rivercatch
Registered user
Just did a week to SW corner of France. About 1800 miles in total, 460 being the biggest single day on the way down - mostly peage but N & D roads thereafter. Vario paniers and top box and 1-up most of the time (wife decided to fly the long legs out and back for comfort and luggage reasons). Observations:
1) 6th is wrong! Basically too short. 130kph comes up at 5k rpm. There is a really irritating vibration through the seat between 125kph and 135kph - I really would have thought they would have found that in testing - or is it just me or mine? It's obvious the bike could be geared so that 130kph comes in at 4.5k rpm and would make it a more relaxed ride. Were there any mods on the earlier GS's to adjust gear ratio? I used 5th when off main roads so see 6th as the motorway mode.
2) On the other hand 130kph cruising is pretty easy. I overtook loads of other bikes that seemed more comfortable at 110kph, but every time I slowed down my speed would creep up again. I don't think of myself as a fast rider but that was where the easy ride was (in spite of the vibe). On my previous 1150R the easy ride was about 110kph max. Also the "hunt and squirt" in heavy traffic between 80kph and 130kp was a joy for lane changes and overtakes etc - 5th and 6th were both easy and it didn't seem to matter what gear you were in.
3) I had two very heavy rain storms. In one on the peage the general traffic speed dropped to about 60-70kph because visibility was so short. I'm sure I could see standing or flowing water on the peage. Not a twitch or anything from the bike - very confidence boosting. I had one heavy brake (I was too close to the car in front and panicked a bit at red brake tail lights) where my heart was in my mouth but no ABS kicked in and the bike just pulled up drama free.
4) Riding position was good. I'm 6'2". I was out of the wind and could walk straight from the saddle after a long day. Pillion (5'2" size 8) hated it at anything above 90kph - too much buffeting. I need to get that sorted out.
5) No maintenance. I checked oil and tyre pressures but nothing needed. I don't monitor mpg but I was getting about 180miles on each tankful and refuelling at the 40 miles to go mark.
6) Navigator IV was a bit of a joke. Apart from the strangulated Franglais accent, the maps and routing were off. Maps seemed out of date even though I downloaded an update just two weeks ago. Many new traffic flows - junctions and roundabouts - were not known to the map, but it was pretty obvious that they had been is use for many months or years. A63 between Bordeaux and Biarritz had been open for 3 months but not on the map. Routing was pretty poor too - some very weird diversions on minor roads, and a footpath in one case, for no real obvious reason. Positioning was frequently off - telling me to turn in 100m when it fact the turn was only about 5m away. I missed quite a few turns like this - very annoying.
7) Lights are awesome! I have the BMW spots as well as the main beam and rode two evening sessions. Best ever. Turned a lot of heads in the ferry when we started engines to get off. Very bright and white and lots of it.
8) ESA and suspension worked fine. Played with it a bit but in the end left it on Rain mode, Comfort and 2-up.
9) Indicator switch! Sorry to be boring but I prefer BMW old-style. But even with standard switch the position is not right for the thumb - or do German test riders have extra long thumbs. And the feel is not as positive as it should be.
10) Cruise control. Fantastic - first I've ever had but it makes a real difference. Now something I won't live without. I'll ignore the oldie's comments about FBW and using old catgut or panties for throttle cables for this.
Didn't meet or see any other new ones but got a few questions at fuel stops and ferries. My response every time "Awesome, loving it, no regrets, get one if you can."
1) 6th is wrong! Basically too short. 130kph comes up at 5k rpm. There is a really irritating vibration through the seat between 125kph and 135kph - I really would have thought they would have found that in testing - or is it just me or mine? It's obvious the bike could be geared so that 130kph comes in at 4.5k rpm and would make it a more relaxed ride. Were there any mods on the earlier GS's to adjust gear ratio? I used 5th when off main roads so see 6th as the motorway mode.
2) On the other hand 130kph cruising is pretty easy. I overtook loads of other bikes that seemed more comfortable at 110kph, but every time I slowed down my speed would creep up again. I don't think of myself as a fast rider but that was where the easy ride was (in spite of the vibe). On my previous 1150R the easy ride was about 110kph max. Also the "hunt and squirt" in heavy traffic between 80kph and 130kp was a joy for lane changes and overtakes etc - 5th and 6th were both easy and it didn't seem to matter what gear you were in.
3) I had two very heavy rain storms. In one on the peage the general traffic speed dropped to about 60-70kph because visibility was so short. I'm sure I could see standing or flowing water on the peage. Not a twitch or anything from the bike - very confidence boosting. I had one heavy brake (I was too close to the car in front and panicked a bit at red brake tail lights) where my heart was in my mouth but no ABS kicked in and the bike just pulled up drama free.
4) Riding position was good. I'm 6'2". I was out of the wind and could walk straight from the saddle after a long day. Pillion (5'2" size 8) hated it at anything above 90kph - too much buffeting. I need to get that sorted out.
5) No maintenance. I checked oil and tyre pressures but nothing needed. I don't monitor mpg but I was getting about 180miles on each tankful and refuelling at the 40 miles to go mark.
6) Navigator IV was a bit of a joke. Apart from the strangulated Franglais accent, the maps and routing were off. Maps seemed out of date even though I downloaded an update just two weeks ago. Many new traffic flows - junctions and roundabouts - were not known to the map, but it was pretty obvious that they had been is use for many months or years. A63 between Bordeaux and Biarritz had been open for 3 months but not on the map. Routing was pretty poor too - some very weird diversions on minor roads, and a footpath in one case, for no real obvious reason. Positioning was frequently off - telling me to turn in 100m when it fact the turn was only about 5m away. I missed quite a few turns like this - very annoying.
7) Lights are awesome! I have the BMW spots as well as the main beam and rode two evening sessions. Best ever. Turned a lot of heads in the ferry when we started engines to get off. Very bright and white and lots of it.
8) ESA and suspension worked fine. Played with it a bit but in the end left it on Rain mode, Comfort and 2-up.
9) Indicator switch! Sorry to be boring but I prefer BMW old-style. But even with standard switch the position is not right for the thumb - or do German test riders have extra long thumbs. And the feel is not as positive as it should be.
10) Cruise control. Fantastic - first I've ever had but it makes a real difference. Now something I won't live without. I'll ignore the oldie's comments about FBW and using old catgut or panties for throttle cables for this.
Didn't meet or see any other new ones but got a few questions at fuel stops and ferries. My response every time "Awesome, loving it, no regrets, get one if you can."
I find that I ride this GS much faster than my others, as it encourages you to.
Whenever I'm out with my mate on his 600 Fazer, I have to keep hanging around waiting for him.
We were near Cirencester yesterday, and wanted to go to Broadway (also in the Cotswolds), and the Nav didn't recognise it, trying to send us 90 miles away to Somerset, not 20 miles up the road to the place we wanted to go to.
