GS 1200 Performance

[marcus]

Well, I'd like to take the very unusal move (for me) of being conciliatory.

I own a sportsbike (RSVR, 05)
and a GS (1200, 06)

I'm a little confused as I'm often seen on the GS in full dianese race leathers complete with massive chip between the shoulders (the hump thing).

So all you chaps wandering around in your BMW-issue stormtrooper clobber are just as guilty as wearing a uniform as the Kawazaki Kermit Klub

I'm also often seen batting around on my RSVR in Wolf MotoX gear.

The V-twin has the ability to go very fast indeed and has an amazing amount of torque.

However I can state absolutely unequivocally that on 99.9999% of roads I'm quicker by a considerable margin on the GS.

It's easier to ride, more confidence inspiring, more stable etc...etc...etc...
I actually prefer the ABS servo brakes on the GS over the very strong RSV stoppers

You can use more of the GS than you can use a sportbike.


Mind, the feeling when you hit the powerband on the RSV in second....
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck
slowdown

My 12GS will keep up with the R1 I have a natter to on the way home up to about 40, then I change into 2nd just as he hits the power.
Always surprises the bloke to be out-braked by a fluo yellow jacket though

Wont catch me on a gayvidson......

 

[GSmonkey]

Absolutely no need for that, settle yourself down. You said you didn't understand, even the figures you gave, still puts the GS ahead at making Maximum Torque, first. We are not talking 0-60 times here friend, go back and read my posts, properly. But after that response, I shall leave you with your figures and dreams. An ignorant ill informed rant eh!. Nice!
A GS pulls very well in top gear from 30mph, and I know a Jap four dosen't, it was all relative. I was proving the Torque theory, as you appeared to want it explained. Cat fights are not my game pal, so you may go and find someone else to play with.....Nice way to make friends and influence people by the way.....

...sorry, but you're way off the mark here. The gixxer 1000 beats the GS for torque as early as 4000rpm, then keeps going to 13k. Don't forget the 35kg weight advantage. As for top gear roll on, again the gixxer will win - plus it actually does it without vibes and without fuel injection glitches - I know as I did it at the weekend.

You have a theory about torque, but its wrong.

Anyhow, the GS isn't about engine performace is it??? The overall package is excellent, which is why people buy.

 

[GSmonkey]

Totally agree. The gixer is a truely amazing bike. Does exactly what you want when you want it. In an ideal world, would have both bikes.
At the end of the day Its all about going from A to B in the style you what.
Have fun with the Gixer.

.....indeed. If I could afford to have two expensive bikes in the garage I would. I like to change my style of bike every now and again.......I'd hate to become a rider who has ridden the same bike for the last 20yrs with a chip on his shoulder about other bikers

 

[garyten]

I can put my own opinion to the debate as the owner of a Hayabusa and a 1200 bandit. I read this topic this morning and had a demo on a 1200GS this afternoon and among the surprise of the GS and the test drive i decided to try a unscientific trial of bottom end torque comparison.
I found the GS was every bit as quick as the 1200 bandit that i rode in on, although at first i didn't think it was that way, then i realised that it was the "flat" sound of the engine was deceptive.
To make any useful comparision to the Hayabusa i would say its not that far apart up to about 60mph, although the two bikes are not really in the playing field.

The outcome is that my "busa" is now for sale, and a GS should be with me soon.

Overall i found the GS blew away any of my reservations i had about BMW and the boxer engine. All the performance i need, and a bike for every purpose
I found the gearbox perfect and did not notice any clunks or noise, in fact i think it was better than the 1200 bandit that i rode home. I lowered the screen a couple of notches to reduce the buffeting, and thought no more of it. I also had to screw up the preload ( a big weave on the motorway at @ 80mph) as someone previous to me had set it below standard, possibly for the short leg variety . No fuel injection "surges" or on / off throttle problems.

A big thanks to Charles Hurst Motorrad ( Mallusk / Belfast)to anyone that knows them, for the "Conversion"

 

[Schwarz Baron]

...sorry, but you're way off the mark here. The gixxer 1000 beats the GS for torque as early as 4000rpm, then keeps going to 13k. Don't forget the 35kg weight advantage. As for top gear roll on, again the gixxer will win - plus it actually does it without vibes and without fuel injection glitches - I know as I did it at the weekend.

You have a theory about torque, but its wrong.

Anyhow, the GS isn't about engine performace is it??? The overall package is excellent, which is why people buy.

