Never ridden a BM but might be tempted

[SteelD]

I've always fancied a BM. I've got a milestone birthday coming up next year and I'll probably buy my first and last new bike. I ride a Yam FJR1300 at present and very nice it is too apart from quality of finish in some areas.

I use my bike mostly for commuting (15 miles each way), the occasional longer ride (50 miles) and the odd trip out with the wife.

So, my thinking is "do I go for a new FJR1300AE next year or a K1200GT that looks quite tasty". Then I thought that my use really doesn't warrant a big sport tourer and I wonder whether I should go for something a little interesting. My thoughts turned to the Yamaha MT-01, a stonking 1700 that looks great and is fun to ride (but no weather protection and no shaft drive - yes, I hate chains). Then I keep coming back to the R1200GS because so many places reckon that it's a great all-rounder. It's a BM and it's a shaftie so that must be good. Then again, I hear stories that finish isn't as good as it used to be and that boxer reliability isn't that good either. Oh dear - what do I do?

So, I'm going to pose some questions for you good people here - like whether the little fairing and screen actually do anything and whether those big cyclinders also protect your legs a bit. Oh, and with all that engine exposed, is it a s*d to clean?

What I am looking for is an all-weather commuter that can cope with longer journeys and having the wife on the back from time-to-time but still make me grin after riding it. Though I've got a few months before I make the change, I plan way ahead and that will allow me to gather some informaed opinion and get some test rides in.

Thanks

David

 

[Red Devil]

Hi david,

I hear what you're saying and understand why you want to make the right choice. After all, these BM's ARE bloody expensive!

I bought my 55' reg 1200GS last September and am over the moon with it. The build quality and paint finish are excellent and it's the most sure-footed bike I've ever ridden.

Comfort-wise, it's great for both rider and pillion and I ride my bike with my wife on more often than not. In the past she's had to suffer on the back of my 99' Daytona 955i, my 02' Speed-Triple and lastly my 03' CBR600RR!! she says that the GS is by far the best from her point of view.

The tank range is good (200miles 2-up) and the screen is good for me (I'm 5 foot 10 inches tall) the screen is adjustable and has about 6 different settings to allow for differing rider height.

I'm very impressed with the rider display, as it has 2 trip meters, a clock, automatic illumination and an accurate fuel guage. The best bit is, when the fuel gets low (about 45 miles worth) the odometer changes to display the fuel range left in the tank... excellent!!

My only niggle (and it's a very small one) is that the bike in general is a bit fiddly to clean. Probably no more so than a sportsbike, but it's just more visible on the GS. However, with a bottle of 'Muc-Off' and a garden hose, it's a pretty straight-forward job. The engine and frame etc is so well painted that the dirt cannot really get a good 'purchase'

The bottom line is... I wouldn't change my GS for any other bike at all.

I hope this helps and if you want any other info, just ask!!!

All the best, Red-Devil.

 

[motobiker]

welcome david.


Bite the bullet... book a long test ride.



then mull it over


Don't be put off by the tales of woe... the silent majority shouts loudest.



.

 

[dirtydog]

Hi david,

I hear what you're saying and understand why you want to make the right choice. After all, these BM's ARE bloody expensive!

I bought my 55' reg 1200GS last September and am over the moon with it. The build quality and paint finish are excellent and it's the most sure-footed bike I've ever ridden.

Comfort-wise, it's great for both rider and pillion and I ride my bike with my wife on more often than not. In the past she's had to suffer on the back of my 99' Daytona 955i, my 02' Speed-Triple and lastly my 03' CBR600RR!! she says that the GS is by far the best from her point of view.

The tank range is good (200miles 2-up) and the screen is good for me (I'm 5 foot 10 inches tall) the screen is adjustable and has about 6 different settings to allow for differing rider height.

I'm very impressed with the rider display, as it has 2 trip meters, a clock, automatic illumination and an accurate fuel guage. The best bit is, when the fuel gets low (about 45 miles worth) the odometer changes to display the fuel range left in the tank... excellent!!

My only niggle (and it's a very small one) is that the bike in general is a bit fiddly to clean. Probably no more so than a sportsbike, but it's just more visible on the GS. However, with a bottle of 'Muc-Off' and a garden hose, it's a pretty straight-forward job. The engine and frame etc is so well painted that the dirt cannot really get a good 'purchase'

The bottom line is... I wouldn't change my GS for any other bike at all.

