first ride

[dr_nick_uk]

I have been wanting to get a R1???GS for some years now, and since the 1200 came out with it weight reduction (I'm only 10 stone) I have finally been looking in to get one. Over the past few weeks I have started sell off my bikes to fund the purchase. So today I finally rode one, all I can say is its not what I expected. The only other boxer I had rode was a R65 once when I got it as a lone bike while mine was been serviced and this didn’t half feel the same. I was expecting it to feel alot lighter to ride and not feel that the bike is 20 foot long, I guess I got used to that over the hour but I didn't the seating position. My arms felt far to forward compared to my f650 and the foot pegs felt to high and I have to say that the screen is the noisiest I've ever sat behind even with it right down.
I think with time I could get used to most of the qwerks the bike has but one this has really put me off, looking round the bike when I got back I checked the paint quality as I have read on this forum about premature corrosion, do they actually paint these bikes or do they just line them up next to the x5's when they paint them and let the overspray drift on! You can se every forming mark on the steel frame through the paint and all casting marks can be seen in detail too. I feel paying 9 grand for a bike you would expect decent build quality or is it just weight saving?! Oh well up to the Suzuki garage tomorrow.

 

[-Robbo-]

I have been wanting to get a R1???GS for some years now, and since the 1200 came out with it weight reduction (I'm only 10 stone) I have finally been looking in to get one. Over the past few weeks I have started sell off my bikes to fund the purchase. So today I finally rode one, all I can say is its not what I expected. The only other boxer I had rode was a R65 once when I got it as a lone bike while mine was been serviced and this didn’t half feel the same. I was expecting it to feel alot lighter to ride and not feel that the bike is 20 foot long, I guess I got used to that over the hour but I didn't the seating position. My arms felt far to forward compared to my f650 and the foot pegs felt to high and I have to say that the screen is the noisiest I've ever sat behind even with it right down.
I think with time I could get used to most of the qwerks the bike has but one this has really put me off, looking round the bike when I got back I checked the paint quality as I have read on this forum about premature corrosion, do they actually paint these bikes or do they just line them up next to the x5's when they paint them and let the overspray drift on! You can se every forming mark on the steel frame through the paint and all casting marks can be seen in detail too. I feel paying 9 grand for a bike you would expect decent build quality or is it just weight saving?! Oh well up to the Suzuki garage tomorrow.

Dr Nick try a GS1150

 

[dr_nick_uk]

Why? Whats the advantage? I sat on one in the shop when I got back it seemed like the bars came back further is this correct, any other differences

 

[Wraithwrider]

An 1150 is a lot bigger, heavier and it has a noisier screen so it probably won't suit.

Don't get me wrong I think that the 1150's a great bike. I've always wanted one and that's why I bought the 1200. Maybe one day I'll have a ride on one.

I'd say try the 1200 for longer, but then I would as I love mine.

I'm not a huge bloke and the 1200 felt quite big at first but after 3,200 miles I find it really easy to 'boss around'. It's supremely flickable. I find the screen quiet on it's lowest setting.

Mines been through a winter without a real issue ref build quality.

Hope you're pleased with whatever you settle on.

Peter

 

[Droopy Dick]

Oh well up to the Suzuki garage tomorrow.

You're commenting about BMW build quality and think you'll find better at Suzuki??

What planet do you come from?

 

[Schtum]

It's all relative and very much dependent upon what you're used to. For me the 1200 is just superb...the most fun I can have with my clothes on.

In contrast, I had a ride on GC's F650 GS on the Isle of Mull last weekend. It felt tiny in comparison and the handlebars felt much too close and far too narrow. The steering also felt incredibly heavy and the bike didn't seem to want to turn, although the squared off rear tyre probably had a lot to do with that.

I also had a ride on an 1150 on the same afternoon. It was planted on the road but there was no feel for what was going on between its tyres and the road. It just rolled over everything like a Panzer tank, flattening the bumps under its wheels.

