for a test ride................
It's the first time I've ridden any 1200Adv and I last rode a 1200GS when they were launched, way back in 2004
This one was a 2008 model with 1100 miles on it and all the toys ABS/TCS/ESA - the kitchen sink
So what did i think??
Well...........
It felt lighter than my 1150Adv and was lower - I could get my knees bent and feet flat on the floor with the stock high seat on it.
The bike is well balanced and was easy to move around at low speed and whilst waiting at junctions/lights it was easy to balance on the spot without having to put a foot down to steady yourself
Clutch was smooth and so was the gearbox, very much improved
Power - didn't feel as grunty as a 1150/1100GS and power was more linear (guess that's the lighter flywheel) - but the bike is fast - much faster than the earlier GS incarnations and coupled with the smoother gearbox, it was easy to hook up that power.
Seat - Felt ok to start with, but numb bum set in after 40 mins
Screen - very good - but no better than an MRA Vario (except it didn't flex)
Brakes - Front were awesome, aboslutely awesome BUT rear was non existent and I checked to see if anything was connected to the rear pedal as it was truly appalling for low speed town work in traffic
Bars - felt neutral and well placed - no need for risers for me
Stability and Handling - the bike was easy to throw around and was stable at low and high speed. Handling was good with the suspenders tracking the ground well and bike felt planted. Cornering was ok, but front felt a tad vague in some tight bends (guess i'm used to a lardy 1150Adv with well set Ohlins)
Overall - nice bike - but the crunch for me was that I felt from the 'armchair like' riding position I could have just been riding a K1200LT SE and not a more hooliganesque GS Adv
It is quite possibly the natural progression from a 1150Adv - but the ongoing rubbish with the build and reliability make it a show stopper for me at present, as does the £12100 fully loaded price tag - which is outrageous for a motorcycle with such a poor and obviously reliable track record for leaving its owners stranded.
It's not that I can't afford one and i'm knocking it for sour grapes - I could afford one, however I choose not to buy one
It's the first time I've ridden any 1200Adv and I last rode a 1200GS when they were launched, way back in 2004
This one was a 2008 model with 1100 miles on it and all the toys ABS/TCS/ESA - the kitchen sink
So what did i think??
Well...........
It felt lighter than my 1150Adv and was lower - I could get my knees bent and feet flat on the floor with the stock high seat on it.
The bike is well balanced and was easy to move around at low speed and whilst waiting at junctions/lights it was easy to balance on the spot without having to put a foot down to steady yourself
Clutch was smooth and so was the gearbox, very much improved
Power - didn't feel as grunty as a 1150/1100GS and power was more linear (guess that's the lighter flywheel) - but the bike is fast - much faster than the earlier GS incarnations and coupled with the smoother gearbox, it was easy to hook up that power.
Seat - Felt ok to start with, but numb bum set in after 40 mins
Screen - very good - but no better than an MRA Vario (except it didn't flex)
Brakes - Front were awesome, aboslutely awesome BUT rear was non existent and I checked to see if anything was connected to the rear pedal
as it was truly appalling for low speed town work in trafficBars - felt neutral and well placed - no need for risers for me
Stability and Handling - the bike was easy to throw around and was stable at low and high speed. Handling was good with the suspenders tracking the ground well and bike felt planted. Cornering was ok, but front felt a tad vague in some tight bends (guess i'm used to a lardy 1150Adv with well set Ohlins)
Overall - nice bike - but the crunch for me was that I felt from the 'armchair like' riding position I could have just been riding a K1200LT SE and not a more hooliganesque GS Adv
It is quite possibly the natural progression from a 1150Adv - but the ongoing rubbish with the build and reliability make it a show stopper for me at present, as does the £12100 fully loaded price tag - which is outrageous for a motorcycle with such a poor and obviously reliable track record for leaving its owners stranded.
It's not that I can't afford one and i'm knocking it for sour grapes - I could afford one, however I choose not to buy one
just winding us 1200 owners up.
