Is (or will it be) the 1200GS your first BMW?

[SpyInTheCamp]

I bought a GS rather than a BMW.

When I saw this comment the other day, it made me think a bit. I'd been considering a GS (or 1100S) for some time. Dan Walsh's enthusiastic ramblings in Bike mag first made me curious. Then the 1200 came out at around the time I was starting to think about my 'next bike'. I test rode that (and Muppet's 1100) in 2004 and was smitten.

All manner of BMWs started to look interesting to me - R1100S (as mentioned above) and the new bikes like the K1200S/R etc.

However, the GS is what interested me the most. If I had money for additional bikes, it is unlikely that another one would be a BMW (oh well, maybe the K1200R then). I possibly have more instictive (rational) loyalty to Honda as a manufacturer. (And perhaps a more emotive interest in the likes of Ducati or KTM.)

At the opening of the new dealer in Dalkeith yesterday, I met one or two 'interesting' BMW fans. One with at least 3 BWMs in his garage. They really did live up to the stereotype. I made sure that I got away from them as soon as I could.

Bottom line is that I suppose that I do agree with GSmonkey's comment. But BWM are changing for the good and at a decent rate of speed too.

Kai

 

[degsy]

yes yes yes

I always liked the 1150GS but it was always too heavy / tall for me to be happy with, i know you'd get used to it after a period of time but too much money to keep dropping it whilst doing so. So when the 1200GS was to be launched, bingo payed my money out in January 04 even before seeing 1 or sitting on 1. Thank god it was fine never looked back.

 

[nedflanders]

Yep first non Jap bike, always wanted something abit different from a sportsbike but found most trail type bikes to high, test rode the GS after sitting on one at the NEC and finally picked it up last week. Only done 100Kms since I got it as a mix up with number plates kept me off the road but hopefully a trip to the Nurburgring next weekend will have it run in , mind you it is only 170mile from where I'm based.

 

[barakula]

HI EVERYONE

I Have Ridden,PD1000 air head,GS1000, GS1150,GS1150Adventure and I THOUGHT THEY WHERE GREAT Thanks to MY Good Mate GRAHAM.We went for a test ride on the GS1200 that was a NICE BIKE,BUT NOW WE BOTH WANT THE NEW " GS1200 ADVENTURE ".THEY ARE AWESOME.I RODE The 1150 Adventure from Boulia Back To BRISBANE and thought it was Great in the Rough Stuff But The GS1200ADVENTURE Being Lighter Would have been a lot More FUN.

 

[Greybeard]

Got my 1200 GS in July 2005.

Previous BMWs were - R80/7 (1980 - 2001) and an R1150R (2001-2005).

The 1200GS is the best by far. I smile everytime I ride it.

 

[ScottyKM]

Well it will be my first BM, when i finally get off the fence and make a rational choice between the 12 or adv, have got about another 2 weeks to decide, but either way, it will be a GS

 

[Stu-13]

Yep my first BMW, once you get over the £££ it’s a great bike.
It’s one of those bikes you need to get on and ride for a while to get your head around the beast.
You just have to get used to grinding the under side of your boots.

 

[alimey4u2]

Had a 1997 R1100RT, Nice bike for it's purpose but failed to excite.

Had a 1998 R1, Nice bike for it's purpose but excited me too much.

Bought a 2005 R1200GS & that was just right.......

 

[ScottyKM]

Well there we go, off fence, 1x alpine white adv with short seat, due week 20

 

[jonothan]

Passed my Direct Access last year. Lusted after a 1200GS even then but thought it would be folly to go from the riding school's Kawasaki ER500 straight to a 1200GS, and bought a BMW R850R to get the feel of a bigger bike. Looked at other bikes but the BMWs were, to my mind, the better bike for me.

One year down the line, I have just picked up my R1200GS like I promised myself. And I love it.

The missus isn't very happy as I have kept my R850R. I adore that bike too and just cannot bear to part with it. First love and all that.

J

 

[Captain Pugwash]

Never owned a BMW bike or car.

Tried 1150GS a few years back and opted for KTM 950 Adventure S instead.
Sold that and went back to sportsbikes inc Hayabusa,GSXR 1000 K5 and MV Agusta F4 1000.

Ordered new Triumph D675 as soon as pre-launch reports were out last year.

Have just been on 1800 mile trip through France/Belgium/Germany with me on D675 and 3 others on 2 GS1200 and 1 GS 1200 ADV.

Rode the ADV briefly.

Got home,sold the D675 (10 weeks old) and new Alpine white/red ADV 1200 due week 34 (Aug 21 ish)

Bugger !!

 

[NorthernBoy]

I bought a GS rather than a BMW. If there was an equivalent model by Honda, they'd be getting my money.......hopefully it'd be more reliable

My feelings exactly. I love my GS, and have no intention of replacing iit, buut, if anything, it has steered me away from future BMWs. There is no way in hell I'd buy a BMW sportsbike over a Firebllade now, and, as you say, I'd trade it in like a shot against a Honda GS if they ever made one.

I love my bike despite the fact it is a BMW, not because of.

Interestingly, the opposite is true of my car. It is my first BMW, and I would now consider even a more pedestrian BMW as worthy of attention.

 

[Blue Spider]

It me first BM - and it rattles!

Swapped my Triumph T595 - it was gonna EAT my licence (yes I know the throttle goes both ways but its only fun on the T595 one way and it is not a nice ride below about 50) for a, dare I say it (go on - dare), Hardly Worthitson 1200 Sporter Roadster. OK in straight lines but everything sparked at the slightest corner. And it was going rusty after 1500 (winter) miles. And 'er indoors hated the thinly padded razor blade seat.
Decided to chop the Hardly for a R1100S test drove it and found it a bit like the Trumpet but more tractable but 'er indoors kept crushing me onto the tank during braking . So a non starter there. Had a go on a 1200 GS to fill the afternoon and "let the ride decide" - I was hooked . Got a brand spanking new one that rattles like a b!tch. The rattle is getting worse (it's done 300 miles now). They tell me in the shop that they all rattle at first and it gets cured at first service. (£90!) Hope so. I keep stopping to check the oil as it sounds like it's running dry . Anyone else had this?

 

[RogerJ]

Is The R1200 GS Your First BMW?

Quite surprised by the number of first time BMW owners. Wouldn't have thought it that high. Other BMW's have been:
1997 R1100R (Classic Black of Course)
1998 R1100GS 75th Anniversary Edition Dakar Red and White
1999 F650 Funduro Red
2000 R1100S Titan Silver (much modified)
2001 F650 GS Titan Blue
2005 R1200 GS Desert Yellow ABS
2005 R1200 GS Non-ABS Titan Silver and Black
Guess I've been doing my bit for the economy. Current BMW's are the '99 F650 Funduro (sweet bullet-proof bike) and the '05 R12GS Non-Abs (fun and a more acceptable level of technological complexity/headache/walletache.