... from garlic to marmite ...
First Article:
R 1200 GS/SM
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L’Adventure
Thanks to a careful frame and engine preparation, Panda Moto 89 sharpens the riding qualities of the GSA, transforming it in a fierce supermoto. A bike still very versatile, but able to show off to sports bikes when you twist the throttle...
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The supermoto preparation realised by Panda to the GS 1200 transforms the handling of the big BMW off roader. The beast becomes playful and lively, and can even “overtake” some sports bikes...
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... more liberated, the Iridium spark plugs and exhaust, helped by a (wider) rear wheel allowing to get slightly slimmer (50 tyre) gives better acceleration. Those are very lively, revealing a much more thorough engine preparation. David, our photographer was left “standing still” with his R1200RT, during each acceleration in the test. Once more, Panda Moto 89 surprises us. Thanks to a preparation which was planned as a coherent work on frame/engine, the SM transforms the GS Adventure; certainly already full of qualities; into a formidable aggressive bike. It is indeed able to compete with far sportier bikes, but remain civilised if need be. Tell me Jean-Luc, could I carry on the test for a week or a month?
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How much?
Front wheel = E 1221
Rear wheel = E 1287
Special paint = E 1200
Rocker covers = E 598
Alternator belt cover carbon = E 309
Front mudguard carbon = E 249
Rear mudguard carbon = E 245
Double exhaust carbon = E 745
Handlebar “fat-bar” = E 179
Handlebar end weights “crash-ball” = E 33
Rear view mirror “tuning” = E 49.50
Clutch master cylinder/lever Beringer Aerotech = E 489
Brake master cylinder/lever Beringer Aerotech = E 489
Brake callipers Beringer Aerotech = E 509
Sport seat “breathing” = E 460
Front shock Ohlins/Panda = E 725
Rear Shock Ohlins/Panda = E 825
Footrests rubbers = E 31
Low windshield = E 195
Ceramic clutch = E 415
Iridium spark plug = E 22
Sport air filter = E 98
Lockable oil cap = E 29
Rear wheel hub aluminium cover = E 72.40
Xenon lights kit = E 198
Forged pistons kit, 12:8 compression = E 397
Connecting rods kit, 3mm longer = E 1.199
Injection preparation = E 550
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Details Review:
1: The two original seats have been replaced by a single seat which allows to lean down.
2: Twin carbon exhaust = superb sound.
3: Lighter forged wheels from an HP2 get Michelin “Power One” (120/70 x 17 front, 190/50 x 17 rear).
4: Ohlins rear and front, set-up by Panda Moto 89: top quality shock absorbers.
5: footrests fitted with rubbers from an X650, clever and practical.
6: Many items from the HP catalogue appear on this GS/SM, including carbon rocker covers with sliders. The engine gets a very neat preparation with forged pistons and 3mm longer connecting rods.
7: Mini indicators are from the HP catalogue.
8: You have to admire the clutch master-cylinder (same as for the brake) and its light lever.
9: Superb, the “Motorsport” colour scheme chosen by Panda Moto 89 for its GS/SM.
10: The “close to the wheel” rear mudguard is carbon, like the front one.
11: Handlebar is forged aluminium by LSL. Please note the elegant brake and clutch master cylinders.
12: Superb Beringer 6 piston callipers: biting and tough braking. The ABS has been taken off to allow the rear wheel to lock-up.
Second Article:
R12 GS/PJ
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The R12 GS Adventure has only one real flaw, its seat height. Panda Moto has just made the GS-A accessible to all with its R12 GS/PJ (“little legs”): the seat height goes from 890mm to 795mm!
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Panda Moto started with a simple observation: to ride a R1200 GS Adventure comfortably you have to be F511 or taller. Thereafter the question was “what can be done in order that all the motorcyclists without long legs can access the pleasures of such a bike?”. The answer was: “it has to be lowered”. This simple fact gave birth to the R1200 GS Adventure PJ (for “short legs”, we have quite a sense of humour at Panda Moto). How did Panda Moto manage to lower the seat height from 890mm to 795mm, making the GS accessible to all?
A big work on the frame
The stock wire wheels, 2.50 x 19 front and 4.00 x 17 rear with 110/80R 19 and 150/70R 17, are replaced by cast aluminium wheels, 3.50 x 17 front, 5.50 x 17 rear, with Michelin Pilot Sports, 120/70 ZR 17 front and 190/55 ZR 17 rear. A pair of Ohlins shock absorbers were specially designed for Panda Moto.
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... of the frame, with a lower seat, take care of the rest. A long and difficult tuning work has been done to achieve an effective trim [“Horizontal balance”?] and a good suspension set-up according to the new bike’s dimensions (frame, height, weight), as well as work on the ABS so it functions with the new wheels. Once those technical issues were sorted, the Dupont family wanted to change the looks of the bike. All the stock panels were painted white. The metallic parts (bash plate, wheels...) were painted with epoxy. Some rocker covers, rear mudguard and large hand guards were added as well as a bigger bash plate than the stock one. Also, an Akrapovic can (legal), footrests rubbers and LED indicators from the BMW catalogue give the bike a sportier look.
Those visual improvements make the R1200 GS Adventure slimmer, more slender...
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... the seat and get the monster back up without struggling, thanks to the work done to the side stand which is neither too steep not too upright: always taking care of important details. What a pleasure to be able to put both feet on the ground without having to look every time for an ideal spot to stop. The front suspension with Telelever always feels light. The first few yards riding the R1200 GS Adventure PJ are a little disconcerting because the front feels so agile. Once this first impression passes, one understands better the potential of this bike which has lost none of its long distance riding qualities, regarding stability and ABS. This preparation gives more agility to the front end. This is not only because of the smaller wheel diameter; which could have caused weaving during hard braking on uneven road surfaces; but also because of a very big work on suspensions, more importantly on the bike’s levelling (trim). A work made easier by Jean-Luc Dupont’s experience with off-road side-cars. Each bike will need a personalised set-up depending on the rider’s size and use of the bike. The result is gobsmacking, leaning the bike requires no effort and changing trajectory in blind bends become a doddle. The most surprising is how easy it is to do a u-turn on a narrow country lane. The (stock) GS Adventure riding with us wasn’t so lucky! Comfortably sat on the low seat, making me feel “part of” the bike and not stuck on top of it, I would have gladly carried on riding all day for fun. From an excellent bike that is the R1200 GS Adventure, Panda Moto has made it excellent, playful and accessible to all. Sadly I have to give it back, I would have loved to test its fantastic handling in the Parisian jungle where it should do wonders.
Contact:
www.pandamoto.fr
but then, I would.
