I considered updating the GS but should I

[Axel F]

Yes difinitely go for a newer 1200 dont waste any time. Ive got your new bike waiting for you here

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=283302

 

[cookie]

if you enjoy riding with even a modicum of gusto rather than simply plodding along a motorway, the 1200 will provide a much bigger grin well worthy of your wad.

...and a twin cam, even more so IMO.

 

[snerkler]

I rode another 1200GSA twin-cam 2011 model this morning, which makes three that I've ridden since the 'new' engine was first launched.

In a straight comparison with my 06 'old' engine I cannot see that it's a great leap forward

To the OP, this is why you need to try fro yourself as I totally disagree with Wapping here. I think the Twin cam is a massive improvement so goes to show how we all see things differently and you have to decide for yourself.

What I would say is don't be put off with all the faults on the 1200's, they're nowhere near as common as this site makes out. Come on to a site like this and anyone that's had a fault will post it on here. Get a bike that's flawless and they don't feel the need to post.

 

[Wapping]

To the OP, this is why you need to try fro yourself.....

....and there's the only answer you'll need OP

 

[steve case]

Cheers everyone

Well there are a whole bunch of opinions there and some of them even make sense.

I love my GS11 but I'm not so blind I can't see the flaws, chief of which is the dead weight of it.

On the new 12 some of the tech is utter B/S, I mean talking valve caps c'mon. one that does worry me is the ignition lock sender ring which will stop the bike if it fails so can these be disabled or removed?

I never had problems with the ABS on the 11 and it did save me once, but I can't see why a bike needs a servo so would prefer to not have this option. Is it true the servo has been removed from late 1200's?

Same with adjustable suspension etc, but one thing I do want is a center stand are these standard or did they make them an option on the 12 as well?

Cheers to everyone for answering even if it was just to ramble on a bit!

 

[bisbee]

Late to the party but Steve it's worth it just for the weight saving

 

[Rasher]

I rode another 1200GSA twin-cam 2011 model this morning, which makes three that I've ridden since the 'new' engine was first launched.

In a straight comparison with my 06 'old' engine I cannot see that it's a great leap forward and certainly not a patch on the 'twin-cam' 1200 engine slapped into an HP2Sport.

Unless I was looking for a brand new bike, I would certainly look pretty hard at a decently specced second-hand 'pre twin-cam' model, get the suspension done and probably save a few bob. I think that is what Rasher did and seems sensible.

I love the overall feel of my bike, especially with the uprated suspension, but I rode the twin cam first and did not notice the difference.

Going to ride one again now I am used to my '08 (although it also has de-cat headers and an accelerator module)

If I think the Twin Cam is much better I will keep my '08 a bit longer and then upgrade (and swap my £3 of extra's and luggage over) if I don't it will most likely be a Super Tenere as the deals around are too hard to pass up.

I don't doubt the GS is at least as good an all rounder as the Yamaha, and that my much modded bike will be a bit better, but I still am not so happy that after all these years the latest models still have QC issues.

Gonna ride the Tenere again, have a go with a twin cam and then make up my mind....maybe, but with new bikes also coming along from Honda and Triumph the twin cam will have to be a huge improvement over my '08 bike to make me "gamble" on BMW reliability a second time.

 

[bod]

I love the overall feel of my bike, especially with the uprated suspension, but I rode the twin cam first and did not notice the difference.

Going to ride one again now I am used to my '08 (although it also has de-cat headers and an accelerator module)

If I think the Twin Cam is much better I will keep my '08 a bit longer and then upgrade (and swap my £3 of extra's and luggage over) if I don't it will most likely be a Super Tenere as the deals around are too hard to pass up.

I don't doubt the GS is at least as good an all rounder as the Yamaha, and that my much modded bike will be a bit better, but I still am not so happy that after all these years the latest models still have QC issues.

Gonna ride the Tenere again, have a go with a twin cam and then make up my mind....maybe, but with new bikes also coming along from Honda and Triumph the twin cam will have to be a huge improvement over my '08 bike to make me "gamble" on BMW reliability a second time.

Well, I have gone from a mark 1 to a mark 3, so a bigger boost in performance than your 08 to a twin cam.
But to say you can't tell the difference is total bollox & the usual negative shite that you are programmed with by default.
The latest motor is snappier with more torque through the whole rev range.
I still find myself looking for a 6th that I'm already in.
It doesn't even sound the same, it's a totally different motor!

I loved my old GS12, but I luuurve my twin cam the mostest!

 

[original_concept]

The Twin Cam engine isn't noticeable IMO, the only time, is around 3K, there's some light surging at that point. IME the 09s need an accelerator mod to help it out. Other than that it's polite at low revs and seems to require less clutch slipping, or that's the difference between a 80k 09 and a 2.5K '12.

