steve sheene
Registered user
HI ALL I AM THINKING ABOUT BUYING THE GS1200ADVENTURER ANY TIPS ON WHAT TO LOOK FOR AND WHAT PROBLEMS DO THEY GET MANY THANKS STEVE
NEW HERE HI
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Hello
Hi welcome to the forum, have a search through the 1200 section to understand some of the possible issues. First though I suggest you book a test ride at your local dealer and make sure it is the bike for you
Hi welcome to the forum, have a search through the 1200 section to understand some of the possible issues. First though I suggest you book a test ride at your local dealer and make sure it is the bike for you
Kintessack GSr
Registered user
Just buy it. They are bullet proof! 
Long test ride needed. Half an hour will possibly leave you scratching your head. It rides very differently to most other bikes (not sure if you have ridden a paralever set up before?) so needs a few hours to gel. And test both the standard GS and the ADV before stumping up cash. Subtle differences
All the best...oh and welcome
All the best...oh and welcome
Georgeeboi
Registered user
Hi, I've come from sports bikes and test rode the GS and GSA TWICE for a few hours each time I chose the GS as it was lighter and felt more nimble especially coming from sports, I'm not sure of which bike background you have but have a good ride on both and don't forget the GSA is taller and heavier, good luck.
steve sheene
Registered user
HI Thanks yes i will book a test ride next week i will try the gs and the gsa i have had sports bikes off road bikes old twostrokes and touring bikes but never any Bmw i just love the look of the Gsa but it might be a little to big for me we will see next week many thanks Steve
Country Bumpkin
Registered user
Tips
Steve
My top tip would be don't spend too long reading threads in the 1200 section of this site. The number of people commenting on things that have gone wrong far outweigh the number of those who reports fault free bikes.
ALL bikes have good points and not so good points. Don't let the horror stories of others put you off.
Good luck with the bike search.
CB
Steve
My top tip would be don't spend too long reading threads in the 1200 section of this site. The number of people commenting on things that have gone wrong far outweigh the number of those who reports fault free bikes.
ALL bikes have good points and not so good points. Don't let the horror stories of others put you off.
Good luck with the bike search.
CB
I would say buy the newest bike you can afford.
Loads of horror stories and some problems do persist with latest models, servicing is quite pricey and labour rates at Franchised dealers is scary if your used to Jap bikes.
Regardless of how reliable these bikes are / are not the problems have definately decreased over the years with major revamps for 2008 and 2010.
Although many would argue any earlier bike should have had all of the common faults resolved by now.
Long test ride definately worthwhile, they ride quite differently from "normal" bikes and need large handfuls of throttle to really go as they have a very linear response as opposed to taking of on a whiff of throttle like Jap sportsbikes.
Take to some B roads and country lanes, this is where these types of bikes really become fun, and even though I no longer have a GS I bought a Tenere so I can still enjoy the relatively deserted back lanes - little traffic, little policing, few camera's and no need to double the national limit to enjoy the bike.
If reliability does worry you it is possible to extend the BMW warranty for many years at @ £300 a year, has an excess and won't cover little items such as sensors and heated grips, but removes any worry about big ticket items.
Loads of horror stories and some problems do persist with latest models, servicing is quite pricey and labour rates at Franchised dealers is scary if your used to Jap bikes.
Regardless of how reliable these bikes are / are not the problems have definately decreased over the years with major revamps for 2008 and 2010.
Although many would argue any earlier bike should have had all of the common faults resolved by now.
Long test ride definately worthwhile, they ride quite differently from "normal" bikes and need large handfuls of throttle to really go as they have a very linear response as opposed to taking of on a whiff of throttle like Jap sportsbikes.
Take to some B roads and country lanes, this is where these types of bikes really become fun, and even though I no longer have a GS I bought a Tenere so I can still enjoy the relatively deserted back lanes - little traffic, little policing, few camera's and no need to double the national limit to enjoy the bike.
If reliability does worry you it is possible to extend the BMW warranty for many years at @ £300 a year, has an excess and won't cover little items such as sensors and heated grips, but removes any worry about big ticket items.
steve sheene
Registered user
HISteve
My top tip would be don't spend too long reading threads in the 1200 section of this site. The number of people commenting on things that have gone wrong far outweigh the number of those who reports fault free bikes.
ALL bikes have good points and not so good points. Don't let the horror stories of others put you off.
Good luck with the bike search.
CB
Thanks i think if you read any site you would never buy any bike i do like the look of the gsa so will be booking a test ride for next weekend that is the best way to go so i will let you know how i get on thanks for all the helpHI Thanks yes i will book a test ride next week i will try the gs and the gsa i have had sports bikes off road bikes old twostrokes and touring bikes but never any Bmw i just love the look of the Gsa but it might be a little to big for me we will see next week many thanks Steve
If you're not a big bloke I'd definitely go for the vanilla GS. For starters it's the better bike. If you want to pose fair enough but a small bloke on a GSA doesnt look right
Welcome to the site. I dont know what your budget is but in 2010 they changed to a twin cam cylinder head which improved the engine. As well as comparing GS and GSA, check out the difference between the 2 motors and see what you think.
I was going to buy an older GS but after trying all the permutations decided on a new GSA (last year). Love it, just back from a France trip and it didnt miss a beat. One day did 270 miles in torrential rain, very planted and safe in the wet, good weather protection and 300+mile range.
I was going to buy an older GS but after trying all the permutations decided on a new GSA (last year). Love it, just back from a France trip and it didnt miss a beat. One day did 270 miles in torrential rain, very planted and safe in the wet, good weather protection and 300+mile range.
steve sheene
Registered user
And probably not touch the floor either
HI We will see i will know if it is not for me i wont just buy one for the sake of it they are a lot of cash it has to be right
As Rasher suggests give it a good long test ride as they take some getting use to. Don't expect sports bike performance - use the torque and short shift to get the most out of the engine. The bikes better on slower corners so I would seek out the twistest roads you can. It handles really well but may seem a bit dull on fast A roads.
Shep
Shep of the Dessert
I've had both and prefer the feel of the GSA, solid, very planted it feels like your sitting in it rather than on it, height could be an issue but i managed with the standard seat on its lowest setting, i'm 5' 10" with short legs.
The gsa is much better at fast touring especially two up, extra ground clearance can be usefull, and the bigger fuel tank means you ride past more service stations.
The GS just wins on handling and braking but only when your really pushing hard, the rest of the time you might find the front end a little vague, you will get used to it, but unless you ride on the limits most of the time the GSA wins IMO
Just my thoughts others may not agree of course
The gsa is much better at fast touring especially two up, extra ground clearance can be usefull, and the bigger fuel tank means you ride past more service stations.
The GS just wins on handling and braking but only when your really pushing hard, the rest of the time you might find the front end a little vague, you will get used to it, but unless you ride on the limits most of the time the GSA wins IMO
Just my thoughts others may not agree of course
steve sheene
Registered user
Booked a test ride for the weekend so i will see how i get on
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