GS is still the best !
- Thread starter Boxerlust
- Start date
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gxauH3J7s1c" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Happy to be back on the GS
Happy to be back on the GS
Interesting that they appear to have altered the ergonomics so that you sit more in the bike. Along with one or two other aspects, the draw for me to the GS over the 1290 and MS has always been that you don't feel as if you are sitting on top of a bike.
I don't know what that Teapot smokes in his pipe but the GS is definitely a much better bike for backroads as in better handling/quicker steering while the KTM reaches 125mph 3 seconds faster than the GS...No word about the cleaner shaft and Telelever that works much better than a fork either.Oh well the power of PR...Ready to Race...not ! 
Only on the Autobahn in a straight line where the KTM will be 20 mph faster....
Only on the Autobahn in a straight line where the KTM will be 20 mph faster....Crackpot/Teapot must not be on here... More money to the made on Jootube desperately needed to by the GS-"Killer",,,I hope the poor guy never gets to ride a S1000XR... Oh well to each their own but it shows how clueless these influencers are 
More money to the made on Jootube desperately needed to by the GS-"Killer",,,I hope the poor guy never gets to ride a S1000XR... Oh well to each their own but it shows how clueless these influencers are
Crackpot/Teapot must not be on here...
I suspect Teapot One might not fit in to the category as a 'clueless' influencer.
He might not be your cup of tea, but he's probably a better rider on UK roads than you'd be.
Mr Bean it is safe to say that you are wrong , on Both accounts...
It is not that he is not my cup of tea,I hate tea as I'm a Bier Schnaps and coffee guy , but he is clueless calling the KTM more nimble than a GS...As Nothing could be further from the truth ! 20 mph faster on the Autobahn yes but otherwise not ready to race... The power of marketing propaganda...Otherwise we would all ride Versys 1000 with Jonny Rea winning every other weekend in WSBK...
Like my parents used to say...Dont watch the stupid box...
It is not that he is not my cup of tea,I hate tea as I'm a Bier Schnaps and coffee guy , but he is clueless calling the KTM more nimble than a GS...As Nothing could be further from the truth ! 20 mph faster on the Autobahn yes but otherwise not ready to race...
The power of marketing propaganda...Otherwise we would all ride Versys 1000 with Jonny Rea winning every other weekend in WSBK...Like my parents used to say...Dont watch the stupid box...
Just to be clear, is this spelling of YouTube an accidental typing slip or does it reveal another facet of your odd personality and strange conspiracy world view?Crackpot/Teapot must not be on here...
Alan R
I'm with you yofi...But this "review" did not even provide any entertainment...And truth gets censored off so it is a waste of time anyways...Jootube,Fakebook etc that don't operate without adult supervision / free thought police...The free west where lies are the truth...LOL
How is the BOS pipe ?
How is the BOS pipe ?
Teapot's not for me, and whilst I wish him well, I thought it was an especially odd vid as there simply was no review.
On the BOS - heresy, I've never been a fan of loud pipes for the GS - it was more about looks over the std, and I actually like the sound of the std can.
Looks are okay - though I knew before purchasing that the black akra would look better. Main reason for going down the BOS route other than cost was that there was some suggestion on the net that it was less drony than the akra, but I think if I was doing repeatedly lots of mway miles I might have to go back to the std.
Didn't notice until I put it on that the milling on end cap was crap, but I wasn't going to take it off, argue the toss and send it back.
I'll live with it some more and see where it goes.
On the BOS - heresy, I've never been a fan of loud pipes for the GS - it was more about looks over the std, and I actually like the sound of the std can.
Looks are okay - though I knew before purchasing that the black akra would look better. Main reason for going down the BOS route other than cost was that there was some suggestion on the net that it was less drony than the akra, but I think if I was doing repeatedly lots of mway miles I might have to go back to the std.
Didn't notice until I put it on that the milling on end cap was crap, but I wasn't going to take it off, argue the toss and send it back.
I'll live with it some more and see where it goes.
Unfortunately it is not the best. Probably the best for most who has the means to purchase one but ultimately it fails in some repects.
Having taken the bike apart to replace the shocks, drive shaft, battery and give it a general clean with everything bare bar the cockpit, engine and wiring removed I noticed the incoherent design. These are components that make up the whole of the bike and it leaves much to the discussion of it can be done better.
Denz0 has mentioned the construction of the shocks missing a scraper seal. The electronics for the shock is at the bottom which makes it vulnerable to water ingress and damage. Tractive suspension has changed the design of the ESA with that in mind.
The battery tray is a mish mash design with the main cables chafing inside and the positive soon would've had a short to earth. Spotted it moved it away from the offending frame part. Gotta wrap it again.
The airbox rubbing on the fuel tank. it is chafing a nice hole into the front of the fuel tank. Lucky spot. First time time the tank came off. I'll be taking this up with my local. Not happy about that. Not with the plan to ride it east into Russia.
Taking the panels off is a chore. More so than my 11S. All has to come off for a service.
Even the clips to help the airbox to the throttle body is 2p items. The same 2p items that has left more than 1 Mclaren 12c owner dumping coolant all over the road. Well known issue. Check out Thorney Motorsport.