And you also are missing my point, vibes are what atwin does, smoothness is a fours forte. I'm talking about the gears you can do it in, I don't want to argue with anyone at all, I started off explaining the differences in a GS and a jap four, engines, to someone that was asking a question. I believe the Gixer puts out about 89lb/ft of torque, compared with the GS's 83. Put the Gixer in a lower gear and ofcourse away she goes. For me this isn't an arguement at all, let alone about whose bikes faster, its childish, juvenile, If I really cared I'd have a ZZR1400(I like it), as stated on a previous thread, a few weeks back, it would be my second bike. I was only trying to explain to someone, who was disappointed with his GS. I suggested, giving it a chance, and using it what it was designed for.
Does it justify what was said by some ignoramous, who felt I was making wild and non factual claims, and went to the extent of calling me an idiot, WTF was that all about. None of the questions I asked, him, her, it were ever answered at all. I would like to know were his basis in fact is coming from. My theory is not a theory, it is the explaination givien to me, explaining Torque , by a mechanic friend, thats all. At the end of the day if your not a decent pilot and in the right gear any bike with a reasonable amount of torque,/power, and well ridden is going to walk all over you.
I do not see, that anyone who disagrees with an explanation sould be so abusive. It shows to me a lack of literal capability and an inability to make a point. You and I may disagree, over a point, but I do not detect animosity. I really only related what a couple of R1 riding friends had said to me after a European trip. Both experienced riders,and 1 a racer. Did I commit a sin?. They explained to me they had to go down to second to get a good drive out of a roundabout, whilst the GS was able to negotiate it in 4th. It wasn't a competiton, they caught me up shortly after that. That's where my story originated from, in an attempt to calm a new GSer.
Maybe next time I'll think alot more before, mentioning the words, Jap four in a thread again, too many sensitive souls about I think , who'd be better of in the Beakchat, or Jo mammas on ADV rider, on second thoughts maybe not, they wouldn't last 2 minutes..

 

[wolfboy]

What is happening to this forum - why all the nastiness - Hey at the end of the day we're all bikers so lets all get on. Jap bikes have virtues BMW's have virtues Harley Davidsons do as well. PLEASE lets just live and let live and chill out!!!

Take that back!!!

H*rley D*vidson have virtues????? ;-)

 

[daf45]

I agree

I know what you mean Ash - I was at first disappointed with my GS12 performance (used to a ZX9) but I agree you should give it a while...

Apparently the GS takes ages to run in properly and it does seem to get a lot better as it loosens up. Comments about the throttle action are true as well, most jap sports bikes are fitted with quite quick action throttles compared to that on the GS so dont be worried if it feels like you're wringing its neck a bit to get it going!

Im glad I didnt sell the ninja to fund the beemer, but as I adjust my riding style and go different places I enjoy the GS more and more.

Rider skill definately makes much more difference than torque curves in the real world.

 

[GSmonkey]

what a couple of R1 riding friends had said to me

....this will explain things - the R1's are very very weak on torque bottom end, which is the exact reason that I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole. Torque is king - long live the gixxer

Certainly not a "my bike quicker than your bike" debate - my opinion is that its down to the rider. My daily commute on a 125 (virtually zero torque ) is testament to this fact


BUT - back to the original question: I don't think I was particularly dissapointed with the performance of the 12GS. What annoyed was the fuel injection - it really is a pi$$ poor job by BMW - maybe a byproduct of trying to get more out of the boxer.

The main thing I miss having gone back to in-line 4's is the engine braking. Where I could just come off the throttle, I now have to brake (or have a very long run in to the corner) which tends to break the flow. BUT the upside is the creamy smooth power.

I'm sure somebody will design the perfect engine at some time - I'm still waiting

 

[BillWright]

I sold a ZX12R to get a GS. No matter whats said, the thing was simply more powerful everwhere. The only time I really miss it is joining the motorway, when that rush of acceleration was a real buzz. The bottom line is however, I feel in control of the GS and not vice versa like with the Kwak.

 

[alimey4u2]

A little parable.........
There was this English bloke riding around some of the quiet twisty roads of West Florida. In the pack were two 750 Kwaker turbo's one of which was extremely trick, ridden by a youngster.
The English bloke thought EH!! Last few weeks in the States, gonna ship the bike soon sooo WTF.....
I was hot on the tail of the youngster dicing mono e mono as we left the pack behind & he came upon two slow cars. Double yellow lines & blind corners he passed them.... Me (not as immortal) waited for my safe moment. Waited & waited & then an opening.....Off again, almost hitting the rev limiter in each gear & came upon the young man parked at our destination, eyes wide open in amazement saying: "You would have had me if it wasn't for those two cars !!!". After answering the obligatory questions "How old are you ??" & "Is that Beemer hotted up ??", I explained to the young man that you can have all the horsepower up the arse you want but the fact remains, if you can't put it to the road, it is just a number in a magazine.

