Is the R1200GS a 'Chelsea Tractor?'

[gooseman]

Utter arse. If its a chelsea tractor then why cant I fit 3 kids in the back, drive wilst on the mobile, forget to use indicators and basically cut everyone up with no regards for anyone else?
The GS is my first beemer and its easily the best bike I have ever owned.

 

[North]

Is a Chelsea Tractor a SUV? (It Is!)

I found it on the internet:

To their admirers, they are the latest must-haves in status, style and chic. To their critics, they are dangerous, polluting and gas guzzling brutes. Known as Chelsea tractors they are urban 4X4s or SUVs. But the news that Londoners are the most likely people in the whole of the UK to buy 4X4s will come as no surprise to people who have watched in horror as more and more off-roaders clog up London’s streets and pollute its air.

Over here it would be harleys, not the 1200GSA. There's not enough after-market stuff for GS's, like there are for Harleys.

New for your Chelsea tractor...spray-on mud
By Mark Prigg, Evening Standard
13 June 2005
It is the must-have accessory for the discerning 4x4 owner. Drivers worried their car simply isn't dirty enough can now buy a £7.95 bottle of mud to spray on it to give it that "country" look.


Do they make this for Bikes?

 

[ianran]

Utter arse. If its a chelsea tractor then why cant I fit 3 kids in the back, drive wilst on the mobile, forget to use indicators and basically cut everyone up with no regards for anyone else?
The GS is my first beemer and its easily the best bike I have ever owned.

Goosman
Top box - 1 Kid
Panniers 1 either side,
Open Face helmet Fag / phone / coke tin!! as required....job done!!!

By the way, to everyone whos worried,
You buy the bike you like /want / can afford. as do I, why this pigging obsession with having your purchasing policy vindicated!!!

 

[JAY]

Oh come on you guys - all you really want to be is a Yummy Mummy.
Admit it

 

[Jez D]

Chelsea tractor my arse, Having to wear a crash lid would muck up the 'essex perm'!
BTW....Do they do a lowering kit for the GS?....where do u fit the bass box?...in the top box?!?

 

[Alex B]

If you look at BMW's spec philosophy for the 1200GS, I think "Ford Focus" was more what they had in mind.

The GS1150 had to go because it was too "user unfriendly" to a large potential pool of buyers (i.e. too high, too long, too heavy, too weird looking etc).

The 1200 GS "fixed" all that, but with a tighter materials budget (in my opinion). Great bike to ride and super fun but I prefer the 1150 for now.

 

[Schwarz Baron]

 

[xpi0t0s]

Not a Chelsea Tractor in my arrogant opinion, but saw an R1200GS Adventure and it had Chelsea Tractor printed all over it, especially with those daft fat knobbly tyres. It's a stunning bike in grey but I'd want some less knobbly tyres on it (like the Tourances I have on my GS) so that it's mostly road with basic off-road abilities.

 

[Engineer]

It's been suggested that maybe the GS fitted with BT 020s is in fact a vehicle for posing around town rather than for being used for its designed purpose.

I can think of umpteen reasons why this doesn't hold up but what do you lot think?

What is its 'designed purpose' ?

 

[Dave C]

Chelsea Tractor???

Youre confusing me.....




























....with someone who gives a shit what other people think!
I like my GS, and could care less what other people think.

If ya dont like em, dont buy one

 

[Dusan]

!

Yes/No!

 

[Roberto]

What is its 'designed purpose' ?

Exactly, I'd like to know that too. And there was me thinking it was just a f*cking motorbike and you get on and ride the fecker. Boll*cks, I had no idea it had a purpose.

 

[Stu-13]

Now if it had polished rims and frame with enough never used TT parts to shame a Dakar team then it would be a mini Chelsea tractor. The brand dose attract the Chelsea tractor brigade, as I was picking my bike up from Battersea and a chap was stressing if his GS would get rained on as it had just been cleaned after the service. Heck mind got snowed (ok sleeted) on, first ride out from new!

Otherwise is just another bike in a different shape.

 

[Gonzo]

Oh yes ... it is the two wheeled equivilent of the X5.

Nah.....the real 2-wheeled Chelsea Tractor is the 12GSA. Like an X5, bought mainly for the cosmetic pose factor, rather than whatever genuine ability it might have.

But hey, we've been there on many of the recent 12Adv threads.

 

[Piggers]

Its great bike that handles well, goes reasonably quickly and is very comfortable, even if a bit pricey.

I have also been in X5 and was very impressed, if I could afford to run one I would irrespective of where I lived !

 

[boundless]

Nah.....the real 2-wheeled Chelsea Tractor is the 12GSA. Like an X5, bought mainly for the cosmetic pose factor, rather than whatever genuine ability it might have.

But hey, we've been there on many of the recent 12Adv threads.

Oi!

I reckon Tim Luckhurst of the Independent has nicked your/our/this train of thought for his column.

Todays Independent article on the 1200 GSA is here.