The parts can be so much better but it feels that whoever has designed it didn't sit in the same office or has never taken a motorcycle apart. All that bollocks about people with passion at BMW that design the bikes we buy. It is just marketing blurb.
Good bike but the impression it gives looking under the skirt is of a consumable item rather than a quality item.
R80G/S Paris Dakar please. The only GS of note and never to be equalled achievement from any GS that followed.
I give it that a 30k almost 7 year old bike would not be without fault but this is design issues. I keep my bikes in very good condition.
Having taken the bike apart to replace the shocks, drive shaft, battery and give it a general clean with everything bare bar the cockpit, engine and wiring removed I noticed the incoherent design. These are components that make up the whole of the bike and it leaves much to the discussion of it can be done better.
Denz0 has mentioned the construction of the shocks missing a scraper seal. The electronics for the shock is at the bottom which makes it vulnerable to water ingress and damage. Tractive suspension has changed the design of the ESA with that in mind.
The battery tray is a mish mash design with the main cables chafing inside and the positive soon would've had a short to earth. Spotted it moved it away from the offending frame part. Gotta wrap it again.
The airbox rubbing on the fuel tank. it is chafing a nice hole into the front of the fuel tank. Lucky spot. First time time the tank came off. I'll be taking this up with my local. Not happy about that. Not with the plan to ride it east into Russia.
Taking the panels off is a chore. More so than my 11S. All has to come off for a service.
Even the clips to help the airbox to the throttle body is 2p items. The same 2p items that has left more than 1 Mclaren 12c owner dumping coolant all over the road. Well known issue. Check out Thorney Motorsport.
The parts can be so much better but it feels that whoever has designed it didn't sit in the same office or has never taken a motorcycle apart. All that bollocks about people with passion at BMW that design the bikes we buy. It is just marketing blurb.
Good bike but the impression it gives looking under the skirt is of a consumable item rather than a quality item.
R80G/S Paris Dakar please. The only GS of note and never to be equalled achievement from any GS that followed.
I give it that a 30k almost 7 year old bike would not be without fault but this is design issues. I keep my bikes in very good condition.
1290 ktm v 1250 gsa
Road the ktm today as a potential gsa replacement.
Road the exact same route on each bike back to back for a couple of hours.
Mixture of B, secondary B & A roads. Didn’t bother with motorways as I never use them in any country I ride in.
My personal a view is;
Ktm deffo quicker & feels lighter to flick around. The box is smoother than the gs’s too.
Gsa feels more compliant on uneven surfaces and I prefer the riding position. You sit too far into the ktm and the bars feel narrower on the ktm in comparison to the gs.
I prefer the ktm tft screen and the rear brake actually works
Think I’d need to sort out the ktm saddle and would have to brush up on my chain maintenance skills.
The ktm switchgear feels budget v bmw and the indicator switch is very poor on the ktm.
I couldn’t find the sweet position on the ktm screen, so turbulence was an issue for me.
And finally, (very subjective), I prefer the gs looks and the overall quality of finish feels superior on the bmw. Oh and the ktm got very hot on the back of my legs.
Conclusion.
I’m not changing YET. There aren’t enough “pluses” to make me want to part with my cash, but I can see the attraction. If you were to place two riders of equally ability on the same (reasonably surfaced) road, tyres etc, the ktm would come up trumps I think. However, that isn’t enough for me for now. But having ridden it, I’d certainly appreciate a few more ponies on the gs just to be able punch out of those corners that little bit more quicker.
Road the ktm today as a potential gsa replacement.
Road the exact same route on each bike back to back for a couple of hours.
Mixture of B, secondary B & A roads. Didn’t bother with motorways as I never use them in any country I ride in.
My personal a view is;
Ktm deffo quicker & feels lighter to flick around. The box is smoother than the gs’s too.
Gsa feels more compliant on uneven surfaces and I prefer the riding position. You sit too far into the ktm and the bars feel narrower on the ktm in comparison to the gs.
I prefer the ktm tft screen and the rear brake actually works
Think I’d need to sort out the ktm saddle and would have to brush up on my chain maintenance skills.
The ktm switchgear feels budget v bmw and the indicator switch is very poor on the ktm.
I couldn’t find the sweet position on the ktm screen, so turbulence was an issue for me.
And finally, (very subjective), I prefer the gs looks and the overall quality of finish feels superior on the bmw. Oh and the ktm got very hot on the back of my legs.
Conclusion.
I’m not changing YET. There aren’t enough “pluses” to make me want to part with my cash, but I can see the attraction. If you were to place two riders of equally ability on the same (reasonably surfaced) road, tyres etc, the ktm would come up trumps I think. However, that isn’t enough for me for now. But having ridden it, I’d certainly appreciate a few more ponies on the gs just to be able punch out of those corners that little bit more quicker.
The KTM is faster than a GS above 100 mph but that is the only advantage of the KTM.The S1000XR is faster than the KTM...Another 1, 5 seconds 0-125 which is HUGE and had another 22 hp more on the same dyno.157 2021 SAD-S vs 179 hp for the 2020 S1000XR.
