Instructor Bike

[Peter04]

Hi guys
I am thinking of getting another BMW 12 adventure for an instructor bike. I dont want to go the normal route of getting a PAN as most instructors seam to have. I would like to no if any one is using a 1200gs /adventure and if any problems they might have had.

Peter

 

[columbus]

I use my 1150 gsa and the only problem I have noticed is that during extended low speed use the oil light comes on. This disappears afterwards and has never effected the bike that I can see. HTH

 

[nedflanders]

I'm using a 12GS for instructing CBT's, fine for this but think the GSA would be overkill following a moped at 30mph for 2hrs, TBH I can't see why anyone would choose the GSA over a GS for instructing on , it's not like you need the extra height on the suspension or the 350mile tank range

 

[Peter04]

I'm using a 12GS for instructing CBT's, fine for this but think the GSA would be overkill following a moped at 30mph for 2hrs, TBH I can't see why anyone would choose the GSA over a GS for instructing on , it's not like you need the extra height on the suspension or the 350mile tank range

No thats ture you dont really need the GSA the only reason I would have one is so I dont have to run 2 bikes 1 fro instructing on and 1 for pleasure.

 

[AdamA]

Reword your question slightly:
What would make a bike unacceptable for use instructing?

Not a great damn deal tbh. Not being comfortable at tottering around at learner speeds being bout it really.

Why wouldn't a GSA be suitable?

 

[nedflanders]

If it's your only bike it would be fine, if it was just for instructing on I think the GS is perfectly adequate, if I could though I'd get a shitty old Honda Deuville for doing the CBT's and save the GS for 'best'

 

[Bem]

I have been using my 12 for 4 years, and the 1150 for 4 years before that, no problems with run of the mill CBT or test/inter stuff. Bit sluggish for faster work tho.

 

[AdamA]

I have been using my 12 for 4 years, and the 1150 for 4 years before that, no problems with run of the mill CBT or test/inter stuff. Bit sluggish for faster work tho.

You have tried twisting the throttle yeah?

 

[tunnie]

I'm using a 12GS for instructing CBT's, fine for this but think the GSA would be overkill following a moped at 30mph for 2hrs, TBH I can't see why anyone would choose the GSA over a GS for instructing on , it's not like you need the extra height on the suspension or the 350mile tank range

On the upside you won't need to fill up for ages!

 

[richie]

If it's your only bike it would be fine, if it was just for instructing on I think the GS is perfectly adequate, if I could though I'd get a shitty old Honda Deuville for doing the CBT's and save the GS for 'best'

sense

 

[Brendan]

I've been using a 1200GS for the last 4 years instructing everything from basic to advanced. My only complaint is vibration on the front end leaves no location for a front bike mounted bullet camera. Any suggestions ??

 

[AdamA]

I've been using a 1200GS for the last 4 years instructing everything from basic to advanced. My only complaint is vibration on the front end leaves no location for a front bike mounted bullet camera. Any suggestions ??

This vid contains two lots of on bike footage.
Funners is mounted on the side of the beak. Mine is mounted on the side of my lid. Both are pretty vibe free. Your body is the ultimate in vibe damping tho.
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[AdamA]

Funners is mounted on the side of the beak. Mine is mounted on the side of my lid.

You can see Funner's by the beak in this shot:

And mine on my lid in this one:

 

[tunnie]

This vid contains two lots of on bike footage.
Funners is mounted on the side of the beak. Mine is mounted on the side of my lid. Both are pretty vibe free. Your body is the ultimate in vibe damping tho.
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2uFWyffJCMw&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2uFWyffJCMw&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Looks like a stunning trip, i so have to get myself to Norway!

How is the video recorded, you got a button or something that starts it? Assume its stored on a hard disc?

 

[AdamA]

Looks like a stunning trip, i so have to get myself to Norway!

Aye, it was the best trip I have done. Highly recommend it.
The second half of the vid is here:
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fZa6J2dCYkI&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fZa6J2dCYkI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

How is the video recorded, you got a button or something that starts it? Assume its stored on a hard disc?

The camera is one of these:

http://www.vio-pov.com/products/pov_1.php
It was mounted to the LHS of my helmet with a mount they supply.
The recoding unit was in a Kriega day sac on my back.
It records to SD card (roughly 7 hours on an 8G card).
The unit was battery powered, but you can now get a battery eliminator to run it off 12v supply.
The unit has a wireless remote control:

which was velcro'd to my brake reservoir so I could record and stop easily on the fly.
The camera works in two modes.
1 - Just like any camera, Rec starts recording, and stop stops. Rec also "tags" the footage so you can easily find that spot later when reviewing/editing.
2 - Loop mode. The camera constantly records in a loop (so overwriting itself) and when you press Rec saves a pre-set time both before and after the button is pressed. So the loop mode is ideal for say green laning where someone lobs it in front of you, you can press record and you have something that already happened captured, whereas on a traditional camera you would have either missed it, or recorded hours of footage to get that one event.
Editing was Windows Movie Maker (it looks better on the original, YT buggers up the screen shape etc)

 

[tunnie]

Yeah already watched the second part, looking into it further there are no longer direct Ferries to Norway

 

[AdamA]

Yeah already watched the second part, looking into it further there are no longer direct Ferries to Norway

Friday night overnight Harwich - Esbjerg then 200 miles of Denmark Saturday up to Hirtshals - Kristiansand, last sail gets in 00:45 Sunday morning.
Was a pretty relaxed trip over, just not cheap.
More info here (might be an idea to ask any other Qs there rather than further hijack this thread):
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192935

 

[tunnie]

Thanks! - Appolgoies from me also on the off topic replies

 

[minkyhead]

im hitting over 30k mile per year full time ...
depreciation would be savage ...
i run a 650 ..for work .. i have a spare engine on standby off ebay for 380 quid ..the bike runs all u need for cbt and das .. 70mpg to boot ...
..picked up nearly new for 3500 ...

keeping me best for best and having the advantage of a spare bike ..should i occasionally need it

 

[Montrose Sun]

I have a 2009 new 1200 GSA which i bought on 01/08/09 and have done 4500 miles with it so far instructing and commuting. Overall annual mileage should be 35k and i intend to keep for 2 years.

Itsa brilliant bike but it does give me a sore bum after 100 miles but this tends to be ok as i never do anything like 100 without stopping when going to work or working - would like a comfier saddle for trips though.

Also, as i have documented on here, the bike does give me a certain amount of back / shoulder pain which has eased slightly but i feel bar risers are going to be bought soon.

I get 45 mpg however i seem to ride it and have almost gone through a set of Tourance EXP's already.

Comanding riding position
Excellent conspicuity
Excellent carry capacity for all my gubbins
Very good weather protection

All in, a great bike but all told, it does nothing that a 5 grand TDM 900 wouldnt.

This is my only bike (or will be once i sell my lovely K 100RT)