Is the R1200GS too complex now? (video)

[Deleted account 180524001]

Blimey, does anyone really need, or actually understand all these riding modes?

Or are BMW just trying to justify the £14,000 price tag?

 

[Reggie P]

Both your questions really are valid imho.

They are not absolutely necessary ( I enjoyed the standard bike just as much as my top end model) and BMW are arguably "milking us" with electronics that promise slightly more than they actually deliver.

It is a "grey " area....for sure ... Technology is changing so fast.

These modes certainly do save you faffing with a C spanner when you take a pillion. They do take account of differing road surfaces , and rider desires as he describes. Some actually adjust damping in just milliseconds. Useful to have the bike react to braking/cornering/acceleration.
They do make the BMW marketing man's job easy ...since he can promise so very much, as you witness in the video.
They do have some difference between soft/medium/hard (I forget the BMW terms) and its fun to be able to choose different settings for different parts of your journey.

Rain and Dynamic certainly are worthwhile throttle modes ... take a long test ride and draw your own conclusions?
However , at the moment , they don't deliver suspension perfection. Not yet ! And other vendors can achieve similar/better results with WP/Ohlins/Nitron/Wilbers/Marzochi/other tecnhology

ABS Pro ( imho) is worth having ... once in a lifetime you might , in contradiction of your training and instincts, grab a bunch of brake mid corner. (Maybe a slow flying pheasant hit you in your chest , its happened to me , or a young deer runs out ?) If..... it saves you ending up in a wheelchair would you consider it worthwhile? (The tech is compellingly fascinating too with a microscopic gyro sensing lean angles).

There will be lots of opinions on this , each to his own. Thank goodness BMW offer us a choice.

 

[Deleted account 180524001]

Yeah, all valid points.

But I do wonder how easy all these "extras" are going to be to diagnose and fix when the bike is ten years old...

 

[tanneman]

Just to note. The 2017 models are to be sold from January onwards. Those who have been sold a 2017 spec and taken delivery is in fact strictly speaking a 2016 model.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Troppo]

Yes.

Yes.

 

[Troppo]

There is a noticeable difference in Dynamic with hard suspension.

 

[fredaroony]

Nope...I love all the new technology and I say bring it on. I'm hoping my 2016 can be upgraded with some of the new features. I just did 2100klms in the last 3 days on it and love it to bits.

 

[Nutty]

Just to note. The 2017 models are to be sold from January onwards. Those who have been sold a 2017 spec and taken delivery is in fact strictly speaking a 2016 model.

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The 2017 GSA has been available from September. The 2017 GS will be available from January.

And, yes, the more technology the better, if it increases the chances of avoiding an accident.

 

[Wreford Miles]

Two bikes side by side, the latest GS and my last of the Hexheads...

Ride the latest GS and it is clearly the better bike
Own my last of the Hexheads for many miles and years and it is clearly the better bike

 

[Boxed-in]

My GSA shock needs replacing, local dealer (400 KLM's away), they say no problem we will order it will take 6 - 8 weeks, 10 weeks later sorry sir, they sent the wrong one, the sent the manual one not the electronic one, it will take another 10 weeks as we cannot fly it, it is classed as dangerous goods and we cannot fly it.

Well 6 months later it's due in 3 weeks, keep the C-spanner to hand it would be a lot simpler, oh and by the way sir it will be THREE times the price of the wrong one we ordered........

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

I can easily tell the difference in the suspension settings between soft-normal-hard, I very rarely use soft and only use hard if it's twisty. I can tell less difference between the ride modes eduro-rain-dynamic-road... I normally only use road or rain (never used enduro) but I tend to ride farely conservatively (economically) on my commutes so I probably wouldn't tell much difference under those circumstances. I would like ABS pro but it's not on my 2014 model GSA.

 

[cherokee]

The 2017 GSA has been available from September. The 2017 GS will be available from January.

And, yes, the more technology the better, if it increases the chances of avoiding an accident.

Good riding avoids accidents....and the speeding kills chant is something i detest bad riding/driving kills, speed contributes if your skills are lacking,professional drivers can drive quickly,safely......

 

[zoltan]

C spanner on the 2017 standard model?

 

[Deleted account 180524001]

I think all these gadgets are great when you have a new bike with full warranty. On a 5-10 year old bike the repair bills are going to be horrendous.

 

[fatnfast]

There are plenty of 5-10 year old bikes out there running ESA and ABS that all still works just fine. My RT never had any issues. Companies such as Wilbers can provide replacement shocks as well as folk out there who can rebuild the standard items. Worst case, replacement non-ESA shocks. Not cheap, but you are likely to replace even standard shocks at some time anyway.
ABS is currently more reliable than the BMW servo system used 2002-6. In fact I don't recall any ABS failures on the LC model?
Most other technology has been in use and improved over the years. My 1150 has fuel injection, ABS, motronic unit just like my 1200LC. It's been problem free for 14 years. I have no reason to expect my LC to be any different.
The LC has been around with all this tech for nearly 4 years and there doesn't seem to be any common tech related issues.
Yes, I know real riders don't need all this technology, but nobody is infallible, even if is just one lapse in judgement every 10 years this new-fangled tech may just save you.

 

[Deleted account 180524001]

Yes, I know real riders don't need all this technology, but nobody is infallible, even if is just one lapse in judgement every 10 years this new-fangled tech may just save you.

You're probably right. Although I don't think many real 'round the world' riders would opt for such a complex gadget-heavy bike.

 

[zoltan]

My RT never had any issues..

Mine failed at 17000 miles ( 06 RT ) cost of repair just over £1800 - new ESA, handlebar controller, labour. My new GS is standard . Keep it simple, GP technologies on a street bike?

 

[Nutty]

Good riding avoids accidents....and the speeding kills chant is something i detest bad riding/driving kills, speed contributes if your skills are lacking,professional drivers can drive quickly,safely......

Indeed.

Yes, I know real riders don't need all this technology, but nobody is infallible, even if is just one lapse in judgement every 10 years this new-fangled tech may just save you.

Exactly. Even the best riders can have accidents. If fitting more safety based technology on a bike will reduce the odds of an accident even more, then bring it on.

 

[Pansmiker]

Good riding avoids accidents....and the speeding kills chant is something i detest bad riding/driving kills, speed contributes if your skills are lacking,professional drivers can drive quickly,safely......

How do you ride a bike round a corner on a diesel spill?