GS or XR

[Dazed&confused]

Three months ago i was the proud owner of a new XR. I loved that bike but could not live with the terrible vibrations through the bars so BMW gave me a full refund (thank you).

Since then I have test ridden a bunch of bikes from different manufactures with all the usual suspects. Multistrada, 1190, Versys etc. The only thing that came close was the GS, all be it a very different bike.

My ridding is mainly commuting and weekend days out. Little in the way of tours and no illusions that I will be taking this off road! I want a fun bike that is comfortable witt character that can be ridden in a "spirited" fashion as well a more chilled manner.

On the XR I found myself ridding much faster than I would normally, which was partly due to the fact the bike inspired confidence, but it also felt felt like it was constantly wanting you to be a hooligan, whispering "COME ON" in my ear!

Welcome your opinion on what long term life is with the GS and if it might get “borring”

 

[RedRick Esq.]

If the XR was not for you which is fair enough and the GS you like get one.
But...........

from what you describe of your riding needs i would seriously recomend a tracer and save a shit load of wonga

Not as good a bike (for me anyway) as the XR or indeed the GS it is so cheap in comparrison ......

 

[Arsey]

Sorry to hear that.

Every road test seems to complain about the dreadful vibes but apparently it's all bollocks and in the mind as our very own Nutty has an XR and his is vibe-free !!!!

 

[Davey B]

S1000r One for sale on the site. Give one a try

 

[Dazed&confused]

The vibes do seem to vary from bike to bike and think I had a really bad one. One thought is to just get another and hope it's free from vibes but before i do that was shopping around (again!) to make sure. I'm not a speed freak despite buying the XR and just love the way it handled. The GS really surprised me and felt like a more comfortable chilled option without the hooligan element but maybe a tad boring?

Tracer is amazing value for money and a great bike, just a bit....er....."budget" if that does not sound to snobby!

 

[GS-Jonesy]

How did you get on with the Versys? I've been told its a hell of a lot of bike for the money...

I would suggest (if you haven't already done so) a test ride on a Honda Crossrunner. I took one out recently and was very impressed. Great engine, Honda build quality is top notch...and there are some awesome deals out there. CJ Ball in Norwich offered my old man a brand new (factory order so he could choose the colour) bike for £9,500 with a free TomTom sat nav, Honda top box and Akra exhaust. I thought that was a great deal. Especially as they have a 0% finance offer too

 

[Engineer]

Three months ago i was the proud owner of a new XR. I loved that bike but could not live with the terrible vibrations through the bars so BMW gave me a full refund (thank you).

Since then I have test ridden a bunch of bikes from different manufactures with all the usual suspects. Multistrada, 1190, Versys etc. The only thing that came close was the GS, all be it a very different bike.

My ridding is mainly commuting and weekend days out. Little in the way of tours and no illusions that I will be taking this off road! I want a fun bike that is comfortable witt character that can be ridden in a "spirited" fashion as well a more chilled manner.

On the XR I found myself ridding much faster than I would normally, which was partly due to the fact the bike inspired confidence, but it also felt felt like it was constantly wanting you to be a hooligan, whispering "COME ON" in my ear!

Welcome your opinion on what long term life is with the GS and if it might get “borring”

I am on my fourth 1200GS in just over 10 years - I do about 1,000 miles per month (hence the relatively frequent up grades) so no not boring, just keeps getting better.


As great as the XR is for some people I couldn't live with a high level of vibrations at the mileage I do - if BMW can make the next XR upgrade vibe free then I'd be tempted if it can also do two-up with luggage as well as the GS does?

 

[RedRick Esq.]

I am on my fourth 1200GS in just over 10 years - I do about 1,000 miles per month (hence the relatively frequent up grades) so no not boring, just keeps getting better.


As great as the XR is for some people I couldn't live with a high level of vibrations at the mileage I do - if BMW can make the next XR upgrade vibe free then I'd be tempted if it can also do two-up with luggage as well as the GS does?

The difficulty with the XR vibes ( mine does have some) is that some appear to be worse than others or the riders are more sensitive to them. On mine they appear at about 4 and a bit thou and dissapear at just over 5 and are not that bad even then.

The bike is working at its best beyond the 5K rev mark so much of the suitability vis a vis the XR and vibes is what sort of riding you do.

In your case, a daily commute that may well see you spending subsantial periods in the "bad zone" or in a lower gear than required to keep the rvs up makes it currently unsuitable. In my case where i ride it as "intended" on tours and days outthe vibes cause me no problem at all.

Tyre life would IMO also be a problem if using as a commuter

 

[Shunt]

Tried an Rs?

 

[Dazed&confused]

Lets face it it either bike as a commuter is totally OTT - it just like nice things! Mine was 4 - 6K which when ridding "normally" was right in the sweet spot which was a PIA! Personally my take on the XR is more of a tall sports bike than a tourer. I found the suspension pretty stiff which is fine when you are pushing on but no option like on the GS to soften it up.

 

[Dazed&confused]

RS was on the list and again a nice bike but crappy back means even the slightest lean forward and i get issues

 

[Engineer]

The difficulty with the XR vibes ( mine does have some) is that some appear to be worse than others or the riders are more sensitive to them. On mine they appear at about 4 and a bit thou and dissapear at just over 5 and are not that bad even then.

The bike is working at its best beyond the 5K rev mark so much of the suitability vis a vis the XR and vibes is what sort of riding you do.

In your case, a daily commute that may well see you spending subsantial periods in the "bad zone" or in a lower gear than required to keep the rvs up makes it currently unsuitable. In my case where i ride it as "intended" on tours and days outthe vibes cause me no problem at all.

Tyre life would IMO also be a problem if using as a commuter

Vibes anywhere would annoy me but would be particularly irksome on long rides when touring, be it French N-roads or motorways, my commute is village, town and country back roads, so up and down the box like a 'whores draws'

I have yet to take out a demo bike - will have to wait for the next dry weekend.

 

[Dazed&confused]

The quick shift on the XR was super slick but found it pretty clunky on the GS. Maybe i just did not get the technique right on the GS

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

I think the gs is quick enough to be entertaining. Esp cross country on the twisties, honestly can't think of a better bike the punchy performance is exciting. I had the same issues as you with the XR....too vibey and always wanting to be on it.


I think the multistada is about the best bike out there for thrills, but for me it's just too fragile and that bit too expensive. So order placed for my second gs watercooled , an adventure one this time.

 

[Dazed&confused]

The MS does not have the feel of quality that the Beemers do and for the money.....It felt a bit "agricultural" to me - i know thats a twin thing but the GS feels much smoother.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

The MS does not have the feel of quality that the Beemers do and for the money.....It felt a bit "agricultural" to me - i know thats a twin thing but the GS feels much smoother.

Surprised you think the MS is agricultural. Was it the new DVT? I thought it was spot on and much smoother than the gen 1 1200 I used to own. Way quicker than the gs too and it sounded brutal.

Agree on the quality part though, it prob won't last compared to the BMW.(lights blue touch paper)

 

[Dazed&confused]

I was kind of hoping the XR would be a "fast GS" but it's not and i understand why BMW didn't do that. But i do think that they could have provided softer options on the suspension when you are ridding around town or just crusing. Bit more like the GS in hard/dynamic if you like.

 

[MickTheSaw]

buy sommat cheap and wait 12 months I bet BMW will address the bar vibes and suspension like they did with the heavier crank on the 2014 gs