Gearing

[Clifton]

I've not ridden one but am curious how do the gear ratios suite you in the new GS?
Just from my perspective I feel they are a little too close together on the previous 1200's. The lower 1st gear on the Adventure isn't bad but I feel 6th could be a little taller to reduce the rpm at 70 mph+ cruising and maybe improve MPG also. So in you're opinion;

Ratios are perfect as they are.

Prefer them a little closer together (higher 1st gear and lower 6th gear)

Prefer them a little wider (lower 1st gear and taller 6th gear)

 

[Engineer]

I've not ridden one but am curious how do the gear ratios suite you in the new GS?
Just from my perspective I feel they are a little too close together on the previous 1200's. The lower 1st gear on the Adventure isn't bad but I feel 6th could be a little taller to reduce the rpm at 70 mph+ cruising and maybe improve MPG also. So in you're opinion;

Ratios are perfect as they are.

Prefer them a little closer together (higher 1st gear and lower 6th gear)

Prefer them a little wider (lower 1st gear and taller 6th gear)

Ok as they are.

 

[Count]

Should be an automatic with paddle shifts in place of the old indicator switches. It would suit the new generation of yobbos riding the GS.

 

[Little-Brit]

I've only done 500 miles so I'm still working in the under 5000 rpm running in mode (well most of the time).

First gear feels about right (even though I managed to stall it yesterday morning, doh!) but 6th gear feels low. However as power increases the ability to make top gear seem low is a natural consequence... I do make the occassional stab for 7th but on the whole it feels ok: lively, but ok.

I'm really enjoying the ride. No regrets so far.

Derek

 

[Callard]

Nowhere near as good as the 1100 or the 1150. BMW need to get their act together the early GS was a much better bike, I would never even test ride one of the new LC's.....................sorry what was the question again?

 

[Bendy toy]

It's a more peaky engine so a high 6th could actually be less econmical than something that keeps it spinning. Paddle shifts would be fine in my world, but keep them all on the left bar a la Honda.

My Hex Head GSA is OK in 6th but 1st is too high. Guess I got the standard gearbox then.

 

[fishburger]

I've only done 500 miles so I'm still working in the under 5000 rpm running in mode (well most of the time).

First gear feels about right (even though I managed to stall it yesterday morning, doh!) but 6th gear feels low. However as power increases the ability to make top gear seem low is a natural consequence... I do make the occassional stab for 7th but on the whole it feels ok: lively, but ok.

I'm really enjoying the ride. No regrets so far.

Derek

Drow my bike for the first time today,on motorway,looking for 7 and 8 felt stupid when looking at the gear on the computer and it said 6
doing 110km/h.

 

[alp]

Paddle shifts would be fine in my world, but keep them all on the left bar a la Honda.

Agreed, I test rode the automatic Honda CrossTourer which also had paddles on the left for up/down changes if you didn't want to use full auto and I actually enjoyed it.
Guess we're Count's 'new generation of yobbos riding the (new?) GS'. It's been a long time since I was new generation. Flattered I am.

 

[Clifton]

Nice to hear there are no real complaints so the gearing must be about right.

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

4th, 5th & 6th are far too close together.

5th needs to be where 6th is and 6th needs to be 'taller', keep going for another gear not realising I'm already in 6th

85mph in 5th (top gear) on my 1100 = 5,000rpm
85mph in 6th on the 1200LC = 5,000rpm

 

[alp]

4th, 5th & 6th are far too close together.

5th needs to be where 6th is and 6th needs to be 'taller', keep going for another gear not realising I'm already in 6th

85mph in 5th (top gear) on my 1100 = 5,000rpm
85mph in 6th on the 1200LC = 5,000rpm

So, top gear on the LC and your 1100 gives 5000rpm on both at 85mph and you keep looking for another gear on the LC. Did you do this on your 1100? If not, why do this on the LC?

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

.... why do this on the LC?

Because the LC has a extra 45 ponies that want to keep galloping on

 

[Packer]

Where on the rev range does the torque get fat?

IMO 70mph (true, not speedo') should be just a few hundred revs into the good torque band.

I'm used to the 1150 twin spark with the overdrive 6th, a true 80 is about 4,000 revs and the bike is flexible enough to be good in 6th down to around 60mph.

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

This new motor has useable torque by the bucket load Kevan. I would like to see a true 80 being nearer 4,000 or even 3,750 rpm.

While riding is a 'spirited' manner, 4th to 5th is almost pointless as it only drops 200rpm off, no soon as you have let the clutch back out it's time to change again. There only appears to be about 400rpm difference between 4th & 6th I'll check this out tomorrow and come back with some more accurate figures.

 

[alp]

Packer, comparing the torque curves of the LC and the 2012 1200GS, the LC torque curve is fairly flat from 3500rpm at 76ftlbs rising to 86ftlbs around 6200rpm and drops from 76ftlbs at 8000rpm to tail off to 60+ftlbs at nearly 9000rpm. (BMW max claimed figure of 92ftlbs)
The old 1200GS was found to have 74ftlbs at 3500rpm with a bit more up and down than the LC with a dip down at around 4800rpm and with 82ftlbs at 5600rpm before dropping to 70ftlbs at 8000rpm. (BMW max claimed figure 88.5ftlbs).
The way I see it there's good torque accessible on both machines over a wide range of 3500 to 8000rpm compared to sports bikes which in general have a wider variation in torque in their rev range e.g try a 600 Jap sports bike overtake without changing down a couple of gears.
This is according to the dyno work done by MCN and my reading of the graphs. (Cue MCN haters!)

 

[Nutty]

This new motor has useable torque by the bucket load Kevan. I would like to see a true 80 being nearer 4,000 or even 3,750 rpm.

While riding is a 'spirited' manner, 4th to 5th is almost pointless as it only drops 200rpm off, no soon as you have let the clutch back out it's time to change again. There only appears to be about 400rpm difference between 4th & 6th I'll check this out tomorrow and come back with some more accurate figures.

Have you bought one Paul? I think its only right that you get one

 

[Jumblemo]

I'm absolutely dumbfounded that is bike has only 6 gears! How many times have I pushed up in 6th only to find there are no more.

Even my mountain bike has 21 gears, and that was a 10th of the price!

Is it too much to ask to have maybe 20 or 30 gears?

 

[cookie]

i thought it was just like the old 1200s - 6th was too low. the new bike especially could easily pull another gear when cruising. then if i needed a lower gear, i could just change down. can't imagine why bmw haven's sussed that one yet.

oh wait, they did. the early 1150s with the "E" box

never any any issue with first on either of them. can't see the point of the low first gear., but i admit i've never ridden a bike with that option.

 

[Giles]

I think they could have made first a tad lower to help filtering in London ...

 

[Clifton]

.... can't see the point of the low first gear., but i admit i've never ridden a bike with that option.

In my case I don't need to be able to go 40 mph in first gear, but there are times I want to go 10. For instance crawling up a rutted dirt road or inching along in traffic w/o slipping the clutch.