New to the GS

[sven]

Try a late Twin cam against an early WC and see which you prefer. Arguably the TC is the last 'proper' GS whilst the WC is a bit of a Mulitstrada clone (only joking)

Which is exactly why I love mine - it's in a completely different league to the older GS's - it's like a big supermoto and feels a helluva lot quicker

 

[Toddmeister]

I owned a 2011 Triple Black and traded it in for a 2013 LC - never once regretted that decision.

 

[Nutty]

Some people have had the LC, and have had problems (ding dong), so are understandably wary of advising people to get one. Others have just decided that the latest GS is a bag of crap just from what they read on here.

I'm on my third LC GS, and haven't had any issues whatsoever on the latest two. The first one had a manufacturing error with the forks, so was replaced by BMW, but there were no issues with the gearbox or any other issues mentioned on the forum on that bike.

If you are coming from a bike with a bit of get up and go, get the latest GS, as the older models may not be responsive enough for you.

 

[JTee]

My suggestion, for what its worth, is to buy as late as you can afford, from a dealer so you get a decent BMW warranty and history, fit engine bars on it and buy a spare litre of oil if its a hex-head, stop reading all the crap on here about x is good, y is bleedin awful etc, and just ride the thing. Fill up and repeat.

Test ride and buy the one you like.

My hexhead GSA had eaten its suspension at 22K and gobbled its gearbox at 65K and got thrown away at 95K, so they all have problems.

Hence a good warranty is a must.

And a service history.

And a decent dealer........

 

[JTee]

Well that killed the conversation :-(

 

[pistole]

a riding buddy's 2012 GSA.

early into ownership : one gearbox under warranty.

now : this bearing has gone at about 45K kms.

the people who say the air/oil cooled bikes are "sorted" don't know what they're talking about.

 

[TimboLeMatelot]

Ooooh errr......perhaps I'll just stick to the Fazer and stay single!

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Ooooh errr......perhaps I'll just stick to the Fazer and stay single!

Get the gs te and you will be blown away. The 2012 bikes two up and with luggage can be a bit sluggish ...so if you like your rides sporty, its gotta be 2013 onwards, it feels so much quicker and is even a bit better on fuel than the earlier bikes (personal opinion based on owning 2x1150, 2x 1200 twin cam, and now a 2014). Bmw have gone all citroen, bit by bit the quirkiness is being ironed out, which many will bemoan.

Test ride essential though and id always buy from bmw dealers.

 

[Skid06]

Get the gs te and you will be blown away. The 2012 bikes two up and with luggage can be a bit sluggish ...so if you like your rides sporty, its gotta be 2013 onwards, it feels so much quicker and is even a bit better on fuel than the earlier bikes (personal opinion based on owning 2x1150, 2x 1200 twin cam, and now a 2014). Bmw have gone all citroen, bit by bit the quirkiness is being ironed out, which many will bemoan.

Test ride essential though and id always buy from bmw dealers.

+1 I had a first batch 2013 LC, gearbox wasn't the best ive had and neither the worst but i still didnt want to take it back, the best boxer twin by a country mile, it does everything better than the old model as it should, as above buy from a dealer, you wont regret it

 

[sampleman]

Some thoughts to broaden up your yiew a little bit: Currently you are riding a Fazer 1000, which features a watercooled inline four engine and a chain drive. You want a new bike because you require a more comfortable seating position and more space for your lady. Your budget is limited, so money is an issue.

Maybe the easiest solution would be buying another chain driven bike with inline four engine, which gives you what the fazer won't. At this point a Kawasaki Versys 1000 comes to my mind. The first generation was butt ugly and lacks a central stand. The new generation looks more conventional. Both are very comfortable street bikes and cost way less than a GS. I ride my R1100GS because I like the combination of aircooled boxer engine and cardanic shaft drive. I also like the possibility to go offroad, although I rarely do so. Besides that I am big and heavy - and I do not need the pillow seat. So the GS concept is perfect for me, but is it also perfect for you?

If I would be in the market for a R1200GS, I'd would try to find an aircooled one from 2008, from a dealer, with warranty and a clean service history.




Beste Grüße vom Sampleman und seinem Tatschpätt

 

[TimboLeMatelot]

Thanks to the replies so far....

Sampleman

Thanks for your comments, to behonest with you is the seating arrangement on the Fazer was better I would'nt be even thinking of changing however it is what it is and both the Paula and I are older and comfort is more of an issue than anything if we are going to travel as we intend. Alps, Denmark, Pyrennees, Italy and Norway even. All destinations we fancy travelling to on a bike, its the only way to see more. I want the luggage space as I like to get rid of the bike clobber and wear casuals when I get somewhere to really enjoy my day. I am past walking around in leathers in the height of summer!!

I like the idea of the GS, I was so impressed with the ride when I test rode one back in '07 and the fact it is able to do a bit of everything appeals, a bit of dirt trail also appeals. Speed is'nt necessarily an issue as I have been and done that now.

I have a test ride tomorrow on a Triple black 12 plate so I will report back on my impressions.

I was interested n your recommendation of a 2008 plate bike, are there fundemental differences in the specification then? I am aware a 08 plate is post servo brakes which are an issue for some but are there other reason you suggested that? Or is it simply on a compromise of price against model?

