Hello again - back with a GS LC and some questions

[carrera2]

Hi

I wasn't a prolific poster on here but used to drop by when I had my 1150gs. Well that was sold in 2010 and replaced with a K1200S which served me for 3 years until it was replaced with a VFR1200 but you don't want to hear about them...!

I've just replaced the VFR with a 2013 R1200GS LC and think it's the absolute nuts. It's seemingly had all the options ticked so I've got a very nicely specced bike that should last me for years.

Onto the questions.

1 - it's come Nav prepared but there's no screen/unit with it. What's the default nav unit people tend to use? I won't use it much but it would be nice to have it seeing as the bike is ready for it.

2 - Sometimes when I switch it off the headlamp stays on for a few seconds, other times it switches off straight away. I've got the LED lights. IS there something I'm doing wrong? Having a courtesy light on for a minute would be very handy - anyone know a way of adjusting it?

Many thanks in advance.
Dave

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

1: If it's come Nav prepared then it's probably a TE Spec with the thumb wheel? If yes then a Nav IV or V will work using the wheel. A Garmin 660 will fit the holder but not work from the wheel> If you'd be interested in a Nav IV then I know someone who has one he will sell having just bought a Nav V

2: I'm pretty sure you can adjust the headlamp delay through the menu on the dashboard once you select 'ENTER'

Paul

 

[carrera2]

Hi Nice

Yes - Looks as if I've bought a TE version. Definitely interested in the IV please, thanks.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Hi Dave,

Give Chris a call on 07831 985157

He has all bits that came in the box from the dealer when he bought the bike new. He wants £200 for it.

He's based near Pewsey, Wiltshire

Paul

 

[carrera2]

Thanks Paul, that's brilliant. I'll give him a call over lunch.

 

[littleade]

Hi Dave,

Give Chris a call on 07831 985157

He has all bits that came in the box from the dealer when he bought the bike new. He wants £200 for it.

He's based near Pewsey, Wiltshire

Paul

A bargain IMO with tbe nav5 being £600.

Come on spill the beans on the VFR!

 

[Joca]

Yes, give a review on the vfr 1200 and that 1200S

 

[crotchrocket]

was it the new VFR? no idea how they made that heavier than a GSA !

 

[carrera2]

I'll do a proper review of both the K and the VFR very soon! I didn't think anyone would be interested.

 

[jimbo]

2: I'm pretty sure you can adjust the headlamp delay through the menu on the dashboard once you select 'ENTER'

Paul

Really? the handbook is less than specific on this

Headlight courtesy delay
feature
with LED headlights OE
with daytime riding lights OE
with LED auxiliary headlight OA
Switch off the ignition.
with daytime riding lights OE
The daytime riding light and
the side lights at the rear
continue to be lit for a little
longer.
with LED auxiliary headlight OA
The auxiliary headlights and the
side lights at the rear continue
to be lit for a little longer.

 

[carrera2]

Hi Dave,

Give Chris a call on 07831 985157

He has all bits that came in the box from the dealer when he bought the bike new. He wants £200 for it.

He's based near Pewsey, Wiltshire

Paul

Thanks again for this NnF - I'm very happy with the unit and he posted it out to me immediately. Great stuff.

 

[carrera2]

Hello, I said I'd say a few words about the VFR so here goes.

After my 1150GS, which I sold as it was giving me a bad back, I bought a K1200s and it was lovely to be on a sporty styled bike again for a change. I did about 30k miles on it, on top of the 20k it already had on it, and the gearbox went. Then other niggles were starting and so I decided to bite the bullet and replace it.

My criteria were a shaft, not a IL4 engine, and not an RT. I test rode the outgoing GS model and while it didn't affect my back I COUldnt' get the numbers to work on a PX until I spoke to Honda. 0% finance on the VFR with a great trade in value on the bike and I ordered one.

Unlike BMWs there are very few options to choose so the additional extra I specced were the Honda 3 stage heated grips, as I ride all year round. Standard features are ABS, traction control & slipper clutch.

The first thing that's obvious is the monster exhaust! I'd never ridden a bike this quiet before and it was quite nice for a change. I'm sure my neighbours must be happier too as I leave at the crack of dawn and my last couple of bikes have been a bit loud. The exhaust has a little valve in it that opens up another part over 4k revs so you can amble around stealthily and then make more noise if you want to. The engine sounds great though - more of a bassy drone than in an IL4, at low revs and then it makes quite a unique sound at high revs.

The transmission's fine and other than a bit of a clunk as you pull away, you'd not know it was shaft driven. Also, unusually on a 'tourer', it has a slipper clutch which is brilliant. I'd always thought that these were only really of much use on a track but it's making the ride even more comfortable and stable in this crap weather. I've tried to make the back jitter under engine braking on cold tyres and haven't been able to yet.

Negatives: one is tank range, it's got a much smaller tank than a bike this size really should and it's giving me a range of about 135 miles (with 10 left in the tank) as opposed to 170 miles (with 20 left in the tank) on the BM. That's quite annoying but not the end of the world.

The other is just a weird design thing whereby if you've been riding in torrential rain and then stop at some lights, the water runs onto the pipes and rads at the front and the steam that comes up is phenomenal - it makes it look like the bike's having serious problems and you feel like you're in a sauna. Quite amusing but a bit odd.

The VFR is typical Honda - well made, very reliable but ultimately quite boring. It's a big heavy lump that's very fast in a straight line but never really filled me with confidence on wet roads. 2 or 3 times I've lost the rear in the wet without being silly on it. It's also not the most comfortable of things. When I chopped it in for the GS, I had to go to N Yorkshire (from Surrey) and arrived a bit tired and achy - I rode home on the GS and felt better than I had before riding it, it had cured my VFR pains!

I think the most mileage in a day on VFR is 500 miles and it wasn't pleasant and it drank fuel.

 

[snaponphil]

Interesting comparison, my friend has a VFR1200 on a 2010 plate, actually never had a go on it except as pillion, he's a lot younger than me & prob wouldn't tell me he aches, I'm happy with my Gs Lc although the build quality is pretty good as he abuses his & I Molly coddle (clean it to death) my Bmw