Sent via fingers MK1.

 

[Roymondo]

On the new 12 some of the tech is utter B/S, I mean talking valve caps c'mon. one that does worry me is the ignition lock sender ring which will stop the bike if it fails so can these be disabled or removed?

I never had problems with the ABS on the 11 and it did save me once, but I can't see why a bike needs a servo so would prefer to not have this option. Is it true the servo has been removed from late 1200's?

Same with adjustable suspension etc, but one thing I do want is a center stand are these standard or did they make them an option on the 12 as well?

Cheers to everyone for answering even if it was just to ramble on a bit!

The "Talking valve caps" are optional (BMW call it Tyre Pressure Monitoring). There is no easy way of disabling the ring antenna on the ignition lock - it is hard wired into the immobiliser/engine management computer system.

The current bikes do not have a brake servo.

Centre stand is Standard Equipment.

You can get one without ABS, Electronic Suspension, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, Trip Computer etc, but the immobilizer/ring antenna is Standard Equipment.

 

[sven]

I've ridden the 04, 08 MU & 10 Twin Cam - the latter two back-to-back.

Each updated model is an improvement, but not radically different, with the biggest difference being between the 04 and 08 models.

The 08 MU added quite a bit of top end power - probably 10-15bhp according to the dyno charts I've seen - so it seems quite a bit quicker.

The Twin Cam revs another 500rpm to 8500rpm and seems to rev more freely, but dyno charts suggest only a couple of bhp more if any at all at the top end. However, the main improvement is mid-range power. I found it generally pulled one gear higher everywhere compared to my 08 MU and top gear roll-on was much improved with power available from 3500-4000rpm as opposed to 5000rpm on mine.

 

[Wapping]

Most of these replies seem to be focussed on power or the perception of power.

Has nobody yet slapped an HP2Sport engine into a GS? 7/11 and 9/6 chops used to be popular in the sports bike class. Why not do the same?

OK, it's a bit of a nuisance to ride as you have to wait for the rev limiter to build up in stages... but it goes like the clappers and is way up on the horse power graph.... You will probably have to muck around with the gearing a bit, but it will save waiting for the water cooled wonder tool.

Why isn't the HP2 (non-Sport variant) more popular? That can kick some butt, for sure. Few bods use their GS what it was (theoretically) designed for.... indeed BMW seem to be moving the entire bike away from its initial purpose, building an ersatz adventure bike, morphed into a sports bike like purpose, resulting in neither fish nor fowl.... An HP2 should suit most people admirably.... maybe it's a bit too quick?

 

[Rasher]

Rode the new bike again today, now back to back with my 2008 it is indeed an improvement.

The new engine is noticeably smoother, will drop down a few hundred RPM lower and rev out 500 rpm higher, I would guess it has a bit more bottom end, a bit more top end and a slight improvement in the middle (where the 08 engine is already pretty decent)

I would not pay a lot to upgrade just for the engine, but if looking for a new(er) bike would certainly say it is worth paying a few quid more to stretch to a 2010 if you can, but not if it means getting a less pristine, or much lower specc'd example.

 

[Lighty]

I bought mine without any advice from anyone, What have I done

 

[Georgeeboi]

The right thing

 

[BeamishTripleBlack]

I went for it, if it goes wrong which inevitably it will (most brand new cars and bikes have issues) BMW will fix it (unlike some other manufacturers I could mention).

 

[Dave h]

1200 Gsa twin cam

Hi

forget about "it will go wrong" just ride the bloody thing my 2010 twin cam has 16000k on it nothing wrong at all fab bike me thinks lol, you are going to love it


Dave

 

[bod]

Rode the new bike again today, now back to back with my 2008 it is indeed an improvement.

The new engine is noticeably smoother, will drop down a few hundred RPM lower and rev out 500 rpm higher, I would guess it has a bit more bottom end, a bit more top end and a slight improvement in the middle (where the 08 engine is already pretty decent)

I would not pay a lot to upgrade just for the engine, but if looking for a new(er) bike would certainly say it is worth paying a few quid more to stretch to a 2010 if you can, but not if it means getting a less pristine, or much lower specc'd example.

It seems people with experience of all three versions seem to think the biggest improvement came with the first revamp. I thought the 07 was just a minor tweak with 5 bhp . . seems I'm wrong?
I guess I owe Rasher an apology for an earlier comment, it would appear going from an 08 - 11 bike is more subtle.

But for sure, riding in old my old 06 and out on a 10 was like riding a different machine.