But I agree the GS needs more Drama...M1300GS with 160hp/150nm Torque
But I agree the GS needs more Drama...M1300GS with 160hp/150nm Torque
The KTM is faster than a GS above 100 mph but that is the only advantage of the KTM.The S1000XR is faster than the KTM...Another 1, 5 seconds 0-125 which is HUGE and had another 22 hp more on the same dyno.157 2021 SAD-S vs 179 hp for the 2020 S1000XR.
But I agree the GS needs more Drama...M1300GS with 160hp/150nm Torque
Drama without compromising poise, stability and composure.
Above 100mph! Not in this country my friend unless you want to risk doing time; I save that for the track.
Mr Bean it is safe to say that you are wrong , on Both accounts...
Be interested in your thoughts on the new Ktm now you have had a test ride.
Road the ktm today as a potential gsa replacement.
Road the exact same route on each bike back to back for a couple of hours.
Mixture of B, secondary B & A roads. Didn’t bother with motorways as I never use them in any country I ride in.
My personal a view is;
Ktm deffo quicker & feels lighter to flick around. The box is smoother than the gs’s too.
Gsa feels more compliant on uneven surfaces and I prefer the riding position. You sit too far into the ktm and the bars feel narrower on the ktm in comparison to the gs.
I prefer the ktm tft screen and the rear brake actually works
Think I’d need to sort out the ktm saddle and would have to brush up on my chain maintenance skills.
The ktm switchgear feels budget v bmw and the indicator switch is very poor on the ktm.
I couldn’t find the sweet position on the ktm screen, so turbulence was an issue for me.
And finally, (very subjective), I prefer the gs looks and the overall quality of finish feels superior on the bmw. Oh and the ktm got very hot on the back of my legs.
Conclusion.
I’m not changing YET. There aren’t enough “pluses” to make me want to part with my cash, but I can see the attraction. If you were to place two riders of equally ability on the same (reasonably surfaced) road, tyres etc, the ktm would come up trumps I think. However, that isn’t enough for me for now. But having ridden it, I’d certainly appreciate a few more ponies on the gs just to be able punch out of those corners that little bit more quicker.
DS , rode the new bike 1290 s yesterday , a two hour spin on roads normally ridden and as you a mixture of A and B again no mways as only use them if i have to.
I found the same as you in conclusion apart from a few things .
I was in all honesty glad to get the bike back and get back on the GS.
I found it cramped as my feet were against the rear peg mounts , the suspension never really worked for me and the anti dive is a gimick as its not the TL equivalent and never will be , ride was still harsh and found the front end when hard into a corner ( B roads) seemed to chatter a lot. I tried all settings but never got a good one . Towards the end it a fault light came up at 1 3/4 hrs in and the suspension adjustment stopped working ( bike only had 450 miles )
Screen was good . Brakes similar to the Gs and yes the Ktm rear was good. Found the heat issue as well but better than the old model.
With you on the looks as the Gs looks engineered , the KTM born from a plastic injection machine and a bland.
Overall a bike with the engine of a prize fighter but the body of a lame horse , and as you not enough pluses to change as to replace the Gs is a very hard thing to do . Great engine but they have a long way to go to get the feeling and all round performance of the GS.
As a side note , the GS was faster on the chosen roads buy quite a bit as it absorbed and dealt with all surfaces with no drama , unlike the KTM. You may say 2 hrs is not enough , which I would agree , but the bike showed its flaws early on so the conclusion was waiting . I can adapt to bikes quickly as I often share and change bikes with others and would class my self as a good ridder with lots of experience and time on bikes , thats why 5 riding mates now have GS 1250s due to share and try.
Well done tho KTM for sorting the issues from the last one and creating a better ongoing version , keep trying the blood line will improve.
In fairness to the KTM you are testing it against your 1250 with TT shocks. Compared to a stock 1250 the gap will be narrower.
I was out with a friend the other day who rides a 1290 SD GT, he has ridden the GS1200 and 1250. He admits that the GS is a better bike but says he has never bought a bike using his head. He wants that rush that the 1290 lump gives. Thats why KTM keep selling bikes, they are different, and thats enough for some folks.
Fair comments , but on a standard GS the feeling would be the same , I put the TT on as im a fussy sod lol and my mate (standard bike ) has no issues staying with me ( we both spend a lot of time in Spain ) . The engine is good but I felt you may find that gets out weighed by the lack of other fine points. I love the KTM brand and had a few but its still a bit of a one trick pony , but its getting better all the time and KTM have proved they dont take their eye off the ball and the tricks are growing. Next year we may ( i hope ) see an up grade engine from BM with a bit more ponies but without the drop in torque , then Ktm wil have another problem... lets wait and see as not sure they can squeeze any more out of the boxer but its trump card is the handling and stability . Others have said the Bm makes an average rider good , but also makes a good rider even better. Also some journos now say that the Bm is that good its now getting knocked for that , as they feel a bit of fight from a bike is better , for me its tiring and unnecessary, a good bike should always provide the best , not a half measure. Nuff said until i piss someone off....
