I'm thinking of a GS, but I'm not quite sure!

[Dennis the Menace]

Indicator configuration are crap, always have been, always will be.

30 years I've been using them, and still can't get used to the ferkin things.

 

[Flipfly]

I adapted to them being on different bars pretty quickly, and never once hit the horn,TobyS

That's the bit that most of us struggle with Indicators are fine but the horn is really a pain in the arse when you want to use it in anger

The whole nod thing...............I think alot of it is a sportsbike vs trailie thing. I wave/nod at everyone and usually get a nod back. Sportsbike riders are usually the ones that don't, or harley riders.

 

[Dennis the Menace]

That's the bit that most of us struggle with Indicators are fine but the horn is really a pain in the arse when you want to use it in anger

Yes and the head light flasher button. I suppose there are people who can brake, blip the throttle for changing down and work the right hand indicator all at the same time (my wife says a woman can do it. She says its called multi tasking) but shes a twat just like some of the BMW indicator fans on this forum.

 

[Hawk]

Firstly, I'm new to the site, and the possibility of buying a GS is a big decision for me, so I've a lot on my mind.

You're not the first and you won't be the last. Coming from a 'sports' bike to a GS is a big decision.

I currently ride a GSXR750K4. Its probably the best bike I've ever ridden, and can do anything I ask of it, but I'm getting a bit fed up with having to squeeze my 6'1" frame into a little bike. I'm also getting fed up with riding fast everywhere.

It's funny how riding certain bikes changes your attitude. My previous bike was a GSXR1000k4 so I've been at the point where you are now. Same dilemmas, same questions etc.

I'm looking for a bike with a bit more soul, something that corners well, and re-ignites my passion for biking. I've never been into the top speed side of things, but I do like the acceleration of my GSXR.

I never did the 'top speed' thing either. If you buy a GS you will miss the acceleration but after a while you'll realise you're enjoying your biking experience in so many other ways. Trust me, it does happen

OK, so I'm currently thinking about the 1200GS, as the reviews all say it corners well. But its taller, heavier and the bars are wider than I'm used to.

Coming from the GSXR I needed a good handling bike or I wouldn't have swapped. I could never go to a lardy bike that didn't handle. For instance, I test rode an FJR1300 and it really disappointed.

I took a 3 hour test ride today. The first 2 hours I wasn't sure. The bars felt too wide. The wind was worse on a motorway (this was partly caused by me twitching the bars a bit, as I'm not used to so much leverage). I HATE the indicator switches, and could barely reach the right, or cancel buttons, without some serious hand repositioning (losing throttle control at the same time). It did corner well, if a bit floaty, but as I got used to it my confidence grew. I was particularly surprised by how confident I was cornering over rain strewn roads, but the bike lapped it all up.

You'll get used to the bars. They still catch me out on occasion (1900 miles). As for the indicators, I prefer the 'normal' ones but you do get used to them

At this point I took a quick coffee break, and realised I'd been riding over 2 hours, and wasn't sore, though my left hand had a slight amount of white finger (well palm... ie the numbness caused by constant vibrations, it cleared almost as soon as I noticed it).

My only gripe is the numb fingers I get occassionally. In my limited riding aboard the GS, I've not once thought 'Oh, this or that aches'.

My final question: What options are worth having? The demo bike I rode was the 2007 model. It had ABS, ASC and the on-board computer. Best of all it had heated grips, which were ACE!

Grips, ABS, OBC. Plus luggage if you're going to do any touring type stuff.

All round, I'm very happy with the GS and don't regret buying at all.

 

[GSmonkey]

I've had a few sportsbikes in my time and my last was was a GSX-R1000K6, which really was the daddy. I'd had a GS before that though.

What you've just written about your first ride on a GS is almost a carbon copy of most other people's first rides.

Firstly the indicators - yes they are shite. Why BMW persist with them, I don't know. Its not as if they use them on all their bikes now either. The pain is the cancel button which hinders you getting on the gas. There's no real fix for this. However the indicator positions also mean that the flash button and horn are in a similar compromised position. Overall you get used to it, but its not ideal.

