gsbiker
Registered user
Hello. this is my first post!
I've fallen for the 1200GS and 1200GSA. I like all the gadgets, riding height, Looks, bottom end power and grunt etc. However the more I've read on forums like this one I'm starting to think I need to look around at other bikes, just to be sure that spending £12000 on a BMW is the right thing to do. I looked around yesterday and saw Hondas, Kawasaki's, Susuki's etc but although I haven't riden any of them I keep getting drawn back to the BMW as my number one choice! As I own a small but fast sport bike I don't want another back aching ride. So sport bikes are out, that said, I hate the thought of being left behind by sport bike riders! I won't be touring much but want to have a bike that does. It will be garaged most of the time and let out after work on some evenings and weekend rideouts but I do want to travel on some occasions. The bike must be fun, fast but comfy and will go everywhere happily. I won't be off roading!
I have test riden 2x GSA 1200 from BMW dealer for about 1.5 hours on each. So far I was not impressed with motorway comfort. The bike really vibrates about 85mph+ badly in my opinion. The bike is fast on A roads no problem but didn't seem to be comfy on open fast roads. Mirrors were blerry, and wind turbulence was very noticeable. I ride an RD350R with full fairing which rides smoother than the BMW at these speeds.
So my question is do many of you here ride alot on motorways and at what average speed? Are you happy with top speed? Don't get me wrong, I don't want to do 150+MPH but 85-90-100 MPH should be better from a bike of this size / cost surely?
I've fallen for the 1200GS and 1200GSA. I like all the gadgets, riding height, Looks, bottom end power and grunt etc. However the more I've read on forums like this one I'm starting to think I need to look around at other bikes, just to be sure that spending £12000 on a BMW is the right thing to do. I looked around yesterday and saw Hondas, Kawasaki's, Susuki's etc but although I haven't riden any of them I keep getting drawn back to the BMW as my number one choice! As I own a small but fast sport bike I don't want another back aching ride. So sport bikes are out, that said, I hate the thought of being left behind by sport bike riders! I won't be touring much but want to have a bike that does. It will be garaged most of the time and let out after work on some evenings and weekend rideouts but I do want to travel on some occasions. The bike must be fun, fast but comfy and will go everywhere happily. I won't be off roading!
I have test riden 2x GSA 1200 from BMW dealer for about 1.5 hours on each. So far I was not impressed with motorway comfort. The bike really vibrates about 85mph+ badly in my opinion. The bike is fast on A roads no problem but didn't seem to be comfy on open fast roads. Mirrors were blerry, and wind turbulence was very noticeable. I ride an RD350R with full fairing which rides smoother than the BMW at these speeds.
So my question is do many of you here ride alot on motorways and at what average speed? Are you happy with top speed? Don't get me wrong, I don't want to do 150+MPH but 85-90-100 MPH should be better from a bike of this size / cost surely?
it will sit at 90 all day long, I came back home from Budapest in one day 1150 miles of mostly motorway, at times (once all the 'old boys' had given up trying to keep up
if it is a small percentage then why worry. 
Just get the GS and a satnav and start taking the "road less travelled" and it all makes sense. Most GS owners avoid motorways like the plague if possible anyway. If you are travelling with mates on sportsbikes and they want to bugger off into the distance on boring motorways then let them. Agree to meet your mates at the destination and plot your own route on a satnav using A/B roads and back lanes and just enjoy the trip and your superior tank range - that's when the GS comes good. I guarantee that after a few months your sports bike will be gathering dust
