Looking at a1250GS tomorrow...

[Harvey Mushman]

Afternoon all...

Going to look a a very low mileage R1250GS tomorrow. Wasn't thinking of changing until saw a 2021 with only 8000kms up. Its at an indy dealer that I've purchased from before and was a demo bike.

Wondering if anyone has gone from the F850GSA to the R1250GS?

Or anything I should look out for?
Thanks.

 

[Keef Cambs]

I went from a 2021 GS 850 to a 1250 TE - main difference is the change in seat height I can get both feet nearly flat on the floor makes it stable - your feel the pull especially 2 up - comfort better plus 2 seats - I also put bar back raisers on mine so when you have it on cruise control at 90 mph - you’re relaxed - change the front screen for a higher one - just done 3,000 miles spain and back smashed it - wind rain and 34 degree heat all good - enjoy

 

[Harvey Mushman]

Thanks for the reply. Very helpful.

Weather protection is great on the 850gsa I have. Any comments on the 1250 in this regard? Have the 850gsa 11 months now, mostly 2up nearly 16k done in that time... Not noticed a lack of power to be fair. But only have the 800gs and 650gs thumper before that to compare with.

It's a lot of money to change. 9k€ plus my own. both are 3 year old bikes and mine just tripped over 32000kms on my France trip (only back this morning). Still tempted though. First obstacle is to see if I can fit it down the alley of my house....

 

[ikkje]

Hmmm, I’ve not had an 850GSA, but I did change frome a 1200GS to a 1250 recently and ….. there are those who say there’s not much difference, but my experience is that they’re chalk and cheese. The 1250 is simply an all round brilliant package and my only real negative, is that its a lardy old thing to manhandle around. (so says the sparrow legged and very unfit weakling). All down to what you hope for out of the new bike, but so far I’ve done most of the Wild Atlantic Way, trickled it through tiny lanes in the Yorkshire Dales and it takes it all in its stride, before allowing you to blast down a motorway for a couple of hours in comfort. Talking of which, I have put a GSA screen on mine and height wise, that works for me. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[Derekjhutton]

Get it bought, you’re unlikely to have any regrets. My good lady is 5ft 10 and rides an 850 and manages my 1250gsa with a bit of care where she stops due to being paranoid that grit,wet lines or a bit of a slope could be her nemesis. All in her head and it’s got bars at every corner to cushion any fall.
You’ll love the 1250, totally hides it’s size once moving.

 

[Pepsi]

Why do you need a heavier, more powerful bike than what you currently have? You say yourself, it’s a lot of money to change, €9k, so if you’ve enjoyed your current bike as much as you obviously have why not keep it? Your bike won’t self destruct just because it’s done 16000 miles!
Unless you’ve got €9k burning a hole in your pocket and you’re itching to spend it, keep what you currently have.

 

[Harvey Mushman]

Lots to think about and good info in the replies. Thanks folks.

Rode the bike solo to home about 30 mins...
It's a different bike alright. So most of the trip was just trying to get used to a different bike. Didnt think it was a massively more refined bike than i have. Better for sure, but 9k better?
Was able to flat foot both feet easily compared to a bit on balls of feet on 850GSA. But felt more cramped and knees were more angled. Remembered the seat is adjustable so pulled over. Google check on how to raise seat and brought it up. Now on balls of feet and handlebars feel a bit low. Bar risers would be needed. Power is very noticable. Screen isn't great. Got home...

Then checked if it would fit in. It does. Barely. Bit of a struggle but it fits. No engine bars fitted, it would not get in if they were.
Much easier to manage around the yard and got it into the shed in 1 easy movement. (Any bike needs to be reversed in by hand off the bike).
Mrs M accompanied me back to seller. I Found it much more comfy when 2 up. She loved it.


Told him I needed to think it over and will give him a call tomorrow. As i type this, I'm none the wiser....

Mine will be a 50-60k kms bike this time next year. This would be a 20k kms. And 9k€.
But if I want a 1250 in my future I'm going to have to fork up cash at some point. Arrggghhh.

 

[littleade]

Wife loves it = buy it

If you do take the plunge have a look at MachineArt X heads to protect the cylinder heads

 

[steve hughes]

On decisions like this eg when faced with a bargain or a suprised offer. I ask myself “ did I wake up this morning thinking I really want an XYZ?” Usually its no ! I find it a good way of determining heart over head decisions before I make them.

Reading your preamble if you were saying

“I just returned from a Euro tour and I felt the 850 was struggling to cope”……….but you didnt. Last point is , do your personal finances allow you to buy it without any sacrifices? If not and you want it buy it!

 

[Bem]

If you regularly take an important passenger, esp on longer trips then just get it and be done.
You will thank me.
Or not.

 

[littleade]

On decisions like this eg when faced with a bargain or a suprised offer. I ask myself “ did I wake up this morning thinking I really want an XYZ?” Usually its no ! I find it a good way of determining heart over head decisions before I make them.

Reading your preamble if you were saying

“I just returned from a Euro tour and I felt the 850 was struggling to cope”……….but you didnt. Last point is , do your personal finances allow you to buy it without any sacrifices? If not and you want it buy it!

This is about a motorcycle so the above rules do not apply

 

[Harvey Mushman]

Well.. looks like I'll be collecting it Saturday.