I must admit I am put off the idea of a GS when reading of some of the issues people have had. I am surprised as I imagined BMW engineering would have been superlative and the bikes without major issues. Gearbox failures are a little off putting to say the least.

Your further comments would be appreciated please

Thanks

Tim

 

[Zx9man]

I am on my second gsa my first was an 08 witch was a good bike but a bit down on power when loaded with swmbo and kit now on a 2013 tc and would not go back its got enough pull to keep me happy
I have test ridden the new 2014 gsa and would say epic but for me I will wait 2-3 years then upgrade
So imo a good 2010-2013 gsa should do the job very nicely

 

[kurienp]

Tim, have you considered the ratio of people here complaining of gearbox issues and the number of bikes that BMW has sold? I think the ratio of people having gearbox issues is very very low. Yes, there are issues. All bikes have issues.

You, coming from a Fazer, my recommendation would be to try an LC. Try a 2014 version of the LC. Any bike you buy, try it first, and if you feel good, go for it. Give the LC a try would be my recommendation.

..
I must admit I am put off the idea of a GS when reading of some of the issues people have had. I am surprised as I imagined BMW engineering would have been superlative and the bikes without major issues. Gearbox failures are a little off putting to say the least.
...

Tim

 

[TimboLeMatelot]

Test ride

A cold and misty winters day down here in the south but am still grinning having had a good 100 mile test ride blast on a 12 plate Triple Black. I won't bore you with it all as you are all riding a GS in some form or another but we rode roads of all types and I enjoyed them all on a machine that was confidence inspiring and FUN!

Paula was more than happy in her comfy pillion position with no knee discomfort, I purposely rode 1.5hrs non-stop to really see how it felt and we were both without complaint.

The bike felt planted and handled well even on very rough country lanes and I never felt it was lacking in power. I appreciated luggage weight may dampen the response somewhat but we know how to travel light so I don't see that as an issue.

All in all I am sold on the idea I just need to find some money to pay for it. I may yet test ride an LC tho just to see the difference.

For your entertainment and hilarity my hands were bloody freezing today as we encountered temperatures as low as 1.5°C around Crowborough and Ashdown Forest and I FORGOT to turn the heated grips on!!!!! Having never had them before the thought never crossed my mind. Arrrghh

I would still be interested in peoples thoughts on the earlier post servo brake bikes. Are they much different? I could live without some of the gizzmos, Electronic suspension, ABS etc

Bw

Timbo LM

 

[TimboLeMatelot]

KurienP

Fair comment and much in line with what the dealer said today who in all fairness seemed very open, genuine and honest. (Chandlers in Portslade)

 

[Zx9man]

A cold and misty winters day down here in the south but am still grinning having had a good 100 mile test ride blast on a 12 plate Triple Black. I won't bore you with it all as you are all riding a GS in some form or another but we rode roads of all types and I enjoyed them all on a machine that was confidence inspiring and FUN!

Paula was more than happy in her comfy pillion position with no knee discomfort, I purposely rode 1.5hrs non-stop to really see how it felt and we were both without complaint.

The bike felt planted and handled well even on very rough country lanes and I never felt it was lacking in power. I appreciated luggage weight may dampen the response somewhat but we know how to travel light so I don't see that as an issue.

All in all I am sold on the idea I just need to find some money to pay for it. I may yet test ride an LC tho just to see the difference.

For your entertainment and hilarity my hands were bloody freezing today as we encountered temperatures as low as 1.5°C around Crowborough and Ashdown Forest and I FORGOT to turn the heated grips on!!!!! Having never had them before the thought never crossed my mind. Arrrghh

I would still be interested in peoples thoughts on the earlier post servo brake bikes. Are they much different? I could live without some of the gizzmos, Electronic suspension, ABS etc

Bw

Timbo LM

Are you mad ? Get the one with all the toys on it and yes it was cold today but I had my grips on so all I had was a cold nose lol

 

[Engineer]

ignore all the nay sayers and get the LC, the twin-cam was just the stop gap between the original 1200GS and the LC. All are good bikes but if you buy a twin-cam and then ride the water cooled GS you will regret getting the twin-cam. The LC is a big step up in performance, the extra grunt of the water cooled bike leaves the earlier 1200s feeling a bit weak.

 

[pistole]

ignore all the nay sayers and get the LC, the twin-cam was just the stop gap between the original 1200GS and the LC. All are good bikes but if you buy a twin-cam and then ride the water cooled GS you will regret getting the twin-cam. The LC is a big step up in performance, the extra grunt of the water cooled bike leaves the earlier 1200s feeling a bit weak.

I would really have to disagree there because I ride alot with other twin cams and its down to the rider(s)

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

I would really have to disagree there because I ride alot with other twin cams and its down to the rider(s)

Coming back to the bikes though, engineer is spot on. The lc is a livewire and quite a big step forward performance wise. Doesnt mean the earlier bikes arent also great tho. If you try an lc chances are you'll probably want one.

 

[kurienp]

Twincam = LC + Rain mode?

I would really have to disagree there because I ride alot with other twin cams and its down to the rider(s)