New to BMW and GS

[texnbill]

Greetings from Texas,USA..AS a Harley rider for several years. I happened apon the BMW website the other day and fell in Love with the R1150GS adventure.. Awsome looking machine. I would like to know what can a man expect from a bike such as this?. I ride daily to and from work (35 miles each way) sorry not sure about km's. How comfortable is this bike for a daily rider?.My current bike is a 883 Sportster. Previous bike was a 1100 Shadow.Loved both. But after seeing the info on BMW and loking at new HArley prices i thought why not have a bike that can do it all..And can this bike do it all as they say and go from pavement to the trails? Also anyon have any ide what kinda differences I can expect from going to this machine from a cruisser like a SPortster. Any info would be greatly appreciated..
Thx in advance for any info or suggestions.
Bill
Midlothian,Texas USA

 

[Big Lee]

The best advice I can give is try one if you haven`t already! It`ll be a lot better than a Harley for starters



Lee

 

[ELIMINATOR]

I've test ridden an old 1200 sportster & the latest one, before settling on an 1150GS. Suspension is far far better, I haven't ground any BMW bits on the tarmac, did it on the Harley without trying.
The height advantage on the GS is better, see further, be seen from further.
Can go off road on a GS, WON'T EVEN COMPLETE THAT SENTENCE

Still has its down points, finish not as good as I expected it to be

 

[Davel]

Hi

I don't think that you'll find a better bike to commute on.

I use mine daily, except in snow and ice, and find it excellent on all roads and in all conditions.

 

[Mel]

Hi Texnbill - it's true what they say about the GS - it can do 'almost' anything. I commute 100 miles per day - 70 on Motorway(Freeway?) - 20 on winding narrow paved roads and about 10 miles on a dusty/muddy, gravel strewn rutted trail. It's mad - and priceless!

Here's a suggestion - why don't you send me an airline ticket to Texas and I can show you what I mean? Or alternatively you are welcome to drop in to the old farmhouse and you can take the (red - must be red) beast for a spin.

Mel

 

[Gecko]

GS's are no good for Texans - their heads are too big and that alters the centre of gravity something wicked and really screws up the handling Stick with a Harley if I was you mate

 

[Piggers]

HD to BMW

HD to BMW..
Possibly the only change to a BMW where the gearbox will appear to be smoother.......Clunk........

 

[texnbill]

Thanks to you all. Now I just gotta have one. Actually the Red was the color I was looking at. I am not sure about Texans having big heads..LOL
Hey what do you guys have to pay these days for fuel? Over in GB.
The States here is $2.85 a gallon. Which I think is 3.8 liters.
Oh thanks for the invite, maybe one of these days I can make it over there.
Thanks Again
Bill

 

[Lord Snooty]

Tex, you don't wanna know the cost of gas over here it is just too scary....oh go on then, depending on where you buy but on average it is around £4.50 ($8) an imperial gallon (4.5litres).

Go for the GS mate, I've got a Sportster as well and believe me when it comes to serious riding the GS is the one, comfort, handling, and a boatload of fun.

What part of Texas are you from, I've got a good friend in the UK from San Antonio, he's always giving me stickers, flags and stuff with "Don't Mess With Texas" on.

 

[North]

Hi texnbill

For the last couple of a years I have been saving up to buy a Harley. I never in a million years thought I would ever own a BMW. I first saw the Adventure about a year and a half ago and starting thinking about BMWs.

I took a 1200 GS out for a ride in May and it felt strange, what with sitting on top of the bike, just like a dirt bike. Riding a Harley you ride more in the bike, which is what to me is a street bike ride.

It was a hard decision but, I bought the 1200 GS and have not looked back. The bike is just a blast to ride. (It did take a couple of days to get to know the bike.)

My parking lot at work looks like a Harley dealership. A lot of really nice looking showroom bikes. I look at my BMW (which gives me a big smile) and I see a well engineered machine that was made to ride first and the looks show that.




North

 

[texnbill]

Snooty Yikes on the fuel cost!!!..I have been trying to tell people here that, yeah it has gotten alot more expensive, but it is still not like it is in Europe. I still remember what it was when I was stationed in Germany back in 1984. I live here in a suburb of Dallas. I work for our local transit system here as a mechanic. I know what you mean about the parking lot being full of Harley's..Now I haven't had any problems with the Harley but I lacks any form of refinement. OH and try and pay for the service on a Harley. I call them crooks with out the guns. And you have to be real careful that the engine upgrades and excessories they sell you doesn't VOID the warranty.
Anyway, I am going buy tomorrow for a test ride at the dealer. He said he has a 1150 left and several 1200's. But the 1150 is not the adventure..Whats the difference between the 1150 and the 1150 Adventure?..Just luggage and engine guard?...Thx Gents
Take Care
Bill

 

[nadeem]

Bill, the 1150 adventure has a lot more...bigger fuel tank, etc and is the bike to go for if you're goin' the 1150 route...the 1200 is more powerful and the latest model but the adventure is still a great bike...

 

[riverking]

Hi Bill,

When comparing the Adventure to the standard GS, you have to bear in mind that the average Adventure rider is VERY heavy.Because of this, they have poor fuel economy hence a (much) larger fuel tank is required.
Due the combined weight of rider and extra fuel, the suspension is uprated, the ground clearance is superior (prior to loading with rider and extra fuel of course), and a low ratio first gear is fitted to 'get the lard in motion' as we say in Europe.

You will enjoy either version.

Take care,

Steve (slimjim) Riverking

 

[Cookson]

Hi Bill,

When comparing the Adventure to the standard GS, you have to bear in mind that the average Adventure rider is VERY heavy.Because of this, they have poor fuel economy hence a (much) larger fuel tank is required.
Due the combined weight of rider and extra fuel, the suspension is uprated, the ground clearance is superior (prior to loading with rider and extra fuel of course), and a low ratio first gear is fitted to 'get the lard in motion' as we say in Europe.

You will enjoy either version.

Take care,

Steve (slimjim) Riverking

Oh no I lost 1.5 stone in the last year I'm now under 13 stone. Does that mean I can't have an Adventure now.

Damn it. Better get on the Guiness quick.

 

[texnbill]

WOW!

I went by the dealer yesterday. Dang i knew I should not go. I was was truley impressed. Everything you gents said was true. AWSOME!..I got to ride a 1200GS and a 1200RT.. i did get to see a 1150GS and sit on it but could not ride it. Both the 12's was much more than i even expected. A few things I noticed though..The GS seems to have small pegs..easily replaced though.
Love the POWER!..The clutch will take a little getting used to. Really much more comfy than it looks. I was not sure how the peg location would feel like after being used to a cruiser position with my feet forward. But it was great. kinda natural position. Any thoughts on the wire or cast wheels? I liked the looks of the wire the best but the cast were ok too. And how are the factory panniers?.

The 1200Rt was great also. But I am not that into the touring bikes. I like the idea of the GS being able to do much more. Now I guess i gotta sell my Sporty. Because now I HAVE TO HAVE A 1200GS. Thanks Mates
Bill

Oh, not to sound stupid but how much is a stone??weight?
I have never heard the term.
Thx

 

[CoolCarbon]

Oh, not to sound stupid but how much is a stone??weight?
I have never heard the term.
Thx

14 of our British pounds......

CC

 

[North]

Quote:
Originally Posted by texnbill
Oh, not to sound stupid but how much is a stone??weight?
I have never heard the term.
Thx

14 of our British pounds......


An Imperial and an America pound are the same, although an Imperial gallon is 1/5 larger than the America gallon.

The "stone" weight measure is not in common use in North America, but it is known of. (Well at least in Canada. )

North