Aggghhhhhh!

Hope this works out.
Already looking at farkles for it..

 

[Harvey Mushman]

Deed is done...

Ooops....

She is a TE spec that seems to have had every option ticked. I can't see anything missing other than spoked wheels.
Went for a short spin yesterday. About 160kms. Getting more comfortable with it already. It is a better bike for sure but I still need to get used to the change. Mrs M loves it already...

Couple of things I'd like to change alright. Givi rack for my existing V58 box is already on the way.
Will need GSA scaffolding for my hard panniers that I've kept from last bike.

Priority now is cylinder head protectors, I've already scratched one getting in the gate. The Machine Art X heads look like exactly what I need but can't find from an EU seller, apparently only Nippy Normans for all of Europe. (So brexit taxes...) Yet other UK sellers also have them?

Will need bar risers for sure. But 25mm will probably be plenty.

I'm still trying out the seat heights. Low is a bit low for feet on pegs and high is a bit high for feet on ground .

Will hold off on screen for now, but fancy a smoked one, maybe from a GSA? Would this be a good idea?

She has a form of a mudsling so not sure if I need an aftermarket one here. It does seem to cover the spring completely. Will get a front mudguard extender though, judging by the cow shit on the front of the engine yesterday.

More to follow as we get it...

 

[Gavla04GS]

What a fine example, here’s to plenty of happy miles ahead for you & Mrs M.
GSA screen seems a well trodden option, seats are a trial and error but a ‘cool cover’ is an easy and beneficial addition.
All these subjects are well covered by the more-learned here. Looking forward to hearing the progress.

 

[HGS]

Just an experience I had with the Machine Art head covers....they look great and from a stationary drop, they do protect the heads, but the rubber seal transfers a black line onto the heads. I spoke to MA and they say itis because of the heat transfer and it'll polish out. It didn't so I left them on the bike when I swapped last time

I got the 25mm BMW risers and for me they put my arms in a perfect position

I got a GSA screen and it works for me. Also got a Puig add on flip thing which goes on for long trips. Get a perfectly still area of air around my head....just have to stick my head out of the bubble to get the rain to run off

Front guard extender is a must. I got one from M&P which is exactly the same as the Machine Art one without the logo for under 20 quid

 

[Harvey Mushman]

HGS, Got a link for the extender?

 

[HGS]

I will have a look
Was 3 + years ago....bought another as spare

 

[HGS]

Just had a look through my orders of ebay
M&P don't do them now
I bought the second one off one of the generic sellers and it was exactly the same
The seller I bought the 2nd one off is no longer a seller

Pick any one, they are all the same or very near, always got your ebay money back protection, and they are cheaper now. The M&P one was £18, the second one £14.16

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374314724834?chn=ps&_ul=GB&mkevt=1&mkcid=28

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394305419571?_skw=r1250+front+extender&itmmeta=01J8M05TT7GN99RQCR0R0FKK8G&hash=item5bce6f3933:g:GqkAAOSwn-hjWNSu&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx+KZ9MfhVJKnSFqZi6tGNl91JAALiLq6dY7DKnbAU8DwAj4laqUc79Sh4OGzL7gXly2GTrZ1UMbzNRSz0rTFVxRK6N+6VDVhBdIyYT4BMj3eIlORY2bJ54TKr/MvNcJ3E5i6XHMR4PLGoExV5GWUlskhhw4N0tshAb09AdiCix5fp5lQcr5qqHkgzZxtcpLMknK2Sivr4XFmUfKLCPA54rJ11AFJ+vicvjFiMEkKaTQBwKzXJaWYodywCeIeLOGu798qgbtfHLbnegsH6RNt5aAQs4wlgbG5ETaaPaPv28uj6vIfU3IGZ2g==|tkp:BFBMmK2XgMVk

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235597676592?_skw=r1250+front+extender&itmmeta=01J8M05TT7CDMRK6K6Y64JJWM6&hash=item36dab74030:g:R3UAAOSwkCRmYrQZ&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx+KZ9MfhVJKkSNa1YTcqBRFkjnibmuTr2vzStu+k6Nc6eTZE7XFFQiedxztdksgx34cZl5Lg1yAYv0Qju3sGKB0qQpLi0ruk3xsyD80zwC5nhTmF7+gwQ74ZVw2vbet/MmiJYByCY5envZPH+SPVLg3ANz0xC47yq5aIYS5Lh9P6feblwl3Xyt+zxFNt2ll651jIKHa1FGL6tL9gcp9kkx98ae6NdNZES6SAp1Vlfb1EZUfjyyZOgtJ2z35X3mLvyXhfzuPthaTgi+CUMxJiDRj5+i9i2BNwNEMazNggRIrlqhMo6ogRpLg==|tkp:BFBMmK2XgMVk

This one on mine has done 13500 miles, rock solid and matches the OE front guard. I cut a piece of helicopter tape to the shape where the 2 pieces of plastic touch just to stop any marking but to be honest, I will probably leave it on should the bike go

Takes 2 minutes to take off for any cleaning

 

[Harvey Mushman]

I'll be putting a few F850GSA aftermarket bits up for sale soon. As soon as I get photos sorted. Looking for a set of GSA pillion peg brackets if anyone has any going spare..... Need them to put the scaffolding on...