Just had a test ride, not sure.....

[JSC]

Took my 2011 GSA to the dealer today to have a new set of tyres fitted and thought I would test the new 1200LC while I was waiting.
Here are my thoughts:

Good points: The new engine is MUCH better! the extra power is just what my GSA needs.
I love the looks of the bike.
Riding position and comfort were good although not quite as much wind protection from the screen.

Bad points: The new dash is a bit fussy in my opinion, too much going on.
The switches on the handlebars are too small and close together, with winter gloves on trying to scroll through the info I kept hitting the ESA button.
I prefer the more planted feeling of my GSA.

I realise that I was testing a GS against a GSA so there will be differences and if there was a GSA version I would probably have liked it more but for now I won't be trading mine in for one as I like mine more.

 

[2 wheel humvee]

"Planted"
There's a word that crops up often when the owner of previous model test rides the new version, just saying

 

[cookie]

"planted" is overrated. quite like "flighty" myself.

looking forward to trying one of the beasts tomorrow

 

[Count]

As when listening to high end audio, it is easy to mistake familiarity for superiority.

I am sure the GSA is great and feels familiar ("planted"). It doesn't mean the new bike is better or worse. They are different and I for one doubt BMW avoided progress in the design brief. I'd expect a blind test for someone not familiar with the bike to be a good acid test if it is possible to find a GS newbie qualified to judge.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[APE]

A bus feels 'planted'

 

[mcinlb]

Motorcycle Test vocabulary:- "Planted"

"Planted"

"Immovable object, needs a sideswipe by an artic to change direction"

 

[Nutty]

A bus feels 'planted'

As does a daisy

 

[red1]

Two of our crew tested the toilet last Saturday at Jeffries and then both went and ordered a ...... new GSA!!

 

[APE]

I guess it depends on what sort of riding you do. For motorways and slow speed work a GSA or Harley would be ideal.

A LC would appeal to a more 'spirited' rider - and situations where you encounter corners - possibly at speed

 

[Wrinkly]

I prefer the more planted feeling of my GSA.

I realise that I was testing a GS against a GSA so there will be differences and if there was a GSA version I would probably have liked it more but for now I won't be trading mine in for one as I like mine more.

As soon as I read this I thought "there's that word again...planted.."

I would be most grateful if someone could explain what it's suppose to mean ?

Steve

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

As soon as I read this I thought "there's that word again...planted.."

I would be most grateful if someone could explain what it's suppose to mean ?

Steve

Stable, solid and dependable as opposed to flighty, frisky and pulse racing

Two of our crew

Which crew?

The IAM crew? ...I'm suprised they could tell the difference

 

[Engineer]

"planted" is overrated. quite like "flighty" myself.

looking forward to trying one of the beasts tomorrow

It is very planted when two-up but still steers very nicely - and frisky and fun when one up - best of both worlds I think.

 

[Wrinkly]

My first reply was said somewhat tongue in cheek as I do understand what people mean by planted!

After my initial test ride on the new LC I did myself feel that the bike was maybe a little more "skittish"especially on the gravely back roads,however on my second demo ride this feeling had totally disappeared in a very short space of time.

Although the LC is a tad heavier it actually feels much lighter and the steering is much more responsive which to some folks may lead to a feeling of a light front end and therefore feeling less "planted".

I'm no riding god, but I've had over 40 years of continuous riding on many many different bikes,and in my opinion the LC is far easier bike to handle than my current TC not that there's anything wrong with the handling of my TC it just feels heavier and needs a bit more effort to change direction at higher speeds than the LC.

To summarise in comparison to my current TC,it's quicker,it feels lighter,and the steering is much more responsive, please don't confuse this with the LC being less stable than it's older stablemate and it certainly sticks to the road just as well if not better than it's predecessors.

The feeling of plantedness (if there is such a word) is psychological as this bike is just as planted as anything I've ever ridden.

If you've taken the bike out and it's this feeling that's putting you off I urge you to take it out again,in my opinion which is only really worth anything to me the LC is streets ahead of my TC.

Steve

 

[Engineer]

My first reply was said somewhat tongue in cheek as I do understand what people mean by planted!

After my initial test ride on the new LC I did myself feel that the bike was maybe a little more "skittish"especially on the gravely back roads,however on my second demo ride this feeling had totally disappeared in a very short space of time.

Although the LC is a tad heavier it actually feels much lighter and the steering is much more responsive which to some folks may lead to a feeling of a light front end and therefore feeling less "planted".

I'm no riding god, but I've had over 40 years of continuous riding on many many different bikes,and in my opinion the LC is far easier bike to handle than my current TC not that there's anything wrong with the handling of my TC it just feels heavier and needs a bit more effort to change direction at higher speeds than the LC.

To summarise in comparison to my current TC,it's quicker,it feels lighter,and the steering is much more responsive, please don't confuse this with the LC being less stable than it's older stablemate and it certainly sticks to the road just as well if not better than it's predecessors.

The feeling of plantedness (if there is such a word) is psychological as this bike is just as planted as anything I've ever ridden.

If you've taken the bike out and it's this feeling that's putting you off I urge you to take it out again,in my opinion which is only really worth anything to me the LC is streets ahead of my TC.

Steve

That's a very good way of describing it, the first ride does feel light and frisky if you have just jumped of a twin-cam, but once one has adapted to the 'different feel' if just gets better and better.

 

[APE]

The feeling of plantedness (if there is such a word) is psychological as this bike is just as planted as anything I've ever ridden.

To my mind it simply means 'heavy'. I remember that feeling from my 1150 and it does give a more secure feel around the corners - assuming you're riding well within your limits no problem. Can be a different story if you suddenly have to change direction for whatever reason.

The Adventure derivatives pack another 30 odd kgs so will always feel more 'planted'. Wait a year if you find the LC is too flighty. However I like my bikes like that

 

[The_Big]

The feeling of plantedness (if there is such a word)

There is now........

 

[red1]

The Adventure derivatives pack another 30 odd kgs so will always feel more 'planted'.

So if I'm a fat bastard and I weigh 30kgs more than my mate and we both have a GS then mine will feel more planted.
No wonder Dani Pedrosa doesn't own a GS! He needs to wait for the ADV version of the toilet to appear.

 

[APE]

So if I'm a fat bastard and I weigh 30kgs more than my mate and we both have a GS then mine will feel more planted.
No wonder Dani Pedrosa doesn't own a GS! He needs to wait for the ADV version of the toilet to appear.

Carrying the weight that high wont help with stability

 

[JSC]

WOW, I wish I hadn't used that word now!!
I suppose I did mean "heavier", the reason I chose the GSA over the GS is because I liked the extra weight and size of the GSA.
Don't get me wrong the new LC is a great bike and that extra power is addictive.
If my GSA was a bit older and I was ready to change I would probably buy one but I'm just saying that at the moment i'll hang on to mine and see if they bring out a GSA version.

 

[NorthernBoy]

You could just bolt 30kg of lead under the seat if that's what floats your boat, and have the best of both worlds.