In terms of the handling you will find it floaty having come from a gixxer. After you get used to the feeling, you'll find the handling to be superb. You'll find it better (or more correctly easier) than the gixxer in virtually all corners with the exception of fast sweepers on good tarmac. On the motorway the gixxer is more solid than the GS which can get blown about, generally due to turbulence on the wide bars. The riding comfort generally makes up for this and the more you relax on the bike the less you get blown about.

The engine is poles apart from a gixxer IL4 engine. The boxer produces the same peak torque as my old K6 and that's really what you need to use. I found myself bouncing the GS off the rev limiter when first riding it, but really you should short shift in most situations. You did mention one of the best characteristics of the boxer engine i.e. the engine braking. Once you've tuned into the bike you can demolish country lanes using the torque and engine braking and never touching the brakes. The only thing you'll miss about a gixxer engine is the ultimate power. You'll find that the GS is as quick or quicker on any road which is a less than 70mph type of road. I generally find this to be a good thing, as it stops you doing speed that is not good for you in any way.

If you buy a GS you'll generally have to do it with a bit of risk. When I bought my first GS I thought I'd made a bad mistake after a week of riding. After another month of riding I though I still thought it was a dog of a bike, but after 2 months I was over the moon with the bike.

Just remember, it won't be as reliable as the gixxer

You'll also find a lot of sportsbike haters on this site. Ignore them, as they're generally just envious as they're too fat to ride one - they also mumble a lot and smell slightly of ammonia.

 

[PIGGLET]

Just get one
It's a totally different biking experiance to a sports bike. Instead of going out for a 2 hr blat you'll be looking at a map the night before planning a 300 mile route to places you want to explore.
I think the indicators are great, I always found the single slide switch a pain in the ass and difficult with thick gloves on.
There's a million and one ways to modify/improve different aspects of a GS. Everyone has their own preferences, mine are improved lights and a better screen. The buffeting is a comon problem and there are a number of cures. I along with a lot of other folks have found cee baileys and MRA screens sort this but what works for one doesn't always work for another. Helmets can play a big part too.
Get some toasty layers on, put some bar muffs on and you can ride in the darkest depths of winter in comfort wearing light summer gloves with the heated grips on the lowest setting
If you get a second hand bike and don't like it, just sell it on. As long as you don't pay over the odds and try to recoup said top dollar if you want to sell it, they always shift.

 

[illustratedman]

Gs v sportsbike

I ride the same stretch of road everyday for work, and the gs feels a lot slower than my zx did but in reality when i looked at the speedo comparing corner speeds i wasnt going any slower round them than before it just felt it. in a straight line a sportsbike's going to bugger off, but 0-60 what's the difference 2-2.5 secs? big deal. I still yearn for a bit more go sometimes but it's a different biking experience. The gs feels more of a real bike, i get the same pleasure from it that i did from the bikes i had when i was younger. I followed a guy on a gixer through town the other day and at the lights he sat up and shook his wrists out, i thought i remember that feeling mate, buy one it'll take a while but in six months time you wont want to swap back.

 

[Dennis the Menace]

Excellent long distance touring and long time ownership.

BUT you will need

A new screen to stop headache.

A New seat to stop arse ache

New handle bars to stop arm ache

New foot rests to stop leg ache

New HID headlight to stop eye ache

Thousands of pounds worth of anti corrsion treatment to stop heartache.

Thick skin so you wont be upset at people laughing at you when you turn up

at a non GS meeting

 

[STUBBS]

the only option is a big bank balance for all the add ons

 

[Hawk]

Excellent long distance touring and long time ownership.

BUT you will need

A new screen to stop headache.
I think this depends how tall you are. I don't suffer from much buffeting.

A New seat to stop arse ache
Depends how long you sit in the saddle before having a break.

New handle bars to stop arm ache
Not found this yet.

New foot rests to stop leg ache
Not found this yet.

New HID headlight to stop eye ache
Not found this yet.

Thousands of pounds worth of anti corrsion treatment to stop heartache.
What alloy doesn't change colour?

Thick skin so you wont be upset at people laughing at you when you turn up
at a non GS meeting
They're all jealous

Don't let this put you off