I traded my 1250 GS-ADV for a 1250GS-HP with sports suspension.So pretty much the same bike with the same chassis (20 mm longer shocks,0,5 nm stiffer springs,5 mm shorter trail due to different TL arm) but 20 instead of 30 liter tank and plastic Vario bags/topbox instead the BMW aluminum ones.
The reason was the weaving above 125mph with luggage.
So after breaking the new one in I took her down to Mexico where you can ride free without adult supervision...
Both bike had Akra E-3 exhaust with db-killers removed emitting a beautiful boxer-boom.
Only difference the HP had Conti Trail Attack 3 tires where the ADV had my former favorites Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2.
I love the new Contis which are even quicker steering and more confidence inspiring showing 50 degree max lean on the NAV6 where the pegs will start to scrape.Only draw back slightly less mileage on the rear compared to the Pirelli's but the front will last longer than the Pirelli.
Anyways after an hour after crossing the border I had my answer.The HP also got frisky at speeds above 125mph...I thought I had made a $ 5000 mistake which was what I paid at trade-in but at least I saw 136 mph on the GPS while the ADV saw only 132 mph max with panniers and top box...
Mistake because I did not like the fact that I had to stop for gas every 150 miles while the ADV got the a range of 250 miles.
But a few days later the HP showed me her forte.The funnest bike this side of a S1000XR I had ever ridden in the twisties...
With that strong torquey motor,shaftdrive and T-L it killed the lust for the XR for good !
Very agile and nimble and a little faster due to less bulk and probably 40 lbs less weight than the ADV.Where the XR needed to be revved and shifted the GS just pulled.
I was very happy to have a slightly more manageable and really fun to ride machine with a nearly perfect chassis and engine for the street with the penalty to have to stop more often for fuel.
So it basically comes down to 2 points if GS-HP or GS-ADV;
What do you value more a slightly faster more manageable bike or 100 miles more tank-range and luggage that will bend but not break in case of a mishap far away from home ?!
As both are the best street bikes currently on sale !
For future GS models I like to see the right bag as big as the left one and a 24 liter tank which would be the perfect size as 20 liters is a little small and 30 really only makes sense in remote areas where 35 liters probably would be even better.
And another 20 hp on top and a chassis that can handle the additional power at high speeds without compromising the agility that makes the GS so much fun to ride in first place !
And of course stick to the T-L which is far superior to any fork for fast road-riding...
A 17 inch CF wheel option with the right geometry not compromising ground clearance or high speed stability would be great,too !
But as it is the GS is already pretty close to perfection where the old E-4 1200 just felt lacking and sluggish...
ADV has more range and better bags for overlanding the HP is a little sportier and easier to handle - Both are great bikes.You can't go wrong with either one !
The reason was the weaving above 125mph with luggage.
So after breaking the new one in I took her down to Mexico where you can ride free without adult supervision...
Both bike had Akra E-3 exhaust with db-killers removed emitting a beautiful boxer-boom.
Only difference the HP had Conti Trail Attack 3 tires where the ADV had my former favorites Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2.
I love the new Contis which are even quicker steering and more confidence inspiring showing 50 degree max lean on the NAV6 where the pegs will start to scrape.Only draw back slightly less mileage on the rear compared to the Pirelli's but the front will last longer than the Pirelli.
Anyways after an hour after crossing the border I had my answer.The HP also got frisky at speeds above 125mph...I thought I had made a $ 5000 mistake which was what I paid at trade-in but at least I saw 136 mph on the GPS while the ADV saw only 132 mph max with panniers and top box...
Mistake because I did not like the fact that I had to stop for gas every 150 miles while the ADV got the a range of 250 miles.
But a few days later the HP showed me her forte.The funnest bike this side of a S1000XR I had ever ridden in the twisties...
With that strong torquey motor,shaftdrive and T-L it killed the lust for the XR for good !Very agile and nimble and a little faster due to less bulk and probably 40 lbs less weight than the ADV.Where the XR needed to be revved and shifted the GS just pulled.
I was very happy to have a slightly more manageable and really fun to ride machine with a nearly perfect chassis and engine for the street with the penalty to have to stop more often for fuel.
So it basically comes down to 2 points if GS-HP or GS-ADV;
What do you value more a slightly faster more manageable bike or 100 miles more tank-range and luggage that will bend but not break in case of a mishap far away from home ?!
As both are the best street bikes currently on sale !
For future GS models I like to see the right bag as big as the left one and a 24 liter tank which would be the perfect size as 20 liters is a little small and 30 really only makes sense in remote areas where 35 liters probably would be even better.
And another 20 hp on top and a chassis that can handle the additional power at high speeds without compromising the agility that makes the GS so much fun to ride in first place !
And of course stick to the T-L which is far superior to any fork for fast road-riding...
A 17 inch CF wheel option with the right geometry not compromising ground clearance or high speed stability would be great,too !
But as it is the GS is already pretty close to perfection where the old E-4 1200 just felt lacking and sluggish...
ADV has more range and better bags for overlanding the HP is a little sportier and easier to handle - Both are great bikes.You can't go wrong with either one !
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