I hope this helps and if you want any other info, just ask!!!

All the best, Red-Devil.

Ahh, a breath of fresh air

Enjoy

 

[Twotter]

What I am looking for is an all-weather commuter that can cope with longer journeys and having the wife on the back from time-to-time but still make me grin after riding it.

Keep the FJR, buy an MX-5 and then don't let your missus wear any underwear when you take her out in it - everyone's a winner

 

[Mr K]

Take a test-ride...

They're a doddle to clean....if you have the right sized tooth-brushes..

Welcome to hell (in advance)

 

[GrinningGSer]

So, I'm going to pose some questions for you good people here - like whether the little fairing and screen actually do anything and whether those big cyclinders also protect your legs a bit. Oh, and with all that engine exposed, is it a s*d to clean?

What I am looking for is an all-weather commuter that can cope with longer journeys and having the wife on the back from time-to-time but still make me grin after riding it.
Thanks
David

Love my 1200GS... but

I do'nt think that the little fairing does much at all. The larger Secdem screen is a huge improvement ( I am 6ft 2") and I have just ordered the little extra deflectors that the new GSA has and will try those next week

I find the bike very easy to clean indeed

Fantastic handling, very sure footed , gives me huge grins every time I ride it. but it is NOT a comfortable high speed motorway cruiser. OK below 60, but but anything faster can become very tiring IMHO. Good pillion comfort also

 

[NeverRodeBefore]

I like mine, never had anything else, and don't think I ever will

I picked mine up second hand (about three months old) from Rainbow in Rotherham. The first owner got a full refund on his purchase as the rear shock failed during his holiday... Bad luck for him, but good for me as I got it with less than 1800 miles on it and a grand off list price!

Perfect bike for an inexperienced learner type like myself... The power delivery isn't in sports bike territory but it can hustle out of a corner or round an obstruction or something when needs be.

The linked brakes are good (from a safety point of view) as is the ABS, which I hope I never have to try.

I might change to a new one when the warrenty runs out tho

 

[Yoda]

David,

I ran an FJR1300 for a couple of years, then moved to an '04 12GS and am now on an '06 12GS.

The only reason for my change from the FJR was that my daily commute changed from motorway and 'A' roads to a series of country lanes. As I ride right through the year I found I was having too many brown-underwear moments on the FJR down those lanes during the wet-and-greasy months. With the continuing decline in the general state of the UK road surfaces the GS is IMHO just the perfect all-rounder.

My riding style has changed and, whilst I miss the incredible power and acceleration of the FJR, I now look for and enjoy grotty little lanes to poodle down in the middle of winter. But the chamelon machine will then hang in there with most of the power-ranger brigade.

The wind protection on the GS isn't quite as good as the FJR, but a taller Secdem/Nippy Norman screen makes a huge difference.

The 12GS has a 6-speed box, so I no longer spend my time looking for a further gear.

The FJR is a fantastic bike and, in an ideal world I'd have one sitting in the garage next to the GS. I don't know if you inhabit and of the FJR forums, but it's quite enlightening how many FJR pilots also run a GS.

As stated earlier, the best thing would be for an extended test run.

 

[Devon]

Hi SteelD. I had my FJR for 4 years before I switched to the GS. These are 2 very different M/cs and in an ideal world owning both would be perfect.
There are issues with the reliability for the GS for some of us: the BMW aftercare service is excellent (IMHO) and, to a degree, makes up for the small problems I've had with my GS. Asking around, BMW seem to be sorting out the GS's problems.
At the end of the day, as much as I enjoyed my FJR, there is a 1200GS in my garage: nuff said

 

[The Burpster]

Take long test ride....

Unless you fall for it in the first 5 miles like I did take it for several hours, my best mate rode mine (died in teh wool Jap biker) and stated afterwards " If I hadnt seen what it can do in your hands, I would not believe it was possible to ride it like that" he didnt like the gearbox or the torque, or teh riding position. That was on a Spain/Portugal trip last year I had to keep stopping for his Honda to fill up, and No he could not keep up with me and I was not riding anywhere near as hard as I used to ride teh R1100S I had before. The Bike was capable of going quicker on that trip but I was bouncing along listening to my iPod, they still couldnt keep up.

