I know this is a can of worms, however - do you think its worth it upgrading to an LC. What are the real world advantages and is it worth the extra. Was thinking of it as I wanted a bit more poke? Everything else is fine.
Lc or hexhead - begin
- Thread starter martinO
- Start date
I went from Hex to LC
it's a lot quieter
A lot quicker =
a lot more complex
lots more toys more options
Taller
The cruise control & Nav prep are brilliant - but you need a compatible nav TBH
The increase in height is a pita, new seat and more thinking outside the box
Whats it like to ride -
The hexhead was like a labrador, always ready, and could munch the miles, a bit tempermental, but you knew where you were
The LC is like a Springer Spaniel - everything done so quickly, it needs to have a bit of a kicking to take the eagerness out of it
its the same , if not slightly better than the Hex, the LC part of the dash is good, you can can configure it how you want (if you have that option)
The analouge side is useless if you are older, you cant see the speedo its too small and fussy - the later versions addressed this
Oh and very little - read nothing from the hexhead in the way of factory stuff fits
so new seats panniers, etc etc
it's a lot quieter
A lot quicker =
a lot more complex
lots more toys
more options Taller
The cruise control & Nav prep are brilliant - but you need a compatible nav TBH
The increase in height is a pita, new seat and more thinking outside the box
Whats it like to ride -
The hexhead was like a labrador, always ready, and could munch the miles, a bit tempermental, but you knew where you were
The LC is like a Springer Spaniel - everything done so quickly, it needs to have a bit of a kicking to take the eagerness out of it
its the same , if not slightly better than the Hex, the LC part of the dash is good, you can can configure it how you want (if you have that option)
The analouge side is useless if you are older, you cant see the speedo its too small and fussy - the later versions addressed this
Oh and very little - read nothing from the hexhead in the way of factory stuff fits
so new seats panniers, etc etc
had both, still happy with the hexhead…. the LC went in a skip shortly after I got it
the hex head is much faster in the real world, snap the throttle open on the LC at 4k and nothing happens (you get more out of a hexhead from 2k once you sort the fuelling out), on the LC wait a couple of years for the needle to crawl round to 8500rpm and it starts to do something but by then the fun, enthusiasm and opportunity has usually ended.
A 1250 probably works but then still gets the LC plastic forks made out of the same material they use for drinking straws at McDonalds. The electronics mean most of the time the engine isn't linked to the rear wheel (when there's nothing wrong with the grip available....) the only thing going for it is cruise control.
buy a 20k mile hex head and spend 2k on shocks screen and fuelling it will be 10 times the bike a 1200 LC ever could be....
the hex head is much faster in the real world, snap the throttle open on the LC at 4k and nothing happens (you get more out of a hexhead from 2k once you sort the fuelling out), on the LC wait a couple of years for the needle to crawl round to 8500rpm and it starts to do something but by then the fun, enthusiasm and opportunity has usually ended.
A 1250 probably works but then still gets the LC plastic forks made out of the same material they use for drinking straws at McDonalds. The electronics mean most of the time the engine isn't linked to the rear wheel (when there's nothing wrong with the grip available....) the only thing going for it is cruise control.
buy a 20k mile hex head and spend 2k on shocks screen and fuelling it will be 10 times the bike a 1200 LC ever could be....
Not a GS but an RT, but engines the same. I have just put over 2k on a Hex Head over the last couple of months. Also own a 1250. The Hexhead is like a tractor compared to the LC. If you think a Hex Head can out run a LC, then there must have been something wrong with the LC you had. Oh and there have been plenty of problems with the Hex Head I have been riding, fuel strip, abs sensor, rear hub needed changing and its only done 32k since new. But I would quite happily rid the Hex Head if I couldn't afford to own a 1250, but seriously not in the same league.
but as u say you've got the 1250 a very different engine with twice the real world go of the 1200LC
Chug-chug
Registered user
Great seeing the Pro hex head comments, I have a hex head, it does everything the LC does “maybe not as sharp” but once you change suspension, seat, tyres, lights to LED’s.......it’s better in my opinion and let’s be honest way better value.
My GSA has 30,000 miles on it and just has a huge presence on the road “LOVE IT”
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My GSA has 30,000 miles on it and just has a huge presence on the road “LOVE IT”
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Chug-chug
Registered user
A comfortable tractor.....
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nah, you can sit on a tractor all day and not get a sore arse.
A comfortable tractor.....
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Not a lot in it to be honest. Did 120 miles today on the Hex Head, arse was still sore, no shoulder or back ache, but to be fair, not different to my 1250. I also had a 2014 1200 for around 4 years and have a 2015 RT arriving in the next week for a stint. But as I have already said, if I didn't have LCs as well, I would be quite happy with the Hex Head, but in the same way I quite liked the R80s I owned
They are bikes, what's not to like
Might have to get one of those LED headlights for mine -Great seeing the Pro hex head comments, I have a hex head, it does everything the LC does “maybe not as sharp” but once you change suspension, seat, tyres, lights to LED’s.......it’s better in my opinion and let’s be honest way better value.
My GSA has 30,000 miles on it and just has a huge presence on the road “LOVE IT”
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That looks the business
An late model twin cam hexhead is a much better bike than an early production WC whether it is a GS or a GSA
Interesting. Me hexhead is hilltop'd and has WP front and back. So thinking it may not be worth the money to change then from the comments. Got 95 ish bhp and 80 ft lbs already so....
But your right you do get a sore arse after 45 miles.
But your right you do get a sore arse after 45 miles.
The first LCs (2013) were a bit "revvy" and they modified that later.
Chug-chug
Registered user
You could change seat, I have a Touratech, it adds about another hour to the comfort zone, boom!!
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Great seeing the Pro hex head comments, I have a hex head, it does everything the LC does “maybe not as sharp” but once you change suspension, seat, tyres, lights to LED’s.......it’s better in my opinion and let’s be honest way better value.
My GSA has 30,000 miles on it and just has a huge presence on the road “LOVE IT”
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Cool headlight. Where did you get that?
If your flappy valve sticks on an LC, then you might have to replace the exhaust downpipes, with a Hexhead your just replace the valve or remove it.
How much has this daft design change cost BMW and owners?
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How much has this daft design change cost BMW and owners?
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They normally stick open so you don't have to do anything. Just leave it there not working. According to my BMW dealer its only there to quieten the bike down at low revs and the bike will function perfectly well without it. And yes its a ridiculous design that its part of the headers and not a seperate part...
The fuel strip and abs pumps don't fail on LCs though
Chug-chug
Registered user
Matt Ghecko LED’s I’ve had it on for a couple of years now.
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