The 1200 is lighter, revvier, faster and feels much more alive. It has more feel, it handles better and can be ridden with something approaching the precision of a sportsbike on the road while still being capable off-road. It's also more economical. The GS has moved on.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I have been wanting to get a R1???GS for some years now, and since the 1200 came out with it weight reduction (I'm only 10 stone) I have finally been looking in to get one. Over the past few weeks I have started sell off my bikes to fund the purchase. So today I finally rode one, all I can say is its not what I expected. The only other boxer I had rode was a R65 once when I got it as a lone bike while mine was been serviced and this didn’t half feel the same. I was expecting it to feel alot lighter to ride and not feel that the bike is 20 foot long, I guess I got used to that over the hour but I didn't the seating position. My arms felt far to forward compared to my f650 and the foot pegs felt to high and I have to say that the screen is the noisiest I've ever sat behind even with it right down.
I think with time I could get used to most of the qwerks the bike has but one this has really put me off, looking round the bike when I got back I checked the paint quality as I have read on this forum about premature corrosion, do they actually paint these bikes or do they just line them up next to the x5's when they paint them and let the overspray drift on! You can se every forming mark on the steel frame through the paint and all casting marks can be seen in detail too. I feel paying 9 grand for a bike you would expect decent build quality or is it just weight saving?! Oh well up to the Suzuki garage tomorrow.

Try an Adventure.............proper looking GS (now I'm the proud owner of one............naturally I'm biased)

 

[kiwiAdventure]

I have been wanting to get a R1???GS for some years now, and since the 1200 came out with it weight reduction (I'm only 10 stone) I have finally been looking in to get one. Over the past few weeks I have started sell off my bikes to fund the purchase. So today I finally rode one, all I can say is its not what I expected. The only other boxer I had rode was a R65 once when I got it as a lone bike while mine was been serviced and this didn’t half feel the same. I was expecting it to feel alot lighter to ride and not feel that the bike is 20 foot long, I guess I got used to that over the hour but I didn't the seating position. My arms felt far to forward compared to my f650 and the foot pegs felt to high and I have to say that the screen is the noisiest I've ever sat behind even with it right down.
I think with time I could get used to most of the qwerks the bike has but one this has really put me off, looking round the bike when I got back I checked the paint quality as I have read on this forum about premature corrosion, do they actually paint these bikes or do they just line them up next to the x5's when they paint them and let the overspray drift on! You can se every forming mark on the steel frame through the paint and all casting marks can be seen in detail too. I feel paying 9 grand for a bike you would expect decent build quality or is it just weight saving?! Oh well up to the Suzuki garage tomorrow.

Good luck with you Suzuki and your new forum

 

[dr_nick_uk]

Re: Re: first ride

You're commenting about BMW build quality and think you'll find better at Suzuki??

What planet do you come from?

I'd be happy with the quality of the GS if it was 3 grand cheaper like the suzuki.

 

[tricolourforever]

There's a lot of denial that goes on in this web site. problems don't exist on BMW's...........and if they do, well thats part of the character and afterall what did you expect? Reliability?

 

[Deleted Member MM]

The 1200 is lighter, revvier, faster and feels much more alive. It has more feel, it handles better and can be ridden with something approaching the precision of a sportsbike on the road while still being capable off-road. It's also more economical. The GS has moved on. [/B]

Thats the way it is...
Even with the expertise of Star Performance.. a 1150 wouldnt get close to a 12

 

[Schtum]

Thats the way it is...
Even with the expertise of Star Performance.. a 1150 wouldnt get close to a 12

What the hell has a VAG tuning and servicing workshop got to do with GSes....

 

[Deleted Member MM]

What the hell has a VAG tuning and servicing workshop got to do with GSes....

If you don't know maybe you should have asked

 

[Garfieldus]

There's a lot of denial that goes on in this web site. problems don't exist on BMW's...........and if they do, well thats part of the character and afterall what did you expect? Reliability?

Maith an fear tricolourforever, maith an fear

Garfieldus