Opinions on Options Please

[Norm]

Newcomer to the 1200GS, waiting to get the right bike and the right deal.

Just wondering what the collective wisdom and thoughts were regarding two options on the 1200 - Namely:

ABS, is it a must have or is it nice to have, I am sure there will be comments about experience etc, but in general is it something worth paying for on this bike.

Traction Control.... same question as above really.


Thanking you in anticipation

i suppose this will make for my "hello, newbie here" post aswell!!!!

 

[Flipfly]

Hi Norm

Personally I think ABS is a must. Hopefully you'll never need it, but you'll regret it should you need it and it's not on the bike.

Traction control, hmmmmmm, never had it but then I do like the odd slide to keep the adrenaline flowing. I don't think it will save you on diesel, but I have heard that it works should you be a bit ham fisted (I do hope the guy the told me this reads this post ).

If it were mine I'd spec the ABS, trip computer and a Les Wassall HID upgrade.

Make sure you get the right colour too, some colours are obviously much slower than the "right" colour

Good luck with ya bike (ps don't forget to add the extended warrantee )

 

[Steve]

Personally I think ABS is a must. Hopefully you'll never need it, but you'll regret it should you need it and it's not on the bike.

I wouldn't say it was a must.

I rode bikes for 35 years without it and I didn't die, not even once.

 

[alimey4u2]

I highly recommend ABS (until it breaks...)

 

[Flipfly]

I wouldn't say it was a must.

I rode bikes for 35 years without it and I didn't die, not even once.

I still ride 1 without ABS, as well as one with.

I have never needed the ABS on the RT but I have used it in anger once on my old GS and thank BM for making it available.

The ABS can get you into trouble also if you are too agressive with the brakes but I still would choose it as an option.

The other side of the coin is when you come to sell it on, far easier to sell a well specced ABS model than a non ABS.

 

[AxeGrinder]

I wouldn't say it was a must.

I rode bikes for 35 years without it and I didn't die, not even once.

Can't you get it with a switch to turn it off as required? Or am I dreaming...

 

[normand]

normand

Hi, another prospective GS1200 owner -and this is my first post
views would be appreciated on owners thoughts,if they were ordering a new bike.
Options - Chrome Exhaust pipe,ESA Electronic Suspension Adjustment,Integral
ABS (Partial) and Cross Spoke Wheels as aposed to standard fit Cast Iron Wheels
I would go for Heated Grips,On Board Computer anyway, also thoughts on the engine protection would be appreciated .
I realize alot of these are down to personal preference but your views and experience would be very helpful.

Thanks in anticipation,
normand

 

[SonicTheHedgehog]

I would go for Heated Grips,On Board Computer anyway, also thoughts on the engine protection would be appreciated .

One of the reasons I went with the GSA over the GS is that it had all the protective gubbins applied, so I wouldn't have to bother. I must confess I'm too wary of riding a bike without guards/sliders to be particularly happy about it, so it's a personal preference thing.

As far as options went, buy a full pack's (sport pack, comfort pack, whatever) worth of options and your bike may be easier to source as a pre-build and therefore arrive faster. I got the lot because I had major components in each pack that I wanted (OBC, heated grips, ESA, ASC, ABS) so it was a case of "Am I worried about spending an extra £80 for a chromed exhaust and driving lights, that I'm not too bothered about?" *shrug*
As it happens, I really like the driving lights, but I digress.

As far as the components I Wanted dictating pack choice, resale value was there but not prominent in my mind - it was mostly personal comfort. S'only my second bike, and my first over 600cc, so ASC and ABS were peace of mind and wallet, and ESA and grips were a straight comfort choice. The ABS I've used in anger once (brain-out moment on a loan bike, actually), and the ASC I've not had go off in anger, though I did manage to seriously confuse it by lifting the front wheel off a set of traffic lights; it wasn't impressed with that trick at all, and brought me down quickly.

Um. I think I've wandered off thread somewhere. But it made sense at the time.

 

[Flipfly]

standard fit Cast Iron Wheels

Thankfully BM have improved and they are now Alloy

Personally I would stay clear of ESA as it's more stuff to go wrong and really not necessary (unless you've paid for it in which case it will be a must have).

The chrome pipe makes it look nicer for longer.

Spokes are better if you plan to off road.

There are plenty of engine bars that are available. BM ones are expensive and easily damaged if off road, I had SW Motech on my 1150 and they were really good IMHO.

 

[Stickleback]

IMHO, an essential option for an GS is the heated grips. They make such a difference to the pleasure of riding, and mean that I can ride far further without stopping due to having cold hands. The GS rally gloves work really well in combination with the heated grips...

ABS - well I'm a fan. I know there is no way that I could react with cadence braking as quickly as ABS could potentially get me out of trouble. It gives much more confidence (to me anyway) when riding on wet or crap encrusted roads as we tend to have in these parts.