Dont have a short test ride as you may not instantly like it.... Odd indicators etc..... but once you are used to it (50 miles plus), even if you have a hint of fancying her before you ride her......YOU'LL BE HOOKED!

I have not ridden a better all round bike in 25years (and oh boy have I tried a few)..... When I can afford it I will buy my 1100s back of the mate I sold it to, because I just love that bike. However it is by no means an "all rounder".

The other sad thing about BMWs is teh expandabilty of teh beast once you have bought it.... teh options list is as broad as it is expensive and now teh GSA is out you can retro fit even more bits......

Try it you know you want to!

 

[nick]

My thoughts turned to the Yamaha MT-01, a stonking 1700 that looks great and is fun to ride ......

I ride a 1200 GS, but took a Yamaha MT-01 for a test ride a couple of weeks ago. What a riot. That motor feels like it will create folds in the tarmac there is so much torque, and the pops and bangs from the exhaust as you close the throttle are totally adictive - I have never known a bike with standard exhausts sound like that.

... but ... it wasn't as comfortable or as stable in corners as a GS. I definitely wouldn't consider touring on one !

 

[SteelD]

Great to get feedback from FJR riders. I like my FJR and probably don't use all the power it has to offer. I thought it was big and heavy at first but I've got used to it. I used to ride bikes when younger and the best I had then was a Honda 400/4. On my return to bikes about 4 years ago, I got a Fazer 600 which was really great but the chain oiler made the read end mucky so quickly and it didn't like tootling around in town requiring lots of gear-changing.

I toyed with the idea of a BMW twin to replace the Fazer. It's because I believed that only a twin could offer me the low-down torque and flexibility I was looking for and give the excitement of a snappy response when cracking the throttle open. This is what I experienced when riding a friend's XS650 back in 1978. So, it came as a surprise to me when I tried the FJR to find that, for a four, it was torquey and flexible in the lower gears. I like the fairing on the FJR as it affords a good degree of weather protection when it is wet and cold. Equally, it's a curse when the weather is baking hot and I can't get enough cooling breeze over my body.

My daily commute is part motorway and part country road. My company is moving later this year and my commute will be 100% fast A-road. However, I am not obsessed with speed or fast cornering, just practicality and all-round enjoyment. I'd love a K1200GT but for somebody whose touring is mostly a 'one day I'll get round to it' notion, it is probably a waste and more of a burden in town. This is what I liked about the MT-01 - for all it's size, it felt a lot easier to flick around than the FJR, more like my old Fazer 600 than the FJR. And it would go when the throttle was cracked open. If only it had a decent pillion seat and shaft drive...

This is why I am toying with the idea of a GS. It might be an ideal compromise bike for me. I suppose I had better book a test ride and that should soon tell me whether I should consider this further or knock it on the head.

Like a couple of posters have said, maybe I need both an FJR and a GS. Unfortunately, I can only justify one bike (unless I can persuade my wife to take up biking...)

David

 

[Blue Spider]

I'd never thought of a Beemer. I had a Triumph 595 (horribly tuned 30 MPH was impossible to keep down to 160 MPH tooo possible to get up to) . Swapped it for a 1200 Sportster Hardley Worthitson (everyone should try one just so's you know how CRAP they are )

It had to go - it went rusty after 1 damp session, had no cornering capability at all, rear seat like a thinly padded razor blade, image etc etc.

Test drove an R1100S at Pidcocks - that felt like the Triumph but a bit slower didn't really like it . Tried the demo R1200GS and was instantly hooked . Let the ride decide is what BMW say - go try one. you know it makes sense!

 

[Deleted Member I]

Go test one and see if it meets your expectations.

It's hard to tell what you want from "all weather" protection. For me .. my aerostich does all that.

I'd always wanted a GS and now I got one ... it's great (although I sometimes wish I had a ducati monster).

As for going anywhere, the thing is great. I use mine mainly for holidays and trips. There are so many accessories available for making it fit you that you should not judge the bike on the standard items. See if you can find a second hand one with some accessories on it to test.

DON'T BUY NEW .. unless you don't care about depreciation. Buying a decent second hand one (with some accessories you might want already fitted). Remember if you get accessories on the bike you don't want .. you can always sell it! The stuff always sell like hot cakes.

After you bought one ... you are going to get a load of tossers telling you why you should have bought a 1100 or 1500 or an adventure instead. They are just misguided folk.