Finest motorcycle ever built

[JonnyBravo]

I bought my R1200GSA, ‘Helga’ in 2012, trading in Dora, a Triumph Explorer 1200 launch model I had bought new in 2010.

Helga was less than 12 months old and had already had, 3 owners (?!?) but almost no miles on her.
Clearly unloved sat at Lind motorrad in Norwich.
I had taken a while to seek her out - to find what I wanted, as she doesn’t have a lot of the functions that everyone wants on a GS.
She has no ESA for example - she doesn’t even have ABS!

We have had so many miles and so many adventures together now - Europe, Iceland, Scandinavia, both on road and some amazing challenging off road miles and even a fantastic ride along the beach and through the Mediterranean surf in Peniscola Spain !

I came close to selling her once - to ’upgrade’.
But decided to keep her after a meh test ride on a new water cooled GS and a stern look from the wife when I showed her the pillion seat on a KTM.
So I had MikeyBoy re-powder coat the flaking rear sub frame and fit for me some Wilbers front and rear several years ago.
I can service her myself.
Everything is quite straightforward to do. There are how to videos for most things on YouTube.
She has been utterly dependable.
If I have problems in the future, parts should very easy to get.
The wealth of knowledge for this model and here on this forum is immense.

The point is - 12 years later and after so many adventures, including returning yesterday from a week in the Ardennes two up - is this bike just not the very best Motorcycle ever built ?
Peak BMW?
For me, yes.
I love her.
We can never be parted now.

Here is to another wonderful 12 years Helga.

That is all and thanks for listening.

 

[Udders]

I know how you feel. My 1150 is the same to me.

 

[jags]

I know how you feel. My 1150 is the same to me.

there's a lot to be said for an old model giving a good ride.

 

[Si Yates]

Just took my 1200gsa down south on what turned out to be a 1000 mls camping jolly perfect for the job.

 

[TLSgazza]

Totally agree. I bought mine at 2 years old in 2008 with just 6,000 miles her. The guy who owned it did a couple of trips to Switzerland in that 2 years and that was about it.
I have now covered another 140.000 miles on here and she is still going strong.
Superb motorcycle.

 

[Robbiem]

Nice looking bike


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Pops]

Same here, bought my 2007 gs 11 years ago. It does everything I want it to do and costs me next to nothing. Easy to service and replace parts on which I do myself and just keeps going and going

 

[NeilMac]

I'm just starting out on this journey.

I have very recently bought a 2005 model 1200GS that has been 'resting' under a cover for a while. Initially I was told two years but it appears it is more like four!

Dirty but in good condition with just 26,000 miles on the clock and a lot of service and MOT history, I have yet to hear it run as it came complete with a dead battery.

That's now replaced but I suspect some grubby connections somewhere as the starter solenoid clicks but does nothing more. Investigation, and the other maintenance needed (new drive shaft gaiters and a FULL service) will keep me busy while this rain we are enjoying passes.

I also have a VStrom 650 on which I have covered 25,000 UK miles over the last four years, the 1200 will be some longer legs to stretch into Europe and Scandinavia.

Here's hoping for many happy miles with my new riding buddy.

 

[Steptoe]

It comes with long term ownership. Some change their bikes frequently, each time pronouncing their new steed the best bike they’ve ever owned, until a short time later trading it in, all the while lambasting owners of the older bikes as old farts and dinosaurs..

 

[Pukmeister]

I foolishly parted with my old GSA, something I regret.

 

[Dugster]

Totally agree with the O.P. sentiment. I bought a tatty adventure which was a cosmetic write off about 7 years ago. It was stripped for restoration Oct 2020 (as i loved the package) just the planndemic was announced. It has taken until now to get it assembled and running. talk about a labour of love. If I like a bike I tend to keep it long term.

 

[mpgscott]

Well for years i tried many different makes and models as most do, from sports to touring and then gave the GS a shot. Best bit of advice was don't test ride just get, totally it was alien at first but after a couple of hundred miles over on fine Scottish roads i was smitten. I often do sell up and then try something like the RT and the K but always come back to a twin cam GS. At moment im after the GSA as i just like that ride better, but way the market is i don't think i could give my lovely GS away. So might just have to stick with it which is no real hardship as its a lovely machine and its had all the typical items done recently.

So maybe better the devil you know...

Regardless they are just great machines. I took out a 1250GSA and did a good few hours on it, lovely bike don't get me wrong but it wasn't £20k better a bike than my twin cam which it would have cost to swap..

 

[garypotter]

yes i am sure the newer are bikes are better quicker etc etc but when you find a bike that is so right just keep it and enjoy it, had the gs for 5 years now, fireblade for 22 years!!

 

[JJ Jeremy]

Totally agree. I bought mine at 2 years old in 2008 with just 6,000 miles her. The guy who owned it did a couple of trips to Switzerland in that 2 years and that was about it.
I have now covered another 140.000 miles on here and she is still going strong.
Superb motorcycle.

I’ve had my GS since 2008 and covered over 111,000 miles. New clutch at 70k. I know the bike inside out and it runs just as sweetly as day one. Probably better. Have bought a V85 in April which I enjoy but just can’t bring myself to sell the GS. Will keep it for wet, winter and Long distant touring.

 

[Andygbsmith]

Got to agree, owned lots of older GS bikes but hated the new image that BMW pushes with all the tech etc. Bought our 07 Gs in the states and rode to Dead horse Alaska turned around and rode to Ushuaia 31k miles can’t think of another bike I would have preferred to be on. It’s a keeper all the modern stuff is great I guess but I can fix this and service it in a hotel car park with minimal tools.
The new Lego bike leaves me cold, designed by a kid I think.

 

[JonnyBravo]

Got to agree, owned lots of older GS bikes but hated the new image that BMW pushes with all the tech etc. Bought our 07 Gs in the states and rode to Dead horse Alaska turned around and rode to Ushuaia 31k miles can’t think of another bike I would have preferred to be on. It’s a keeper all the modern stuff is great I guess but I can fix this and service it in a hotel car park with minimal tools.
The new Lego bike leaves me cold, designed by a kid I think.

rode to Dead horse Alaska turned around and rode to Ushuaia - respect fella

 

[Jazbee]

Of my around 27 bikes owned since a yoof ( 6 x BMW) .......TC 1200 GS (2009-2012) has probably been the best, although my current Guzzi V85TT is very much up there as well. My 18 Yr old Volvo XC70 is similar with 4 wheels, sheer unburstabilty and character.

 

[Andygbsmith]

I’m a big Guzzi fan, owned them on and off for thirty five years. Rode the new Stelvio and am very tempted

 

[Andygbsmith]

The other thing that surprised use was how good the Vario panniers were, lasted our entire trip without issue 31k, and a lot of off road,I think this generation of bikes is the sweet spot.
All the guys working for Touratech in Seattle either owned one or was trying to find a nice low mileage one got to say something about them

 

[PIGGLET]

But, but, they are plastic and unreliable, I remember when they came out everyone on this forum declared them shit and unreliable. The 1150 was the sweetspot
Its been the same with Landrover defendersi.

My bro traded his 1150 in for one when they came out and did a lot of miles all over europe on his without any issues whatsoever. I couldn't afford one so didnt dare ride it as I was pretty sure it would make the 1150 (my only bike at the time) feel a bit agricultural.
After owning a 1200 R9 I reckon I was wise not to ride one. I love my 1150 but the 1200 motor is so much nicer to ride.

Enjoy your steed and here's to hoping you have many more adventures together