He learned something that day & so did I.......

PS. Ex R1 owner.....

 

[Geeza]

For years everyone has gone about how quick R1's are really quick.........they have done jack sh@te in really competions (SBS & WSB).

 

[Geeza]

Sorry...(BSB)

 

[Schwarz Baron]

This thread has been taken way off topic, there was never any arguement about 'my bikes fastest', until a certain individual, jumped on board,because Jap fours were mentioned. The explanations given were in relation to using the GS engine were its at its best, to get the most of it. A twin will always feel much lazier, read slower, than a four, but a twin can be deceptively quick, as many have found here, changing dissapointment into a manic grin. So Ash, take your bike and learn to ride it as its meant to be ridden, it is as has been said, by some of the more rational individuals, a totally different area of motorcycling. It's only when your out with some of your sports bike mates, will you realise, that there is still a bit of an animal beneath. A tiger as opposed to a cheetah

For years everyone has gone about how quick R1's are really quick.........they have done jack sh@te in really competions (SBS & WSB).

And what did a twin

 

[PJ1200]

Hear, Hear Mr Baron. Ash must be wondering what he'd started with this thread.
Totally agree with what your saying about torque.
Personally I think Vehicle performance shouldn't be measured in Torque, PSI or BHP as that only shows the amount of energy produced. Performance should really be measured in power to weight ratios. maybe that's a new thread?

 

[AfricaOffroad]

For years everyone has gone about how quick R1's are really quick.........they have done jack sh@te in really competions (SBS & WSB).

Come on, every one knows these series are about money and factory involvement. In the real stock bike category, namely Superstock, the R1 has been up front for some time now.

The only reason the Duc WSB does well is $$$$. A stock 999R battles to run with a GSXR750R

 

[red1200]

Comments about the throttle action are true as well, most jap sports bikes are fitted with quite quick action throttles compared to that on the GS so dont be worried if it feels like you're wringing its neck a bit to get it going!

Was out for a ride tonight up to hartside and started chatting to another GSer, who advised me to use the adjustment nut on the throttle cable below the grip to remove some of the slack from the cable. Anyway he did it for me...and lo and behold the bike is much better! I still have to twist quite a way for max power, but the easy 'first' handful gives much more power than before

Thanks...whoever you were

 

[alimey4u2]

I too was dissapointed initially with the power delivery after riding high revving sports bikes for decades. I had a brief flirtation with a 1100 RT but found it to be souless & I moved on. Good bike for it's purpose all the same.
After a 3000 mile run in period I found the GS to be spirited & upon reviving my latent ( honed on an 850 Norton Interstate) skills, I can make this puppy fly. Do I miss the R1 ?? Well actually no... as it was the first bike that could go faster than I wanted to go & I couldn't keep the GD front wheel down when I did.....

 

[Deleted Member MM]

Rode this today (yep.. wearing Joggers & trainers )
Awesome no matter what revs or gear
Be surprised if my licence survived the test ride
I'll keep my GS thanks

 

[JDH]

Having read all of these comments, some balanced and intelligent views, others not so, just a rant, I realised that there is one factor missing in all of this when comparing performance on the road. The size of your bollocks

To the originator of this post, enjoy the bike mate, there will be times when it shows a tidy back wheel to sportsbikes, and there will be times when you hanker for the sheer performance of the Gixer/Kwaks/RI's, and I've had them all. I honestly wouldn't swap my GS for one now, but in an ideal world I'd have a couple of rice rockets to choose from as well, and an Italian beauty. So many bikes, so few years and not enough money

John

 

[Alte Wolf]

Having read all of these comments, some balanced and intelligent views, others not so, just a rant, I realised that there is one factor missing in all of this when comparing performance on the road. The size of your bollocks

To the originator of this post, enjoy the bike mate, there will be times when it shows a tidy back wheel to sportsbikes, and there will be times when you hanker for the sheer performance of the Gixer/Kwaks/RI's, and I've had them all. I honestly wouldn't swap my GS for one now, but in an ideal world I'd have a couple of rice rockets to choose from as well, and an Italian beauty. So many bikes, so few years and not enough money

John

Well John, been watching this post for some time with humour and pity for some.

How right you are and well said sir, if you are ever in my 'neck of the woods' give me a shout ... I think we could enjoy a good run out on the bikes sometime