route rather than buying this straight from my test, because I would never have suspected how much hard work an older bike can be, and how much better the new tech bikes are. I'm thinking of laying up the car.

 

[Droopy Dick]

Just passed my DAS. Been riding a Honda Varadero for 6 months. Need a bigger bike. I will be commuting from Bristol to London on mondays, and back fridays. Need a bike that will get me there, and around town all week.

I am 6ft1", so need something comfortable. Budget says 650GS, heart says 1200GS, experience also says 650...

Isn't the Varadildo a big bike? Physically, even if it has the smaller engine?

could use another inch.

Yeah.

Your missus was saying just the same thing the other day ....