Biggest issue I have with options is that when buying new GSA, the grips were on a different option package to the ABS so ended up with adding the Dynamic package and Premium package to get both. Yes, I know that I could have selected carefully and only bought those bits I actually wanted, but with an eye on resale time thought it would be easier to shift a fully loaded bike than one with only a couple of add-ons.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I got everything on my 2008 GSA, but some of it is not needed

 

[Deleted Member I]

Hi Norm

Personally I think ABS is a must. Hopefully you'll never need it, but you'll regret it should you need it and it's not on the bike.

Traction control, hmmmmmm, never had it but then I do like the odd slide to keep the adrenaline flowing. I don't think it will save you on diesel, but I have heard that it works should you be a bit ham fisted (I do hope the guy the told me this reads this post ).

If it were mine I'd spec the ABS, trip computer and a Les Wassall HID upgrade.

Make sure you get the right colour too, some colours are obviously much slower than the "right" colour

Good luck with ya bike (ps don't forget to add the extended warrantee )

Have you actually used traction control

 

[Deleted Member I]

Newcomer to the 1200GS, waiting to get the right bike and the right deal.

Just wondering what the collective wisdom and thoughts were regarding two options on the 1200 - Namely:

ABS, is it a must have or is it nice to have, I am sure there will be comments about experience etc, but in general is it something worth paying for on this bike.

Traction Control.... same question as above really.


Thanking you in anticipation

i suppose this will make for my "hello, newbie here" post aswell!!!!

Just go for the premium pack and dynamic pack. There are loads around with that spec at dealers. So you can do a deal on those. Most options that help with riding can be switched off if you don't like it.

But to get a bike with slightly odd options .. "might" make it harder to sell second hand.

 

[Den]

Remember to get these options fitted.
Seemingly, they are essential.

 

[normand]

Thanks for input chaps, nice to hear that my initial thoughts re options are not too far out.
Flipfly thanks for pointing that out about the wheels .

Its looking like this :- (to order)

1200 GS,Titan Silver Metalic,Riders Low seat,(29" inside Leg),Chrome Exhaust pipe,Heated Grips,ESA,On Board Computer,ABS,Cross Spoke Wheels,Side Panniers and Top Box.

If anyone has any more recommendations, I would be more than happy to hear about them

Regards normand

Or should I be looking at the Adventure? my main concern is the ride
Height.

 

[BegesRus]

I had ABS and went onto a gravel road - know what - I could'nt stop with the ABS not switched off! fortunately not going fast so backed off OK.
ABS will be fantastic if you ever need to use it - With the power of the brakes in an emergency the ABS will stop you so quickly that it's likely the bike will fall over when stopped!
BegesRus

 

[Flipfly]

Have you actually used traction control

Actually no, only in the car.

The traction control will only control the power to the rear wheel, so it will only save the rear from sliding out on slippy surfaces leaving the front to slide away from you anyway. I dare say it could have it's uses, but as I would turn it off when off roading, and would very rarely need it on road, I can't see the point of the extra cost. The rear wheel spinning is usually a good indication of the level of grip available, take that information away and you could end up in more trouble than you would be with a little rear wheelspin.

I know the ABS is rarely used, but I can save a rear wheel slide, if the front goes I'm fooked.

 

[Deleted Member I]

Actually no, only in the car.

The traction control will only control the power to the rear wheel, so it will only save the rear from sliding out on slippy surfaces leaving the front to slide away from you anyway. I dare say it could have it's uses, but as I would turn it off when off roading, and would very rarely need it on road, I can't see the point of the extra cost. The rear wheel spinning is usually a good indication of the level of grip available, take that information away and you could end up in more trouble than you would be with a little rear wheelspin.

I know the ABS is rarely used, but I can save a rear wheel slide, if the front goes I'm fooked.

But that's my point .. it's not extra cost really.

It comes with the Dynamic pack which give you two other things ..

My bike was spec'd with Premium pack + those two bits from the dynamic pack .. because the bloke that ordered it was like you .. thought it would not be worth it for the money.

YET .. my bike's RRP is only £40 less than one spec'd with Premium and Dynamic packs

 

[wadham]

Two very different bikes the GS and GSA. Ride both and then make your choice.

The option packs seem better value than buying individual items. But you will get shafted when you part ex to a BM dealer no matter what is fitted.

ESA is good and I use it all the time to change the handling on my GSA on the road. Each setting is noticably different and works well. The off road GSA settings DO work very well.

Traction control is interesting. It does work and I have used it off road and played with the settings. Its like ABS on the road, you may never use it but when you need it, its there.

ABS - have you got it on your car. Why ?
It can be switched off on gravel roads.

 

[Flipfly]

But that's my point .. it's not extra cost really.

It comes with the Dynamic pack which give you two other things ..

My bike was spec'd with Premium pack + those two bits from the dynamic pack .. because the bloke that ordered it was like you .. thought it would not be worth it for the money.

YET .. my bike's RRP is only £40 less than one spec'd with Premium and Dynamic packs

Point taken. If it's included as part of a package and the cost is minimal then like ABS it's easier to have it and adds value at sale time.

If it was a further £500 option I'd walk away from it as I can't see it being worth that much for my namby pamby riding

If I had it, I'd turn it off more than turn it on.