Factory lowered 1200GS

bumpy

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Can anyone give me their opinion on how the lowering affects the ride.

I gather some length is taken out of the suspension units, so does this affect the ability to travel smoothly over rougher terain?
 
I have a lowered one, but have only done limited riding off tarmac on it (gravel parking areas, dirt tracks close to the road on Salsibury plain etc), what I would say is that from my point of view the confidence I have when pulling up to a stop (bearing in mind I dropped a previous bike twice in the same situation) far outweighs any minor difference in the off road capability.

That said you cannot have the fancy auto adjustable suspension with the lowered option.

The only negative so far is that I did manage to grind the side stand exiting a roundabout, but I was fully laden with luggage and for all I know my intended line would have ground the stand on a standard height GS as well.

Oh and if you park my bike next to a 1200 GS Adv - then it does look like a toy :)
 
Thanks Eggchaser.

I didn't make it very clear, but my main enquiry was about travelling over rougher main roads as many are now quite attrocious.

Given that BMW claim about 40% of all GSs sold are the lowered version, I am surprised you are the only response.:tears
 
Hi, I've got a lowered 2008 1200. My previous bike for 6 years was an R1150R. I'm very happy with the general handling and stability which is excellent. I would say though that the tolerence of potholes(compared to the R1150R) is not so great and I do sometimes get a judder through the bike when going over a sharp bump at speed. This may be something to do with settings and I did point it out at the 600 mile service, but was told all was well. I've not seriously taken it offroad yet and would be interested in anyone elso who has taken one on greenlanes etc and how they have found it. Cheers Jim
 
Mine is a 58 Lowered...prior to that 2 x RT 1200s and 1 x 1550 RT.

I adore my GS. I havent managed to ground out yet, but I havent ridden fully laden...yet.

The riding appears fabbo, quick to flick in twisties, confident on lumpy roads and I havent had an issue with potholes and the like. My reason for lowered is height - being only 5' 6" although I have ridden full height GS' I dont feel confident having to slide a cheek just to hold it at the lights.

I do agree with the comment about how it looks alongside a 'normal' (is there such a thing?) GS. My mate has the GSA and my GS does look a bit teeny by comparison.

Best bet is nip into the dealer and test ride a full height and then a lowered - see for yourself.
 


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