Is the 08 1200GS smaller than the old one?

[brianmaslen]

Simple question as I have a loan 08 R1200Gs whilst mine is in service (see thread on spending £361) and my first impression is the new bike just feels smaller, more compact and well different to be honest? I have the low seat on my bike and it feels higher, not sure what seat is on this one. Engine seems more revvy and the gearbox smoother and yet to play with the suspension. So is it that different size wise?

 

[davem108]

No different I think..

As far as I know there is no difference in size. I have just picked up my new 08 1200GS and it feels exactley the same as all the other GSs I have sat on including 06s and 07s. Are you sure sure the seat is adjusted the same on bothe bikes? Handlebars same angle? The smallest adjustement can make things feel different.

 

[wilbjr21]

No different to my previous ones ........... ESA is better.

 

[Schtum]

IIRC, the steering head angle on the '08 bike is slightly steeper and the wheelbase is, therefore, ever so slightly shorter but that's the only dimensional difference.

 

[Ozbiker]

Softer Seat

I have owned an 05 and now the 08. The 08 has a softer feel. They must have had a few complaints re sore arses. Roger

 

[wully]

Not scientific but:

I tried an 06 model and felt it was far too tall but when I got on the 08 it felt fine , so I bought one.

I must have grown then

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Different?

After four years on a 2004 model I still need to get out the specification sheets to check on the differences on my new 2008 model. I read that the mirrors make the bike 1" wider now (37"/36") and I had noticed that because I now have to lift my workshop door off its hinges (not difficult with the Fench system) to get my bike in. The standard seat is 1/2" higher than before - yes, I thought I was just getting a little older. Otherwise the dimensions are unchanged. The only 'improvement' that I do notice is a slightly lower first gear (2.375/2.28) as a result of final drive ratio (2.91/2.82) which combined with a higher compression ratio giving 5 hp extra, does make the bike more flexible at very slow speeds - oh, and I read that it is 1/10th second faster to IOO kph (3.3/3.4) Not much excuse to change is there?

 

[SonicTheHedgehog]

Simple question as I have a loan 08 R1200Gs whilst mine is in service (see thread on spending £361) and my first impression is the new bike just feels smaller, more compact and well different to be honest? I have the low seat on my bike and it feels higher, not sure what seat is on this one. Engine seems more revvy and the gearbox smoother and yet to play with the suspension. So is it that different size wise?

I've had a couple of 08 GS loan bikes, and I've a sneaking suspicion that they tend to get specced with the low seat to make testrides easier. I'm a big lanky bugger, and both times I've felt that the bike was A Bit Diddy and the seat a plank of wood, a literal pain in the arse.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Lower seat

Yes, I can imagine that dealers may well have a demo bike fitted with a low seat. I am over 6' tall but have to be careful getting on and off. Of course as probably everyone knows, it is now possible to order a lower GS (and the RT) with mods to seat and suspension. As a result I think that the GS in particular could bcome more popular in this country where the population are not so tall as in the UK and Germany.

 

[SALTY BALLS]

had a 05 for 3 years (standard seat set in low position) just got an 08 (standard seat set in low position), no matter what the figures and specs say the 08 is definetly smaller

 

[VAL. H.]

Simple question as I have a loan 08 R1200Gs whilst mine is in service (see thread on spending £361) and my first impression is the new bike just feels smaller, more compact and well different to be honest? I have the low seat on my bike and it feels higher, not sure what seat is on this one. Engine seems more revvy and the gearbox smoother and yet to play with the suspension. So is it that different size wise?

The only 'improvement' that I do notice is a slightly lower first gear (2.375/2.28) as a result of final drive ratio (2.91/2.82) which combined with a higher compression ratio giving 5 hp extra, does make the bike more flexible at very slow speeds - oh, and I read that it is 1/10th second faster to IOO kph (3.3/3.4) Not much excuse to change is there?

Have you considered that you might have been loaned the Factory lowered version?

Yes they now supply the 1200GS Factory Lowered bike as an option. It's about two inches lower that the standard bike.

Barnstormer's have one as a demo bike so it makes sence other dealers would have one too.

Val.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Lety us (try to) settle this

had a 05 for 3 years (standard seat set in low position) just got an 08 (standard seat set in low position), no matter what the figures and specs say the 08 is definetly smaller

I put a spirit level on the lowest part of my saddle, (the bike on the centre stand) and it is 918 mm above the floor. How does your compare?

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

The Bars are on slight risers so closer to you on the 08 than my old 06,the seat seems better if anything.The red colour makes it look slightley smaller than my old White one ,but it rides better feels more chuckable and I love it!!

 

[auspuf]

Interesting to run across this today - just got an 09 GS on loan while my low seat short-*rse 06 is in for service. This one has the standard seat, which I put on the lower setting. It also has, In comparison to mine, a bar riser that looks like an original fitting - the risers are a part of the top yoke casting. The bars are much closer, makes the bike feel much more compact and shorter when it clearly isn't. In fact, I like it so much I'm now looking for a suitable set of risers for mine! Maybe that's why the original poster has this impression of smaller.

 

[OldCroc]

2008 MU. I find mine is lower on the ESA comfort setting when sat on the bike compared to the Normal and Sport. This is even more noticeable after riding and coming to a stop. Handle bars also seem to have the riser but this my 1st GS so cannot compare.

OldCroc

 

[The Bede]

... The bars are a tad closer to the seat on the '08s. The risers can be reversed which puts them back a bit closer to the original stance